World's "Coolest" Hotel

Since 1979 we have been using satellites to measure Arctic sea ice levels, which have been warning us about the alarming decrease of ice growth. Climate models predict that by 2040, the Arctic Bay will continue to freeze in winter, but could be free of ice in summer. Now imagine an ice hotel in this scenario that melts away every year.

Initially founded as a pop-up hotel in 1989 in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, the Icehotel used to open exclusively during the winter season. But from last month, a whole new icy experience was added to the original plan, the hotel became permanent, welcoming guests throughout the whole year.

Similar to its seasonal counterpart, the hotel-igloo hybrid takes up 2.100 square meters, becoming part of the landscape. What differentiates the two is that the year-round experience is achieved thanks to 600 square meters of solar panels, which will generate 75 KW of electricity during the summer period and prevent it from melting.

The Icehotel 365 is situated next to the original structure and is made of 30.000 liters of ‘snice’, a combination of snow and ice. With its average indoor temperature of five degrees below zero, the hotel offers 20 artsy suites, where guests are offered a bed made of - you guessed it - ice. We no longer need to buy polar ice to remind us of the period when ice caps used to exist on Earth, we can visit the Icehotel.

Source: CNTraveler