Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Are all your holidays listed on this website?

A. No. We can create any package you like. Please contact us for details. We also have Ice Chapel Weddings listed on our Travel Bee website.

Q. When can I go on an ice hotel holiday?

A. Icehotel and the Igloo Village open in December and close again in mid April, Icehotel Canada is open from the first week in January until the end of March

Q. Which ice hotel should I go to?

A. It depends what you are looking for!

Icehotel Sweden in Jukkasjärvi near Kiruna is the most popular. It is the largest at 4000 square metres and with 85 snowy rooms. Over 3000 tonnes of ice alone is harvested each year with much more snow being used. It has had a unique hotel each season for the last 17 years now. It also has 3 different styles of cabin.

Igloo village Kakslauttanen is a smaller establishment. It has 32 snow igloos as well as glass igloos, cabins with private saunas and a range of deluxe accommodation including wedding chambers with their own private hot tub.

Icehotel Canada offers a great mix of fabulous Icehotel with a quality hotel onsite and plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding area. The Icehotel itself has a hot tub and spa for the use of guests and regularly offers late night activities for the entertainment of the guests including ice sculpting in the bar.

There also many other worldwide ice hotels - Kemi in Finland has the Ice castle, Norway has the Alta igloo hotel and there is the Lainio snow village also in Finland. However more are appearing each year - China now has an enormous Ice festival and Romania has a small snow hotel too.

Q. Do I have to spend every night in the ice hotels?

A. No.

At Icehotel there is warm accommodation comprising of Aurora cabins which have a skylight over the beds, Kaamos rooms which have a hotel feel and family cabins which can sleep up to 4. It is usual to spend 1 night in Icehotel and 2 nights in warm.

At Kakslauttanen there is a wide range of options including secluded cabins which have open fires and private saunas and can sleep between 1 and 5 people, Glass igloos which are made from glass to offer unhindered views of the northern lights and also the deluxe cabins featuring a hot tub.

At Icehotel Canada you can stay in the Hotel Auberge or in cabins.

Q. What clothes do I need?

We can provide you with Arctic clothing rental consisting of snowmobile suit, snowmobile boots, mittens and hats but we recommend you bring the following; Thick woollen socks - it is best to wear 2 pairs, thermal underwear (wool or manmade fibres - not cotton), inner layer of fleece or wool, mid layer of fleece or wool and your own scarf, gloves/mittens and hat just in case. It is also often helpful to have sturdy shoes and a good coat if you have them.

Q. What can we do when we get there?

A. There is plenty to do. As well as enjoying the ice sculptures there is a choice of activities. Husky sledging and snowmobiling are popular but if you want something different at Icehotel you can enjoy overnight excursions with a night in a wilderness cabin or at the Igloo village you can participate in reindeer sledging or book your own private meeting with Santa!

Q. When do I need to book by?

A. We recommend you book as early as possible. Busy periods such as Christmas and New Year can be fully booked 12 months before the event. The earlier you book the better the chances are you will get exactly what you want at the best prices!

Q. Can I change the itineraries you have listed?

A. Of course! We tailor all our breaks to your specifications so it you tell us what you want (including preferred dates and number of travellers) then we can create an itinerary just for you!

Q. Where do I go to the toilet in the ice hotels?

A. There is a warm building attached to the ice hotels where you can go. However you need to go from your room to get there so don't drink too much vodka before bed as you might regret it when you need to run to the toilet in the early hours!

Q. Is it cold in the ice hotels?

A. In a word - yes! The rooms average -5c (41f) inside. This is necessary as otherwise the room would melt! However it is a very dry and still cold so you do not feel as chilly as you would expect. Also we offer arctic clothing rental and clothing advice so you can be sure you will be comfortable. You are given the highest quality sleeping bags that are suitable to -40 Celsius (-40 Fahrenheit) so you can sleep comfortably.

Q. Isn't it dark in winter?

A. Although the sun doesn't rise above the horizon for 2 weeks of the year (mid December) the whiteness of the snow reflects what little light there is. The ice hotels being made of snow also feel surprisingly bright. The starlit sky and the northern lights more than make up for the short amount of daylight.

Q. Will I see the Northern Lights?

A. Unfortunately we can't guarantee it but there is a high chance. It fact Kakslauttanen is one of the best places in the world statistically to see the Aurora Borealis. There is an 80% chance on any particular night between August and April providing there is not too much cloud cover. This makes the glass igloos extra special as you can lie in bed and watch the sky above you. The igloo village has a bell that sounds to tell you when the Aurora are visible in the sky so you don't miss it! Our new Northern Lights package is also excellent for seeing the Aurora Borealis.

Iceland Packages

Q. Can I see whales and the Northern Lights?

A. Yes, April and September coincide with the Whale and Northern Light seasons

Q. Can I snowmobile in Iceland?

A. Yes! Ask about our Glacier snowmobiling tour

Q. Do I need to be a qualified diver to dive at Silfra?

A. To dive yes you will need a diving qualification – the best diving is below 40metres and so an advanced qualification is necessary however the site also offers excellent snorkeling for non-divers. 

South Africa

Q. What sharks will I see?

A. No species can be guaranteed but there is a high possibility of seeing: Great White, Ragged Tooth, Bull, Hammerhead and tiger as well as whales and dolphins

Q. What if I don’t Dive?

A. The Great White cage dive can still be done and some of the other dives can be done with snorkels although many of the sharks do tend to stay at deeper depths.

Thailand

Q. What if I don’t Dive?

A. Snorkeling is possible as is taking a referral diving course.

Q. What’s the nightlife like?

A. Relaxing. Onboard there is the possibility to relax with a drink in the evening. The hotel is set back from the bustle of the town and you can enjoy the quite bar onsite or take a wander into town for something more lively.

Egypt

Q. What if I don’t Dive?

A. Snorkeling is possible as is taking a referral diving course or travelling out and doing your whole PADI course at the resort.

Q. Can I take diving courses whilst there?

Yes, we can offer a full range of PADI, BSAC and TDI dive courses, from novice to Instructor level and from TDI Nitrox to Trimix.

Q. I have a question you haven't answered!

A. Then please ask - we're here to help!