Icy Hotel Adventures Up North

Ramsey Qubein is Travelin' Light's on-the-road correspondent.

ProfessionalTravelGuide.com has thousands of hotels bearing expert coverage on the ins and outs of their offerings, but some draw attention more than others for their unique lodging style.

Take, for example, the Hotel des Glaces on the outskirts of Quebec City, the only ice hotel in North and South America. During my recent visit there, I was warmly surprised by the lengths the property goes to create a memorable experience for its igloo-bound guests.

Each room or suite (yes, there are suites) is decorated in Arctic style with artwork carved out of the ice walls and varying degrees of illumination providing thematic interest.

Guests hunker down on the slabs of ice (topped with a mattress) and ensconced in a sleeping bag for the evening. Instructions are given in advance to avoid drinking liquids 4-5 hours before bedtime as the bathrooms are outside (although heated, a plus for the most frozen of visitors). Management encourages guests to sleep in as little clothing as possible since the hearty sleeping bags will make clothed guests sweat leading them to unzip only to freeze again. And lest one think the novelty behind this property stops at the exterior walls, there are hot tubs, sauna, ice bar (complete with vodka-laden drinks in ice cube glasses), and an ice slide to entertain arrivals.

Groups can congregate in the grand lounge for drinks or a night of dancing too! Even the furniture (sofas, chairs, and tables) are made of ice.

The hotel takes 500 tons of ice and more than a month of labor to build and only has a high season as it is completely melted during the spring, summer, and fall months. For a truly cool experience you’ll never forget, book a night at the Hotel des Glaces. And if spending the night doesn’t exactly light your fire, day passes are available to take a peak. Just remember to pack warmly!