we had a 4-hours-stay at snowhotel...we visited the Hotel with all rooms, then the deers and the Dogs.....it was very very nice to have a glance to the rooms, which are all diferent in carved decoration....as the overnight stay is very expensive in relation to the stay at other Hotels, we didn't spend the night there.
all in a very nice stay for some hours......the tour for the polar light is also very nice...but sadly we could not see the light this night
The hotel is outstanding. It offers a very unique experience and is beautifully decorated by Chinese artists. The food was also excellent and the service efficient. The only downside was that the sauna was not heated at 6 am as promised and had no bucket for the water.
My 9 friends and I attended dinner at the snow hotel. Groups that arrived quite later than us were served first. We were waiting a very long time. Because we were not staying the night, we questioned when our transport was scheduled to return to Kirkenes. We were advised we would have to leave straight away, (it was well after 9pm). Some of my friends did not finish their main meal and none of us had dessert. We had anticipated a pleasant night but the slow service made it a very expensive entree.
The hotel has relocated and added a new restaurant and beautiful bathrooms that are almost connected to the snow hotel. The beds are slabs of ice with mattresses on top of them. They give you sleeping bags, muslin sleeping bag liners, wool socks & balaclava to weather the night. I recommend the following: toe warmers (also brought hand warmers but did not need them), something to put over your eyes - the rooms are lit all night, uggs - or some other easy to get into warm grippy boot for the walk to the bathroom, and don't overdo it on beverages. The dinner was in stages and you will pay extra for alcohol. The staff is very friendly and helpful. If you do get too anxious about staying all night in an igloo - there are 3 outdoor "cabins". The whole facility is beautiful and well worth the visit. There are husky dogs, reindeer and snowmobiling right there, as well.
10 of us from India visited Rovaneimi and wanted to see Aurora borealis and enjoy husky ride and other sports. We chose snow hotel for unique experience and enjoyed very much. The husky ride on the frozen lakes in late evening was exciting. Hotel provided excellent winter gear for rides.
Most of us were vegetarians and dinner they served was delicious. at the same time we were informed about sightings of Auroras. Lot of obstacles prevented us view of them. We had taken bus tour which took us to far away from citi lights but by the time we reached aurora faded away.
Staying in Snow hotel which had beautifully carved rooms and beds was a great experience.
Caution for those who are not familiar with the snow is you should have proper footwear. It is slippery everywhere. While on huskyride apply some cream on your face because there is a chance of burning your nose and face.
This was a highight of our trip, and that's saying somethign because it was a great trip.
The dinner was good - cooked for you over an open fire, reindeer and salmon, with wine available. The accommodation was beautiful - built of ice with different carvings in each room, subtley lit - truly beautiful. They recommended you think like an explorer, and that's just how it felt. The bed was comfortably warm - you dress for it. Climbing out in the night to thrust your feet in your boots and go out to the bathroom meat walking about 50 metres across an open area under the stars in -20 debrees. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
The bathroom was very well-equipped with sauna, plenty of hot showers, lots of room, so you could always retreat there if the ice rooms gave you trouble.
I found the rooms absolutely beautiful. You should do it once - it's like nothing else.
