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.