We spent one night in the Snow Hotel as part of a tour package. This wasn't a bucket list experience but definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. And we are glad we took advantage. Snowhotel is a big igloo- it is warmer inside than outside. The carvings throughout the structure are remarkable. At the end of the night, shots are served in ice glasses at the bar and we slammed our empties into the counter with gusto. Each room has a different theme. Ironic that ours was a log cabin since we live in Colorado. The bed is an air mattress supported on a carved ice frame. The bed has pillows and reindeer hides. We are given sheets and mummy bags to sleep in. (It isn't conducive to cuddling) We were comfortable all night and even got a little warm. We slept well. The facilities (toilets, showers and a sauna) are just down a short (ice) hallway. It was easy and convenient.

Dinner is included as part of the stay. The was good but not memorable. Breakfast the next morning was disappointing. The selection is small. The bacon was undercooked, the eggs were overcooked to the point of rubber. The coffee was weak and tasteless. The salmon was the saving grace. We would have been happier leaving earlier and going back into Kirkenes.

For the cost of the experience, the dining should be of a higher quality.

The whole concept of the snow hotel is brilliant and the rooms are masterpieces of ice art. We were in awe of the skill of the artists who created the carving in each room.

The reception desk and bar created in ice too really set the scene.

I must admit we cheated and actually stayed in one of the awesome Gamme huts instead and just walked through the snow rooms. The huts were very cleverly designed like your own private miniature ski lodge with en-suite and drying room. The outside temperature dropped to minus 17 while we were there and it was good to have somewhere to go to toast up.

The hotel provides free shell suits, boots, woollen socks, mittens and even balaclavas so there is no reason to actually be cold. The staff, throughout were great.

Our negatives were the almost complete lack of information about the property and how it works and fits into its environment.

We appreciated the personal tour of the property when we arrived but that can’t cover everything. Even simple things like how the heating in the gamme huts actually worked could have been helpful.

Overall, ridiculously expensive but great.

Gabba
Designed as a rustic traditional hut, Gabba is a warm and friendly respite from the snow. Wine was quite reasonably priced by both Norwegian and Snow Hotel standards but the food is pricy for what it is. It seems that everything is “cooked” on the open fire, which is probably why the wilderness sandwiches were warm rather than hot.

I stayed at the snow hotel on my trip around Norway last week and what can I say... it was FANTASTIC!! A once in a lifetime experience!

We arrived and were given a tour round by a very pleasant and knowledgeable man named Dennis! What a star and a brilliant asset to the company- his great sense of humour captured our attention whilst he gave us all the information we needed to make the most of our stay!

Then it was time to take a look at the rooms- magic is real! Every room was magical and the attention to detail exceptional! The ice bar was equally as stunning and the polar bear on the reception was just amazing!

The facilities were all suitable and very clean. Only thing could improve would be more sleeping bags as they ran out for other guests! However they were very warm and the beds comfy, I had a very good nights sleep!

Dinner and breakfast were both great in the barn looking over the spectacular scenery!

Although we did not do any extra activities we enjoyed meeting the huskies and reindeer and exploring the wonderful area around the snow hotel.

We had a excellent stay here, a unique and unforgettable way to spend a night. I would definitely recommend the Snow Hotel a truly fantastic experience made extra special by the staff particularly the delightful Dennis (who’s northern lights and snow hotel talk was entertaining yet very informative and interesting!) what a star!

My advice to you would be to go, it’s amazing and you’re guarenteed amazing memories you won’t forget. I’d love to go back soon! A real trip of a lifetime not to be missed!!

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