The Ice Hotel

The demand for a stay in an ice hotel has never been greater. The first hotel made of ice opened in Jukkasjarvi, a Lapland town in the north of Sweden, in1990. The Ice Hotel concept has gripped the world's imagination since then.
Sweden remains the world's main venue for buildings made of ice. By exploring Sweden you might expect to find ice galleries, ice restaurants and ice bars as well as the ice hotels. But Sweden is not alone - the other Scandinavian countries have launched their own versions of the Ice Hotel concept. Even Alaska and upstate Quebec in Canada have built an ice hotel in the last few years.
The real adventure of an ice hotel is in staying overnight but many visitors simply arrive for the day to dine in the restaurant or to drink in an Ice Bar. There is nothing quite so warming as a shot of pure vodka served from a glass made entirely of ice.
If your hands are not too numb at the time then you can "tie the knot" in the coolest manner imaginable. Ice hotel weddings have become so popular that the Scandinavian ice hotels can't keep up with the demand.
The original ice hotel in Sweden is only in existence for around four months each year before it (quite literally) melts away to nothing but it's remarkably busy during its short season. Fifteen thousand guests stayed last year and this year's Ice Hotel has eighty-eight bedrooms - thirty of them specially decorated suites created by local ice artists.
All of the ice hotels offer daytime activities and excursions such as ice-carving classes, snowmobile excursions, reindeer rides and dog sledging. The original Ice Hotel in Sweden also has a four hundred-seat theatre where guests can enjoy rock music, opera and other theatrical performances in the evenings. You can purchase Ice Hotel souvenirs and merchandise in the Ice Hotel shop and the concept has spread beyond Sweden. The original Ice Hotel company now run two permanent Ice Bars where the cool citizens of Milan and Stockholm can gather for an evening of "chilling."
If you're planning a visit to an Ice Hotel then follow these top tips on how to sleep well when the temperature in your bedroom never rises above minus five degrees.
Try to take part in an evening activity so that you're already tired when you go to bed.
Avoid the obvious temptation and don't drink too much - getting up to the toilet in the middle of the night is not much fun when it's minus five degrees in your bedroom!
Do make sure that your sleeping bag fits you snugly and wear socks, thermal underwear and a woolly hat in bed. Sexy it ain't! But definitely essential to a comfortable night.
Whatever happens you're sure to have a unique experience and are not likely to quickly forget the night you spent in an Ice Hotel.

Gary Hill is a travel writer based near Edinburgh in Scotland. He thinks his own bedroom is more than cold enough at times but the Ice Hotel concept seems to attract many thousands each year!

 

  

  

  

 

Nainital Hotel

 

A pretty hamlet, Nainital is where a turquoise Naini Lake shimmers beautifully amid an ever-green valley. The chirping of birds wake you up at the dawn, the picturesque mountain scenery enchants you and the sights of local bazaars and people gathered here makes the magnificent Himalayan splendor worth admiring. The crowd gatherings increases immensely during holiday seasons when people retreat towards this fabulous hilly resort for a well earned break from monotonous city life. With such giant influx of tourist populations the need of comfortable hotels in Nainital has been on a rise as well. In the current times the city is peppered with an abundance of modes of accommodation; these Nainital hotels area available in numerous categories and offers accommodation in numerous price ranges to match everyone's taste, preference and budget.
The hotels known for their immaculate settings and flawless services and modern business and recreation amenities are mainly the luxury hotels in Nainital. Some of the finest luxury properties in the region are:
Manu Maharani Nainital: The property is one of the few five star Nainital hotels. The finest of the hotels in the region, Manu Maharani is a vintage property valued highly for its elegant design, immaculate settings, range of lip-smacking cuisines coupled with a complimenting surroundings. The hotel overlooking the lush green Nainital valley offers mesmerizing vistas of the pictorial Naini Lake. The dining options are aplenty including a 24-hour coffee shop- Gardenia, Panorama- a multi-cuisine restaurant serving finest of Indian and world cuisine, Viceroy- the bar serving a choicest collection of exotic cocktails, Indian and foreign liquors.
The Naini Retreat: A majestic edifice standing tall to display the old world charm, The Naini Retreat is meticulously situated on the pictorial Ayarpattta Slopes. On the altitude of 1995 meters, the hotel overlooks breathtaking beauty of Naini Lake and gorgeous vistas. Referred to as an erstwhile residence of Maharaja of Pilibhit, the resort is highly regarded as one of the finest heritage hotels in Nainital. Tastefully done bedrooms, intimate dining halls and stunning Himalayan panorama around makes stay here an unforgettable memory.
Vikram Vintage Inn: A newly constructed property, Vikram Vintage is a class apart with its English style interiors, well appointed luxury suites, modern electronic paraphernalia and amicable staff serving every guest with a smile. Handpicked fabrics and furnishing add a homely touch to the ambiance of the room making it apt for a cozy and comfortable experience.
Chevron Fairheven: As you scroll through your options for accommodation in Nainital you cannot ignore the fabulous Chevron Fairheven. The hotel with its fair set of budget categories, its adventure sports and recreation amenities is a pleasant drift in the list of clone four star properties in the town.