The world's first Ice Hotel was built in the village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden in 1990, and has been rebuilt every year since then. Operating as a functional hotel between December and April, the structure is made of blocks of ice and snow, which are collected from the nearby Torne River. The hotel is also decorated in ice, and includes an ice bar with drinking glasses made of ice.

Other similar hotels are also made annually in Canada, Norway, Romania, and Finland.

Jukkasjärvi's ice hotel offers both warm and cold accommodations, allowing visitors to stay in sleeping bags on blocks of ice in the hotel, or in one of the nearby hotels.

"Surely there is no hotel in all of Europe as curious as this one deep in the heart of Swedish Lapland... In its glacial setting, guests can check in for an icy night -- hopefully with a good bed partner. If you've ever dreamed of living like an Eskimo, here is your chance." http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sweden/0243020002.html#ixzz0Wa5RAXPc

Canada's Ice Hotel, located near Quebec City, Quebec has a total of 36 rooms, including themed rooms, and suites with fireplaces and private spas.

A 2001 review from the New York Times said of the hotel, "People stay at ice hotels for the novelty, not for the high-speed modem lines. For the novelty and for ethereal beauty, the new Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada scores high." http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/18/travel/at-least-there-s-no-wind-chill.html

Prices for one night at the Jukkasjärvi Icehotel start at $165 U.S., while the nearby Hotel Stureplan in Stockholm averages $87 U.S. per night.

The Ice Hotel in Quebec starts at $180 U.S. per night, while affordable rooms can be found in nearby Québec City starting at $120 U.S. per night.