It may not feel like it in all parts of Canada, but we promise winter has actually arrived.
And with it, so too has the desire to head south.
But we’re here to tell you that there are plenty of places around the world that are well worth the price of wearing a few extra layers. From skiing, skating, snowmobiling, dogsledding, snowshoeing, and hiking – the possibilities are endless.
Time to put on your (winter) boots and check out what Booking.com thinks are 7 of the most unique winter accommodations in the world.
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1. Washington School House Hotel, U.S.A.
Stay at this beautiful historical schoolhouse turned luxury boutique hotel in Utah. This accommodation offers a year-round mountainside heated outdoor pool and hot tub so you can swim as it snows. Don’t forget your skis. With the town lift only a few feet away, skiing in and out is a breeze. If skiing isn’t your thing, enjoy bobsledding, ice skating or sleigh riding with most of the local attractions only a hop, ski, and a jump away.
2. Hotel Villa Honegg, Switzerland
This historical five-star establishment is situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps on Mount Bürgenstock. Besides the obvious access to some of the world’s best ski hills, this hotel has a heated outdoor infinity pool with stunning views overlooking Lake Lucerne. If you’re looking for a winter escape complete with a mountainous backdrop, value your privacy, and want to enjoy incredible luxury, this hotel promises a once-in-a lifetime vacation.
3. Santa’s Hotel Aurora, Finland
If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable experience, look no further than Santa’s Hotel Aurora. Although you won’t find the big man in red, you will find a multi-colored sky lit up by the Northern Lights. Located in one of the world’s best places to observe the Northern Lights, this hotel features rooms enclosed completely in glass – ideal for watching the glowing polar night skies. In addition, guests can enjoy all sorts of activities like skiing, snowmobile rides, snowshoe hikes, and even reindeer and husky safaris in the snowy Lapland forest.
4. Emerald Lake Lodge, Canada
Located on a private island beside the beautiful turquoise waters of Emerald Lake, in Yoho National Park, in southeastern British Columbia, this property is surrounded by some of the Rockies’ most remarkable peaks. Each room is equipped with a wood-burning fieldstone fireplace, perfect for relaxing and lounging. After a long day of trekking the picturesque outdoors, guests can indulge in hearty comfort food at the award-winning Mount Burgess Dining Room.
5. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway
If you’ve ever wanted to sleep in an igloo, now is your chance. The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta, Finland offers the ultimate winter wonderland experience with a constant temperature between -4 and -7 °C. Enjoy snowmobile safaris on the Finnmark Plateau, reindeer sleigh rides, ice fishing, and Northern Lights tours. After a busy day of winter adventure, soak in their outdoor hot tub and then settle in for one of the most unique sleeps of a lifetime, complete with reindeer leather sleeping pads and incredibly warm sleeping bags.
6. Kirkenes Snowhotel, Norway
Step off your plane and take a husky taxi straight to your hotel. Located in one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, the Kirkenes Snowhotel offers unique snow-sculpted rooms complete with thermal bed spreads and sleeping bags. This one of a kind accommodation also offers an array of activities including skiing, sledding, arctic king crab fishing tours, and snowmobiling. Oh and did we mention the Northern Lights Safari?
7. Balea Ice Hotel, Romania
Get ready for a cable car ride to this ice hotel, located 2000m above sea level. With rooms handcrafted by local craftsman from ice straight out of the nearby Balea Lake, this place is cold yet heart-warming. Reindeer fur-blankets will keep you toasty warm while you take a well-deserved nap on your ice-bed after a long day spent on the nearby ski slopes.
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