Why not channel the squirrels this winter and hibernate high in the trees? Located roughly 100 km from Luleå airport in the north of Sweden, each room at TreeHotel floats 4-6 metres above ground with sparkling views over the Lule River Valley, lush pine trees and – if you’re lucky – the Northern Lights. There are seven treehouses to choose from and each is entirely unique, from a 64 metre-squared reflective glass cube to a 17 metre-squared birds nest.
Also known as ‘Igloo Village’, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is set right in the heart of wintery North Lapland. As if that isn’t magical enough, guests can also choose from a range of glass igloo accommodations built from thermal glass to ensure temperatures stay toasty inside. There’s an onsite restaurant, as well as a chapel for the perfect winter wedding. Best of all, you can watch the Northern Lights skirt across the sky from the comfort of a cosy bed.
Located just 4 km outside Quebec City, this architectural marvel is made entirely of ice. There are 44 guest rooms to choose from, but you’ll never get to stay in the same room twice since the hotel is completely redesigned and rebuilt every year. Think it sounds chilly? Fear not, the hotel offers hot tubs, a sauna and an ice bar serving up warming tipples.
Set in the shadows of one of the most iconic mountains in the Pacific Northwest, Timberline Lodge comes complete with a bubbling hot tub, hot sauna and heated pool. Kick back at Ram’s Head Bar with a steaming hot toddy served with sweeping views of Mount Hood or slope off to the Cascade Dining Room for something heartier.
Hotel Arctic is the world’s most northerly four-star hotel, located right on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Ice Fjord – one of the fastest moving active glaciers in the world. Each of its five igloos boasts a front row seat to a steady stream of icebergs, as well as a cosy double bed, flat-screen TV and a steaming hot shower.
For a truly arctic experience, Norway’s Sorrisniva is unbeatable. Located on the banks of the Alta River, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel was the first-ever hotel built entirely from ice and snow in Norway. There are now 26 bedrooms and four suites to choose from, each featuring an extra-large bed crafted from ice blocks and topped with an insulated mattress and reindeer furs. There’s an ice chapel and ice bar too.
Nestled in acres of private parkland, this swish swiss chalet is Gstaad’s most luxurious hotel. It was built in 1912 but there’s nothing remotely dated about it – think House of Hackney wallpaper, dazzling art installations and state-of-the-art guest rooms. As well as skiing, the hotel offers mountain bike hire, car tours in Roger Moore’s old 1963 Bentley and a 3,000 metre-squared subterranean spa.
The Hungarian capital city really comes alive at Christmas, and nowhere more so than at the Corinthia Hotel. Come Christmas, the iconic neo-classical facade is festooned with Christmas lights and the dreamy marble hallway and vast ballroom are reconfigured to accommodate towering Christmas trees. And after a long day pounding the pavements, the warming thermal waters of Corinthia Budapest’s Royal Spa are calling.
This 800-year old castle was the former home of the Guinness family, but now it’s a luxury hotel that promises to fulfil all of your Downtown dreams. If you make the trip at Christmas, you’ll get to enjoy Christmas Eve dinner in the George V Dining Room, a Christmas morning cruise on Lough Corrib with traditional music and hot whiskey, wine tasting in the cellar, whiskey tasting in the billiards room and activities such as archery and falconry across the estate. La-di-da!
The United State’s most iconic park boasts spectacular views all year round, but there’s never a more magical time to visit Yosemite than in winter. The Ahwahnee is the crown jewel of the national park lodges – literally – even Queen Elizabeth II has spent a night here. For an extra special stay, bump up to the Mary Curry Tresidder Suite or rent out one of the lodges, which feature roaring fire and plush furnishings.
