In 2017, Giles Coren visited the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, northern Sweden, while filming for his popular show Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby, which TV judge Rob Rinder now hosts. This hotel is the world's first ice hotel, and every year, artists from around the globe are invited to design unique rooms and decorations made entirely of ice. The structure remains below freezing, typically around −5 °C. Since its opening in 1990, the hotel has been rebuilt annually from December to April.

The hotel, including its chairs and beds, is constructed from snow and ice blocks from the nearby Torne River. We'll explore what makes this remarkable hotel so special, which left Coren speechless when he entered its grand foyer.

The hotel is crafted entirely from the Torne River's pristine snow and crystal-clear ice blocks. Every aspect of the establishment, including the unique glasses served at the bar, is made of ice. Each spring, typically around March, Icehotel collects tons of ice from the frozen surface of the Torne River, storing it in a nearby production hall to ensure it remains intact until needed.

This harvested ice lends itself to the intricate designs of the Icebar and plays a vital role in ice sculpting classes, events, and product launches held across the globe. Meanwhile, fresh snow is essential for building construction.

What truly sets Icehotel apart is its ever-changing architecture. Each suite features a unique design, and every year, the hotel is rebuilt from the ground up, with artists submitting their innovative ideas for the suites. A panel of judges carefully selects about 50 creative minds to bring their visions to life, transforming the hotel annually.

Every year, the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi attracts a diverse array of applications from artists across the globe, all eager to contribute to the design of its unique ice suites. The process of constructing this remarkable hotel begins when temperatures drop sufficiently to permit the operation of snow guns, typically around mid-November.

During this period, skilled craftsmen use these snow guns to spray layers of snow onto large, inverted catenary-shaped steel forms. This technique allows the snow to freeze into solid structures over a couple of days. Once the freezing process is complete, the steel forms are meticulously removed, revealing a stunning network of free-standing corridors made entirely of snow.

The opening of the Icehotel occurs in phases, with the first section welcoming visitors at the beginning of December. Each subsequent week sees the unveiling of new areas of the hotel, and it is fully cimpleted by early January. This gradual opening allows guests to experience the evolving artistry and craftsmanship that define the Icehotel, making each visit a unique occasion.