Sweden's ice hotel amazes visitors, boosts local tourism

Beauty of Sweden's ICEHOTEL 365, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, amazes visitors and boosts local tourism since its open early this year. The ICEHOTEL 365 is a new attempt by its mother brand ICEHOTEL, the world's first hotel made of ice and snow. Compared with other temporary hotels of its kind, the hotel is a permanent structure available all year round and has heating facilities in bathrooms. "We found out that we could make it, build it like a building that is permanent, very well insulated, so we can keep the cold inside. But then we have to have the cooling machines to keep the minus temperature. So we have a lot of solar cell panels. So actually the sun has become our friend instead of the enemy," said Arne, Creative Director of ICEHOTEL 365. Arne said the hotel covers 2,100 square meters and includes 20 guest rooms. He added all the ice of the hotel is from the 520-kilometer Torne River nearby and the hotel cannot exist without the river. Since its founding in 1989, the ICEHOTEL, has brought many tourists to little Swedish village of Jukkasjarvi. Apart from checking in the hotels, tourists can also experience dog sled tours and ice fishing in the village.