Some of us might struggle with that extra bit of heat and others are not too fond of the cold weather. But irrespective of what temperature works best for you, an icy retreat is often much more fun than hitting a warm beach. And cuddling up with your sweetheart under a warm blanket and sharing a cup of hot chocolate can leave you memories that will last for a lifetime. And nothing says ‘chill out’ like an ice hotel. Living in a castle crafted out of ice can be a real ‘dream come true’ for many and here are the five best ice hotels on the planet that will send a shiver of joy down your spine.

Ice Hotel – Sweden

The Ice Hotel in Sweden has the distinction of being the very first on the planet and it will woo you with its inimitable ice sculptures, luxurious service and the 80 room hotel built each year from the waters of river Torne will give you a winter holiday that is one of a kind indeed.

Open during the period of December- April and with warm interiors at -5 degrees Celsius (when compared to the freezing ones outside at -40) this is a holiday that is all about ice. Local cuisine, snowmobiles and even the possibility of glorious Northern Lights in the sky make the Ice Hotel a definite draw.

Alta Igloo Hotel – Norway

The Alta Igloo Hotel is the largest ice hotel in Norway and apart from the bars, hotel rooms, lounges and corridors that are crafted from ice, also sports a chapel that is crafted completely out of just ice. Nestled on the bank of river Altaelva, the hotel sports 20 rooms and is the northern most ice hotel in Europe. The time between November and January sees no sunrise in the region and is another ice hotel that allows you to get a glimpse of the dancing Northern Lights.

Aurora Ice Hotel – USA

Located 60 miles away from Fairbanks, Alaska, the American ice hotel allows you to enjoy some wonderful hot springs along with — obviously — a chilly stay. The architecture on the inside is simply stunning with six specifically themed rooms that are all-ice and the owners of the hotel are trying their best to run this Ice Hotel all year long.

Hotel du Glace – Canada

This is one of the most accessible ice hotels on the planet as it is located just 10 minutes away from downtown Québec City. Huge snow vaults and crystalline ice sculptures make the stay at one of its 19 rooms and 13 suites, incredibly appealing.

Taking shape each year from January to March, this ice hotel gives you a wide array of outdoor activities that include skiing, skating and even ice-fishing.

Kemi SnowCastle – Finland

The Snowcastle in Kemi, Finland, is a lot more than just an ice hotel. It is precisely what the name suggests as it gives that magical ‘castle’ experience that will woo and fascinate both children and adults alike. With each year sporting a different theme and now successfully completing 18 consecutive winters, the 33-arctic themed rooms and the ice clad interiors make this trip to Lapland uber-cool!