Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) in Quebec 2023
Spend a night in an ice castle like a Disney character
Best time: January 4–March 11, 2023
For the last 15 years, Hotel de Glace has started each season with a grand opening in January. This annual event launches the new winter with the ultimate Nordic experience—everyone should try it at least once in a lifetime!
Hotel de Glace, or Ice Hotel, offers plenty of different packages for couples, families, or friends. Visitors can spend a night in a real winter wonderland, surrounded by icy walls and crystalline sculptures, jump into a hot tub, or enjoy a drink in the ice bar.
For those who find this experience too tough, and wont be able to stay through the night, Hotel de Glace will provide a room in a normal suite nearby. Located only 20 mintures away from Québec City, this freezing hotel is open for visitors from early January till late March.
Practical info
When is Hôtel de Glace open for visitors?
Hôtel de Glace opens between January and March each year, offering visitors the ultimate Nordic experience. It is highly recommended that you make reservations well in advance as this popular tourist attraction books up quickly during the open period.
What methods does Hôtel de Glace utilize to prevent the melting of ice sculptures?
Hôtel de Glace saves energy by using a cooling system that regulates the temperature inside the hotel. This system allows the ice sculptures to maintain their shape and form through the entire open period. To keep the ice walls and sculptures intact, the temperature inside the hotel remains a constant -5°C.
What kind of activities are offered to overnight visitors in Hôtel de Glace?
Hôtel de Glace offers many activities to its overnight visitors, such as ice skating, skiing, and snowshoeing. Additionally, there is a hot tub where visitors can submerge themselves in the warm water. Socializing with a drink in the ice bar and taking photos with the ice sculptures in the background are other popular activities among visitors.
Is Hôtel de Glace suitable for children? Are there any special arrangements or restrictions?
Hôtel de Glace invites children to stay and provides special activities tailored to them. However, young children may not be comfortable sleeping on the hotel's ice bed overnight. Parents should consider booking a regular suite nearby if they think their children would have difficulty. Otherwise, Hôtel de Glace is child-friendly and full of entertainment for their enjoyment.
What kind of gear or clothing should visitors wear for an overnight stay at Hôtel de Glace?
Visitors require special clothing to withstand the low-temperature and enjoy their stay at Hôtel de Glace. Hôtel de Glace supplies a warm sleeping bag to each guest, and visitors are advised to dress comfortably in warm layers. Nevertheless, visitors should be careful while wearing too many clothes as overheating may cause sweating, which then leads to discomfort in the frigid environment inside the hotel.