This Quebec Hotel Disappears Every Spring

The Hôtel de Glace is so last season. Literally.

Proving that nothing really lasts forever, this Quebec hotel has an annual shelf-life of only three months, opening in January and closing in April of each year when the structure melts and disappears. This is because the unique hotel – the only one of its kind in North America – is made from 30,000 tonnes of snow and 500 tonnes of ice, with walls that are four feet thick.

Located just 10 minutes from Quebec City, the ice hotel boasts 44 rooms and suites, an ice cafe and bar, huge snow vaults, crystalline ice sculptures and even an icy wedding chapel (no word on whether the couples ever get cold feet).

The inside ambient temperature swings between -3°C and -5°C and it’s recommended you wear at least three layers at all times, but Arctic sleeping bags are provided and there’s a heated bathroom so you won’t have to do the dreaded cold shower run. There’s also an interior court with warm spas and saunas under the stars. Dreamy.

After opening in 2001 with only 11 beds, the hotel has returned and expanded every year since, and now has 51 double beds with prices starting at $280AUD per person per night. Not bad for the chillest holiday ever.

(Images: Hôtel de Glace)

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