The Aurora Zone Blog

Get ready for winter, the plans for ICEHOTEL® 2018 have been revealed!

Art suite Haven Jonas Johansson Jordi Claramunt Lukas Petko 1400x932

"Haven", art suite created by Jonas Johansson, Jordi Claramunt and, Lukas Petko 

Summer may be drawing to a close but there is plenty to get excited about as winter approaches, not least because Sweden’s world-famous ICEHOTEL® has provided a teaser of what this year’s hotel has to offer for ICEHOTEL® number 29!

Founded in 1989, the ICEHOTEL® in Swedish Lapland has become known for its incredible artwork, with new rooms designed and built from scratch from thousands of blocks of ice each year by artists and designers from across the globe.

Art Suite Differential Expansion Design Antonio Camara Juan Carlos Camara 1400x932

“Differential Expansion”, Antonio Camara & Juan Carlos Camara, Canada & Mexico

This year 33 artists from 13 countries around the world have been chosen from around 150 applicants by a jury made up of senior figures at ICEHOTEL® to help create yet another magical experience for its guests. From a candy shop filled with sweets to a swimming ice woman and an aquarium watched by a big cat, these are just some of the designs for this year’s rendition of the ICEHOTEL® that guests can look forward to.

Art Suite Icewoman Design Linda Vagnelind 2 1400x932

“Icewoman”, art suite created by Linda Vagnelind

In fact, many of this year’s art suites have been influenced by nature. For example, Christopher Pancoe and Jennie O’Keefe from Canada have designed ‘Spruce Woods’, where guests will be able to sit down around a fire of ice in a camping site in the forest and sleep on a bed of ice.

Meanwhile Jonathan Paul Green and his daughter Marnie Green from England have created ‘The Living Ocean Suite’, a frozen underwater world filled with corals, shells and fish. The suite is inspired by climate change and the impact that overfishing has on our oceans and Jonathan Paul Green said he was excited to use frozen water from a river in northern Sweden to create his piece.

Art suite The Living Ocean Suite Jonathan Paul Green Marnie Green 1 1400x932

“The Living Ocean Suite”, art suite created by Jonathan Paul Green & Marnie Green

Elsewhere Jonas Johansson, Jordi Claramunt and Lukas Petko from Sweden, Spain and Slovakia respectively have teamed up to create ‘Haven’ a suite in which a magical portal of ice is guarded by the Phoenix. Inspired by the legend and the idea of people meeting and wanting to create an experience that invites curiosity, creativity and collaboration, Jonas Johannson said ‘It feels like a dream to get to work with ice that allows our love for light, shine and reflection to wander from thought to creation.’

Art Suite Haven Design Jonas Johansson Jordi Claramunt Lukas Petko 1400x932

"Haven", art suite created by Jonas Johansson, Jordi Claramunt and, Lukas Petko 

With October fast approaching it won’t be long until 5,000 tons of ice from the Torne River will be used to start creating these impressive suites and the doors of the ICEHOTEL® will open for the 29th edition.

Click here to find out more about our holidays to the ICEHOTEL®


 Image Credits: ICEHOTEL®, Antonio Camara & Juan Carlos Camara, Jonas Johansson, Jordi Claramunt & Lukas Petko, Sweden, Linda Vagnelind, Jonathan Paul Green & Marnie Green

Read 2127 times Last modified on Friday, 07 May 2021

Get an expert opinion

The Aurora Zone was born from a desire to share Mother Nature’s greatest wonder with our clients. We’ve explored the destinations, researched the science, and fallen in love with the Scandinavian way of life. It’s our mission to pass this knowledge on to you, providing you with the very best chance of experiencing the magic for yourself on your Northern Lights holiday.

  • Specialist

    Aurora knowledge and experience

    Unique holidays, in the very best destinations

    Expert guides – exceptional local knowledge

    Advice and guidance every step of the way

  • Comprehensive

    We include more in our holidays than any other Aurora operator

    Price Comparison guarantee

    No ‘from’ prices, everything you see is included in the price

    No hidden extras

  • Independent

    Proudly Independent

    The original and still the only dedicated UK Northern Lights tour operator

    Personal, hands-on service

    Fair and sustainable work ethos

  • Trusted

    100% ATOL and ABTA protection

    Providing peace of mind

    Award-winning

    Responsible relationships

    Over 16 years’ experience