Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel Alta Review: Is Staying in the Igloo Hotel Worth it?

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Ever since I was a little girl watching a timelapse of them building it, I have dreamed of staying at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta.

Sleeping in a hotel carved entirely out of snow and ice is the ultimate bucket-list adventure, and when I finally ticked it off my list, it completely lived up to the hype (spoiler alert).

If you are wondering whether it’s actually worth the splurge (or if you’ll freeze all night) this review covers everything you need to know about my stay at the Igloo Hotel, including the rooms, the food, and my top insider tips!

Side note: I paired my Alta trip with a trip to Tromsø, which I highly recommend. from northern lights tours to dog sledding, Tromsø is a great city for exploring northern Norway. If you rent a car to make your way to Alta, check out my tips for driving in Norway first!

What is the Alta Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel?

Sorrisniva is the world’s northernmost ice hotel! It is rebuilt from scratch every single winter with a brand-new theme, crafted by local and international sculptors.

And yes, it is all made entirely of ice and snow! The harvest the ice from the Alta Valley, and create most of the snow using water from the famous Alta river (a very popular river for salmon fishing, actually).

I arrived in the daytime for a tour and walk-through of the hotel before checking in for the night. Walking through the ice corridors and marveling at the illuminated ice carvings feels like stepping into a frozen fairy tale!

There is even an ice chapel inside, where you can get married!

Practical Information & Opening Hours (2026/2027 Season)

If you are planning a visit, here are the key details to keep in mind for the current season:

• Season Dates: Open every year from December 20 to March 31 (subject to change due to temperatures/conditions).
• Day Visitor Entrance Fees: 395 NOK per adult / 180 NOK per child.
• Guided Tours: Available when booked in advance for visitors wishing to experience the ambiance, see the intricate ice sculptures, and learn about the massive annual construction process.
• The Ice Bar: Visitors can enjoy a signature “blue ice drink” served right in an ice glass. While the hotel is open, the ice bar operates daily during specific time slots: 13:00–14:00, 15:00–16:00, and 17:00–18:00 (priced at 165 NOK for adults / 120 NOK for children).
• Temperature: The temperature inside the hotel is a crazy -4 to -7 degrees Celsius (25 to to 19 Fahrenheit)!

Rooms & Privacy at the Igloo Hotel: Standard vs Suites

When you book your stay, you have a couple of choices to make regarding the rooms.

And it is worth thinking it through, if you ask me.

During my stay, the standard rooms only had curtains covering the entrance, while the suites had actual doors. While the standard rooms are a more affordable way to experience the night at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, I would honestly recommend booking a suite if you can swing it.

Having that door closed gives you a much better sense of privacy, even though there are no locks or keys on the rooms!

It definitely feels a little weird at first to lie down in a hotel made of ice and snow, knowing anyone could technically walk past into your room, but I think this would feel even weirder with a curtain.

But once you settle in, regardless of which room you choose, the novelty and quiet serenity completely take over. At least that was my experience.

Sleeping in the ice: Was I cold?

This is the #1 question everyone asks me: Did you freeze?

Surprisingly, I slept so well! I was actually so cozy.

The bed itself is an ice block topped with a proper mattress, and layered with insulating reindeer pelts. You are given two heavy-duty expedition sleeping bags for your stay, and carry these into the hotel when it’s time to go to sleep. So, you are more than covered through the night.

I wore my favorite Kari Traa wool base layer, thick wool socks, pajamas, a hand-knitted sweater my sister made me, a hat, and a scarf.

I was actually too warm at one point and had to unzip one of the bags! My biggest worry was cold seeping up from the ice bed, but between the mattress and the reindeer pelts, you are completely insulated.

Read next: I recommend checking out my guide to packing for Norway in winter before you go!

Dinner at Maku Restaurant

In the evening, I had dinner at Maku, the restaurant located in Sorrisniva’s main permanent building; their Arctic Wilderness Lodge (another great place to stay).

Overlooking the frozen Alta river, it was absolutely breathtaking. The meal featured local, seasonal ingredients, and it was the perfect warm, comfortable contrast to the chilly ice rooms waiting for us later that night.

I always insist that I am not a food blogger when I recommend restaurants, and whilst I stand by that, dinner at Maku is something I highly recommend (including the wine pairing)!

Insider Tips for your Igloo Hotel Stay

Having lived the experience, here are a few practical rules and tips I recommend keeping in mind:

• Pack light for the night: You leave your main luggage in secure lockers in the main service building. Only bring the essentials into the ice hotel. I brought my Kindle, phone, and lip balm, and kept them tucked inside my sleeping bag so the batteries wouldn’t drain in the cold.
• Don’t stack your evening: Make staying at the Igloo Hotel your only major activity for the night (aside from an amazing dinner). Don’t try to book a nighttime Northern lights chasing tour on the same evening. You want to actually enjoy the unique experience without rushing or cutting into your sleep time.
• Take advantage of the morning sauna: Sorrisniva opens up the sauna in the morning for Igloo Hotel guests. Even though I wasn’t cold when I woke up, heading over for a hot morning sauna and shower is a fantastic way to ease back into reality.

Pairing your stay with Winter Adventures in Alta

Because Sorrisniva is located just outside the main town, it makes an incredible base for winter adventures.

In fact, when I stayed here, I started my snowmobile tour directly from just outside the hotel, heading out through the local forests along marked trails before the wide-open expanse of the Finnmarksvidda plateau opened up in front of us.

So, don’t miss some of the best tours in Alta during your visit. In fact, you should check out my complete Alta guide before you go for all my recommendations!

Alternative Places to stay in Alta (if the Igloo Hotel Sells out)

Because the Igloo Hotel is wildly popular and books up fast, or because you might want to balance out your luxury Arctic adventure, you have some incredible alternative options right nearby:

• Sorrisniva’s Arctic Wilderness Lodge: This is Sorrisniva’s stunning main permanent hotel building right on the river. Staying here is an amazing option because you can easily tour the ice hotel just steps from your room while enjoying modern, high-end comforts and great dining.
• Glød Aurora Canvas Domes: Another absolute bucket-list stay in Alta! These glamping domes feature transparent roofs designed specifically for watching the Northern Lights right from your warm, cozy bed. I loved staying here!

How to structure your trip: If you have 3 nights in Alta, my personal recommendation is to spend 1 night in the Igloo Hotel, followed by 1 to 2 nights at the Arctic Wilderness Lodge for seamless access and comfort, and 1 night in the Glød Aurora Canvas Domes for the ultimate stargazing experience.

Final verdict: Is Staying in the Igloo Hotel Worth it?

Yes, absolutely. If you love unique travel experiences, it is well worth spending a night in the ice hotel.

Between the stunning ice art, the cozy sleeping experience, the fantastic food at Maku, and the sheer magic of the surrounding wilderness, it is a bucket-list stay you will remember for the rest of your life.

An absolute must for anyone looking for a unique experience during winter in Norway!