Hotel of Ice, Romania – A unique destination in the realm of ice
A unique place in Romania and in Eastern Europe, the Hotel of Ice Bâlea Lac, is a fairytale destination that tourists love. The hotel is built every year, exclusively from ice blocks extracted from the largest glacial lake in the Făgăraș Mountains, Lake Bâlea.
Lake Bâlea, which provides the raw material for the construction of the ice hotel, is located at an altitude of 2034m. It has an area of 4.6 ha and a maximum depth of 11.35 m.
Starting with 2005 in Bâlea, in the Făgăraș Mountains, you can sleep in a more special hotel. Here, both building materials and furniture and decorations are made of ice and snow.
Every year, the structure of this hotel, the design and the decorations, differ depending on the chosen theme. For example, some of the themes in recent years have been: the underwater world, frozen love, musical genres, zodiac signs, etc.
Near Lake Bâlea, passes the high altitude road, Transfăgărășan, one of the most beautiful roads in the world. In winter, the road is covered with a layer of snow that sometimes reaches up to 2m.
The most convenient and recommended way to get to the Hotel of Ice, is by cable car. Boarding is near the Bâlea Cascada Hotel. This hotel can be reached by car in winter, the road is periodically cleared of snow, but above the Hotel Bâlea Cascada, Transfăgărășan road is closed for the winter months, so it is recommended to go up by cable car, or walk (but you have to consider the long distance and the level difference).
Once you reach 2040 altitude, the view you are about to discover is divine. You also need to be careful with your clothes, as the weather changes from time to time.
The ensemble of ice buildings consists of the main hotel building, the igloos with accommodation rooms and the ice church. The hotel has a central room from where you can enter the 12 accommodation rooms. In the same central room you will find the hotel bar and restaurant.
You have the opportunity to spend the night in a unique and welcoming atmosphere, in rooms with walls and furniture hand-carved by ice artists.
However, you do not have to worry about the low temperature if you stay here, because optimal accommodation conditions are ensured. Although the bed is made of ice, above it are positioned mattresses and sleeping bags that ensure an optimal temperature. Each room has a double bed, a table and chairs, furniture specific to a classic bedroom. Of course, for those who can not cope with the low temperature in the cold rooms, there is also the option to stay at Cabana Bâlea Lake, where they can warm up, sleep and eat, being also the main place where the reception of Hotel of Ice guests, takes place.
And as traditional food cannot be lacking in a respectable hotel accommodation, a restaurant is also present in this hotel. Food is served on ice plates and drinks in ice glasses.
The ice church built next to the hotel completes the ice building complex. The model of the church is taken from the old Church of Mălâncrav. The altar is decorated with high-relief ice sculptures.
The price for visiting the Hotel of Ice is 10 ron. You can visit it between 9am and 5pm. Outside visiting hours, the hotel serves guests who wish to spend the night here.
At the top of the Făgăraș Mountains, at over 2,000m altitude, you will find the largest layer of snow for the longest period of the year. If you are eager to have fun and adventure with friends, the right place is in Winterpark with Snowmobile, Rafting and Tubing! If you are a lover of winter sports, cross-country skier or experienced climber, in good weather, the alternatives of mountain trails are countless.
Such an experience, is worth living at least once in your life! Feel like in a fairy tale in this place of story, unique in Romania and enjoy the moment.
Until next time, be grateful and enjoy your journey!