Stay at the Hotel of IceTransylvania, Romania

Alert the polar bears and grey wolves, the Hotel of Ice in the Transylvania region of Romania is back for the 2025 season, and this year, it’s hitting all the right notes with a musical theme.

Each of the 12 igloo rooms is dedicated to a legendary composer or conductor, from Beethoven to Mozart, with ice sculptures and bas-reliefs that bring their musical genius to life. It's like spending the night inside a symphony but, like, with more frost and fewer sheet music.

Getting there is one of the coolest (literally) things about it; it’s just a casual cable car ride over 2,000 metres up in the Făgăraș Mountains. It’s not for the faint of heart (or for those who are even remotely scared of heights), but if you’ve ever wanted to feel like a true adventurer – this is your ticket. No shuttle buses here, just an icy journey to your cool destination.

And once you arrive, you'll be greeted by all the icy wonders of the hotel, with features that include a cosy restaurant and a bar, both carved entirely from ice. You’ll dine on reimagined ancient Transylvanian dishes served on ice plates and sip cocktails at the Sub-Zero Ice Bar.

Staying here might seem a little crazy – especially for those of us who hate the cold – but when are you ever going to get the chance to sleep in a room dedicated to your favourite composer, eat food on ice, and drink at a bar where the glasses freeze your hand (wear gloves)?

It's truly an experience like no other, blending art, music, and the chill of Transylvania’s finest icy peaks together to make all of your frosty dreams come true.