Although we may bemoan the cold winter weather back at home, there's nothing better than going away on a luxury winter holiday to remind ourselves that fun can be had not only in the sun. We've rounded up five of our favourite winter holiday locations from around the world, taking in the best chalets, hotels and even igloos which are certain to give you a premium winter holiday to remember.
Kakslauttanen Glass Igloos, Finland - Placed in the picturesque woodlands of northern Finland, the Kakslauttanen Glass Igloos offer a truly unique experience of watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. These luxury two person suites come fully heated, perfect for a romantic night under the stars, however four person igloos are now available which are ideal for families looking for a special getaway. Activities available on the Kakslauttanen resort include Husky, Reindeer or snow mobile safaris, as well as ice fishing, gold mining and more, certainly enough to make your trip one to remember.
Hotel de Glace, Canada - Located just 10 minutes from Quebec City, Hotel de Glace is completely redesigned each year, adding fresh works of art made from snow and ice found on the resort. Enjoy traditional Nordic sparkling cider cocktails upon your arrival at the hotel and then you are free explore the stunning local scenery and ice sculptures . Once you’re done with exploring, head to the Nordic relaxation area featuring an outdoor spa and sauna and then settle down for the night in your custom built glacial bedroom suite. There’s also a gourmet breakfast included at Le Dijion restaurant and an extra hotel room at the nearby Four Points by Sheratan complex, giving you a place to store luggage and have a nice warming shower in the morning.
Chalet Zermatt Peak, Switzerland - Located on the charming Swiss/Italian border, Chalet Zermatt Peak – dubbed ‘the playboy mountain mansion’ – comfortably sleeps 13 people and comes with enough services and features to keep you all occupied no matter how long your stay. The master bedroom comes with its own private jacuzzi (no need to be jealous if this isn’t your room, there is also two separate indoor and outdoor jacuzzis), while the house also contains three HD cinemas, a full library, a luxury in-house ski selection, Bang & Olufsen sound systems in every room and a fully stocked walk-in wine cellar. You will also have a personal PA, chef and chauffer at your disposal for the duration of your trip, offering breakfast in bed, daily massages, house cleaning and anything else you can think of. Each guest also receives a set of designer bath robes and towels by Christian Fischbacher… It doesn’t get more luxurious than Chalet Zermatt Peak.
Icehotel, Denmark - Another sculpted work of art, Copenhagen’s Icehotel offers visitors an authentic Scandanavian experience in one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Constructed entirely of snow and ice, Icehotel is brought to life each night with colourful illuminations, adding to the mystical feel brought by the Northern Lights above your head. Each suite is custom built and designed by a different artist, and rooms are available with ensuite saunas for those who wish to get steamy. Book into the MINI Evolutions suite and get a MINI car for your stay allowing you to go out and explore the Danish countryside or stay in the Northern Lights suite which boasts a spectacular in-room light installation so you can experience the legendary aerial phenomenon whatever time of year you decide to visit.
Chalet iGloo, France - Placed along the French/Swiss border in the scenic Ardoisiere Valley, Morzine, the ultra-modern Chalet iGloo is a perfect destination whether you want a relaxing break or an action packed week on the snow. Cosy up in the four master bedrooms, each with full height glazing overlooking the valley, super kingsize beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and roaring open log fires (while the kids are locked away in the separate children’s bunk room, of course) or walk out the front door onto the amazing Morzine slopes. The chalet also contains a complete walk-in wine cellar, bar area, gym, sauna, games area, 12 seater 3D cinema room (featuring a second bar area) and a private ski locker room with state-of-the-art boot warming facilities to keep those feet cosy in the cold winter snow. Your private chef will also be on hand to rustle up anything your taste buds require, as you are bound to work up an appetite getting through all this chalet has to offer.