Hotel Alta dengan Bar

Very good hotel in the centre of Alta. There's not much to do in the vicinity of the hotel though. Room and bathroom were both very large, tidy and clean. There was a water kettle, wifi (average), a safe and a hairdryer. From the room I had a good view on the Northern Lights Cathedral. Unfortunately no cosmetic mirror available in the bathroom. Staff of the hotel isn't that friendly. Staff at the restaurant doesn't speak English, so it was impossible to ask something. Breakfast was excellent. Beware of the lock on the door. Staff claims the door of your room locks automatically once you've closed the door. However, this isn't the case (I tested it a few times with someone) and staff isn't aware of this and gives you the wrong information. If you're not careful you're in an unlocked room all night, which doesn't feel very safe.

We stayed here one night as part of a Globus tour. This hotel was simple and clean. The location is just a few steps away from shops and restaurants. The breakfast buffet was large with many choices. While staying at this hotel we did decide to hike the mountain. It was about an hour and a half total for us from and back to the hotel for a couple of fit people. It was about a 20 minute walk to the trailhead from the hotel.

When we planned our trip to Norway, we mainly wanted to see the Northern Lights, but we also wanted to stay in an ice hotel (just for one night). It was a bucket list experience of a lifetime and worth every penny! We arrived in time for dinner in the dining room shaped like a traditional Sami teepee. It was delicious and hit the spot after our long and white knuckle drive from Tromso. The hotel's website has very explicit instructions for what to wear to sleep in the ice hotel (basically just a merino wool top and bottom and socks and a balaclava and gloves) and what not to do in the igloo (don't leave your cell on an ice table or it will get frozen to it and leave it in your sleeping bag). You are given a mummy sleeping bag that is rated to below zero, a pillow and you sleep on a bed of reindeer pelts. We chose to sleep in a suite, which have the intricate artwork and themes, rather than in a plain room. The entire hotel is like an art gallery or museum because everything is made from snow and ice. The whole hotel melts away at the end of the season except for the LED lights. This was the 25th year of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel and their theme was the best of the last 25 years, so the snow and ice carvings were varied and very interesting. The biggest take away from the ice hotel for me was how quiet it was inside. The snow deadened all the noise. For me, it was hands down the best night sleep of my life. I felt like a baby in the womb snuggled in my sleeping bag and I wasn't cold at all. Now my husband, on the other hand, didn't have a restful sleep because he is of the age when a man gets up frequently at night to go to the bathroom. To do that, you have to get out of the sleeping bag, put on your boots without getting snow on your socks or wool undergarments and walk to the bathroom. Luckily it was right next to our room. He was certainly glad he had this experience and I wish he had the night's sleep that I did. The next morning we had a delicious and filling breakfast and then we headed out for a morning snowmobile ride. We each had our own snowmobile and the fresh snow on all the trees was breathtaking. They had special thermal suits for us to put on and we weren't cold at all. It was a ton of fun and I recommend adding this on to your stay. They also have a non-igloo part of the hotel and we were told that the King of Norway stays there in the summer to fish in the river on the property. So you know this is a well regarded place to stay.

My wife and I stayed the night here in December to experience the Igloo hotel and it was unforgettable. The main lodge is lovely and cozy with all of the arctic charm and amenities. There are lots of couches and comfy places to sit with views of the Alta river and surrounding mountains. The restaurant Lavvu has wonderful food in a charming replica of the Sami home. Pros on Igloo hotel: It is definitely worth the experience for one night. Each year the artists create a different theme for the hotel. This year it was Greek Mythology. It is truly amazing what they were able to create in such a short time. The ice sculptures and glowing interior lights are definitely something to see. If you're not staying the night, you can still pay to tour the hotel and see the sculptures. We chose to upgrade and stay in a suite which was larger and less claustrophobic than the regular rooms. Each suite features different gods and goddesses. We chose the Aphrodite suite. The sleeping bags they provide are super warm and go down to -30C so don't worry about tons of layers, it's better to sleep with less on. The hotel is literally a cave with a constant temp of -4C to -7C so you will be fine (as long as you don't have to get up in the middle of the night! ha) Also it is so quiet. We literally did not hear another soul for the whole night and felt like we had the place to ourselves. In the morning, the sauna opens at 7AM. (pro tip: get up and out right at 7 and get in the sauna! The showers get crowded once everyone wakes up and there will be a line if you wait) Highly recommend the sauna before a shower to warm up and then enjoy the delicious Norwegian breakfast buffet at Laavu. Cons: This experience is not for everyone. I am telling you if you just want the Instagram pics of the Igloo then just go tour it, but to stay overnight you need to be prepared for a few things. (You can also always stay in the main hotel and still experience the igloo by touring it) You can't take any personal belongings to your ”room” in the Igloo since it's so cold so everyone who is overnighting there has to store their luggage in a small room on racks. And every time you need something from your luggage you're going into this room to get it (with everyone else). You are of course not able to go to your room to relax because it's cold so everyone who is staying in the Igloo hangs in the hotel's common spaces or goes on excursions until the evening when the hotel opens for sleeping (after 8PM). The main hotel is super cozy with lots of places to land and chill but not having your own space to relax may be hard for some...be warned. The sleeping bag room opens at 8 and anytime after that you can get your bags and pillows and head to the igloo to sleep. Make sure you go to the bathroom right beforehand because no one wants to get up in the middle of the night and walk back to the main hotel to pee! Trust me! One guest even wore depends to bed (he was happy he did!) Pro tip! :) We slept ju