Northshore Magazine

"You reallY Get takeN awaY iNto a diFFereNt plaCe. it'S reallY trulY like eSCapiNG realitY." New York Hilton Midtown makes it a convenient spot to anchor a weekend Manhattan getaway, and since it's kid-friendly and serves "mocktails," a weekend trip for the family is doable, too. Those who want a taste of Sweden's ice hotel without traveling to Europe can experience it at the Hôtel de Glace, North America's only ice hotel, which is located in Quebec City, Canada, just a few hours' drive from the North Shore. This ice hotel, which first opened in 2001, is newly built with a different theme every year, says Hôtel de Glace's marketing adviser, Marie-Pier Daigle. The hotel is open for the 2014 season from January 5 to March 23, and this year's theme is "Myths and Legends of the World," which is reflected in the ice carvings in the hotel suites. According to Daigle, there are 44 standard rooms and thematic suites, where the ambient temperature is always between 27 and 23 degrees Fahrenheit, no matter the outside temperature. And in case you're wondering, yes, even the beds are made of ice. "To get the highest level of comfort, all the Hôtel de Glace's beds are equipped with a strong base made of ice, a wood bed base, and an isolated mattress," Daigle says. "When the night comes, a warm sleeping bag, an isolated sheet, and a pillow are delivered to the rooms. The typical stay is one night." Since the Hôtel de Glace is located only 10 minutes from Quebec City, a one-night stay at the ice hotel can simply be the very cold highlight of an otherwise warm weekend away in the Old 156 KJ JanFeb14 FE IceBar.indd 156 World European-flavored capital of Quebec. Or, for those who prefer their hotel rooms warmer than 23 degrees, the Hôtel de Glace also offers the option to simply visit, tour, or have a cocktail at its ice bar. Cold-hearted When it comes to the laws of attraction, ice bars might be the ultimate equalizers. It's sort of impossible to look sexy while clad in a billowing, insulated cape; the hooded, caped visitors waiting for drinks at the bar look totally indistinguishable from each other from behind. And needless to say, skimpy outfits are inadvisable. But that's not to say ice bars don't see their share of romance. The extreme cold naturally lends itself to snuggling; Colella says she's seen people "have a nice little cuddle" while all wrapped up in their capes and huddled into some of Frost Ice Bar's cozy little nooks. For instance, one of the most romantic spots inside Frost is undoubtedly its huge icecarved replica of one of Boston Public Garden's swan boats, which comes complete with a seat for cuddling. At Minus5°'s Manhattan location, visitors can reserve a VIP chamber, which Langdon says has lavish little touches such as an ice chandelier and fleur-de-lis embellishments. "It can be very romantic," Langdon says. "You feel like you're tucked away inside an old Manhattan apartment." Minus5° also kicks lavish romance up a degree with The Monica (named for an oft-engaged Minus5° bartender), a very special cocktail that costs $10,000 and has been ordered just once at one of Minus5°'s Las Vegas locations, Langdon says. Why the hefty price tag? Because the Jewel of Russia Ultra Vodka martini comes with a diamond engagement ring from Aaron Lelah Jewelers embedded in either an ice cube or the ice glass. Langdon says Minus5° can accommodate requests for The Monica with just 48 hours' notice. "We can make anything available anywhere," he says. For those who want to take a "white wedding" to another level, Quebec City's ice hotel, Hôtel de Glace, is happy to accommodate. According to Daigle, the hotel hosts about 20 weddings per season. Couples can get married in the hotel's stunning ice chapel, and several wedding packages are available. "When there is a wedding, there is always a big crowd around the chapel," Daigle says. "This a very romantic place to get married: This is a magic destination, with a fairy-like atmosphere." plaN Your trip Frost Ice Bar Faneuil hall Marketplace, Boston 617-307-7331, frosticebar.com driving time from the North Shore: less than 1 hour MInus5° Ice Bar New York hilton Midtown 1335 avenue of the americas New York, NY, 212-757-4610 minus5experience.com driving time from the North Shore: approximately 4.5 hours Hôtel de Glace 9530, rue de la Faune Québec (Québec) G1G 5h9, Canada 877-505-0423 hoteldeglace-canada.com driving time from the North Shore: approximately 6.5 hours photograph by luc rousseau (top), by xavier dachez (bottom) 11/22/13 9:26 AM

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