COLD COMFORTS

IF A SOAK IN ICELAND’S BLUE LAGOON IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST... ...but fighting through the hordes for a spot in the mineral-rich geothermal waters stresses you out, problem solved: The Retreat Hotel right down the street gives its guests private access to a portion of the lagoon, where they can also receive in-water massages.

IF YOU CRAVE QUIET ALONE TIME... ...visit Alaska’s Sheldon Chalet. The five-room octagon-shaped property is more than 80 kilometres from the nearest town, can be accessed only by helicopter and, oh yeah, sits atop a glacial island.

IF YOU THINK YOU BELONG ON THE IRON THRONE... ...the team behind the Treehotel (you know the one) is back with a new see-it-to-believe-it resort. The log-covered Arctic Bath hotel in Swedish Lapland (opening this year) looks like something straight out of King’s Landing, and the resto, spa and heated river pool are pure fantasy too.