Experience Experiment
The rapid pace of experiential travel has got hotels and resorts catering to more than just the regular hospitality demands of guests. They are now offering unique stays and experiences for keeps.
FROZEN TALES
An annual phenomena, Hôtel de Glace or the ‘Ice Hotel’ is straight out of a fairy tale. Located just a few miles from Quebec City, the Hôtel de Glace is the only Ice Hotel in Canada and North America. This fairytale-esque hotel has been hosting guests for 15 years now and every year it presents a new feature. With 44 rooms and theme suites, all made of ice, the hotel offers several ways to experience the incomparable thrill of spending a night inside it. With its larger than life snow vaults and breath-taking crystalline ice sculptures, Hôtel de Glace impresses with its dazzling decor. Guests can grab a drink at the Ice Bar; spend time in the outdoor spas and sauna, and then head to the room where the walls, the ceiling, chandeliers and the bed too, is made of ice. Every year an individual masterpiece is brought to life according to the fantasy of a different architect as this accommodation melts away every spring. Guests can drop in for this unique luxurious experience between January and March for a visit or spend a night in this work of art. Hôtel de Glace is not just about extraordinary accommodation; one can enjoy various activities near the hotel. Guests can discover America’s largest winter playground with more than 35 snow slides or be transported to the atmosphere of Polynesia with a temperature of 30 degree Celsius at a unique indoor water park. One can enjoy large wave pool, more than 14 slides, a family pool, a multi-activity adventure river, a double surf wave and 12 private cabanas. For those who wish to relax and rejuvenate their body and mind, hop in to the 6000 sq. ft. Valcartier Spa which offers various baths and an indoor and outdoor pool. Young and old alike can keep themselves entertained in the gaming arcade while those who wish to undertake excursions can go for dog sledding to enjoy the snowy trails of the nearby forest. Pooja Sabharwal, Account Director, Destination Canada, says, “The stay packages start at $199. The Ice Hotel is a must see experience for Indians travelling to Canada and we market it through travel agents and also directly to consumers through various mediums.”