The coolest hotel in the world? Mountain-top igloo allows skiers to stay in sub-zero comfort (just as well there¿s a hot tub)

By Leon Watson

Last updated at 3:51 PM on 8th February 2012

Ever wanted to know what it's like to live like an Eskimo? Then this hotel made out of nothing but ice is the place to go.

Standing at 600 sq ft, this hotel, appropriately named the Iglu-Dorf, sits at the top of one of Europe's top ski slopes.

Visitors have flocked to six igloo villages perched on the top of some of the world's most exclusive - including St Moritz and Davos - Klosters.

Cool: The Iglu-Dorf sits at the top of one of Europe's top ski slopes overlooking St Moritz, Davos and Klosters

Punters pay anywhere between $ 99 and $ 299 for a night in the icy hotel - which boasts a restaurant, ice bar and hot tubs.

But holiday makers won't be able to have a shower after a hard days skiing - because the water freezes too quickly.

The bizarre hotel is the brainchild of Adrian Gunter who built an igloo in 1995 after becoming tired of getting up early to catch the best snow at the summit.

And after other skiiers were amazed at the quality of his temporary shelter, the innovative skiier quickly began making more - and charging his guests.

Mr Gunter said: 'I remember my first night in an expedition sleeping bag inside the igloo I had made from blocks of ice.

'My main reasoning was wanting to be the first one on the mountain in the morning to enjoy the best snow.

Sung: Punters pay anywhere between $ 99 and $ 299 for a night in the icy hotel - which boasts a restaurant, ice bar and hot tubs

Living like an Eskimo in the Iglu-Dorf hotel, except with a bottle of champagne to toast the occasion

It looks brrr-iliant: Cosy rugs are needed to keep the chill away when you're in the Alps

'However, friends soon shared this little passion of mine and we built several igloos above the Motta Naluns in Switzerland. It has just spiralled from there.'

Giraldine Pucken, who works at the hotel, said: 'Any die-hard snow boarder will tell you, it is hard getting up at the crack of dawn to catch the first ride to the top - so he decided to sleep at the top.

'It has just grown from that, we now have six locations around the world.

Head in the clouds: Only high-fliers find themselves at this hotel, situated just below the top of a mountain

N-ice room: Snowwhere's as good as this place when you're on top of a mountain

Under the stars: The hotel is appropriately named the Iglu-Dorf

'The views are amazing - you can see every star in the sky crystal clear. Sometimes the views even beat the skiing.'

Each igloo village spans an estimated area of 600 square metres.

They are created by inflating a balloon and spraying on ice, which freezes forming a rigid structure.

The balloon is then deflated, leaving the perfectly formed, spherical igloo.

Decorators then come in an sculpt interior designs, with

Giraldine added: 'Most people are simply amazed at the size of the igloo hotels.

'When they think of an igloo people think of a small structure that you have to crawl into. But these are huge buildings with 8ft ceilings in places.

'They are very warm compared to temperatures outside, with the average being around zero.

'We do have special hot igloos which are a lot warmer.'

Source : dailymail

Related Video :