| Samuel Johnson said it almost 300 years ago, and I | | | | blue-green glow that melds Nature's wonder with |
| still believe it today ... | | | | that of man's. The IceHotel is breathtaking in every |
| "If you're tired of London, you're tired of life." | | | | sense of the word. It's an experience which will be |
| I enjoy many locations around the world, but none | | | | etched into your memory forever. |
| so much as London. It's the center of civilization, as | | | | Thus, it wasn't a surprise to me when, during a trip |
| far as I'm concerned. If something is 'happening' | | | | to Stockholm a couple of years ago, I checked into |
| there, then it's worth taking note. | | | | the Nordic Sea hotel and noticed a scaled-down |
| That's why I was quite impressed to see the IceBar | | | | replica of the IceBar adjacent to the lobby. I loathe |
| had set up shop on Heddon Street. | | | | queues, so fortunately, I was there on a quiet night |
| You don't need to have a taste for vodka in all its | | | | and there was no 30-minute limit in effect. I donned |
| forms, but it helps. That's not only because Absolut is | | | | the thermal cloak and gloves they provide, ordered |
| the financial power behind this motif, but because | | | | an Absolut citron and proceeded to mingle in search |
| there is a historically-established reason why cultures | | | | of someone to share a toast of 'Skol!'. Trust me, it |
| from cold climates got this creative with a potato. | | | | wasn't hard to do! |
| Not only does it 'warm' a soul from the inside, but in | | | | Its presence was such a 'natural' in Stockholm that |
| the realm of Absolut, it comes in more guises than | | | | I've thought more than once since then that the |
| you've got time to try in a 30-minute session. That | | | | IceBar meets the criteria for being a fixture in that |
| happens to be a customer's time limit in the IceBar, | | | | center of chic that is London. And now it's happened. |
| which also limits the number of icebarfights on record. | | | | The £12 cover is reasonable, the drinks are |
| This is a spinoff of the famous IceHotel in the | | | | Absolut, the sculptures and decor are changed |
| Swedish arctic zone. If you like to travel, then this is | | | | periodically --- the cumulative body heat does cause |
| a required destination. It's only a 90-minute flight from | | | | melting over time, so re-building is a necessity --- and |
| Stockholm to Kiruna, where you've got a choice of | | | | the atmosphere is the only thing that is always warm. |
| snowmobile or dogsled (hint: take the sled) to | | | | After all, who's going to pay for a 30-minute stay, |
| complete your journey to the icy climes of | | | | garbed in silver thermals, and not be in a festive |
| Jukkasjaervi in Sweden's portion of Lappland. It's | | | | mood? It's a perfect addition to any festive itinerary. |
| situated along the banks of the Torne River, widely | | | | In chatting with the lovely blonde svensk flicka |
| acclaimed as being the source of the purest water in | | | | tending bar that evening, I discovered that Absolut is |
| Europe, if not the world. | | | | so pleased with the IceBar concept that they're |
| I think this is one of the most spectacular scenes in | | | | deploying them elsewhere. Besides Stockholm, they |
| existence. Everything is constructed of pure ice, from | | | | opened a franchice (I couldn't resist the pun) in Milan |
| the chambers to the furniture to the decor | | | | before venturing into London. That makes sense. |
| (world-class sculptures from global artists are | | | | Stockholm's ambience is quiet-stylish and Milan's is |
| commissioned to create them each season) to the | | | | lively-stylish. If the IceBar succeeds in those cities, |
| glassware. The all-ice wedding chapel is booked far in | | | | then it's ready to move up to a London setting. |
| advance and the theater stages world-class | | | | It succeeds spectacularly. After one visit, and 30 |
| productions. | | | | minutes of Absolut, you may just reach for the |
| The beds do make the concession of thermal | | | | cellphone and book reservations for the IceHotel, |
| sleeping bags, which are amazingly comfortable, but | | | | then and there. |
| even if you do get a bit chilled here, I guarantee you'll | | | | If so, you'll join a growing list of those who have |
| be convinced it was worth it. I cannot think of a | | | | found that drinks in your ice can be more fun than |
| more majestic locale to view the Northern Lights | | | | ice in your drinks. |
| flashing across the cold, crisp sky, bathing the ice in a | | | | |