Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby

Giles Coren and Monica Galetti journey over 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle, into Swedish Lapland. There they work at the Icehotel in the village of Jukkasjärvi.

The show is a single episode centred on the Icehotel in Sweden. It falls under the programme format and follows a brief, self‑contained narrative rather than an ongoing series. The episode’s focus is the unique setting of the world‑renowned hotel built from ice, situated in the far north of the country. In this instalment, food writer Giles Coren and chef Monica Galetti set off on a journey that takes them well beyond the Arctic Circle. They travel more than 120 miles north into the remote reaches of Swedish Lapland, where they arrive at the village of Jukkasjärvi. Their purpose on the trip is to take part in the work that keeps the Icehotel running, joining the staff for a stint at the icy establishment. The episode highlights the stark geography of the area, noting that the hotel lies in a region characterised by its sub‑arctic climate and isolation. By positioning the two hosts in Jukkasjärvi, the programme underscores how far they have ventured from more temperate parts of Sweden. The distance covered—over 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle—serves as a clear marker of the remote and demanding environment in which the Icehotel operates.