A former interim program and strategy director at High Speed Rail 2 Ltd. (HS2) in London, Patrick O'Connell works as executive director of the Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel. While at HS2, he oversaw a multi-billion-dollar high-speed rail project. When not in the office, Patrick O'Connell enjoys international travel. One of the spots he has visited is the ICEHOTEL, which is above the Arctic Circle in Sweden.
Originally opened in 1989, the ICEHOTEL began as a temporary hotel made of ice that its creators rebuilt every year. After 27 years of experiencing the rebuilding process, ICEHOTEL 365 opened in December 2016 and features frozen accommodations that remain open year-round. The structure that houses the ICEHOTEL 365 sits next to a seasonal hotel, and solar-powered cooling technology lets guests enjoy their stay at any time of the year.
However, guests can still enjoy their stay at the original ICEHOTEL, which continues to be built and then melt in its entirety. The ice comes from the Torne River, and has few impurities and almost no air bubbles. The ICEHOTEL harvests the 2,500 blocks of ice needed each March and stores them in a warehouse until the following winter. At the end of the season in April, the ice melts and returns to the river.
Originally opened in 1989, the ICEHOTEL began as a temporary hotel made of ice that its creators rebuilt every year. After 27 years of experiencing the rebuilding process, ICEHOTEL 365 opened in December 2016 and features frozen accommodations that remain open year-round. The structure that houses the ICEHOTEL 365 sits next to a seasonal hotel, and solar-powered cooling technology lets guests enjoy their stay at any time of the year.
However, guests can still enjoy their stay at the original ICEHOTEL, which continues to be built and then melt in its entirety. The ice comes from the Torne River, and has few impurities and almost no air bubbles. The ICEHOTEL harvests the 2,500 blocks of ice needed each March and stores them in a warehouse until the following winter. At the end of the season in April, the ice melts and returns to the river.
