Six Hotel Destinations That Make Winter Wonderful

Forget about sun and sand with a trip to one of these exciting locales

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - When cold weather hits it can be tempting to crawl under the covers and hibernate at home. However, if you give in to the allure of a warm bed you'll miss out on destinations that really shine during the winter season. The travel experts at Hotels.com® want you to experience this seasonal glory and have put together a list of must-see hotels and activities to check out while old man winter is still in town.

Hotel: Icehotel
Location: Jukkasjarvi, Sweden
Why go? It's so cool... literally! We shouldn't have to convince you as to why this hotel is worth the trip, since it's the largest hotel in the world made entirely of ice and snow. It also includes an ice bar and ice art. Plus, if admiring its icy architecture isn't enough to keep you entertained, there are a lot of local attractions including dog sledding and horse tours to keep you busy during the day.

Hotel: Hotel de Glace
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Why go? This is a smaller version of the international ice hotel, but for Canadian travellers looking for a domestic stay, this is the place to be. If you're travelling in February, you can also check out the Quebec City Winter Carnival. One of the world's largest winter carnivals, it takes place from February 1 to 17 and includes parades, snow slides, sculptures, skating and more.

Hotel: Dedeman Istanbul
Location: Cappadocia, Turkey
Why go? Winter is actually one of the best times to visit this country and not just because of the lowered airfares! Traditional activities like a Turkish bath or salep (a warm drink made of hot milk, sugar, orchid tuber and cinnamon) are heightened and the winter cuisine is delicious. Take in the landscape during a balloon ride over Cappadocia where you'll get a bird's eye view of the snow covered peaks.

Hotel: The Morgan
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Why go? Although Ireland has relatively mild weather year-round it can be a little damp at times, so if you're worried about your hair, you'll be happy to know many of the attractions include a roof. The country is known for its pubs, friendly people and local musicians. Plus the warm atmosphere is all the more welcoming when it's chilly outside. When/if you exit the pub, plan a visit to Carrickfergus Castle one of many impressive historic landmarks in the area.

Hotel: Sundial Boutique Hotel
Location: Whistler, British Columbia
Why go? Unless you've been hiding under a rock, it's safe to assume you're familiar with Whistler - a.k.a. Disneyland for skiers. Although there are several hotels to choose from, Sundial is a ski-in/ski-out hotel in close proximity to the mountains and next to the gondolas. If you don't want to break a sweat you can experience the world-class mountains on a helicopter or Snowcat ride.

Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Park City
Location: Park City, Utah
Why go? Well for one, it's the Waldorf. But, unlike its famous Big Apple location, this one has scenic outdoorsy views. Park City was home to the 2002 Winter Olympics so a visit to Olympic Park should be on the agenda. Hop onto a 'Comet' bobsled ride where you can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour and feel like a pro-athlete… at least for a minute. If you want to slow it down a bit, book a Rocky Mountain horse-drawn sleigh ride and experience nature in a more relaxed mode of transportation.

Stop fighting winter and learn to embrace the season - because it's not going away anytime soon. Your dream hotel is waiting and all you have to do is grab your phone and check out all the mobile deals. Plus, since we know you like cozy, you can do it from the comfort of your bed.

About Hotels.com^®
Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through its global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travellers with over 160,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^TM, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Hotels.comCA, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcomca and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.

Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2013 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

SOURCE Hotels.com

Image with caption: "Dog sledding is one of many exciting attractions to experience this winter (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130123_C7692_PHOTO_EN_22809.jpg