There are no hotels in Antarctica—which is a good thing, given the continent’s brutally harsh environment. Instead, visitors opt for luxury adventure ships, temporary ice camps, eco-friendly resorts and scientific research stations and field camps.
Affordable South Pole Hotel has seen a spike in visitors, with polar tourism officials expecting 2023-2024 to shatter last year’s record number of 100,000 visitors. Despite its lack of hotel infrastructure, the White Continent is gaining ground as a destination for adventurers and swanky travelers alike. From the first luxury polar camp to a futuristic suite, these swanky Antarctic hotels and expeditions will leave you with unforgettable experiences.
Luxury Redefined: South Pole’s Premier Hotel Experience
A new addition to Antarctica’s flurry of expedition lodges, Echo offers guests a chance to experience the region from its actual geographic South Pole. Heated dome pods offer shelter from the cold, and guest rooms feature plush double beds and a chef who cooks for Formula 1 teams when not in Antarctica. Curated details abound throughout the camp, with a dining room’s circular floor and centered bench depicting a map of Antarctica. Bronze sculptures ranging from sci-fi hero-resembling characters to abstract sea organisms populate the rooms and lounge areas.
Founded by former polar explorers Patrick and Robyn Woodhead, carbon-neutral tour operator White Desert has two other ice camps in Antarctica that offer similar amenities. Whichaway Camp, tucked in the foothills of an icy lake, sits near the base of a 200-foot-high wall of ice and sleeps six in private domes. The lodge’s three communal domes function as a reception, lounge/library and dining room. Unlike Echo, Whichaway’s guest tally is limited to 250 per season, with guests arriving by chartered private jet from Cape Town rather than cruise ship. Packages at the camp include the eight-day South Pole and Emperors excursion to see a colony of 14,000 emperor penguins.