Pier One hotel, Sydney: Winter igloos return to Sydney Harbour

Icy igloos offer snug soirees as faux-snow winter arrives.

Sydneysiders yearn for winter – how else would you explain an explosion of igloos on the harbour?

Waterfront hotel Pier One's private winter igloos return to Sydney Harbour this winter, and have multiplied to offer six icy experiences. New this year are the breakfast igloo, a dining igloo and the Snow Globe, which is located on the hotel's pontoon. Lit by lanterns and seating up to 12 people for three hours, it rolls with the harbour waters as it glitters with faux snow.

The hot tub igloo is back by popular demand, where you and five of your best friends can steam away beneath starry skies, and the Winter Luxe igloos return for snug soirees of up to 15 people in the transparent, geodesic igloos, replete with snowy furs,and a prime view of the city skyline or, until June 15, Vivid Sydney.

The Dream igloo suite is the only dome with a bed, set on the balcony of the hotel's harbour-view balcony suite for overnight stays. Angled to bask in the last sun of the day, it comes replete with the three 'c's – champagne, cheese and charcuterie, and is the big-ticket item at $1299 a night.

Except for the couples-only Dream igloo, each dome must be booked for a set period of up to three hours, with a minimum food and beverage spend.

The breakfast igloo starts at $300 for six people for three hours, while the Gantry dining igloo creates a private dining experience from the hotel's hatted restaurant, Gantry, for up to six guests, from $400. The igloos are in place until August 31.

Take a look inside the igloos in the photo gallery above.

See pieronesydneyharbour.com.au

See also: Good Food's Gantry review at Pier One

See also: Pier One Sydney Harbour hotel review