I

f you wanted to see Antarctica the choices were simple: board an expedition cruise or be a researcher at a polar lab. Now there is a third option, staying in the first and only hotel on the continent.

Founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife polar explorers Patrick and Robyn Woodhead, the goal was "making [Antarctica] accessible to everyone, not just explorers." Since then, they have moved from tents and spare seats on a cargo plan to luxury pods to their own private Airbus A340.

White Desert consists of three camps, their orgional Whichaway Camp, the Sci-fi inspired Echo Camp, and the chalet styled Explorer Camp. Each camp is unique offering varying expeditions such as Emperor Penguin colony visits, ice cave trekking, glacier hiking, and their South Pole expedition.

You might forget where you are during meals. Caviar canapes and Champagne are not uncommon. Lunch and dinner consist of thought-out three courses with a head chef at each camp.

Rooms are luxury for the polar desert. Warm beds, toilets, designed furnishings, and unobstructed bigger than life views. You will get a reminder that you are in the middle of Antarctica with warm water being from a twice a day refilled carafe over the sink, and showers in a separate building.

The seasons are short with availability only being between November to January due to Antarctica’s harsh climate. Fewer than 500 people visit each year with private flights leaving from Cape Town.

Trips range between $20,000 USD for a single day to $45,000 for a week.