excellent idea of getting a hookah as a gift i got one for my girlfriend and my best friend, i havent tried a ice chamber but i know from expience that if you leave the base with water in it in the freezer before using it, leave it for about 15 to 20 mins it works just as well and after that add ice to the water and it keeps that ice chill for longer. i say get her a pretty one like i got my girl a marble spine but there these new ones that glow in the dark on the spine and when the lights are out it looks like the rings are flooting and damn its sick, hella trippy