Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Finally Has A Luxury Hotel

Exclusive images of the long-awaited Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, which finally opened its doors.

JACQUELINE GIFFORd

, www.travelandleasure.com 

Kim Kardashian swam in its clear blue waters. So did Justin Bieber and Beyoncé. But the celebrity crowd never had a five-star place to stay at the Blue Lagoon, the world famous, man made geothermal spa just a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik. Until now.

The Retreat, a 62-suite luxury hotel within the complex, is finally welcoming travelers, and it’s poised to be a game-changer for both the Blue Lagoon and Iceland. The contemporary rooms all offer floor-to-ceiling windows so that travelers can best take in the destination’s sweeping landscapes. The suites on the lower level have private terraces facing the lava fields and surrounding waters. A few even offer direct access to the lagoon itself — so you can capture that ultimate selfie, away from the crowds.

No surprise, but wellness is a big component. The Retreat Spa offers a slew of amenities: a steam room, in-water massages, a cold well, and a full-service restaurant serving sushi, shots of thyme and crowberry, and cold-pressed beetroot juice. Smoothies use skyr, a local yogurt, alongside almond, honey, and chia. Spa guests at the Retreat can participate in a Blue Lagoon Ritual, whereby guests enter a series of interconnected rooms and cover their bodies with healing silica, algae, and minerals. Beyond the lagoon, complimentary yoga classes are also available, as are guided hikes and Northern Lights viewing tours.

 Related: The Best Months to Visit Iceland

Though Iceland may not have the culinary renown of Denmark or Sweden, its restaurants are no less impressive, focusing on farm-to-table cuisine and innovative technique just like the rest of Northern Europe. Moss Restaurant at the Retreat highlights the area’s natural bounty: scallops from the west, reindeer sourced from the east, and fresh lobster and cod from the south. For a truly special experience, you’ll want to reserve a space at the 10-seat Chef’s Table, a seven-course menu that fully immerses you in the flavors of Iceland.

Built on an 800-year-old lava flow on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon complex also has another 35-room hotel, Silica Hotel, in addition to the Retreat and public bathing area. The facilities were recently expanded and renovated to accommodate all the added visitors, which now number over one million a year.

6 Things No One Tells You About The Blue Lagoon In Iceland

In the country of fire and frost, geothermal hot springs are one of the best ways to warm up, and the Blue Lagoon is the king of them all. Though it is an undeniable attraction, there are a lot of things that could come as a surprise to first-time visitors. If floating in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon is high on your bucket list, read on for the six most important things you should know about Iceland's Blue Lagoon—that no one tells you.

This is Not a Local Hangout

The Blue Lagoon is one of country's most popular attractions, and roughly 80 percent of tourists to Icelandmake their way here at some point. I knew this going in, but I was still surprised at what a total production it is. This is tourism's ground zero, my friends. You'll be outfitted with a special electronic bracelet upon arrival that allows you to purchase food and drinks, and you'll pay it off when you leave. If you lose this bracelet, you'll be charged a penalty fee. If you need a towel or robe or slippers, you'll have to pay to rent them.

It's Not in Reykjavik

It's in Keflavik, which is about an hour away from the main center of Reykjavik, near the airport. If your plane arrives during the day, you can book a bus from the airport (through Gray Line) that will take you to the lagoon, and then on to the main city. You can also do this in reverse, stopping at the Blue Lagoon on your way to the airport.

You Shower Naked Before You Enter

Most public pools make you shower before you enter the water, and the Blue Lagoon is no exception. The notable difference? Here, you shower sans bathing suit. It's a little strange at first, but there are several closed stalls you can choose to shower in, so you don't have to bare it all to the world. On my visit, there was a Blue Lagoon employee in the shower area to enforce this rule.

It Is a Full Blown Spa

Somehow in my head I thought the Blue Lagoon was going to be a small, intimate affair, but the structure itself is absolutely massive. The property houses a hotel, restaurants, and banquet facilities, and also offers spa treatments that are done in-water, as you float on a rubber mat. A full hour-long massage in the water costs 95 euros and a silica salt scrub, which uses Blue Lagoon minerals, is 80 euros for 30 minutes.

You Can Have Your Hotel Concierge Book Your Visit

Since a visit to the Blue Lagoon is one of the most iconic Iceland experiences, it's important to plan your visit in advance to make sure you're able to get in -- the Lagoon does fill to capacity from time to time, and you may be turned away. Reserve your spot when you book a bus to the Blue Lagoon, which staff at any hotel, like CenterHotel Thingholt, can book for you.

It's Not Cheap

First, there's the cost of entrance, which is 40 euros if you book online, and 45 euros if you just walk in. If you want to rent a towel, that's another five euros; a bathrobe, another 10, and cocktails are seven euros each. Without eating anything, you've spent at least 55 euros, which at the moment is roughly 60 USD. The Blue Lagoon sells itself as a luxury experience, and to enjoy it, you're going to be paying a luxury price.

Looking for a less expensive alternative? Try the Myvatn Nature Baths in Northern Iceland, which are also blue ($27 admission), the Secret Lagoon ($18 admission), or the Fontana Baths (an hour from Reykjavik, with $25 admission), or Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik's public pools, which will only set you back $7 for admission.

Have you been to the Blue Lagoon? What was your experience like?

—Kelly Lewis

This article was originally published by Oyster.com under the headline 6 Things No One Tells You About the Blue Lagoon in Iceland (That You Definitely Should Know).

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