Gazing out from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in my handsomely designed guestroom at The Retreat Hotel at Blue Lagoon Iceland, I admired the dramatic expanse of craggy volcanic rocks and soaring green mountains in the distance. The view was untamed, almost otherworldly, yet I had never felt more pampered.
Such is life when you experience luxury travel in Iceland. Staying at The Retreat — the nation’s most expensive hotel — is just one example of how globetrotters can upgrade their Iceland experience.
Iceland, indeed, may be known for its vast natural beauty, but it’s also built a reputation as an ideal destination for luxury travel, thanks to the array of accommodations, tours and experiences that blend upscale amenities and services with sightseeing in some of the country’s most naturally beautiful regions.
Here are a few recommendations to consider for your upscale clients.
Luxury Hotels in Iceland
During my recent visit, I checked into The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, a 60-room hotel located at Blue Lagoon Iceland, a massive spa where warm, geothermal seawater pools provide a setting for a variety of treatments and experiences. By the end of November, the facility is to debut a new sauna, a steam cave, a cold plunge and two new massage waterfalls. New changing rooms are expected to open by the end of the year, as well, while a new “welcome house” is to debut in 2025 (recent seismic activity has necessitated the redesign of some facilities).
Day visits are the way most people experience Blue Lagoon. But those looking to extend and enrich their experience should consider a stay at The Retreat, where guests enjoy unlimited access to the Retreat Spa and the Retreat Lagoon, as well as amenities including breakfast and morning yoga sessions.
Credit: 2024 Blue Lagoon
A variety of optional experiences are also available. I felt transported during my float therapy session, during which I drifted blissfully in the warm, mineral-rich waters, gently guided by a therapist who also provided a light massage treatment designed to reduce stress and pain.
Arriving at The Retreat is a bit like checking into a James Bond setting. The low-slung complex, which is graced with touches of minimalist and brutalist design, contrasts intriguingly with the rugged landscape. This is a place where attention to detail is taken seriously, from the striking architectural design to the thoughtful decor and attentive service.
The Retreat may be the most luxurious hotel in Iceland, but it’s far from the only place to indulge. I also paid a visit to The Reykjavik Edition, the only five-star property in the city of Reykjavik. It features sophisticated style; a seventh-floor restaurant with excellent views of the mountains and ocean; a spa; and accommodations that include a 1,375-square-foot penthouse suite with a fireplace and balcony.
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I also stayed at Sand Hotel by Keahotels a centrally located 78-room property in Reykjavik that’s decidedly more economical in price, but still offers opportunities to upgrade — most notably with its Sand Suite, which features a kitchenette and dining room.
Visit Iceland, the destination’s tourism organization, also lists a variety of eye-catching upscale options around the nation — including “glass igloos” at the Panorama Glass Lodge in southern Iceland and glamping by the river in northern Iceland with Original North.
Luxury Tours and Experiences in Iceland
My most upscale sightseeing experience in Iceland was with Nordurflug Helicopter Tours. I couldn’t stop taking photos and videos during our scenic jaunt over the city of Reykjavik and Faxafloi Bay. We landed on a pristine hilltop just outside the city, taking a few minutes for a Champagne toast and snacks before flying back. The company also offers a “volcano eruption tour” that flies over the island’s newest eruption site, and a “geothermal tour” that visits another active volcanic area.
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Guided land tours also take in a variety of sites around Iceland. I was impressed with the services of Pink Iceland, a company that offers private, customizable tours. The company showed me the best of the Golden Circle, the nation’s best-known tourism route and a must-do for first-time visitors — the itinerary includes stops at Thingvellir National Park, where we walked through picturesque gorges; the Geysir geothermal area, where we witnessed multiple geyser eruptions; and the Gullfoss waterfall, which provides stunning photo opportunities. Our tour ended with lunch at the Fridheimar organic tomato farm, located on the southern part of the island where we took a guided tour and then dug into a delicious, locally sourced meal that made good use of fresh tomatoes.
Credit: 2024 Nordurflug Helicopter Tours
Iceland’s cuisine, indeed, is a big draw, and I was surprised by its diversity and deliciousness. I especially loved the many opportunities to sample fresh seafood and expertly prepared lamb, both of which are popular staples on Icelandic menus. Among my favorite upscale dining venues were Matur & Drykkur, where I savored a six-course tasting menu that changes with each season; Fish Mrkt, a trendy venue where tempura and sashimi are among the draws; and Skal, which serves Icelandic and international dishes (as of press time, the venue is temporarily closed but expects to open in a new location in Reykjavik sometime in September).
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Clients looking for upscale itineraries that include nearly every aspect of their trip may want to look at offerings from companies such as Abercrombie & Kent, which offers a small-group itinerary called “Iceland: Reykjavik to the Golden Circle 2025.” The trip includes a Jeep excursion in the Thorsmork nature reserve and the option to take a walking foodie tour; attend a lava show; or spend time in the geothermal waters at Sky Lagoon, an upscale hot springs venue near Reykjavik.
