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Hotel of the week: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland

Built within the legendary geothermal spring, with plush suites and world-famous spa, The Retreat at Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon gives new meaning to the concept of switching off...

Where is it?

Just 20 minutes drive from Iceland’s international airport, Keflavik, The Retreat’s location makes it the perfect post-flight stop. You can collect your bags, check-in and be soaking in the private lagoon with a chilled glass of champagne all within 45 minutes.

Style

The hotel’s design pays homage to its surroundings. The colour palette reflects the landscape with muted tones of greens, greys and slate. Walls are made from raw concrete, furniture is quarried from the lava and floor-to-ceiling windows allow the majestic surrounding water to take centre stage.

Which room?

The rooms, which are categorised into Junior Suites, Suites and the Lagoon Suite, are spread over two floors and offer differing views - you can pick to look out from your plush king-size bed over the volcanic landscape or the crystalline water.

Each Junior Suite comes with a vast bath, walk-in shower, small lounge area and Blue Lagoon products to continue lathering on once you’ve vacated the spa. The mini-bar is complimentary across all categories which proves a welcome touch when just one beer in Iceland typically cost around £10.

For those looking to seriously amp up the luxury, the Lagoon Suite is how to do it. Not only will you have a separate living room, but you’ll also have your own private lagoon which you can enter straight from your room.

(The Retreat)
(The Retreat)

Facilities

The spa here undeniably steals the show. Hotel guests have access to a private section of the Blue Lagoon which is utterly spectacular. The water, shaped by volcanic rocks, ebbs and flows around the hotel like a moat and with endless hidden corners and coves you can spend hours soaking without coming across a single other guest.

The spa itself is like a deep cave of serenity. Built into an 800-year-old lava flow, it has an outdoor steam room, a traditional sauna, relaxation pods and The Blue Lagoon Ritual Room where you exfoliate, cleanse and moisturise your body using the waters natural products - mineral salt, silica and algae.

In terms of private treatments, there is an extended menu but the hotel’s signature treatment, the in-water full-body massage which takes place in the lagoon as you lie on a bed, is not a treatment you’ll find anywhere else.

For the time that you’re not pruning, you can practice yoga in the dedicated studio, work out at the gym, take a hike in the surrounding area or go horse riding. Retreating to the fire-lit library to devour a book or enjoy a whisky from the honesty bar is also recommended.

(The Retreat)
(The Retreat)

Food

There are three in-house restaurants to choose from at The Retreat. The Lava, being the oldest and situated out-with the hotel confines, is more dated than the other two but the cooking is fresh and merges Icelandic cooking with modern European well.

The Spa restaurant is a great option for lunch in between soaks. You’ll find light plates like Arctic char ceviche, sushi and barley salads but for those that are serious about dining, you should experience the hotel’s landmark restaurant, Moss.

Opt for the tasting menu and you’ll be served the likes of gravlax, pine-smoked reindeer, liquorice ice cream and still-warm pistachio magdalenas.

(The Retreat)
(The Retreat)

Best for

Couples. Should families want to go, children are allowed from aged 12 upwards.

What to pack

If you plan to just stay at The Retreat then all you need is a few outfits, workout gear and swimwear however if you want to explore the surrounding area or go on a day trip, it’s wise to consider your packing carefully in the colder months.

If you do go in winter, take a good pair of snow boots, like the UGG Brine which can withstand -32 conditions, and waterproofs - NorthFace are excellent for extreme conditions.

Thin layers that will provide extra warmth are also essential like Lulu Lemon’s advanced technical wear.

Details

Suites start from £1,029 per night at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Breakfast and spa access included. bluelagoon.com/

Alice stayed as a guest of The Retreat at Blue Lagoon.