"Do you know that John Glenn was here to get a feel for walking on the moon?" asked the member of the host team at the Retreat at Blue Lagoon.
I could see the moonscape outside the walls of the windows. I was struck by the look of the lava fields that surround the property despite being bleary-eyed after my flight from New York.
I'd visited the famous Blue Lagoon before and experienced the wonders of the public lagoon area, but the 62-room Retreat takes that experience to another level.
Nestled close to the ground and with exclusive access to private areas of the lagoon, the boutique property puts relaxation and self- care front and center, with a hefty dose of sustainable and environmental friendly on the side.
The hotel is over the top but still has a relaxed vibe.
Breakfast in the lobby lounge is free for guests and offers buffet and a la carte options. There is complimentary afternoon coffee and tiered plates of pastries and snacks.
The main attraction at the Retreat is the 13,500- square-foot subterranean spa, built in and among the lava formations and offering access to both the private and public lagoon areas.
I went to one of the private lagoon areas for my first time. The Blue Lagoon Ritual area is where spa staff will show you how to use the healing powers of the feature.
There is a spa at the retreat. The photo is courtesy of Blue LagoonIceland.
If you've ever seen people at the Blue Lagoon smiling with white saliva on their faces, this is the famous silica that people swears by for revitalizing the skin. At the public lagoon, visitors scoop it out of buckets and apply it to their skin, but at the retreat, the mud is applied in a more elegant way, with relaxation areas where you can wait while the gunk works.
Some of the applications of minerals and algae are said to be beneficial to one's health. The post-treatment rooms range from cozy nooks with fireplaces and lounge chairs to hanging-basket seats in the Nest, where I often found myself swinging in a spa-inspired coma.
The Retreat's newest spa offering is a float therapy treatment where you don a helmet and floatation pads for your knees that allow you to bob easily on the water while a therapist moves you around in the water and offers a massage.
For guests who want an even more exclusive spa experience or for families with young children who wouldn't normally be allowed in the lagoon, there is a rentable Lava Cove day suite that accommodates up to six.
A library with a fireplace is one of the features at the property. Guided tours of the Reykjanes Peninsula can be arranged by the concierge.
Guests can view the northern lights from the Terrace if they choose to.
The suites at the Retreat have private terraces and heated floors. The photo is courtesy of Blue LagoonIceland.
I didn't spend a lot of time in a hotel guestroom, no matter how posh, but I did in this case because of the view of the lava fields, the massive bathtub, and the spa.
Gislason referred to the forest in the distance as a Christmas tree farm. There are walking paths that lead to the trees.
Property developers did not take lightly the decision to not have TVs in the rooms.
Bring your own food to eat at the property. At the swim-up bar at the Spa Restaurant, I tucked into a platter of king crab legs and watched guests drink champagne and eat their food.
At the Lava Restaurant, fresh fish and beef were at the center of the menu. The last night, we were treated to a dining experience at the Moss Restaurant, which is part of a new Guest Chef and WinePairing series, led by chef Aggi Sverrisson and accompanied by guest vintner John Schwartz from the Amuse Bouche winery.
Clement Robert, the property's master sommelier, is on hand for guests who want to enjoy a similar multicourse Chef's Table experience, and be prepared for not only beautiful menu options, but also eye-catching presentations.
There are six suite categories, all with private terraces and heated floors, and rates start at $1,260 for a 431-square-foot Lava View Junior Suite.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
