Awards. Honors. Recommendations.
Since opening on April 1, 2018, the Retreat has received numerous accolades from publications and professional associations around the world.
Awards in 2020
Interior Architecture Lighting Solution: SoleLuna (suite luminaire) Communication: A New Day Dawns (film)
iF Design Awards 2020
“First awarded in 1953, the iF DESIGN AWARD is the oldest independent design seal in the world. It is a symbol of outstanding design achievements that focuses on the innovative power of design.” Read more
Excellent Architecture: Interior Architecture
German Design Awards 2020
“The design is convincing right down to the last detail and enables rest and relaxation at an exclusive level.” Read more
Awards in 2019
SKIFT Design Awards: Best Design for Wellbeing
Skift Magazine
“Quality, attention to detail, and governing design language reach every touchpoint, including digital technologies like electronic bracelets, lighting (custom luminaires in the suites that replicate circadian rhythms), and bespoke furniture made from lava stone quarried onsite.” Read more
Best Solo Spa
Organic Spa Awards
“With the 2018 opening of the Retreat, visitors now have stunning, contemporary suites in which to relax between soaking in the mineral-rich waters, enjoying signature facials and massages, and savoring fresh, flavorful cuisine.” Read more
Icelandic Concrete Award
Steinsteypufélag Íslands
Iceland’s concrete association honored the Retreat for its creative, innovative use of concrete. Read more
AFAR’S The Stay List: One of the Best New Hotels in the World
AFAR Travel Magazine & Guide
“The 60 minimalist rooms, with their private balconies and deep stand-alone tubs, all have floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing the surrounding bright blue waters and moss-covered lava fields to set the visual tone.” Read more
It List: Best New Hotels in the World
Travel + Leisure
“Otherworldly barely begins to describe the setting of the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, a luxurious new hotel located on one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions.” Read more
Red Dot Award: Best of the Best for Interior Design
Red Dot
“Establishing a sensual balance, the interior architectural forms have been designed to interact with the elements of the surrounding landscape – creating an atmosphere of noble refinement that is further enhanced by a skilfully implemented colour composition and a clever lighting concept.” Read more
Destination Deluxe Awards 2019: Mineral & Hot Springs Spa Of The Year
Destination Deluxe Awards
Destination Deluxe is a travel and wellness publication that handpicks the finest luxury resorts, hotels, retreats, and spas from around the world. Read more
Top Destination Hotel (overseas)
National Geographic Traveller
Having received the Wellness Wonder award from National Geographic Traveller, the Retreat was also honored by National Geographic Traveller’s UK readers. Read more
Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards: Top Resorts in Europe
Condé Nast Traveler
Over 600,000 readers participated in this year’s awards, submitting a record-breaking number of responses that determined the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, airports, and cruise lines on the planet. Read more
Departures’ Legend Awards: The Best Wellness Experience
Departures Magazine
“The Retreat Hotel offers experiences that embrace your natural surroundings, like a private float at the Retreat Lagoon, or the Blue Lagoon ritual, which utilizes the lagoon’s natural algae, silica, and minerals to heal your body and soothe your skin.“ Read more
Merit Award
Illumination Awards
Reykjavík-based Liska was awarded the IES Illumination Award for the Retreat’s lighting design. “The IES Illumination Awards program recognizes individuals for professionalism, ingenuity, and originality in lighting design based on the individual merit of each entry.” Read more
Wellness Wonder
National Geographic Big Sleep Awards
“The Retreat at Blue Lagoon — a minimalist sanctuary of wellness right on the edge of the country’s most famous landmark. The star of the show is, of course, its subterranean spa, built into the jet-black, 800-year-old lava flows, where the Lagoon’s salt, silica and algae take a starring role in the treatment offerings.” Read more
Luxury Hotel
Hospitality Design Awards
“Floor-to-ceiling picture windows in the 60 cozy suites offer dramatic views of an 800-year-old lava flow blanketed with neon moss, or, come winter, snow. Freestanding bathtubs and rain showers share the volcanic panorama, while living rooms open up to decks and balconies with soft curved chairs, creating the perfect perch from which to scan the horizon for the Northern Lights. ” Read more
Best of the Best Hotel Awards: Best For Wellness
Jetsetter.com
“The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, an ethereal wellness escape at the edge of the Blue Lagoon, embodies everything we love about its home country.” Read more
Most Innovative Lighting Project
Iguzzini Lighting Design Awards
Reykjavík-based Liska was honored for creating the Retreat’s lighting design—a framework that preserves the enchantments of Iceland’s natural light while seamlessly incorporating artificial light that is energizing, relaxing, and engaging. Read more
Recommended (Moss Restaurant)
2019, 2020, 2021 Michelin Guide
“A hotel like this deserves a fine dining restaurant. Enter Moss, located on the highest point of the property, which “reimagines Iceland’s culinary traditions” through three tasting menus (five- or seven-course, or vegan).” Read more
Best Resort Hotel
Ahead Europe 2019
“A panel of judges comprised of leading hoteliers, architects, interior designers, consultants and industry commentators assessed entries on their aesthetic excellence, guest experience and commercial viability.” Read more
Awards in 2018
World’s 100 Greatest Places
Time Magazine
“Now the country’s most popular attraction has its own hotel, carved into an 800-year-old lava flow. It features a gourmet restaurant, a subterranean spa and 60 rooms, four of which are suites with access to private pools of the lagoon.” Read more
Fodor’s Finest Hotels: The 100 Most Incredible Hotels In The World
Fodor’s
“The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most visited and beloved attractions...Now, with the opening of the Retreat at Blue Lagoon, visitors can make the extraordinary location homebase and indulge in the holistic spa experience as much as they like.” Read more
Reader’s Choice: Ultimate Mindblowing Spa
British Airways’ The Club
“One of the world’s best-known natural spas, it’s worth booking in for a day visit to experience the effects of the lagoon’s restorative, geothermal waters.” Read more
Icelandic Design Award Winner
Icelandic Design Awards
“Basalt Architects have a unique ability to intertwine architecture and landscape and have become a role model in designing nature baths in Iceland. The architecture is of the highest quality with every detail deliberated over and spaces designed with respect."
Professional’s Choice Awards: Favorite New International Spa
American Spa
American Spa is an industry authority on matters concerning health, beauty, and wellness. Each year, its Professional’s Choice Awards are given in a range of categories that honor the best spas in the world. Read more
Surface Travel Awards: Best Spa
Surface
“The Blue Lagoon has become the setting for a million selfies, but a new luxury spa and hotel—designed by Iceland’s Basalt Architects and Milan-based Design Group Italia—promises a much more serene experience.” Read more
Best New Food Experiences For 2019 (Moss Restaurant)
Lonely Planet
“Already popular with visitors seeking outdoor thermal bathing bliss, Iceland’s Blue Lagoon now offers a hotspot for foodies, Moss Restaurant, within its new luxury Retreat hotel.” Read more
Design Strategy For The Blue Lagoon
ADI Design Index
Design Group Italia was recognized for its comprehensive Blue Lagoon positioning, identity, and brand strategy—a framework that touches all vectors of the resort: retail spaces, online content, POS material, packaging, and service and experiential design.
Tatler Travel Guide’s Best European Hotels in 2018
Tatler Travel Awards
“One minute you’re settled into an armchair with a glass of wine, the next you’re hanging up your dressing gown and padding towards the calm, blissfully warm water – perhaps for an in-water massage, wrapped in algae, the spa’s signature treatment.” Read more