Accommodations at Blue Lagoon Iceland: Silica Hotel & The Retreat

Accommodations at Blue Lagoon Iceland: Silica Hotel & The Retreat

Located in the majestic landscape of Blue Lagoon Iceland, there are two sublime places to stay: Silica Hotel and the Retreat. They both have their own charm and offer more than just a place to sleep. They guarantee a rejuvenating experience in a timeless world of wellbeing.

General Overview

Opened in 2005 and rebranded in 2016, Silica Hotel is a 35-room boutique gem with its own mineral-rich lagoon. Originally conceived as an overnight clinic for natural psoriasis treatments based on the healing powers of geothermal seawater. A 10-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon, the location has evolved from a place of healing into a sanctuary of wellness, blending healthcare and hospitality.

The Retreat is a 5-star luxury resort with 60 suites, located just five minutes from the Blue Lagoon. Opened in 2018, it's designed for luxury and relaxation, featuring the award-winning Retreat Spa, the Retreat Lagoon, and the Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant. This resort is a blend of luxury, nature, and design, providing a unique experience of rejuvenation and relaxation. Guests even have a private entrance to the Blue Lagoon.

Harmony with Nature

Both hotels are designed by Iceland’s renowned Basalt Architects, yet they offer distinct experiences. Silica Hotel's architecture is a one-level structure, designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding moss-covered lava fields. An eye-catching feature is the decorative Blue Lagoon water surrounding the premises, with each room featuring a small terrace on the water's edge.

The Retreat Hotel, more advanced in architectural design, spans two levels built into an ancient lava plain. It merges with the landscape and includes the Blue Lagoon's geothermal waters. Some suites have direct access to the water, offering guests a private and luxurious way to enjoy the lagoon's benefits.

Design Elements

Silica Hotel is modern and simple in design, with clean lines and contemporary furnishings. It has a calm and minimalistic Scandinavian style.

On the other hand, the Retreat focuses on blending the inside with the outside. Its design, including shapes, patterns, colors, and materials, matches the nearby geology. This creates a sophisticated space where nature and human-made elements come together seamlessly.

Service Excellence

When it comes to service, both hotels offer exceptional experiences, though their approaches differ. Silica Hotel prides itself on its 24-hour concierge service, ensuring guests have round-the-clock assistance for all their needs, including the unique Northern Lights wake-up call.

The Retreat, however, offers even more personalized service. Every guest is assigned a personal host who is always available to help with anything they need, like organizing tours or arranging dinner reservations. This, along with the Northern Lights wake-up call, ensures a very personalized and luxurious experience for each guest.

Amenities and Comfort

Silica Hotel has its own lagoon with healing waters from the same source as the Blue Lagoon. It offers relaxation and health benefits. Guests also have access to a fitness center and a communal lounge with a fireplace and entrancing views of the moss-covered landscape. Additionally, guests receive complimentary daily breakfast and free admission to the Blue Lagoon, an amenity that can be upgraded to include the Retreat Spa.

The Retreat takes luxury to another level. Apart from a fitness center and yoga room, it boasts a library and a communal lounge with breathtaking views. But the hallmark of the Retreat experience is the Retreat Spa— a large underground area with beautiful design and natural heat. The spa journey includes various thermal areas and ends with the Blue Lagoon Ritual—a self-guided, 4-step treatment using silica, algae, and minerals, which leave your body smooth, glowing, and revitalized.

Additional perks for Retreat guests include complimentary daily breakfast and Icelandic coffee in the Retreat Lounge, further accentuating the luxurious interplay of hospitality and wellbeing. Likewise, each suite is equipped with Blue Lagoon Skincare products, made from natural elements of the Blue Lagoon.

Fine Dining

There are several dining options to choose from for hotel guests. Lava Restaurant, built into a centuries-old basalt cliff on the south shore of the Blue Lagoon, combines enchanting architecture, stunning views, and classic Icelandic cuisine. Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant, occupying the point of highest elevation at Blue Lagoon, reinvents Iceland’s culinary heritage, transforming seasonal ingredients into timeless gourmet journeys. Hotel guests may also dine at Spa Restaurant in the Retreat Spa, where fresh delicacies and enchanting views of the Retreat Lagoon create a sublime experience. For light snacks and refreshing beverages, Blue Café—located in the main spa complex—is a simple, savory choice.

Commitment to Sustainability

Blue Lagoon Iceland is a great example of renewable energy, combining eco-friendly health, hospitality, and wellbeing. Both Silica Hotel and the Retreat follow this approach, using sustainable methods in all their operations. They minimize their impact on the environment and get all their heating, hot water, and electricity from the Svartsengi Resource Park, a renewable energy source.

Recognition and Awards

Silica Hotel and the Retreat have both garnered significant recognition in the world of hospitality. Silica Hotel has an impressive list of awards, including the Nordic Prize for Lighting in 2006, a nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award in the same year, and the Icelandic Architecture Award in 2007. More recently, Silica was recognized in Travel + Leisure’s Readers’ Choice Awards as the Best Resort Hotel in Iceland.

The Retreat, despite being newer, has quickly ascended to the heights of acclaim. It has been listed in Time Magazine’s World's 100 Greatest Places and Fodor's Finest Hotels - The 100 Most Incredible Hotels In The World. Among its numerous laurels are Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Resorts and a host of other honors, detailed at Blue Lagoon's Awards. In the culinary arena, the Retreat’s signature restaurant—Moss—received a Michelin star in 2023. These accolades not only underline the Retreat’s excellence in hospitality but also its innovative approach to luxury and wellness.

Tripadvisor reviews for Silica and the Retreat provide another window into the affirmational responses and memory-making experiences enjoyed by guests of these geothermal spa hotels.

Adventure and Exploration

Both hotels are perfect starting points for exploring Iceland's beautiful scenery and culture. They offer easy access to the country's natural wonders and cultural highlights. Guests can enjoy hikes on nearby trails or join organized tours to experience the magnificent landscapes and learn about Iceland's history and culture. Located in the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark and just 50 minutes from Reykjavík, the capital, Silica Hotel and the Retreat are great places to stay for exploring Iceland's impressive geology and rich heritage.

Getting There

Getting to Blue Lagoon Iceland from either Keflavík International Airport or Reykjavík is straightforward, offering options for self-drive and transfers:

From Keflavík International Airport: Blue Lagoon is about a 20-minute drive from Keflavík, making it an easily accessible stop for those just arriving in or departing Iceland. Simply follow the signs from the airport towards Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula. There are rental car services at the airport for those looking to self-drive.

From Reykjavík: The journey from Reykjavík takes approximately 45 minutes by car. You would head south on Route 41, then follow the signs to Blue Lagoon. This scenic drive offers beautiful views of Iceland’s unique landscape.

Once you’re at Blue Lagoon Iceland, getting to the world famous lagoon is quite simple. Guests of the Retreat benefit from a private entrance, whereas those staying at Silica Hotel can reach the lagoon with a scenic 10-minute walk through moss-covered lava fields. Additionally, Silica Hotel provides a shuttle service for convenient access to the waterscape.

A World of Wellbeing and Wonder

Choosing between Silica Hotel and the Retreat depends on personal preferences and expectations from a luxury stay. While Silica Hotel offers a boutique, wellness-focused experience, the Retreat provides all-encompassing luxury with a personal touch. Both hotels, however, stand united in their commitment to sustainability, design, and high-quality service, making them exceptional choices for a memorable stay in Iceland. Likewise, integrating either hotel as your first or last stop while visiting Iceland can significantly enhance your travel experience. The strategic location of Blue Lagoon Iceland, combined with the unparalleled comfort, luxury, and service of its hotels, makes it a perfect bookend to any Icelandic adventure, ensuring that your trip is both unforgettable and rejuvenating.