The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Reykjanes

We’ve always found the soothing geothermal waters of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon impossible to resist. Whether it’s the rumours of healing powers, the deep sense of relaxation or the awe-inspiring landscapes that surround them; nowhere does wellbeing quite like this. Cue The Retreat at Blue Lagoon and it’s near-on impossible to stay away. A striking feat of architectural wonder, cocooned by the warmth of the Lagoon, it’s the perfect excuse to spend a couple of extra hours, or days, soaking in the magic of it all. Cosied up in one of 62 stunning suites, dipping in and out of the simply incomparable spa and embarking on a journey through Icelandic cuisine at their Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant, we would happily move in.

Location

A place where ‘at’ means ‘at’ – not a quick car drive away, not just around the corner; the Retreat at Blue Lagoon is quite possibly Iceland’s most enviable address. Built to show off the scenery, it does just that. Wall to wall glass overlooks moss-covered horizons, broken up by lava trails, dotted with hot springs and blazed over by the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights; it’s pure magic. Plus, out on the Reykjanes Peninsula, just 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport and 45 minutes from Reykjavik, it’s completely within reach.

Your Room

Muted tones, contemporary design and lighting that changes with the movement of the sun, the Retreat’s 62 stylish suites are a breathtaking window onto the natural world. King-sized beds face out at floor-to-ceiling windows which, in turn, give way onto the moody and ever-changing landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Step out onto private terraces and balconies and see the steam rise up off the lagoon or the light bounce off of the moss-covered lava fields – but to really soak it all in, it’s got to be the Lagoon Suite. A private terrace with steps directly down into the Lagoon, how can you resist?

Why we like it

Home to a subterranean spa, hewn out of volcanic rock and surrounded by geothermal waters; a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is not complete without a spa treatment or two. We loved the Blue Lagoon Ritual; a must-do spa journey which incorporates the health benefits of the silica, algae and minerals of the Lagoon waters to nourish and revitalise the body. But for something completely different, how about an in-water floating massage? In a serene corner of the Lagoon, warmed by the calming waters, it’s a whole new level of relaxation.