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Lava Spa presents a breathtaking landscape of lava fields and mountains that stretches endlessly to the horizon, and includes a pool that sits beside a traditional wood-fired sauna.
The surrounding dark skies around Nesjavellir mean there’s a very good chance to view the Northern Lights from August through May. The hotel also offers Northern Lights wake‑up calls.
Tucked into the dramatic lava fields and mountains of Nesjavellir, less than an hour from Reykjavík, Ion gives you easy access to Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO) and expansive highland scenery.
Location
Craggy rockland, glimmering lakes, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park make for an escapist’s dream retreat like no other, with plenty of headspace for one’s inner-hermit and plenty of exploration opportunities for the outdoor adventurer. Meanwhile, the town of Selfoss offers all the comforts of civilization, from quaint cafes and bookshops to centuries-old architecture, a geothermal swimming pool, a contemporary art fix—specifically at the Listasafn Árnesinga gallery—and an array of bars and fine eateries. Selfoss is also about 40 minutes from Reykjavík by road.
Transportation Options
KEF - Keflavik International Airport (96 km)
Hotel Features
Suites with private sauna
Complimentary mini bar
Northern Lights wakeup calls
Geothermal pool
Spa
Event venue
Basic Information
Check-in: 16:00
Check-out: 12:00
Children Friendly
General
Free wifi
24 hour reception
Free parking
Concierge desk
Family friendly
Wheelchair accessible
Shuttle serviceService comes at an extra charge
24 hour security
Elevators
Gift shop
Early/late check-in availableService comes at an extra charge
Airport transfer servicesService comes at an extra charge
Room
Room service available
Daily housekeeping
Room safe
Wake up service
Meeting Rooms
Business center
Conference rooms
Video conferencing system
Local Features
Tours available
Features
Restaurant on site
Bar/lounge
Room service available
Breakfast buffet
Accessibility Features
Wheelchair accessible elevators
Architecture Tryggvi Thorsteinsson, Minarc
The abandoned building was acquired in 2011 and—with the assistance of Santa Monica-based design studio Minarc—renovated, with a wing also added. The new elements of the structure were built using a panelized building system that exceeds environmentally safe building standards. The hotel’s position atop a series of pillars causes it to dramatically jut out of the slopes of Mount Hengill.
Interior design Erla Dogg Ingjaldsdottir, Minarc
Bolstering the hotel’s mood as a secluded retreat are driftwood and other natural materials from the surrounding area. Fairtrade organic linens and wooden flooring are found in all accommodations, where the sustainable ethos of the hotel is also realized via water-saving shower systems and beds and chairs made from recycled materials.
Silfra Restaurant Modern Icelandic
The Nordic menu presents such treats as freshly caught Arctic Char from Þingvallavatn and unique desserts like Skyr brûlé. Silfra’s rustic yet modern setting features wood floors and a fractured electric-blue back wall that echoes Iceland’s glaciers.
The Northern Lights Bar Cocktails, drinks, and eats
Comfortable low-slung sofas, sheepskin-lined window seats, and rawhide rugs create a warm, inviting setting where you can enjoy a small, carefully selected bar menu featuring burgers, salads, soups, and desserts.
Glass House Inside out
Flooded with natural light during the day and glowing with a beguiling ambiance at night, Glass House can delight up to 180 guests with its expertly crafted gourmet cuisine and breathtaking views.
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Lava Spa One with the elements
Lava Spa is blissful environment with a small geothermal‑heated pool, a traditional wood‑fired sauna with heated stones, and a relaxation room.
Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir and Tryggvi Thorsteinsson’s award-winning studio derives inspiration from the unassuming, almost austere beauty and otherworldly natural features of their native Iceland—the land of fire and ice.
The time is far behind us when travelers settled for indistinguishably luxurious chain accommodations. These days, it seems everyone wants to talk about local hubs providing locally sourced products and services.
Have you ever been enveloped in a blanket of fog and imagined yourself in outer space? These wonderlands may be the only way for some of us to ever have a cosmic experience.
Design Hotels is partnered with Marriott Bonvoy™. Enroll and receive member benefits when you book select Design Hotels properties via www.marriott.com.
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