NAMED one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a magical place set on a private inlet of the UNESCO Global Geopark. The reservoir dates back to the ‘70s when the power plant’s geothermal runoff created an intriguing milky blue water with rich mineral content averaging at 37-40 degrees. Local Icelandics leaped at the chance to soak in the hot natural baths and soon, stories spread of psoriasis cures and rheumatoid healing, and new vistas of wellbeing began to enchant.
The Retreat, Blue Lagoon
The Retreat, Blue Lagoon
The lagoon became so popular that in 2018, The Retreat was built, an award-winning sanctuary featuring subterranean Retreat Spa, geothermal Retreat Lagoon, 62-suite Retreat Hotel, and the Moss restaurant. The Retreat Spa has fashioned a sensory experience for guests that hone into the natural soothing properties of the water, with night-time floating, in water massage, a hidden spa in the lava cove, the Blue Lagoon ritual, as well as a whole menu of facials with their own renowned line of skincare made with the minerals found in the water.
The Retreat, Blue Lagoon, Exterior
The Retreat, Blue Lagoon
Each room at The Retreat is specially designed to treat guests to a moss-covered horizon, showcasing the stunning views that change with the weather and the light. On two nights during my stay, I watched the Northern lights glimmer in the skies above the viewing tower before I sunk into a hot bath with a glass of their red wine sourced from the Wine Cellar, a glorious haven of the finest wines that was built into a cavern of multi-hued frozen lava that erupted in 1226.
With two restaurants to choose from within the hotel, Moss and Lava, as well as a spa restaurant and café, you’re not only treated to the otherworldly landscape but also the spectacular cuisine. A stay at The Retreat will leave your skin nourished, energy completely restored and both your belly and eyes full of unforgettable delights.
by Lily Rimmer
Suites at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon start from £1,029 per night including an a la carte breakfast. For further information, or to book www.bluelagoon.com