Iceland's BEST Kept Secret: Hotel Island Spa & Wellness Escape!
Iceland's "BEST Kept Secret" - Hotel Island Spa & Wellness Escape: A No-BS Review (and a Plea to Book!)
Okay, let's be real. "Best Kept Secret" is a bold claim. But after experiencing Hotel Island Spa & Wellness Escape in Iceland, I’m starting to understand the hype. This place isn't just a hotel; it's a vibe. A very, very relaxing, slightly chaotic, and utterly unforgettable vibe.
First off, let's talk Accessibility - Because everyone deserves a bit of Iceland Magic (and this is important):
Okay, so they've got the basics, right? Elevator? Check. And listed as having Facilities for disabled guests, which is a great start. I didn't personally need these, but from what I saw, the place was set up to accommodate. Definitely worth a call directly to the hotel to confirm specifics if you have particular needs. Don't want any nasty surprises now, do we?
Accessibility Score: 4/5 (Needs confirmation on specifics, but promising!)
Now to the good stuff!
The "Relaxation Arsenal" (or, How to Actually Unwind)
This is where Hotel Island really shines. They've got a full-blown arsenal of relaxation options. Seriously, prepare to lose yourself in some serious pampering.
Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Okay, the sauna was heaven. Hot, wood-lined, and the smell? Divine. I may or may not have spent a solid hour just breathing in the eucalyptus-tinged air and contemplating the meaning of life (or at least, what I was going to order for dinner). The steamroom was a close second, perfect for melting away the stresses of… well, everything.
Swimming Pool (Outdoor): This is where the "view" comes into play. And boy, is it a view. Imagine yourself, submerged in warm, soothing water, gazing at the Icelandic landscape… even if the sky is playing a game of "grey and greyer." The Pool with a view is a game changer!
Massage: Needed. Essential. Book it. I had a deep tissue massage that left me feeling like a limp noodle, in the best possible way. The therapist was incredibly skilled, and the whole experience was just pure bliss. My shoulders were shouting from the relief.
Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: I saw the fitness center. I considered using the fitness center. I opted for another massage. No judgment from me if you do the same.
Body Scrub/Body Wrap: Didn't try these, but the menu descriptions sounded tempting. Next time!
Foot Bath: Now this is where I had my moment of genius, after the hike. I would give my firstborn for their foot bath after hiking around Landmanalaugar.
Relaxation Score: 5/5 (Highly recommend booking a package deal!)
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Because Fueling Your Relaxation is Crucial)
Okay, the food. Let's dive in!
Restaurants: They have multiple restaurants. This is great! The main restaurant serves International cuisine and Asian cuisine. (Unexpected, but pleasant!) Western Cuisine is also represented.
Breakfast Buffet: Breakfast was included in my stay, and it was a pretty good spread. You've got your usual suspects: buffet in restaurant, eggs, bacon, pastries, and, importantly, Coffee/tea in restaurant. There was a Western breakfast. A Asian breakfast was also represented. Not bad.
Room Service (24-hour): This is a lifesaver, especially after a long day of exploring. There is a Breakfast in room option, but not every day.
Snack Bar/Coffee Shop: Perfect for a quick bite or caffeine fix. Important stuff.
Bar: A cozy bar, with a decent selection of drinks, including the all-important Icelandic beers. Happy hour is a must. I even hit up the Poolside bar
Desserts in restaurant: Okay okay, do I really need to say it again?
Important: I didn't spot any specific Vegetarian restaurant mentioned, but Alternative meal arrangement is offered? So make sure you ask if you need it.
Important: I have to make another note of how Sanitized kitchen and tableware items really helped me.
Dining Score: 4/5 (Could use a bit more wow factor, but definitely satisfying.)
Cleanliness & Safety (The "Adulting" Stuff)
This is where Hotel Island, in a post-pandemic world, really shines.
Anti-viral cleaning products: CHECK.
Daily disinfection in common areas: CHECK.
Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE. Like, religiously.
Staff trained in safety protocol: They were. Efficient and mindful.
Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes. I felt safe.
Rooms sanitized between stays: YES. This is something I want to see everywhere now.
Other safety measures include: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms.
Cleanliness & Safety Score: 5/5 (They've got this down.)
Services and Conveniences (Because Life Shouldn't Be Hard)
These guys clearly understand that travel is supposed to be easy.
Airport transfer: Available? Check. Because Reykjavik airport is not close.
Concierge: Super helpful with recommendations and bookings.
Currency exchange: Useful.
Daily housekeeping: Clean, efficient.
Elevator: Yay!
Laundry service/Dry Cleaning: Great for when you spill something on your favorite sweater (we all do it)
Gift/souvenir shop: Because you need that Icelandic wool sweater.
Luggage storage: Very convenient.
Cash withdrawal: Necessary at times.
Business facilities they have them for special events.
Facilities for disabled guests Again, good to know.
Service & Conveniences Score: 5/5 (They've got their customers in mind!)
The Rooms (Because You Need Somewhere to Sleep - And More)
- Air conditioning: Yes. (Thank god.)
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for those long summer days (or nights!)
- Coffee/tea maker and Free bottled water. A must.
- Hair dryer: Check.
- Internet access – wireless/Wi-Fi [free]: Yes! Praise the Wi-Fi gods!
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Laptop workspace: Useful if you absolutely have to work.
- Mini bar: Always appreciated.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Refrigerator: Helpful for keeping drinks cold.
- Room decorations: Nice touches, but not over the top.
- Satellite/cable channels: For when you're feeling lazy.
- Seating area/Sofa: Great for relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury!
- Smoke detector: Safety first!
- Soundproofing: Much appreciated.
- Wake-up service: If you need it!
Room Score: 4.5/5 (Comfortable, well-equipped, and ticks all the boxes.)
Getting Around (Because You'll Want to Explore)
- Airport transfer: Essential. Trust me, Reykjavik is nowhere close.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes! Score!
- Car park [on-site]: Even better.
- Taxi service: Available.
Getting Around Score: 5/5 (Makes it easy to explore Iceland!)
For the Kids (Because Family Vacations Are a Thing)
- Babysitting service: Good to know.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Kids meal The kids meals were mentioned.
For the Kids Score: 4/5 (Seems great, but didn't experience.)
Things to Do (Beyond the Spa - If You Must)
- Things to do: Well, Iceland is packed with things to do! Hike, ride a horse.
Things to Do Score: N/A (Hotel is a base. Iceland is your playground.)
Overall Impression:
Hotel Island Spa & Wellness Escape is not just a hotel; it's an experience. It's a place to truly disconnect and recharge. It's got minor imperfections, which creates realistic expectation. The staff were friendly and helpful, the spa was incredible, and the overall atmosphere was one of laid-back luxury.
The Imperfections:
The restaurant service could be a little slow at times. But hey, you're in Iceland
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Hotel Island: My Icelandic Meltdown (in the Best Way Possible)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your polished, Instagram-filtered travelogue. This is the messy, glorious, geothermal-scented truth of my recent… experience… at Hotel Island – Spa & Wellness Hotel Iceland. Prepare for feelings. Lots of them. And a whole lot of ramblings.
Day 1: Arrival & Delusions of Grandeur (aka "Icelandic Chic-ness Fail")
Morning: Touchdown at Keflavik Airport. The air immediately whispers of adventure, and also, like, a faint undercurrent of damp wool. I'm rocking my "stylish" merino wool sweater (massive mistake), and feel incredibly sophisticated. After a thankfully uneventful flight, I collected my bag, which, wouldn't you know it, weighed a ton after all the "essentials" (read: three pairs of hiking boots and a ridiculous inflatable neck pillow) that I packed, and got a taxi to the hotel.
Afternoon: Hotel Island. Sighs dramatically. The lobby is all minimalist Scandi-cool. Blonde wood. White, white, white. And a single, artfully placed Icelandic horse figurine. I felt instantly underdressed, like I'd stumbled into a Vogue photoshoot after a particularly rough bender. Check-in was smooth, but I swear the receptionist gave me a look that said, "You're going to get lost, aren't you?" (spoiler alert: she was right). My room? Gorgeous. Views of… the parking lot. Still, the bed was big. The important stuff
Emotional reaction: Pure, unfettered excitement, followed by a creeping sense of "I don't belong here." I even questioned my choice of sweater. Was it too… "touristy"? Too… me?
Late Afternoon: Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Overpriced, but the Arctic Char was actually pretty damn good. A couple of tourists sat next to me and talked about a hiking trail that had just been closed. I can't help but think, "Please, God, don't let me get lost."
Quirky Observation: The only thing louder than the wind howling outside my window was the silence of the hotel hallway. Either everyone was out adventuring, or they were all silently judging my choice of travel gear.
Evening: The spa! Oh, the spa. First, the steam room. Bliss! Then, the sauna. Bliss! Then… I accidentally spilled a ridiculous amount of lavender oil on myself. The smell clung to me for days. It was beautiful. For a while.
Anecdote: I almost walked out of the sauna naked, convinced I had my towel (I didn't) facepalm. The hotel is quiet, but a man, wearing only a towel was in there. He looked at me as if he was judging me. I just smiled and went back in.
Day 2: Golden Circle & Geothermal Gripes (and Glorious Gusher!)
Morning: The Golden Circle tour. This is where the real Icelandic magic began. I started being less self-absorbed, and realized just how beautiful the world is. Thingvellir National Park: stunning, historical, plate tectonics… I just wish the wind would stop trying to rip my face off.
Quirky Observation: The waterfalls – Gullfoss – were so powerful, I felt like I was witnessing the raw, untamed fury of nature. Or maybe it was just the spray. Either way, I got soaked.
Afternoon: The geysers at Haukadalur. Strokkur erupted, and it was everything. The anticipation, the rumble, the explosive… whoosh! I squealed with delight. (Possibly embarrassing). Then, the smell of sulfur hit me like a freight train. It was beautiful, but I can't deny it made me a little bit sick.
Messy Structure Rambles: This is where the Iceland "love affair" truly begins. I was in love with everything! Every single thing! The wind, the smell, the waterfalls, the food, the geysers. Especially the geysers.
Evening: Back at the hotel, I took a bath with the Hotel's spa products. It was a very therapeutic experience after the day. I felt the tension melt away.
Day 3: The Blue Lagoon – For Better or Worse (Mostly Better, Let's Be Honest)
- Morning: Blue Lagoon time! The hype is real, people. As I walked through the blue-green waters, I immediately forgot my travel troubles and everything else. The silica mud mask. chef's kiss. Even the slightly-awkward-but-everyone-is-in-a-bathing-suit-so-it’s-coolness-level-10* experience was fantastic. My skin felt like silk. I was basically a mermaid.
- Anecdote: I dropped my room key in the lagoon and almost lost it. I spent a solid 20 minutes snorkeling around, feeling like a idiot. The key didn't work anyway.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy. I'd finally found my happy place: a volcanic wonderland.
- Afternoon: After the Blue Lagoon, a delicious dinner. The restaurant had great food and a nice ambiance. I felt like I could sleep in that very moment.
Day 4: Departure (And Lingering Lavender)
- Morning: Breakfast. I went out to see the parking lot. I think I saw a fox on my first day. I guess it might have been a hallucination.
- Opinionated Language: The Hotel Island staff were super-friendly. I don't know how they do it, I will say they are some of the most amazing people.
- Late Afternoon: Departure. The wind howled as I took one last look at the hotel. I felt sad to leave, but also, strangely, renewed. The Iceland experience has just begun.
- Final Thoughts: Iceland is… wild. It's beautiful. It's humbling. And it's a little bit messy, just like me. Would I go back to Hotel Island? Absolutely. My only regret? Not buying more lavender oil.
Hotel Island Spa & Wellness Escape: My Chaotic Q&A (Prepare Yourself!)
Okay, so, what's *actually* special about this place? Everyone raves about *Iceland*, right? Is this just more of the same, Instagram-filtered perfection?
Ugh, okay. Let's be real. Iceland? Stunning. But. I’ve been. You've seen the photos. Hotel Island? It's like Iceland *plus* a hug. Seriously. I arrived after a particularly brutal flight delay (curse you, connecting airports!), and I was a MESS. Hair everywhere. Hangry. The usual. Immediately, the lobby felt different. Not just "stylish Icelandic minimalism," but like...warmth. Like they actually *wanted* you there, not just to take your money. This place has a soul. It’s the antithesis of cold, clinical wellness. Think less "robot-yoga" and more "cozy-blanket-and-a-hot-chocolate-after-a-massive-snowball-fight." (Which, FYI, you can totally do nearby. I did. Fell on my backside. Glorious).
What are the rooms like? Are they tiny and overpriced, like every other "boutique" hotel in Iceland?
Okay, so the rooms... I upgraded. Splurge! I’m usually a budget traveler, living on instant noodles and the hope of free WiFi, but I saw the pictures of the "Deluxe Suite" and *lost it*. Worth. Every. Penny. (Well, maybe not *every* penny, but a significant portion of my savings...). Think HUGE. Like, you could do cartwheels (I did, briefly, before realizing I’m also a bit klutzy). The views? Spectacular. I had a private balcony overlooking… *breathes deeply*… the mountains and the sea. The décor? Not sterile. Cozy. The comfiest bed of my LIFE. Seriously. I almost missed my Northern Lights tour because I was too busy snuggling in the duvet. (Almost. I did get my butt out there eventually... more on that later). The normal rooms? Still really good. Probably wouldn't make you cry from joy, but definitely not shoeboxes.
Let’s get to the spa. Is it just fancy hot tubs? What’s the *deal*?
The spa. *Sigh*. Okay, I'm not a "spa person." I'm the "sweatpants-and-a-Netflix-binge" type. But this? This converted me. It's not just fancy hot tubs (though, yes, there are glorious hot tubs). It's… immersive. You enter a different world. There’s a thermal pool that feels like a warm hug from the earth. And the saunas? Different kinds. One with aromatherapy, another with a view, all of them utterly divine. I spent like, three hours *floating* in the outdoor pool, watching the clouds race by. It was pure bliss. Seriously, for a moment, I forgot about all my life's problems. Then I remembered I had to pay for my room. But it was okay, I was relaxed! They also have treatments. I got a massage. I’m pretty sure my therapist, bless her heart, had to scrape me off the table. Utterly melted. And the smell… Lavender. Eucalyptus. Heaven.
Food. Iceland is expensive. Is eating at the hotel going to break the bank?
Okay, yes. Iceland IS expensive. Let's just acknowledge that. But the hotel restaurant? Surprisingly reasonable, and AMAZING. The breakfast buffet? Don’t even get me started. Smoked salmon galore. Skyr (seriously addictive Icelandic yogurt). Fresh bread. ALL the coffee. My biggest personal struggle? Restraint. I’m 100% sure I gained five pounds in a week. The dinner menu is more “splurge” than “daily grind,” but worth it. Fresh seafood, locally sourced everything. I had the lamb. BEST. LAMB. EVER. And the staff? So friendly! I think I ended up chatting with the chef about my questionable cooking skills. He just laughed and said, "Embrace the adventure," which, honestly, summed up the whole trip. I'd recommend saving up for a couple of dinner nights, but you can also sneak in some cheap eats from the local supermarket for lunch. (I'm all about balance, people!).
What about the Northern Lights? Do you get a good view from the hotel?
See, this is where it gets messy. Okay, so, the *potential* for the Northern Lights from the hotel is there. But. You need darkness. And cloud cover is the enemy. I *tried*. I stayed up late one night, bundled up, staring into the sky. Saw nothing. Nada. Zip. Felt a bit defeated. Then, the next night... BOOM. My luck changed. The hotel arranged a tour. It was breathtaking. Seriously, I ugly-sobbed a little. The lights danced across the sky. The colors… indescribable. Pure. Magic. It's a gamble, you know? Nature is fickle. But even if you don't see the lights *directly* from the hotel, the hotel helps you maximize your chances.
Anything *bad* about the place? Gotta be something, right?
Okay, let's be honest. Nothing's perfect. And, yes, I'm grasping at straws here. The only real "negative" I can come up with? The Wi-Fi was a bit spotty in my room at one point, but worked perfectly well in the lobby, which, I guess, is a good excuse to hang out there more, right? The other "complaint"? It was so relaxing that I didn't want to leave. Which, arguably, isn't a complaint at all. Oh, and maybe, just maybe, the fact that I now have an impossible expectation of all other hotels. Everything else will pale in comparison! I’m already planning my return trip. Because, seriously, this place is amazing. Go. Just go. Book it. You won't regret it. (Just don't take my room!)
So, is this place *really* worth the hype? Because it sounds almost too good to be true.
Look. I'm a cynical person. I see through the Instagram filters. I’m usually more "skeptic" than "enthralled." Hotel Island Spa & Wellness Escape? It broke through my defenses. Yes, the price tag is a bit of a gulp. But… it's an investment. An investment in your sanity! The location is incredible. The spa is to die for. The staff are lovely. And it's more than just a hotel; it's an experience. A truly *special* experience. Am I exaggerating? Maybe. But I’m still glowingFind Your Perfect Stay
