We arrive 11am on Day 1 and I thought to take the route up towards Gullfoss and down on Road 30 and stay first night somewhere around road 30 or 1 (need to find a place. Are treatments offered at Silica Hotel? The forecast starts being reliable about 48-24 hours ahead of time, but you will still have to check every morning before you start driving and if necessary change your plans. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105382267', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');The Retreat could provide a comparison. A transformational experience. Day 4: flight is late in the evening so not sure what to do on this day. Enjoy the robe, the flip flops, the included drink at the swim-up bar in the lagoon, and the included silica and algae masks. Hilton Munich Airport is the nearest with a distance of 0.1 mi from this airport. I am familiar with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then. The main resort facility has a restaurant that serves contemporary Icelandic cuisine, as well as a cafe, and a lagoon-side bar. The dining room is on two levels with floor to ceiling windows looking out to the lava cliffs and the blue lagoon. Read Next. Book spa treatments maybe and walk around hotel grounds (if they have any). For an additional cost, you can upgrade to a Blue Lagoon pass and enjoy the facilities and optional treatments at the Retreat Spa. I still want to try and hire a 4x4 as my main goal is to stay flexible and see/photograph the Northern lights. Your email address will not be published. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. BOOK ONLINE. Steamy! First two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the south coast towards Jokulsarlon. I did the South East route a few years back by myself and it was very memorable (also in March but it may have been later in March). How do the two hotels compare? I would not recommend camping in winter, unless you have Arctic winter camping experience and have contacted the campsite to verify that they are open. Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon LAVA Restaurant at Blue Lagoon offers a unique dining experience. We had the hotels lagoon mostly to ourselves for the afternoon. They offered a massive selection of fruits, salads, Skyr (Icelandic yoghurt), meats, cheeses, eggs done every way possible, little morsels of sweets and pastries galore. Never just stop by the side of the road, people have gotten killed that way, because the next driver didn't see them in the dark. Want to ride horses with Fabio-style manes, Blue Lagoon Clinic Ive just returned from a last-minute jaunt around Iceland and as it turns out, the land of ice and fire is just as majestic as youd imagine. Last time I skipped the golden circle (as I only had 2 days) as I wasn't sure Golden Circle as varied as South East drive. Or just focus on the South East drive and spend last day in the Retreat. DEFINITELY don't do a campervan in March! Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Silica Hotel vs The Retreat 2 years ago Save How do the two hotels compare? a week, 3 days, 30 minutes? Why stay at The Retreat hotel Blue Lagoon Iceland? How do the two hotels compare? Otherwise, I am not sure how else to break the journey up; first day on arrival, we obviously won't make it very far in any case, whether the weather is good or poor. If we include that then obviously there will be less time for driving. A large, warm, outdoor geothermal lagoon was created close to a large geothermal power plant that generates a large portion of southwestern Iceland's electricity, and what luck, it's also a hypnotizing blue color! It is a little pricey. The ritual was built around the natural elements of the lagoon: silica, algae, and minerals. Both of our flights are early in the morning. I think planning the Golden Circle and Jkulsrln and back in 3 days in winter is ambitious, but possible if weather and road conditions cooperate. If you do plan to go NL hunting on your own at night, make sure to scout out safe (and official) places to park in daylight. For our purposes, the Silica Hotel was 100% worth every dollar. Answer 1 of 18: How do the two hotels compare? Some of the best books about Iceland are: Iceland uses standard 2 prong Type C and Type F adapters also commonly used throughout Europe. The hotel offers its own private lagoon which is available for our guests every day. Arrive at The Retreat blue lagoon in late afternoon. Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. Admission varies from basic, comfort, premium and luxury. The picturesque landscape of lava fields surrounding the lagoon only compounds the irresistible draw for many tourists when they visit the beautiful island country. Wooden footpaths cut through the rock connecting the buildings to the natural lagoon pools, where a faint odor ofsulfur mingles with anever-presentmist. Never just stop by the side of the road, people have gotten killed that way, because the next driver didn't see them in the dark. Built into an 800-year-old lava cliff on the west bank of the Blue Lagoon, Lava Restaurant brings together dynamic cuisine and remarkable views to create unforgettable dining experiences. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369751', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight home. What do you want to see and do en route? I managed to secure a last-minute reservation (which basically came down to me refreshing their website on my cellphone every 1520 minutes for about two weeks, haha). If you want to go ahead and try for both the Golden Circle and Jkulsrln with the time you have I would do the cave tour and start driving South on arrival day and plan the Golden Circle for day 3. First two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the south coast towards Jokulsarlon. Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel Development by Becky van Dijk, 2) Get Free Premium Entry To The Blue Lagoon From Silica Hotel, 7) Silica Hotel Is A Great Place To Relax, 8) Experience The Amazing Food At The Lava Restaurant, 9) See The Northern Lights While Floating In The Lagoon. From Keflavik International Airport to the Blue Lagoon and vice versa is approximately 20 minutes with no traffic. Past Vik, weather seems to generally be a lot more volatile from memory. The staff are very helpful and very friendly, and the private lagoon is very relaxing. Also, how many nights would you recommend? First two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the south coast towards Jokulsarlon. Meeting/Banquet facilitiesAdditional charge. Discover the extraordinary pleasures of in-water massage at the Blue Lagoon. We were really in need of some downtime when we arrived at the Silica Hotel. You can see the Lights on the Reykjanes Peninsula, but your best chance to see them is on a tour, where you have a guide on the radio with a dozen other guides helping each other find the best show for the customers. Any thoughts on the two hotels mentioned? Enter email and get our travel tips to maximise your trips. Sunset over the lava field walking to the Blue Lagoon from the Silica Hotel. The clinic has its own changing rooms, as well as a fitness center and a yoga studio. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369973', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland at any time and on any road in winter. Limited access to the famous Blue Lagoon (open to the public) is included, but the hotel has its own beautifully designed geothermal lagoon that's exclusive to guests. Day 3 drive back route 1 and do a cave thing in the morning. Silica Hotel is a just ten-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is perhaps the most frequently visited location in all of Iceland. Whilst the lagoon at the hotel is pretty amazing, and in my opinion, just as good as the real thing, you probably still want to experience the actual Blue Lagoon as well. I never suggest anyone even drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter driver. Be sure to check the EU Schengen website for the latest information for your specific country. I wonder if we can make the Golden Circle and then do the South East drive (weather-permitting) in 3 days. The risk of losing money on bookings already made is just something that you need to accept when you are making self-driving plans for winter. Limited access to the public lagoon is included, but it's a walk to all the main facilities from the hotel. Stay at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? TheSilica Hotelis located down a gravel road, a little more than a half-mile (about onekilometer) from the Blue Lagoon resort. The Retreat Hotel Iceland The Retreat Lagoon Iceland Pool (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Fine dining at Blue Lagoon Iceland takes you into a gourmet landscape of tradition, innovation, purity, and freshness. If you are staying at a hotel, simply ask your hotel concierge to give you the number of the bus company Reykjavik Excursions. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369089', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Fosshotel Blue glacier. While it was fun and romantic, we both agreed if we were to come back to Iceland, we would simply book a half-day trip from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon and purchase our own Premium access passes. Day 3 drive back route 1 and do a cave thing in the morning. Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. If you want to go ahead and try for both the Golden Circle and Jkulsrln with the time you have I would do the cave tour and start driving South on arrival day and plan the Golden Circle for day 3. An unforgettable 2-night holiday that unlocks the door to a timeless world of radiant wellbeing in the heart of a geothermal wonderland. Would it not be worth it renting a small 4WD camper thingy just in case the weather might be reasonable (and book hotels along the route in case it is not). First two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the south coast towards Jokulsarlon. Love all the advice in the article. You can see the Lights on the Reykjanes Peninsula, but your best chance to see them is on a tour, where you have a guide on the radio with a dozen other guides helping each other find the best show for the customers. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105359385', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to stay somewhere special and want to make the right choice. I did the South East route a few years back by myself and it was very memorable (also in March but it may have been later in March). Whatever you do, do NOT get a taxi from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon or the Silica Hotel, or you will be staring at a $140 USD taxi receipt. I will have to judge by weather closer to time how to break it up. Silica looks a little simple from the photos (though I am sure it is beautiful too). 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