The posted materials belong to the blog authors. Private Geothermal Hot Spring Lagoon. I booked Retreat in the end as I know I will probably regret it not staying there. Enjoy a variety of tours and activities during your stay. Indoors or outdoors, tiny plunge pools to epic infinity oneshotel, Iceland doesnt exactly have one perfect season to visit. I am a keen photographer so I do ned to plan extra time for photo stops. 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. I wonder if we can make the Golden Circle and then do the South East drive (weather-permitting) in 3 days. The hotel is very family friendly, and offers children's robes and floating. Correction: I may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not be very safe. Youll also receive a robe and slippers for use while youre there and the hotel provides shuttle transfers to the Blue Lagoon if you dont want to walk. The Retreat Hotel and Convention Centre is a luxurious resort perched right on a quaint beach in Madh Island. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The Blue Lagoon is on just about every person who visits Icelands wish list. 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. 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! 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. This is a major bummer not only because you traveled 40-minutes from Reykjavik for nothing, but also because you get to stare at the lagoon but not go in! Get answers to your questions about Iceland, Wild camping with a vehicle is illegal in Iceland, What ,,not to do when traveling in Iceland", Taxi/Bus costs from KEF Airport to Reykjavik. 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. I assume you are experienced drivers on potentially icy roads in strong winds, will monitor weather and road conditions frequently and stay put if there are weather warnings or closed roads. 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. What are the opening hours for Silica Lagoon? Hopefully, you already purchased them days ago, as they sell out rather quickly and many families take the bus all the way there only to find out that they will not sell them passes. This article is to help you decide whether or not you should bust out your wallet for the Silica Hotel or if you should just go to the Blue Lagoon instead and save yourself some major coin. Again, I recommend springing for the Premium access. We even woke up early and used the private lagoon one more time before heading to the airport. (aside from their price difference). The contemporary bathrooms have heated towel racks and large walk-in rainfall showers. I am taking my SO to Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to stay somewhere special and want to make the right choice. As mentioned above, travel time from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon and vice versa is approximately 40-minutes with no traffic. What do you want to see and do en route? Correction: I may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not be very safe. Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon LAVA Restaurant at Blue Lagoon offers a unique dining experience. Comfort and hospitality in the heart of an otherworldly landscape. An unforgettable 2-night holiday that unlocks the door to a timeless world of radiant wellbeing in the heart of a geothermal wonderland. A Review of The Silica Hotel Iceland Blue Lagoon. DEFINITELY don't do a campervan in March! I personally stayed in Iceland for eight days and seven nights, with my last night at the alluring Silica Hotel; a luxury hotel only a 5-minute walk away from the Blue Lagoon via a path through the surrounding moss-covered lava fields (a beautiful walk, especially at sunset, by the way). (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Stay at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You will have to be flexible. Silica Hotel at Blue Lagoon Iceland has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Feb 15, 2022 Most popular amenities Free parking Free WiFi Spa Non-smoking rooms Facilities for disabled guests Fitness center Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms Bar Property Highlights Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.3) Breakfast Info Open daily from 9am to 10pm, the hotel's private Silica Lagoon offers in-water massages and two types of bench treatments. Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance! This year alone, you might have a big family get-together in another state, an annual ski trip with college buddies, and a cousins wedding halfway across the country. The hotel provides a wake-up call service throughout the evening. 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. If you're looking for a Blue . Day 4: flight is late in the evening so not sure what to do on this day. Answer 11 of 18: How do the two hotels compare? Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. We literally had the entire place to ourselves for at least an hour before one other couple joined us. It features its very own private lagoon for hotel guests only. Silica Hotel is a just ten-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. 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). The Retreat Lagoon Wandering around the Retreat Lagoon was like stepping foot onto another planet. Probably not. You only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. The picturesque landscape of lava fields surrounding the lagoon only compounds the irresistible draw for many tourists when they visit the beautiful island country. Again: A Camper in March is a horrible idea. And there were people everywhere! I am taking my SO to Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to. I am taking my SO to Icelandfor 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to stay somewhere special and want to make the right choice. It was much lower key and relaxing than what I saw of Blue Lagoon and the price is better to at $29 per person vs Blue Lagoon's $45. The spaat the Silica Hotel offers a spa menu with some very unique options that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world. 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? The biggest draw of the Silica Hotel, is of course, the fact that it has its own private Blue Lagoon for hotel guests only. I ate many cheese platters from the caf! We were really in need of some downtime when we arrived at the Silica Hotel. For an additional cost, you can upgrade to a Blue Lagoon pass and enjoy the facilities and optional treatments at the Retreat Spa. This is all weather permitting obviously. This is all weather permitting obviously. Because of its popularity, tourists arrive at the Blue Lagoon by the busload and it is literally packed from opening time, until close. I would normally plan more conservative driving distances in winter. I saw a few of those few years back in March and they looked so cosyI wanted the flexibility to hunt for the northern lights but I suppose I could do it with the car just the same. 240 Grindavk Connect with AmandaInstagram| Facebook| Twitter| YouTube| Pinterest, Posted In: EUROPE, HOTEL REVIEWS, ICELAND Tags: Amanda Twine, EUROPE, HOTELS, ICELAND, Silica Hotel, the blue lagoon, unique hotels. 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. We spent 10 days road tripping through the south of Iceland, battling hectic weather conditions, hiking snow-covered mountains and exploring various tourist hotspots. I am taking my SO to Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to. Bad weather can hit in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is very isolated, so basically your only options for that day will be private lagoon, public lagoon, or relax at the hotel. DEFINITELY don't do a campervan in March! I never suggest anyone even drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter driver. Family-Friendly? Silica types with crystalline and amorphous structure are found in nature and are also produced synthetically. 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. Basically, you lie on a floating bed in the warm milky blue geothermal waters, while the therapist massages mineral-rich oil all over your body. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105370593', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car and worrying about being blown off the road as the wind picked upJust thought I should share the experiences with wife who can be bit more squeamish about these things :) this can get addictive. I figured hey, why not try to stay at the Silica Hotel for Valentine's Day? You only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. The same company offers both tickets, so be sure to ask them if that is also your plan! 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. What's the West coast like? Are These 5 Trendy Destinations Still Worth Visiting? The Blue Lagoon pathway has many smaller pools along the path for picture opportunities, as swimmers are not allowed in them. In any case, I will probably have to pick/reserve hotels on route (and hope I can make it to them otherwise it will be expensive). Free! I never suggest anyone even drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter driver. The ritual was built around the natural elements of the lagoon: silica, algae, and minerals. Day 3 drive back route 1 and do a cave thing in the morning. I am taking my SO to Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to stay somewhere special and want to make the right choice. book flight now or wait until Efling Strike is over? Both options include admission to the lagoon and round trip bus fare to and from the Blue Lagoon from the airport, or from Reykjavik, the busiest tourism city in Iceland. You likely won't forget this stay. But if your budget allows you to splash out for just one night, spend it at the Silica Hotel! (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. The clinic has its own changing rooms, as well as a fitness center and a yoga studio. This means you can enter Iceland and travel between other European countries for up to 90 days per stay. Silica Hotel vs The Retreat 2 years ago Save How do the two hotels compare? You can check the latest EUR exchange rate on Google. For more detail, be sure to read our complete guide on the Best Time To Visit Iceland depending on what you would like to see and do! Thanks. 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. Personally, I waited until our last day and only got one-way bus tickets to the Silica Hotel, and then paid for a one-way bus ticket from the Silica Hotel to Keflavik International Airport. Silica looks a little simple from the photos (though I am sure it is beautiful too). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our global travel community, where we empower women to wander the world with confidence! Wall mounted flat-screen TVs come standard along with mini-fridges, but there are no tea kettles or coffeemakers. A night at Silica Hotel featuring five luxurious hours at the Retreat Spaan exquisite subterranean sanctuary that brings you into harmony with the rejuvenating powers of the volcanic earth. (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Alternatively, you may use. There are also several lagoons around the hotel, filled with geothermal water. The Silica Hotel is part of the large Blue Lagoon complex, which is one of Iceland's most well known tourist attractions. Experience the landscape of the Reykjanes peninsula. Will report. This year my girlfriend and I decided to go to Iceland in February, and it just so happened to cross paths with Valentine's Day. I am familiar with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then. 7) Silica Hotel Is A Great Place To Relax. I am taking my SO to Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to stay somewhere special and want to make the right choice. The dining room is on two levels with floor to ceiling windows looking out to the lava cliffs and the blue lagoon. 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. We spent 10 days road tripping through the south of Iceland, battling hectic weather conditions, hiking snow-covered mountains and exploring various tourist hotspots. Golden circle or part of it, seemed like an obvious/safe choice to start with. If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below. Day 3 drive back route 1 and do a cave thing in the morning. From culinary journeys to extended holidays, our exclusive offers and special events will elevate your Silica experience. I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. The Luxury admission is very much not worth the money, you can save yourself a few hundred dollars on that right off the bat, in case you were considering it. Instead, we enjoyed our breakfast and then made our way over to the actual Blue Lagoon for the morning. There is also a great selection on the A La Carte menu. book flight now or wait until Efling Strike is over? You get access to the blue lagoon, which ticket is it more comparable to? Alternatively, you may use. Here are 9 reasons why I think a nights stay at the Silica Hotel is totally worth it. Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. 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. Is it worth it. A transformational experience. Do you think spending the last day there is worth it if we wouldnt be able to enjoy breakfast or the relaxing morning at Silica? I am a keen photographer so I do ned to plan extra time for photo stops. How long in advance can the weather forecast be considered 'reliable' more or less? For our purposes, the Silica Hotel was 100% worth every dollar. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369751', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight home. (aside from their price difference). From black sand beaches to natural hot springs, from lava fields to Icelandic ponies, this country offers a huge variety as far as what to, Grindavik, Southern Peninsula 240, Iceland, http://www.bluelagoon.com/accommodation/silica-hotel. I would normally plan more conservative driving distances in winter. For the Northern Lights, plan to visit between November and April, or between June through August for the longest days. You can buy a universal adapter that will work in any country and has extra ports for USB cables to charge your phone and other devices. 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