Iceland Nature-Immersion Luxury Private Tour, including our Beloved Deplar Farm!

The Blue Lagoon is the only 5-star luxury hotel in Reykjavik and offers a private, otherworldly Iceland experience. Situated on a man-made geothermal hot spring like no other,  this property offers the ultimate solution to overcrowded lagoons: completely private access! The silica and chalcedony minerals cause the water to turn a milky, ethereal blue and is one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland. The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon has taken this ultra-lux hotel to a whole new level of pampering. The 62-suite hotel/spa/resort features terraces overlooking the lagoon (!), floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, and Moss, their signature Michelin-recommended restaurant, onsite.

The Retreat Spa is built into 800-year-old lava flows and features steam rooms and therapeutic “bathing chambers” carved directly into the rock. Our family’s four-hour spa experience here was among our most memorable anywhere! Included is the “Blue Lagoon Ritual” featuring a silica, algae, and mineral body treatment provided in three connecting rooms. Following our ritual and massage, the Retreat’s “Nest” was a fitting space to end with a blissful nap. The Nest provides unique suspended chairs with floor to ceiling windows looking out at the therapeutic water of the Blue Lagoon. Kudos to the Retreat’s mastermind, Grimur Saemundson! This truly is a remarkable place.

The Blue Lagoon is the only 5-star luxury hotel in Reykjavik and offers a private, otherworldly Iceland experience. Situated on a man-made geothermal hot spring like no other,  this property offers the ultimate solution to overcrowded lagoons: completely private access! The silica and chalcedony minerals cause the water to turn a milky, ethereal blue and is one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland. The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon has taken this ultra-lux hotel to a whole new level of pampering. The 62-suite hotel/spa/resort features terraces overlooking the lagoon (!), floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, and Moss, their signature Michelin-recommended restaurant, onsite.

The Retreat Spa is built into 800-year-old lava flows and features steam rooms and therapeutic “bathing chambers” carved directly into the rock. Our family’s four-hour spa experience here was among our most memorable anywhere! Included is the “Blue Lagoon Ritual” featuring a silica, algae, and mineral body treatment provided in three connecting rooms. Following our ritual and massage, the Retreat’s “Nest” was a fitting space to end with a blissful nap. The Nest provides unique suspended chairs with floor to ceiling windows looking out at the therapeutic water of the Blue Lagoon. Kudos to the Retreat’s mastermind, Grimur Saemundson! This truly is a remarkable place.

Located in the country’s remote, northern Troll Peninsula, the 2016-opened (AMAN-esque!) Deplar Farm has quickly become Iceland’s most sought-after luxury adventure lodge. Kudos to Chad Pike of the Blackstone Group for creating one of the most idyllic adventure-rich lodges we have experienced anywhere! The turf-roofed barns at Deplar’s entrance area belie the lodge’s luxury accommodations inside. With just 12 suites, Deplar offers an all-inclusive adventure travel experience, including many idyllic hikes, mountain biking, whale watching, horse-back riding (on those unique, small “Viking” horses), et.al. The many high-touch amenities include a sleek spa with an indoor/outdoor saltwater pool, well-equipped gym, kid’s game room, and outstanding farm-to-table dining. We particularly enjoyed the surreal I-SOPOD Flotation Tank! With all the seafood here being locally caught, this is certainly a fish-lovers dream. Two outdoor, guided activities are included each day, though Heli-adventure excursions are an extra charge. Please note that Deplar Farm has amongst the highest quality naturalist guides in the country. Our most enjoyable half-day excursion from Deplar was our short boat ride and hike up Drangey Island, led by “GQ-esque” outdoor guide extraordinaire, Helgi Viggossan. The hike along the island’s steep cliffs is rewarded by nearly a million nesting seabirds, including thousands of Puffins!

Located in the country’s remote, northern Troll Peninsula, the 2016-opened (AMAN-esque!) Deplar Farm has quickly become Iceland’s most sought-after luxury adventure lodge. Kudos to Chad Pike of the Blackstone Group for creating one of the most idyllic adventure-rich lodges we have experienced anywhere! The turf-roofed barns at Deplar’s entrance area belie the lodge’s luxury accommodations inside. With just 12 suites, Deplar offers an all-inclusive adventure travel experience, including many idyllic hikes, mountain biking, whale watching, horse-back riding (on those unique, small “Viking” horses), et.al. The many high-touch amenities include a sleek spa with an indoor-outdoor saltwater pool, well-equipped gym, kid’s game room, and outstanding farm-to-table dining. We particularly enjoyed the surreal I-SOPOD Flotation Tank! With all the seafood here being locally caught, this is certainly a fish-lovers dream. Two outdoor guided activities are included each day, though Heli-adventure excursions are an extra charge. Please note that Deplar Farm has amongst the highest quality naturalist guides in the country. Our most enjoyable half-day excursion from Deplar was our short boat ride and hike up Drangey Island, led by “GQ-esque” outdoor guide extraordinaire, Helgi Viggossan. The hike along the island’s steep cliffs is rewarded by nearly a million nesting seabirds, including thousands of Puffins!

Our favorite boutique property on Iceland’s South Shore, the small, 14-room, Art Deco-inspired Skálakot Manor is surrounded by picturesque scenery and the peacefulness of the countryside, adjacent to the verdant Icelandic highlands. Compared to the other hotel options in the area, please note that though a stay at Skálakot requires more driving time to the various stopovers in the Golden Circle, we feel the quality and beauty of the area is unmatched. Proprietors Mumi and Johanna are part of a family who has spent seven generations taking care of the farm and horse breeding business. With 160 Icelandic horses, there are many to choose from for beautiful horseback rides around the surrounding areas. Though the accommodations here are not as striking and expansive as Deplar Farm in the north, the simple, elegant rooms include modern amenities and provide a unique Icelandic countryside experience. The service here is personal, friendly, and after the first night, you will feel part of Mumi and Johanna’s family. Enjoy the farm’s loveable, horse-herding dogs!

Our favorite boutique property on Iceland’s South Shore, the small, 14-room, Art Deco-inspired Skálakot Manor is surrounded by picturesque scenery and the peacefulness of the countryside, adjacent to the verdant Icelandic highlands. Skálakot sits on a stunning piece of land that is home to majestic Icelandic horses, with views of the Westman Islands in the North Atlantic from your balcony. The interiors are equally as stunning. Careful design choices have been made to elevate a traditional farm landscape into a setting suited for ultimate luxury and relaxation, with dramatic chandeliers and in-room claw tubs.

Compared to the other hotel options in the area, please note that though a stay at Skálakot requires more driving time to the various stopovers in the Golden Circle, we feel the quality and beauty of the area is unmatched. Proprietors Mumi and Johanna are part of a family who has spent seven generations taking care of the farm and horse breeding business. With 160 Icelandic horses, there are many to choose from for beautiful horseback rides around the surrounding areas. Though the accommodations here are not as striking and expansive as Deplar Farm in the north, the simple, elegant rooms include modern amenities and provide a unique Icelandic countryside experience. The service here is personal, friendly, and after the first night, you will feel part of Mumi and Johanna’s family. Enjoy the farm’s loveable, horse-herding dogs!