WHY STAYING AT THE SILICA HOTEL IS THE BEST PLACE TO STAY AT THE BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon is a must visit while in Iceland because it’s truly amazing! Did you know you can actually stay on site at The Blue Lagoon? There are two different hotels to choose from and in this blog post I’m going to be sharing the in’s and out’s of The Blue Lagoon and what it’s like staying at the Silica Hotel.
WHY STAYING AT THE SILICA HOTEL IS THE BEST PLACE TO STAY AT THE BLUE LAGOON
WHAT IS THE BLUE LAGOON IN ICELAND?
This lagoon is the biggest hot springs I’ve ever taken a dip into and honestly the story of how it came to be is very interesting too. The lagoon’s unique abilities were first discovered in the early 1980s when local residents began to bathe in the warm blue reservoir that had formed in the lava field beside the Svartsengi Resource Park—a geothermal power plant. Engineers at the facility had expected the water to seep through the lava and return to the earth’s volcanic aquifers. However, owing to the fluid's high concentration of silica, proper drainage did not occur and a beautiful body of water took shape. Read more about the Lagoon’s history and healing here.
As I mentioned before, there are two different places to stay on site while at The Blue Lagoon: The Retreat or Silica Hotel. My biggest tip for the Blue Lagoon is to stay at the Silica Hotel.
The Silica Hotel has a private lagoon for hotel guests too that’s was our favorite part. The private lagoon is a lot hotter and significantly less crowded than The Blue Lagoon. There were only ever about 10 people max in the lagoon with us at a time and it was way bigger than we initially thought. Another bonus is that you’re staying on property so you can change in the comfort of your own room if that’s a big concern of yours. I didn’t mind, but I did like being in my own space to change A LOT more than getting down to my birthday suit in front of strangers.
WHAT ARE THE PERKS OF STAYING ON SITE AT THE BLUE LAGOON
As a Silica Hotel guest you get VIP access to the Blue Lagoon which includes a special line to pass everyone else waiting, a robe, shoes, access to all face masks, & drink voucher. Again, get the cider — it was so yummy!
The Silica Hotel is not connected to the Blue Lagoon main area but there are walking trails to it or the front desk will call to have a Mercedes van pick you up and drop you off. While leaving the Blue Lagoon, you can have the front desk call the transportation for you back to your hotel. It was super easy and we loved it; especially while it was cold, snowy, and windy! OR if it’s a nice day, you can walk to and from the hotel and Blue Lagoon on a private trail.
The other hotel, The Retreat, is right next to the Blue Lagoon but it’s significantly more expensive and closer to all the crowds. I believe they have some private areas of the Blue Lagoon but it’s the same lagoon whereas ours was completely separate.
WHAT IS DINING LIKE AT SILICA HOTEL
We had dinner at Silica on a snowy cold evening and were so happy we did because it was absolutely delicious. I highly suggest making reservations at the front desk for dinner because we couldn’t find what this restaurant was even called. There is nothing about it online — at least from what I could find. Our dinner was a 4 course meal and seriously y’all it was so good, especially paired with a spritz. Dinner was a little pricey, I think it was around $60 a person from what I can remember.
WHAT IS THE BREAKFAST LIKE & IS IT INCLUDED?
Breakfast is included with your stay at Silica Hotel and is a delicious buffet style feast. From yummy meats and cheeses to pancakes and lots of fruits, there’s sure to be something for everyone’s taste.
WHAT OTHER DINING OPTIONS ARE AT THE BLUE LAGOON?
There are 4 different dining options available at the Blue Lagoon, separate from our hotel, ranging from luxury dining to a cafe. We really wanted to go to the Lava Restaurant but it was closed during our stay.
LAVA RESTAURANT - Gourmet dining on the shores of a wonder of the world. Built into an 800-year-old lava cliff on the west bank of the Blue Lagoon, Lava Restaurant is a place where dynamic cuisine and enchanting design create unforgettable culinary experiences. See the menu here.
MOSS RESTAURANT - Exquisite reinventions of Icelandic cuisine. Recommended by the 2020 Michelin Guide, Moss occupies the highest point at Blue Lagoon Iceland, offering stunning views of the volcanic horizon. See the menu here.
SPA RESTAURANT - Before, during, or after your spa journey, enjoy the restaurant’s enchanting ambience and savory nourishment. Dine in your robe or fully clothed. No reservations are needed. See the menu here.
CAFÉ - Offering a delicious range of snacks and refreshments, the café features stunning views of the Blue Lagoon.
Overall, we loved staying at Silica Hotel and believe it’s truly the best bang for your buck, especially if you want to stay at The Blue Lagoon for more than a couple of hours. We absolutely took advantage of our private lagoon at Silica hotel in the evening and morning before we left. Be sure to read my full blog post on The Blue Lagoon here!
XOXO