Conditions can be so much worse than you can imagine. Any thoughts on the two hotels mentioned? For our purposes, the Silica Hotel was 100% worth every dollar. (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Reykjavik is about 40 minutes away by car, and Keflavik International Airport is a 20-minute drive to the north. So timing your stay when you first arrive or on the last night before you fly out is a great option. We spent 10 days road tripping through the south of Iceland, battling hectic weather conditions, hiking snow-covered mountains and exploring various tourist hotspots. We checked in around 3 pm and made a beeline for the hotel lagoon. 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. Limited access to the public lagoon is included, but it's a walk to all the main facilities from the hotel. I am taking my SO to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What do you want to see and do en route? So if the elusive Aurora Borealis decides to show up, you are only steps away from hopping into the hotels lagoon and gazing away at the night sky. 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. 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. 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. 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. Wall mounted flat-screen TVs come standard along with mini-fridges, but there are no tea kettles or coffeemakers. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. All rights reserved 2018-2023. 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. 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. 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. I am a keen photographer so I do ned to plan extra time for photo stops. That way you have a buffer day and you could just leave it out if there are weather problems. We were really in need of some downtime when we arrived at the Silica Hotel. This is all weather permitting obviously. Again: A Camper in March is a horrible idea. 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. 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. The breakfast area was located next to the lounge room with a view over the hotels lagoon. There are regular bus shuttles between the airport and the Silica Hotel. The hotel offers its own private lagoon which is available for our guests every day. I made it to the hotel that looks like a shelf of books (forgot the name). 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. Day 3 drive back route 1 and do a cave thing in the morning. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. Stay at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There were also guests relaxing around the lounge areas, reading a newspaper or watching the sunrise over the lagoon. 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. 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! I am familiar with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then. Silica Hotel Grindavik, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland 1 Rm, 2 Guests See All Grindavik Hotels Overview Full Review Photos Room Rates Amenities Map Pros Adjacent to the famous Blue Lagoon and its spa Stunning landscape of mountains and lava flows Private geothermal bathing pool Understated rooms have patios with incredible views Fine dining at Blue Lagoon Iceland takes you into a gourmet landscape of tradition, innovation, purity, and freshness. Correction: I may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not be very safe. Answer 1 of 18: How do the two hotels compare? Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon LAVA Restaurant at Blue Lagoon offers a unique dining experience. 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! 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. Silica Hotel vs The Retreat 2 years ago Save How do the two hotels compare? 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. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d643977-Reviews-Silica_Hotel-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d14070242-Reviews-The_Retreat_at_Blue_Lagoon_Iceland-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html. Steamy! 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. Is it worth it. 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! I am taking my SO to Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369089', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Fosshotel Blue glacier. We literally had the entire place to ourselves for at least an hour before one other couple joined us. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link. 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. This is something you need to be aware of when making your plans. 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. Why You Should Be Traveling to Japan in December. We had the hotels lagoon mostly to ourselves for the afternoon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Instead, we enjoyed our breakfast and then made our way over to the actual Blue Lagoon for the morning. The walking tracks stretch on for miles through the lagoons and mossy lava fields. You only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. 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. For the Northern Lights, plan to visit between November and April, or between June through August for the longest days. Visiting the Blue Lagoon is a must-do experience in Iceland, and staying at the Silica and Retreat Hotel is the perfect way to visit this once in a lifetime destination! Correction: I may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not be very safe. If this does not sound like your idea of magic, then the Silica and Retreat Hotel is your answer to Blue Lagoon heaven. Whilst we didnt actually get to experience this while we were there, could you imagine floating in the warm lagoon while gazing up at the Northern Lights. As well as a private lagoon (complete with swim-up direct access to the bar), the spa includes access to the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a three-step face and body routine utilising the silica, algae and mineral elements of the lagoon in a nourishing . 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369751', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight home. Does this look realistic? Location of Silica Hotel Blue Lagoon Iceland. I am taking my SO to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Transformative elements. I am taking my SO to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Shelves and benches are integrated into the design of the wooden wall cabinets and closets, with pendant lamps dangling from the ceilings. I still want to try and hire a 4x4 as my main goal is to stay flexible and see/photograph the Northern lights. The ritual was built around the natural elements of the lagoon: silica, algae, and minerals. You get access to the blue lagoon, which ticket is it more comparable to? And is going on snowmobil fun? Paths lead through the natural terrainto the main facilities, and guests should be aware that they will have a 15-minute hike to the hotel if they're dropped off at the main resort area. Secret Lagoon which claims to be Iceland's oldest swimming pool dating back to 1891. What are the opening hours for Silica Lagoon? (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. The same company offers both tickets, so be sure to ask them if that is also your plan! I'm having trouble finding comparisons to these two options. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369089', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Fosshotel Blue glacier. How do the two hotels compare? 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 Most campsites are closed in winter, nights could be msierably cold, condensation could make eberything inside the vehicle damp, and taller vehicles are very vulnerable to sudden wind gusts on icy roads. Hi Danelle, Volcanic architecture. 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. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d643977-Reviews-Silica_Hotel-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d14070242-Reviews-The_Retreat_at_Blue_Lagoon_Iceland-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html. But if your budget allows you to splash out for just one night, spend it at the Silica Hotel! All of the 35 spacious and light-filled . 240 Grindavk 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. Golden circle or part of it, seemed like an obvious/safe choice to start with. Or just focus on the South East drive and spend last day in the Retreat. Or just focus on the South East drive and spend last day in the Retreat. It is a little pricey. You. You only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Perhaps you could visit the day that you arrive so youll have all day to spend there and then you can enjoy breakfast the next morning before heading off on the rest of your iceland trip. 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. Silica looks a little simple from the photos (though I am sure it is beautiful too). https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d643977-Reviews-Silica_Hotel-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d14070242-Reviews-The_Retreat_at_Blue_Lagoon_Iceland-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html. more. Indoors or outdoors, tiny plunge pools to epic infinity oneshotel, Iceland doesnt exactly have one perfect season to visit. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Again: A Camper in March is a horrible idea. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 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