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! 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. WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge. Hotel guests are given premium entry, which means you dont have to wait in line with all the other tourists. But from photos, Silica looks a lot simpler with its interior (but very nice also). I booked Retreat in the end as I know I will probably regret it not staying there. This company will send a shuttle to your hotel to scoop you up and bring you to the bus terminal in Reykjavik, which will have a bus that can bring you to either the Blue Lagoon or the Silica Hotel for around $20 one-way or $40 round trip. Unforgettable cuisine. On the day of my arrival, am I entitled to breakfast before I have checked in? Secret Lagoon which claims to be Iceland's oldest swimming pool dating back to 1891. 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. 1 night was perfect for us, 2 nights would be the max I'd spend as there's nothing else to do here but the spa and the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano hike (which I recommend highly). Are These 5 Trendy Destinations Still Worth Visiting? During my time in Iceland, I never saw a breakfast spread quite like the one at the Silica Hotel. You only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. We're in Iceland! Instead, we enjoyed our breakfast and then made our way over to the actual Blue Lagoon for the morning. Travel has become more accessible to the global population, and The United Nations World Tourism Organization estimated that nearly 1.2 billion people traveled outside their, Modern life involves traveling often and for all sorts of reasons. 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. Travelers only seeking housing close to the Blue Lagoon can check out the Northern Light Inn, which is nearby and has much lower rates. You will have to be flexible. Three classifications of accommodation are available at Silica Hotel, which is namely Lava Deluxe, Mountain Deluxe and Silica Deluxe, and each offers its own respective outlook. Probably not. Arrive at The Retreat blue lagoon in late afternoon. Do you mean lava tube caves or ice caves? 240 Grindavk more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. The hotel, set in its own rough, lava-filled landscape, is a quarter of a mile from the primary hotel Blue Lagoon Iceland.During your stay, you can enjoy the on-site lagoons, bars and restaurants and explore the hotel surroundings from Reykjanes Peninsula, a Unesco Global Geopark. The Retreat Hotel Iceland The Retreat Lagoon Iceland Pool That HAS to score some points, right? That way you have a buffer day and you could just leave it out if there are weather problems. 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. Does this look realistic? Whether youre in the sub-zero temperatures of Iceland or soaking up rays on the island Santorini, views seem to be better from a pool. Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. Silica Hotel is a just ten-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. I am familiar with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then. The Silica Hotel is a short walk from the Blue Lagoon with breathtaking views of the moss covered lava fields. We visited the Blue Lagoon both early morning and in the evening. Again: A Camper in March is a horrible idea. 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. How do the two hotels compare? I figured it wouldn't be too bad since that $530 includes your night at their very nice hotel, breakfast buffet the next morning, Wi-Fi, two Premium admission tickets to the Blue Lagoon itself, and of course access to the private lagoon at the hotel. Complete with a tranquil vibe in both atmosphere and design, this spa-like retreat is an ideal base from which to explore the active volcanoes, geothermal mud pools, rock formations, and rugged landscape of the UNESCO-protected Reykjanes Peninsula and to enjoy direct Blue Lagoon access. Explore the volcanic phenomena at Blue Lagoon's doorstep. I still want to try and hire a 4x4 as my main goal is to stay flexible and see/photograph the Northern lights. 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. How do the two hotels compare? Bad weather can hit in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Wall mounted flat-screen TVs come standard along with mini-fridges, but there are no tea kettles or coffeemakers. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Day 4: flight is late in the evening so not sure what to do on this day. Your plans will depend on the weather and road conditions. The Retreat Lagoon Wandering around the Retreat Lagoon was like stepping foot onto another planet. Discover a landmark of luxury in a landscape of wonder, Things to keep in mind before you visit the Blue Lagoon, Changes, cancellations and other booking policies, Create a personal & unique experience with our treatments, Silica Hotel - Blue Lagoon To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. This is something you need to be aware of when making your plans. The best part, the hotels lagoon is large enough that if anyone else is around, you might not even see them! Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Does this look realistic? Not worth it at all. I am taking my SO to Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to. 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. I figured hey, why not try to stay at the Silica Hotel for Valentine's Day? Any thoughts on the two hotels mentioned? And there aren't many nice hotels (from looks of it) until closer to skaftafell/jokulsarl on road 1 from what I gather. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. 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). Is the Golden Circle road generally more sheltered from winds than the South East road? Day 3 drive back route 1 and do a cave thing in the morning. 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. For those after something a little more simple, there is takeaway sushi, sandwiches and healthy snacks available at the Silica Hotel or the Blue Cafe. How long in advance can the weather forecast be considered 'reliable' more or less? 11. The amazing views of the sparkling blue ocean with the resort at its edge create a poster perfect setting for you to indulge in. For our purposes, the Silica Hotel was 100% worth every dollar. 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! 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. Hotel 360 looks nice but I am not sure I can get to it during winter). 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. 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. No legitimate company that cares about it's customers would offer that due to the dangers of winter plus the ridiculously small percentage of campgrounds that are open during winter. Your plans will depend on the weather and road conditions. Custom-made facades and screens within the spa and hotel feature a. In my case and I'm sure most cases, the hotel concierge will even call them for you to coordinate your pick-up. 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. book flight now or wait until Efling Strike is over? 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). The Silica Hotel vs retreat Hotel In Conclusion: Where should I stay when visiting Blue Lagoon Iceland? 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. Make sure you check the bus schedule and plan accordingly, otherwise you'll get out of the lagoon, shower, get your things and walk out only to see a license plate driving away into the distance, and have to wait around for the next one, losing precious time in the beautiful country. I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Or just focus on the South East drive and spend last day in the Retreat. We appreciate your support so much! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. 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! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369089', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Fosshotel Blue glacier. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link. You only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. 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. What do you want to see and do en route? This hotel is a short walk from the Blue La. It was made up of massive black bubbles of lava that have hardened and in some cases, hollowed over thousands of years and are now covered in green moss and snow. is a crystalline silica, whereas the silica which is incorporated in plants is amorphous. You can check the latest EUR exchange rate on Google. 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. Enter email and get our travel tips to maximise your trips. Answer 11 of 18: How do the two hotels compare? Family-Friendly? The four-pearl Silica Hotel is the lodging for the famous Blue Lagoon,surrounded by a dramatic landscape that'srich in geothermal mineral water. 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.