Spa Profile: Blue Lagoon

This time, we are heading to Blue Lagoon, Iceland, host of the Blue Lagoon, in the Grindavík region of Iceland, a.k.a. the “Land of Fire and Ice”.

Facing the otherworldly Blue Lagoon, and outlooking the dormant volcanoes with centurial moss-covered lava rocks, Blue Lagoon is recommended as a must-visit day spa and retreat center for those who wish to experience Iceland in full. Contemporarily blending the industrial Scandinavian architecture with inspiration taken from the surrounding volcanic structures, Blue Lagoon brings its guests an array of treatments and therapies out of the lagoon’s healing power, with a holistic wellbeing approach. 

Now, let’s take a closer look at this center together...

Heart of the Center: The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon, which was selected as one of the ‘25 Wonders of the World’ by National Geographic in 2012, is a geothermal seawater formation that literally is one of a kind all around the planet. Having emerged by a miraculous “accident” in the lava field near the power plant upon commissioning of the Svartsengi Resource Park in the late 1970s, the Lagoon has been serving under the roof of Blue Lagoon Iceland for 30 years.

Its epic milky blue color contrasting with the blackish volcanic formations around comes from silica, which is one of its basic components. Besides silica, the Blue Lagoon hosts various saltwater and tectonic minerals, primarily sulfur, as well as some algae species unique to the lagoon, meaning they cannot be found elsewhere in the world. From the interaction of these algae and minerals at a temperature of about 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) -which remains almost the same during every season of the year, arises a large outdoor spa pool, pouring calmness to our souls and vitality to our skin.

Unmatched Spa Areas

Other spa areas of the center complement the physical, spiritual and physical benefits of the Blue Lagoon.

The spa area available to all visitors includes a Mask Bar offering a self-care ritual in the lagoon with masks like algae and silica, an in-pool bar where you can sip your delicious mocktail, and a Sauna and Steam Room.

Whereas in the Retreat Spa, which offers its guests a little more privacy and privileges through the healing power of the lagoon, covers amenities such as the Retreat Lagoon, a separate pool where you can stay away from the crowd and glide through lava canyons and hidden water corridors by yourself; the subterranean spaces consisting of Nest, an area with modern relaxation pods, heated cave areas like Sauna, Lava Spring and Fire; as well as outdoor spaces composed of the terrace, the steam room Steam Cave and the cold mini pool, Cold Well.

Spa within a Spa: Lava Cove

The Retreat Spa also houses the Lava Cove suite, which promises a journey of a spa within a spa for guests seeking absolute privacy. Here, you can enjoy the sole company of yourself or your loved ones, isolated from the outside world, while receiving your massages and treatments at the suite’s own blue lagoon pool or massage area, and savoring the exquisite meals served in the private dining area, and embrace a serenity beyond dreams.

Refreshing Day Spa Amenities

Blue Lagoon's day spa options consist of “Comfort” and “Premium” options where you can spread your mud mask and swim in the Blue Lagoon, and “Luxury” enabling guests to a luxurious 5-hour spa indulgence at the Retreat Spa, including the signature Blue Lagoon Ritual.

The center also provides more exclusive daily programs such as the “Private Spa Escape”, which offers extra exclusivity in the Lava Cove, and the “Ultimate Jet Lag Remedy”, an aidful program dedicated to helping you calmly get through the exhausting effects of flight.

Comfortable Accommodation Facilities

Blue Lagoon has two different accommodation concepts, Silica Hotel and Retreat Hotel.

Silica Hotel, which has its own Silica Lagoon pool, offers not only standard accommodation in contemporary designed private suites with lava, mountain and pool views, but also special programs like the Radiance & Adventure, where you may add joy to your trip with ATV tours and gourmet tastings at the Lava Restaurant during your 1-night stay, or the 2-night stay Slip Away in which you may immerse yourself in spa experiences inside the Retreat Spa areas and while taking in-water massages.  

Fronting the Retreat Lagoon, Retreat Hotel is very popular for, among others, its super deluxe Lagoon Suite having a private pool. The hotel also has several outstanding programs, including the “Geopark Adventuring” with its e-bike and horseback riding tours under a 2-night stay, or the “Ultimate Retreat”, a 3-night in-stay program that’ll bring you the ultimate pampering thanks to providing a helicopter tour over the Reykjanes Peninsula, ATV rides and dining at the Michelin-starred restaurant.

By the way, Retreat Hotel has organized a gourmet wine journey on August 27, where you can taste the famous Amuse Bouche wines with the unique treats of the Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant, along with your spa treatments as part of a 1-night stay. If you have time, we’d say don’t miss it!

Authentic Treatments and Therapies By the Healing Water

At the core of Blue Lagoon’s therapies are the lagoon itself and/or the bioactive elements that give the lagoon its healing qualities.

Yes, we said ‘the lagoon itself’, because at the top of the spa’s signature treatments are the in-water relaxing massages like the silica salt scrub full body massage that are committed to heal you while you’re flowing on the lagoon, and the floating therapy where you can return to your Self through the lightness of non-gravity.

You may of course also elect to receive your massage on your comfortable massage bench breathing in the special aromatic oils of the place. The spa additionally offers cleansing, exfoliating and personalized facials tailored to your skin type, neck and shoulder massages and manicure/pedicure treatments, using silica, algae and minerals.

Finally, the Blue Lagoon Ritual… This ritual, which you can perform with renewing salt minerals, restorative algae and rejuvenating silica in the three-section serene ambiance of the Retreat Spa, stands out as the center's self-proclaimed “hallmark” spa journey of Blue Lagoon.

Spa Boutique

Discovering that the Blue Lagoon is especially good for skin conditions like psoriasis, Blue Lagoon has developed a renovative skin care line awarded COSMOS certificate by the Ecocert. The series consist of BL+ line, leading with its anti-aging properties; the Spa line that helps bring spa treatments to your home even for a bit, and the Derma line, made specially for sensitive skins and others. While you can try some of these products in the Retreat Spa area, you can also purchase all the product lines whether personally from the stores in the center or via the online shop.

Delicious Cuisines

There are three restaurants in Blue Lagoon that offer various plates with their unique cuisines.

The Spa Restaurant, connected to the Retreat Spa, offers light and tasty meals all day long for those who intend to sustain the healing effects of the spa further in the kitchen.

The Lava Restaurant, on the other hand, serves freshest Icelandic lunches and dinners as you gaze at the lagoon, calmly approaching the alien-like lava rocks.

The star (!) of the place is the Moss Restaurant, recommended by the 2020 Michelin Guide. Moss Restaurant standing at the highest point of the Blue Lagoon and overlooking the volcanic horizon, offers menus that can appeal to all tastes by blending gourmet flavors with delicious Icelandic cuisine.

Innovative Sustainability 

The accommodation and other facilities of Blue Lagoon have a settlement structure that complies with green production standards and is specially designed not to harm the encircling natural volcanic formations and centuries-old vegetation.

Blue Lagoon, which was selected as the Icelandic Environmental Company by the Icelandic Confederation of Employers in 2021, has been obtaining its electricity, heating and hot water supplies from the renewable geothermal power plant of the Svartsengi Resource Park since its establishment. This blue-flagged facility also has a high-water quality, which is tested and approved every week by an independent analysis company.

Besides caring about sustainability, it also supports local production by using natural and fresh products such as locally sourced seafood, herbal products grown in organic farms and geothermal greenhouses, in its kitchens.

Blue Lagoon, Iceland promises an extraordinary spa experience with its geothermal water source that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, its treatments and therapies that may contribute to your holistic health thanks to the healing powers of this source, its cuisines and special programs combining serenity with adventure in the historical volcanic areas.

Hoping to see you in other spa areas, each healing and pleasantly matchless…