Unique hotel experience in surreal surroundings in rural, exotic Iceland
ION Adventure / Nesjavellir / Iceland
Magazines are one of my key inspiration sources when it comes to sniffing out hotels that I put on my wish list to stay at. That is how I first came across Ion Adventure Hotel. I was caught by the brutalist building that shoots out from the mountain like a jetty into an invisible sea. So when we had decided we were going to go to Iceland I already knew where I wanted to stay (and luckily I have a husband that let’s me take full responsibility for our travel plans).
Ion Adventure Hotel is the passion project of owner Sigurlaug Sverrisdòttir. A former cabin crew member that decided to take on a totally new career as a hotelier. And talk about starting with a bang. This fascinating hotel used to be an inn but that sat abandoned for many years until Sigurlaug bought it and started the transformation into a destination hotel. It is located about 50 km from the capital Reykavik, wedged between the dramatic Hengill Mountain and Lake Thingvellir.
The interior is classic Scandi with blond wood, polished concrete and different grey and white tones. The rooms are relatively small but that is totally fine since Iceland is not a destination where one stays in the room. There is so much to see and experience on this dramatic island. Our favorite place to hang in the hotel was the Nordic Light Bar where the floor to ceiling windows provided a breathtaking view of the surroundings. All hotels worth their name in Iceland has a spa where the thermal water plays centre stage and of course this is also the case at Ion Adventure.
The Ion Adventure Hotel on the drive up to the hotel. It almost looks like some kind of space ship from Star Wars that has just landed.
A thunderstorm drew in just after we had arrived. Fascinating how fast the weather can change in the North Atlantic.
M hurried to the lounge to enjoy the stormy weather from a cozy, warm sofa.
The rooms at Ion Adventure Hotel are simple and subtle. But I guess that makes total sense considering the most interesting things are happening outdoors. I don’t think there is any design in the world that could compete with the scenery that the dramatic Icelandic nature provides.
The morning sun is slowly rising on Ion Adventure Hotel.
And from another angle.
How cute is the entrance to the men’s changing room at the Lava Spa?
The outdoor pool, filled with hot thermal water. Perfect to keep us warm in the chilly Icelandic morning.
The Northern Lights Bar was our favorite place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, looking at the scenery as the sun was rising.
First a bath, then some coffee in the lounge and then a sturdy Icelandic breakfast. A perfect start to the day.
The nature surrounding the hotel is just as dramatic as the Icelandic weather.
There are plenty of hiking trails in the area around the hotel
If you want to venture further, driving in Iceland is a treat. And a challenge since there so many stunning things to look at.
Regardless where you stop when driving around this island the nature is beyond beautiful.
We stopped to say hi to some cute horses.
And every now and then you come across these guys wandering around freely. I never stopped being fascinated how smoke just appears here and there through the ground. A constant reminder of Icelands volcanic past and present.
This is from one of the many sights, Jökulsárlón, a glacier lake next to the largest glacier on the island.
M is dressed for the weather and the temperature.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…experience something truly exceptional. I know I like to use the word ”unique” but this place is exactly that. The nature is so unusual that I sometimes questioned if we were still on planet earth. And to stay at a design hotel in the middle of this beauty is beyond cool.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is to lounge in the hot thermal water in the outside pool while taking in the views. Especially when a fierce Atlantic rain storm is raging which happened when we were here.
What not to miss when staying here…
Where to start…? Don’t miss anything! Iceland is just so extremely beautiful and exotic, also to us Scandinavians.
If you like this place you might also like…
Furillen, Gotland, Sweden
Dexamenes, Peloponnese, Greece
ION City, Reykjavik, Iceland
