9 REASONS YOU SHOULD STAY AT THE SILICA HOTEL, ICELAND

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is sure to be high on your list of must-see places. Being the most frequented tourist attraction in Iceland, you’ll want to plan your visit strategically to ensure you get the most out of it. I highly recommend combining your visit with a night stay at the Silica Hotel, which is located just 10 minutes walk from the Blue Lagoon. It is a little pricey. But if your budget allows you to splash out for just one night, spend it at the Silica Hotel!

Here are 9 reasons why I think a night’s stay at the Silica Hotel is totally worth it. 

1) Escape The Hoards Of Tourists

The Blue Lagoon is on just about every person who visits Iceland’s wish list. It is just so unique. How could you come to Iceland and not visit this magical geothermal wonderland?

Don’t be fooled by the photos you see on Instagram of people relaxing in the milky blue waters with no one else around. Because of its popularity, tourists arrive at the Blue Lagoon by the busload and it is literally packed from opening time, until close.

We visited the Blue Lagoon both early morning and in the evening. And there were people everywhere! If this does not sound like your idea of magic, then the Silica and Retreat Hotel is your answer to Blue Lagoon heaven. It features it’s very own private lagoon for hotel guests only.

We checked in around 3 pm and made a beeline for the hotel lagoon. We literally had the entire place to ourselves for at least an hour before one other couple joined us. The best part, the hotel’s lagoon is large enough that if anyone else is around, you might not even see them!

2) Get Free Premium Entry To The Blue Lagoon From Silica Hotel

Whilst the lagoon at the hotel is pretty amazing, and in my opinion, just as good as the real thing, you probably still want to experience the actual Blue Lagoon as well. If you’re staying at the Silica Hotel, entry to The Blue Lagoon is included in the price of your stay.

Hotel guests are given premium entry, which means you don’t have to wait in line with all the other tourists. You’ll also receive a robe and slippers for use while you’re there and the hotel provides shuttle transfers to the Blue Lagoon if you don’t want to walk.

We noticed that most hotel guests visited The Blue Lagoon in the afternoon after they checked in. They would then make use of the hotel’s lagoon the next morning after breakfast.

We actually did it the other way around, which I would definitely recommend. We had the hotel’s lagoon mostly to ourselves for the afternoon.

When I turned up for breakfast the next morning, there were a lot of people in the hotel’s lagoon. Instead, we enjoyed our breakfast and then made our way over to the actual Blue Lagoon for the morning.

3) Relax At The Spa

The spa at the Silica Hotel offers a spa menu with some very unique options that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world. The pick would have to be the in-water massage. 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.

4) The Landscape Is Stunning

There are several walking paths around the Silica Hotel, which take you on a journey through ancient volcanic lava fields. The landscape was like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

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. It was such a peaceful experience walking through the lava fields on our way to the Blue Lagoon.

There are also several lagoons around the hotel, filled with geothermal water. The walking tracks stretch on for miles through the lagoons and mossy lava fields.

If you feel like a little bit of exercise, forget the gym. Take a walk or run around the hotel. We saw several groups of locals out for a morning run around the lava fields.

The hotel rooms also feature views over the lava fields. We spent the morning drinking tea on our balcony, soaking in the unique and serene mossy landscape.

5) The Breakfast Spread Is To Die For 

During my time in Iceland, I never saw a breakfast spread quite like the one at the Silica Hotel. They offered a massive selection of fruits, salads, Skyr (Icelandic yoghurt), meats, cheeses, eggs done every way possible, little morsels of sweets and pastries galore. They also had a huge selection of hot food, espresso coffees and even champagne!

The breakfast area was located next to the lounge room with a view over the hotel’s lagoon. It was very relaxing with the vast majority of guests swanning around the breakfast room in their bathrobes.

Others were wading in the hotel’s lagoon before sitting down to a hearty meal. There were also guests relaxing around the lounge areas, reading a newspaper or watching the sunrise over the lagoon.

6) It’s Really Close To The Airport 

A lot of people don’t actually realise that the Blue Lagoon is located very close to Keflavik International Airport. There are regular bus shuttles between the airport and the Silica Hotel. So timing your stay when you first arrive or on the last night before you fly out is a great option.

Many travellers stopover in Iceland for a night when travelling between Europe and North America, just to spend the night at the Blue Lagoon!

7) Silica Hotel Is A Great Place To Relax

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 were really in need of some downtime when we arrived at the Silica Hotel.

There are a lot more tourists in Iceland than I expected so being able to relax in the hotel’s lagoon without too many other people around was definitely one of the highlights. The atmosphere at the Silica Hotel is very calm and serene and from the moment we arrived, we felt like we could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

8) Experience The Amazing Food At The Lava Restaurant

Whilst the Silica Hotel doesn’t actually have a restaurant (they only serve breakfast), the LAVA Restaurant located at The Blue Lagoon is only a 10-minute walk away. If you’re not keen on walking, the hotel also offers transfers.

The food at LAVA was absolutely amazing. They have a 4-course tasting menu which changes daily and features traditional Icelandic dishes. There is also a great selection on the A La Carte menu.

The dining room is on two levels with floor to ceiling windows looking out to the lava cliffs and the blue lagoon. Many people visiting the Blue Lagoon in the afternoon/evening stay for a meal after bathing.

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.

9) See The Northern Lights While Floating In The Lagoon

Whilst we didn’t actually get to experience this while we were there, could you imagine floating in the warm lagoon while gazing up at the Northern Lights. The hotel provides a wake-up call service throughout the evening. So if the elusive Aurora Borealis decides to show up, you are only steps away from hopping into the hotel’s lagoon and gazing away at the night sky.

You can also book a day tour to see the Northern Lights depending on the time of year you visit!

 

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!

---

We hope that this article has inspired you to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.

To receive our articles and reviews straight to your inbox Subscribe Here.

---

Author

We Are Travel Girls Contributor Amanda Twine of FlyStayLuxe.com 
Connect with Amanda Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

---

Pin For Later