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First Luxury Hotel Set to Open at Iceland’s Iconic Blue Lagoon

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Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is among the country’s most popular attractions and — with the recent explosion of American tourism — it has the crowds to prove it. The thermal hot spring is rarely as pristine and tourist-free as the publicity shots would have potential visitors believe. This fall, boutique luxury property Moss Hotel will open its doors at the water’s edge to provide private, unprecedented access to the eight-hundred-year-old lagoon.

A typically crowded afternoon. Image used with permission by copyright holder

On paper, it’s difficult to imagine how a large cauldron of soupy wastewater from a nearby geothermal power station could become so popular. In person, it’s another matter entirely. The volcanic topography and otherworldly after-dark glow of the mineral-rich water are a microcosm of Iceland’s landscape as a whole. It’s a beautiful, alien, and even spiritual experience.

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Moss Hotel recognizes many of the lagoon’s hundreds of thousands of annual visitors want a more personal and private way to enjoy its waters. The intimate, 62-room property features a modern industrial design of angular concrete, floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic lagoon views, and tasteful Scandinavian minimalist furnishings. Every room offers a wide terrace or balcony with sweeping views of the water and volcanic fields mere feet away. The result is a seamless integration of the hotel’s architecture into the natural landscape.

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Guests will also have access to a private swimming area distinguished from the lagoon’s main wading pool. The hotel will be part of a full-featured complex that includes Lava Cove — a luxury underground spa built into the naturally occurring volcanic rock — with a lava rock steam room, a sauna, and a menu of natural mineral treatments. If that isn’t disco enough for you, Hidden Cove provides an exclusive, ultra-private “spa within a spa” that includes a butler, private masseuse, and on-call chef.

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The on-site Moss Restaurant will offer top-shelf food and drink selections. Among them: an authentic Icelandic, seven-course dining experience at the Chef’s Table. An upscale lounge, simply named The Lounge, perched atop the restaurant will provide a relaxed space for pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres amid panoramic views of the volcanic fields.

The hotel is set to open its doors in fall 2017. While views of the finished product are only available as artist renderings, the stunning landscape and ultra-luxe rooms already have us planning our next trip to Iceland.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
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