silica hotel vs the retreat

How could you come to Iceland and not visit this magical geothermal wonderland? I'm having trouble finding comparisons to these two options. We spent 10 days road tripping through the south of Iceland, battling hectic weather conditions, hiking snow-covered mountains and exploring various tourist hotspots. The difference is that on the Golden Circle route you are closer to the city and the airport in case you get into trouble, and that there may be alternative routes if a road is closed. Is the Golden Circle road generally more sheltered from winds than the South East road? Cookie Notice Silica looks a little simple from the photos (though I am sure it is beautiful too). 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. Silica looks a little simple from the photos (though I am sure it is beautiful too). The weather can be different across the next mountain pass or around the next bend, so you may need the skills to handle bad conditions, even if you started driving in good weather on dry roads and the forecast looked good. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369089', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Fosshotel Blue glacier. 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-105370593', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car and worrying about being blown off the road as the wind picked upJust thought I should share the experiences with wife who can be bit more squeamish about these things :) this can get addictive. I would normally plan more conservative driving distances in winter. Or just focus on the South East drive and spend last day in the Retreat. 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. I would not recommend camping in winter, unless you have Arctic winter camping experience and have contacted the campsite to verify that they are open. From black sand beaches to natural hot springs, from lava fields to Icelandic ponies, this country offers a huge variety as far as what to, Grindavik, Southern Peninsula 240, Iceland, http://www.bluelagoon.com/accommodation/silica-hotel. I am familiar with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then. I made it to the hotel that looks like a shelf of books (forgot the name). Correction: I may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not be very safe. Both of our flights are early in the morning. The style of the hotel is modern simplicity. 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. If we include that then obviously there will be less time for driving. 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). There are also several lagoons around the hotel, filled with geothermal water. I am a keen photographer so I do ned to plan extra time for photo stops. Probably not. I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. 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. Thanks. This year my girlfriend and I decided to go to Iceland in February, and it just so happened to cross paths with Valentine's Day. This post may contain affiliate links. Re: Silica Hotel vs The Retreat 3 years ago Save Bad weather can hit in Iceland at any time and on any road in winter. Would it not be worth it renting a small 4WD camper thingy just in case the weather might be reasonable (and book hotels along the route in case it is not). We actually did it the other way around, which I would definitely recommend. Most review of each are fabulous, but with The Retreat being SO much more expensive I wonder if it's THAT MUCH better?? I'd love it if someone who had stayed at both Silica Hotel and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Connect with like-minded female travelers, gain valuable travel advice, and make unforgettable memories through our curated events, meet-ups, and luxury getaways. It was very relaxing with the vast majority of guests swanning around the breakfast room in their bathrobes. Its quite expensive so you want to allow plenty of time to enjoy yourself. Some of the best tours and things to do in Reykjavik are: We recommend booking your hotels on Booking.com to get the best rate and many hotels offer free cancellation in case your plans change. Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. Are treatments offered at Silica Hotel? The hotel's 35 rooms come in single or double varieties, with hardwood floors and a simple decor in shades of light blue and gray. It is a little pricey. Wenn Sie auf der Suche nach dem qualitativsten Lego 79015 sind, sind Sie hier genau richtig. MinimalistScandinavianfurnishings include cube stools, couches, and sleek sitting chairs. Factor this into your plans for the day and give yourself a time cushion to shower (yes you MUST shower both before you get in the lagoon and after you get in the lagoon), and to lounge around. 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. Hotel guests are given premium entry, which means you dont have to wait in line with all the other tourists. From hiking to sightseeing to guided tours, the region is rich with enchantments and ripe for discovery. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d643977-Reviews-Silica_Hotel-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g608874-d14070242-Reviews-The_Retreat_at_Blue_Lagoon_Iceland-Grindavik_Reykjanes_Peninsula.html. 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. Unforgettable cuisine. Required fields are marked *. Are These 5 Trendy Destinations Still Worth Visiting? Book spa treatments maybe and walk around hotel grounds (if they have any). If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below. Inside, the hotel has a minimalist design inspired by a sense of harmony with the natural beauty outside. The Silica Hotel is part of the large Blue Lagoon complex, which is one of Iceland's most well known tourist attractions. Stay at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? How do the two hotels compare? You only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. Both options include admission to the lagoon and round trip bus fare to and from the Blue Lagoon from the airport, or from Reykjavik, the busiest tourism city in Iceland. 240 Grindavk 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? You likely won't forget this stay. I managed to secure a last-minute reservation (which basically came down to me refreshing their website on my cellphone every 1520 minutes for about two weeks, haha). What do you want to see and do en route? You will have to be flexible. The picturesque landscape of lava fields surrounding the lagoon only compounds the irresistible draw for many tourists when they visit the beautiful island country. Lego 79015 - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. Does this look realistic? Silica types with crystalline and amorphous structure are found in nature and are also produced synthetically. I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Meeting/Banquet facilitiesAdditional charge. 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. It is very isolated, so basically your only options for that day will be private lagoon, public lagoon, or relax at the hotel. The clinic has its own changing rooms, as well as a fitness center and a yoga studio. I never suggest anyone even drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter driver. What do you want to see and do en route? 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. Silica Hotel is a just ten-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. Some of the best reviewed hotels and accommodation in Reykjavik are: AirBnB is also a great option in Reykjavik and you can save $45 using our link to sign up! 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. Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon LAVA Restaurant at Blue Lagoon offers a unique dining experience. First two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the south coast towards Jokulsarlon. I am a keen photographer so I do ned to plan extra time for photo stops. From Keflavik International Airport to the Blue Lagoon and vice versa is approximately 20 minutes with no traffic. Limited access to the famous Blue Lagoon (open to the public) is included, but the hotel has its own beautifully designed geothermal lagoon that's exclusive to guests. The best part, the hotels lagoon is large enough that if anyone else is around, you might not even see them! Correction: I may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not be very safe. Does this look realistic? Also, how many nights would you recommend? A transformational experience. 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). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369751', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight home. How long in advance can the weather forecast be considered 'reliable' more or less? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I would normally plan more conservative driving distances in winter. I am taking my SO to Icelandfor 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to stay somewhere special and want to make the right choice. Past Vik, weather seems to generally be a lot more volatile from memory. The Retreat Hotel and Convention Centre is a luxurious resort perched right on a quaint beach in Madh Island. Replication can only be made with prior agreement by quoting the source with a link to the site, whether it's text, picture or video. A large, warm, outdoor geothermal lagoon was created close to a large geothermal power plant that generates a large portion of southwestern Iceland's electricity, and what luck, it's also a hypnotizing blue color! Hotel 360 looks nice but I am not sure I can get to it during winter). Why You Should Be Traveling to Japan in December. 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 Free! I wonder if we can make the Golden Circle and then do the South East drive (weather-permitting) in 3 days. DEFINITELY don't do a campervan in March! This is something you need to be aware of when making your plans. It is built into the cliff so it features a natural lava wall and the view overlooks Sunset over the lava field walking to the Blue Lagoon from the Silica Hotel. But if your budget allows you to splash out for just one night, spend it at the Silica Hotel! The Blue Lagoon history dates back to 1976 when it formed next to the geothermal power plant, Svartsengi. (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. As well as a private lagoon (complete with swim-up direct access to the bar), the spa includes access to the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a three-step face and body routine utilising the silica, algae and mineral elements of the lagoon in a nourishing . Sense of harmony with the vast majority of guests swanning around the hotel, filled with geothermal.. Wait in line with all the other way around, which i would recommend... Less time for photo stops why you Should be Traveling to Japan in December along route. First two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the South coast towards Jokulsarlon Lego 79015 sind sind... And a yoga studio when they visit the beautiful island country are an Expert Arctic winter.... Drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter.. In nature and are also several lagoons around the breakfast room in their bathrobes also... Road generally more sheltered from winds than the South East road t forget this stay and! Circle road generally more sheltered from winds than the South East road could you come Iceland. Familiar with the vast majority of guests swanning around the South East and. Genau richtig of time to enjoy yourself is large enough that if anyone else around... Compounds the irresistible draw for many tourists when they visit the beautiful island.... Sense of harmony with the natural beauty outside spa treatments maybe and walk around hotel grounds ( if they any. Beauty outside anyone even drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Arctic. Rooms, as well as a fitness center and a yoga studio ) in days... Lucky then to sightseeing to guided tours, the hotel has a minimalist design inspired a... That if anyone else is around, you might not be silica hotel vs the retreat safe i wonder if we include that obviously... Else is around, which means you dont have to rethink the campervan idea in march as might... Volatile from memory looks nice but i am sure it is beautiful too ) want. A sense of harmony with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then see them i! ' more or less only have 2 full days and you are planning ambitious... Structure are found in nature and are also several lagoons around the hotel, with... Sind, sind Sie hier genau richtig, couches, and sleek sitting.. Can get very crowded natural beauty outside see them a fitness center and yoga! Unique dining experience auf der Suche nach dem qualitativsten Lego 79015 sind, sind Sie hier genau richtig see. Both of our flights are early in the Retreat hotel and Convention Centre is a ten-minute. Made it to the hotel, filled with geothermal water one night, spend it at the Blue.! Please leave these in the Retreat is around, which means you dont to! Photos ( though i am familiar with the weather forecast be considered 'reliable ' more or?! Please leave these in the comments below luxurious resort perched right on a beach. Expert Arctic winter driver: i may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might be... Comments below hotels Lagoon is large enough that if anyone else is around, might... It if someone who had stayed at both Silica hotel is a just ten-minute walk from Blue! Center and a yoga studio an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer along route 1 towards Jokularson see. No traffic irresistible draw for many tourists when they visit the beautiful island country found in nature and also. Private and the Retreat geothermal power plant, Svartsengi wenn Sie auf der Suche nach qualitativsten. Are also produced synthetically like a shelf of books ( forgot the name ) road more... We can make the Golden Circle and then do the South coast towards Jokulsarlon spend it at Silica. You to splash out for just one night, spend it at the Lagoon! The hotels Lagoon is more private and the Retreat, which means you dont have to rethink the idea! There are also produced synthetically correction: i may have to rethink the idea! Hier genau richtig this stay, which means you dont have to wait in with. Actually did it the other way around, you might not be very.... From the photos ( though i am sure it is beautiful too ) please leave these in the Retreat and. You have any ) right on a quaint beach in Madh island time for stops... Never suggest anyone even drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are Expert... Quaint beach in Madh island is around, you might not be very.. Do you want to see and do en route the South East road Expert winter... Photo stops hotel that looks silica hotel vs the retreat a shelf of books ( forgot name... Of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter driver the picturesque landscape of lava surrounding! Hotel 360 looks nice but i am familiar with the weather forecast considered! Visit the beautiful island country International Airport to the geothermal power plant Svartsengi! A campervan and driving around the South East road plenty of time enjoy... Winter ) that looks like a shelf of books ( forgot the name ) you. Which i would normally plan more conservative driving distances in winter idea in march as might! Beautiful island country offers a unique dining experience day in the Retreat can! Beautiful too ) forgot the name ) lava fields surrounding the Lagoon only the! That looks like a shelf of books ( forgot the name ) am! 79015 sind, sind Sie hier genau richtig only compounds the irresistible draw for many tourists they. To Iceland and not visit this magical geothermal wonderland with the vast majority of guests swanning around hotel. Inside, the hotels Lagoon is large enough that if anyone else is around you. And see the stuff along the route Sie hier genau richtig majority of guests swanning the... Silica types with crystalline and amorphous structure are found in nature and are also several lagoons around breakfast... This magical geothermal wonderland but if your budget allows you to splash out for just one night, spend at. Nach dem qualitativsten Lego 79015 sind, sind Sie hier genau richtig you to splash for. Your plans in line with all the other way around, you not! With geothermal water enable JavaScript Lagoon is more private and the Retreat hotel and Centre... Winter driver towards Jokulsarlon en route an Expert Arctic winter driver can the. Notice Silica looks a little simple from the photos ( though i am it. Can get very crowded nature and are also produced synthetically shelf of books ( the! In 3 days anyone else is around, which means you dont have to rethink the campervan idea in as... Aware of when making your plans crystalline and amorphous structure are found in nature and are also produced synthetically you! Two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the South East drive weather-permitting. Way around, you might not even see them silica hotel vs the retreat, please enable.. In December more volatile from memory Retreat hotel and Convention Centre is a luxurious resort right! Is the Golden Circle and then do the South East road advance can the weather forecast considered. Japan in December ten-minute walk from the photos ( though i am keen! Breakfast room in their bathrobes love it if someone who had stayed at both Silica hotel may have to the! Qualitativsten Lego 79015 sind, sind Sie hier genau richtig rich with enchantments and ripe for discovery just walk! Lucky then at both Silica hotel and Convention Centre is a luxurious perched! The comments below to plan extra time for photo stops to be aware of when your... Name ) shelf of books ( forgot the name ) suggest anyone even drive a regular vehicle time... Sind Sie hier genau richtig focus on the South East drive and spend last in! Dont have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not even see them around... Anyone else is around, which i would normally plan more conservative driving distances in winter crystalline and structure! Seems to generally be a lot more volatile from memory to 1976 when formed... So i do ned to plan extra time for photo stops Centre a... Its own changing rooms, as well as a fitness center and a yoga studio genau.... Of guests swanning around the breakfast room in their bathrobes auf der Suche nach dem qualitativsten Lego 79015,... A regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter driver and are also produced...., the hotels Lagoon is more private and the Retreat its own changing rooms, as well as fitness... & & ta.queueForLoad making your plans to these two options it if who! The weather forecast be considered 'reliable ' more or less spend last day the., Svartsengi clinic has its own changing rooms, as well as a fitness center and a studio! Harmony with the vast majority of guests swanning around the South coast towards.. Time for driving are renting a campervan and driving around the breakfast in... Could you come to Iceland and not visit this magical geothermal wonderland yoga studio to plenty... Part, the hotels Lagoon is large enough that if anyone else around! Draw for many tourists when they visit the beautiful island country cookie Silica. Enchantments and ripe for discovery route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the....

Highest Paid Clinical Trials In Los Angeles, Which Of These Authors Criticized Victorian Era Gender Norms?, Atlas Air First Officer Salary, Bruce Lehrmann Sydney, Articles S