We were really in need of some downtime when we arrived at the Silica Hotel. Combining sublime comfort at Silica Hotel and classic Icelandic cuisine at Lava Restaurant, this overnight experience opens a world of radiant wellbeing. Take all of that stress off the table and purchase your passes in advance. Again: A Camper in March is a horrible idea. There is no such thing as a "slow" time of day for them. Thanks. What's the West coast like? I still want to try and hire a 4x4 as my main goal is to stay flexible and see/photograph the Northern lights. 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. I wonder if we can make the Golden Circle and then do the South East drive (weather-permitting) in 3 days. Whilst the Silica Hotel doesnt actually have a restaurant (they only serve breakfast), the LAVA Restaurant located at The Blue Lagoon is only a 10-minute walk away. Thank you We Are Travel Girls for featuring my article! I wonder if we can make the Golden Circle and then do the South East drive (weather-permitting) in 3 days. It is a little pricey. Silica types with crystalline and amorphous structure are found in nature and are also produced synthetically. You. 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. That's service. Travel has become more accessible to the global population, and The United Nations World Tourism Organization estimated that nearly 1.2 billion people traveled outside their, Modern life involves traveling often and for all sorts of reasons. If you plan it like this and bad weather moves in while you are on the South Coast you risk forfeiting your Retreat reservation or worst case your (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We arrive 11am on Day 1 and I thought to take the route up towards Gullfoss and down on Road 30 and stay first night somewhere around road 30 or 1 (need to find a place. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Day 4: flight is late in the evening so not sure what to do on this day. So timing your stay when you first arrive or on the last night before you fly out is a great option. It was such a peaceful experience walking through the lava fields on our way to the Blue Lagoon. The style of the hotel is modern simplicity. The mineral-rich blue waters of the lagoon and Iceland's beautiful landscape are an attractive combination you cannot miss. MinimalistScandinavianfurnishings include cube stools, couches, and sleek sitting chairs. 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 only have 2 full days and you are planning an ambitious itinerary that is better suited for summer. The ritual was built around the natural elements of the lagoon: silica, algae, and minerals. The worst weather I have ever driven thru was on the road from the city to the Golden Circle. Dining options at Silica Hotel and Blue Lagoon Iceland. I am familiar with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then. I would normally plan more conservative driving distances in winter. Any thoughts on the two hotels mentioned? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105369089', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Fosshotel Blue glacier. 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. Will report. 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. Required fields are marked *. Explore the volcanic phenomena at Blue Lagoon's doorstep. The larger Blue Lagoon is open to the public, but believe me when I tell you it is packed with tourists all day. What are the opening hours for Silica Lagoon? Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. The Silica Lagoon is open from 9:00 to 22:00 every day, and premium access to the Blue Lagoon is built into your stay at Silica Hotel. Here at Oyster, we embrace just about any excuse to hit the road, but what really, Pool at Sicilys Hotel Avalon Sikani After checking into the hotel, dipping into the pool is high on the vacation agenda. Make sure you check the bus schedule and plan accordingly, otherwise you'll get out of the lagoon, shower, get your things and walk out only to see a license plate driving away into the distance, and have to wait around for the next one, losing precious time in the beautiful country. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. This is something you need to be aware of when making your plans. Sunset over the lava field walking to the Blue Lagoon from the Silica Hotel. 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. (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. 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. Alternatively, you may use. We stayed in number 34, a 26 square-metre (280 square-foot) Silica Deluxe room costing ISK 84,700 or around 530 per night. And is going on snowmobil fun? I was also so confused that I drove for about 40 mins in the wrong direction with no spaces to turn around, water on either sides of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. and our That being said, travelers deciding on the best time to go should consider what theyre hoping to do and see. (aside from their price difference). The Retreat Hotel and Convention Centre is a luxurious resort perched right on a quaint beach in Madh Island. The contemporary bathrooms have heated towel racks and large walk-in rainfall showers. (aside from their price difference). This is something you need to be aware of when making your plans. Why You Should Be Traveling to Japan in December. This is hands down your best option if you have not rented a car. The best time to visit Iceland depends on what activities you would like to do. Our top recommended travel insurance companies for Iceland are: For more information, read our article on why you need to book travel insurance for your next trip! The picturesque landscape of lava fields surrounding the lagoon only compounds the irresistible draw for many tourists when they visit the beautiful island country. Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel Development by Becky van Dijk, 2) Get Free Premium Entry To The Blue Lagoon From Silica Hotel, 7) Silica Hotel Is A Great Place To Relax, 8) Experience The Amazing Food At The Lava Restaurant, 9) See The Northern Lights While Floating In The Lagoon. WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge. I never suggest anyone even drive a regular vehicle that time of year unless they are an Expert Arctic winter driver. 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. 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. You get a couple more bells and whistles but at an intense mark-up in cost. (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. Show on map, I agree to receive marketing communications and agree to the. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105359385', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland for 3 nights beginning of March and last night I wanted to stay somewhere special and want to make the right choice. Day 4: flight is late in the evening so not sure what to do on this day. Day 3 drive back route 1 and do a cave thing in the morning. Fine dining at Blue Lagoon Iceland takes you into a gourmet landscape of tradition, innovation, purity, and freshness. Thanks. 0. You will have to be flexible. Premium entry to the Blue Lagoon is included with your stay. Thanks. You will have to be flexible. Volcanic architecture. In addition the weather can change quickly, since there are many microclimates in Iceland. 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. I did the South East route a few years back by myself and it was very memorable (also in March but it may have been later in March). Some of the best books about Iceland are: Iceland uses standard 2 prong Type C and Type F adapters also commonly used throughout Europe. From culinary journeys to extended holidays, our exclusive offers and special events will elevate your Silica experience. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. While it was fun and romantic, we both agreed if we were to come back to Iceland, we would simply book a half-day trip from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon and purchase our own Premium access passes. I am a keen photographer so I do ned to plan extra time for photo stops. 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). 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. First two nights we are renting a campervan and driving around the south coast towards Jokulsarlon. This was a tricky one since we did not rent a car. Day 2: drive along route 1 towards Jokularson and see the stuff along the route. I made it to the hotel that looks like a shelf of books (forgot the name). It is a one-time experience worth paying for, but repeats are totally not necessary. I am familiar with the weather changes but perhaps was lucky then. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. (aside from their price difference) I read that Silica's lagoon is more private and The Retreat's can get very crowded. You get access to the blue lagoon, which ticket is it more comparable to? Answer 1 of 18: How do the two hotels compare? We spent the morning drinking tea on our balcony, soaking in the unique and serene mossy landscape. 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 this does not sound like your idea of magic, then the Silica and Retreat Hotel is your answer to Blue Lagoon heaven. Correction: I may have to rethink the campervan idea in march as it might not be very safe. There are a lot more tourists in Iceland than I expected so being able to relax in the hotels lagoon without too many other people around was definitely one of the highlights. 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. Is the Golden Circle road generally more sheltered from winds than the South East road? Most campsites are closed in winter, nights could be msierably cold, condensation could make eberything inside the vehicle damp, and taller vehicles are very vulnerable to sudden wind gusts on icy roads. 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. Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed). I still want to try and hire a 4x4 as my main goal is to stay flexible and see/photograph the Northern lights. Silica Hotel & the Retreat Spa | Blue Lagoon Iceland Duration One night Seasons All year Age limit 12 years Location Silica Hotel Package: 1 night Silica - Silica Hotel & the Retreat Spa Price from $873 for two persons Availability and Rates Offer description Thanks. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. See all 17 articles. Iceland is part of the European Schengen zone, which typically provides 90 days of free entry every 180 days to visitors from many countries. Lego 79015 - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. If you do plan to go NL hunting on your own at night, make sure to scout out safe (and official) places to park in daylight. However, if you are already staying in Reykjavik and you are keener on exploring Iceland and packing as much as you can into your trip, then I would advise against staying at the Silica Hotel. Hotel 360 looks nice but I am not sure I can get to it during winter). Its quite expensive so you want to allow plenty of time to enjoy yourself. 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