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This is our review of The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Iceland, from our 2026 site inspection stay. We've been meaning to visit for years (The Retreat at Blue Lagoon opened in 2018), since a number of our clients have enjoyed their stays, and finally had occasion to during a trip to see the Northern Lights. While the luxury resort isn't a Virtuoso property, TravelSort Clients do enjoy a bottle of champagne on arrival, as our special perk.
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The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Location
As its name implies, The Retreat is right at The Blue Lagoon, known to locals and visitors alike for its therapeutic properties for the skin. It's about a 20 minute drive from Iceland's international airport, Keflavik (KEF), which is served by nonstop flights from Boston BOS, Chicago ORD, Denver DEN, London LHR, Minneapolis MSP, New York JFK, Newark EWR, Orlando MCO, Portland PDX, Seattle SEA, and Washington, DC IAD, among others.
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Arrival and Check-In
Regular check-in time is at 3pm. Note that unlike at many other resorts, if you arrive early, you won't be able to use the spa on a complimentary basis; for this reason, we recommend that our clients who are arriving early due to red eye flights pay for early access to the spa. Guests of The Retreat enjoy a preferential Retreat Spa access rate of ISK 55,000 for two guests, which includes a changing room with walk-in rain shower, bathrobes, slippers, and skincare amenities that can be shared by up to two guests, 5-hour entry to The Retreat Spa and Retreat Lagoon, as well as one complimentary drink per person.
If checking in at 3pm or later, there's of course no need to pay for this Retreat Spa access.
Upon arrival in the lobby, we were offered champagne or our choice of drink; we chose orange juice (which was fantastic as it was fresh squeezed) and green tea, while sitting next to a fireplace.
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Junior Suites and Suites at The Retreat
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon has 60 accommodations. Entry-level Lava Junior Suites (ground floor) and Moss Junior Suites (second floor). These are 430 sq. ft. (400 sq. m.). We were in connecting Moss Junior Suites, since we were traveling with our teen, and Junior Suite accommodate a maximum of two guests. Our Moss Junior Suite had a wonderfully comfortable king bed and, in addition to the rain shower, a large soaking tub by the window, which looked out to the balcony and moss-covered lava.
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The connecting Junior Suite had two twin beds and a hanging chair, instead of a soaking tub.
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For a true splurge, reserve The Blue Lagoon Suite, a two-level suite that encompasses 2475 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space.
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Its especially wonderful perk is its private spa, complete with two massage tables, a sauna and steam bath, and access to its own private lagoon for soaking.
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Visit with our The Retreat at Blue Lagoon video review:
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The Retreat Spa and Lagoon
The Retreat Spa is open daily from 8am to 8pm. As mentioned above, Retreat guests who arrive before 3pm can pay for early access to The Retreat Spa, which we highly recommend if coming off of an overnight flight. The early access fee includes a private changing room with rain shower for up to two guests, and everyone is asked to shower before entering the Retreat Lagoon. Note that for tranquility and to protect other guests' privacy, no personal photographs are permitted in the spa or lagoon; it's possible to ask a Retreat Spa team member to take a photo of you in the lagoon.
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It was particularly magical for us to soak in the warm water while very light, feathery snowflakes fell around us.
Once we came back into the Spa, we went to the Sauna to open our pores, then my teen and I did multi-step skincare “Ritual” that includes a silica clay mask, algae mud mask, mineral scrub, and finally mineral oil, which did feel very rejuvenating.
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Dining at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
The Retreat's signature dining is at Moss Restaurant, with one Michelin star, which exclusively offers a tasting menu that was ISK 39,900 per person during our visit (no a la carte options). Note that the restaurant is closed Mondays-Tuesdays, and serves dinner from 6pm Wednesdays-Sundays.
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There's also the Spa Restaurant, which offers all-day dining from noon to 9pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and from noon to 7pm Wednesdays to Sundays.
Less expensive dining can be found at Lava Restaurant, which offers both a la carte and a 4-course set menu for ISK 14,900.
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The Verdict
We greatly enjoyed our brief stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. As the regular part of the Blue Lagoon can get very crowded, The Retreat Lagoon is the perfect way to enjoy it more peacefully; in the ~2 hours we soaked, we only saw about seven other guests pass by, and none of them lingered where we were, so it was almost like having a private lagoon experience. My teen and I also enjoyed The Blue Lagoon Ritual, and my husband had an excellent massage at The Spa.
Other highlights were our cozy and well-appointed Moss Junior Suites, breakfast, service, and dinner at Moss Restaurant.
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