Where to Stay in Iceland: A Curated Guide for the Discerning Traveller
Iceland has long captivated adventurers with its otherworldly landscapes — glacial fjords, volcanic deserts, molten lava fields and luminous skies that dance with aurora. But increasingly, travellers are discovering that the way you stay in Iceland can be as expressive and memorable as the places you visit.
According to Condé Nast Traveller’s round-up of the country’s most exciting hotel stays, Iceland’s hospitality scene has evolved from rugged comfort to refined experience — but never at the expense of soul. These are places that reflect the wildness of the land, the heritage of its culture, and the luxury that thoughtful travel now demands.
1. Luxury with Views — A Hotel that Becomes Part of the Landscape
Iceland’s dramatic geography means your hotel view can be as memorable as your itinerary. One hotel, perched on a cliff or beside a glacial lagoon, offers floor-to-ceiling panoramas of snow-capped peaks and black-sand beaches. It’s the kind of place where even morning coffee feels cinematic.
Curated Touch: Make sunrise your first destination. Arrange a private soak in an outdoor hot tub before breakfast, overlooking a still lagoon. Follow up with a guided glacier walk or a private photo tour into the nearby wilderness — stepping out into Iceland’s quiet beauty before crowds arrive.
2. The Retreat for Aurora Seekers
Iceland’s northern latitude makes it one of the best places on Earth for aurora viewing. One standout hotel specialises in tailoring stays around these celestial light shows, with rooms oriented for optimal night sky viewing and wake-up calls when auroras appear.
Curated Touch: Combine a stay here with a private aurora tour, complete with thermally insulated viewing gear and a local guide who understands how to read the skies. Complement your nights with mindful days — river canyon hikes, geothermal springs and private cultural experiences in nearby fishing villages.
3. Design Meets Nature — A Boutique Wilderness Lodge
For travellers who value interiors as much as the outdoors, Iceland has begun offering boutique lodges where design harmonises with environment. Think sculptural wood interiors, fireplaces that frame the landscape, and calm, contemporary spaces that feel like a private residence in nature.
Curated Touch: Book a suite with private terrace access, then tailor your evenings with a bespoke tasting menu focusing on Icelandic produce — from Arctic char to lamb raised on volcanic pastures. Pair this with naturalist-led excursions into fjords or lava fields by day.
4. Off-Grid Luxury — Remote Hideaways
For those craving true escape, Iceland’s remote lodges are a revelation. Far from lights, far from bustle, they offer an experiential blend of comfort and isolation. Expect earthy materials, open fireplaces, views uninterrupted by human development — and an ethos of slow living.
Curated Touch: Add a private heli-transfer to a glacier hike or a secluded beach picnic where only seabirds and seals keep company. These are the moments that turn ‘holiday’ into memory — an immersive pause where landscapes shape your experience, not the other way around.
5. The Gateway to Adventure — Town-Based Luxury
Iceland’s small towns, from the harbour landscapes of the south coast to northern coastal enclaves, now host elegant hotels that serve as basecamps for exploration. These luxurious town stays combine rich local culture with access to waterfalls, volcano excursions and whale-watching.
Curated Touch: Start with a tailor-made guided tour — think private waterfall hikes at sunrise, then lunch with views over the fjord. In the evening, enjoy a city-centre table at a chef-led restaurant celebrating Icelandic terroir, followed by a curated wine pairing.
Why These Hotels Matter for the Luxury Traveller
These aren’t just places to sleep — they are integral chapters in your journey. They’re chosen not only for comfort and design but for how they frame the landscape and connect you to it. In Iceland, where the environment is both dramatic and delicate, a hotel stay becomes part of the narrative: a place to ground your experience, restore your energy, and reflect on what you’ve seen.
Luxury here is less about opulence and more about context — spaces that feel right for the scenery, activities that feel right for the season, and service that anticipates before you ask. It’s about arriving refreshed, curious and ready to explore.
How to Experience These Stays Thoughtfully
• Balance activity with rest. Iceland’s landscapes are vast — plan days that mix adventure with restorative evenings.
• Season matters. Northern lights, midnight sun, winter ice — each seasonal spectacle deserves tailored accommodation and timing.
• Think beyond the itinerary. Consider private guides, curated meals, and experiences that connect with local culture and conservation.
• Travel slow. Let the stay be as memorable as the journey between them.
If you’re planning an Iceland escape that feels elevated, exceptional and deeply personal, I’d love to help design it — from the right hotels to the hidden moments that make travel truly yours.