We drove from Vik to Nesjavellir after finishing our South Iceland itinerary. When we reached the ION Adventure Hotel, it felt like a minimalist Scandinavian structure in the middle of nowhere. Built into the side of a mountain, half of the property stands on what look like elaborate stilts. I thought we had landed on moon (with mossy lava fields all around).
If you’re planning a trip, here’s what to expect from a two night stay at ION Adventure Hotel in Nesjavellir, Iceland.
A Hotel Surrounded by Jaw Dropping Views
The property is less than an hour east of Reykjavik. It is a popular spot for those like privacy and a peaceful vacation. I later came to know that this was an abandoned inn turned into a boutique hotel.
We had chosen this luxury property for the last leg of our Iceland ring road trip. The idea was to be close to all the Golden Circle Route stops: Thingvellir national park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss waterfall. The lobby has a very classy feel with its décor and styling. The check-inn service is efficient as expected in a luxury hotel. We parked in front of the hotel and rolled our bags in.
Luxurious Sweet Rooms
There are 45 rooms in this property. The standard rooms are just that…..quite standard. We had booked a junior suite to accommodate an extra bed for our teenage daughter. The suite was luxurious, we enjoyed the extra-large bathroom with a separate shower area. There was beautiful view of the lava fields outside. A king size bed with cupboards and all facilities in the room. Extra seating area that could be used for the third bed. Do note that there is NO room service.
Delicious Nordic Cuisine
We were happy to go downstairs for dinner at the Silfra restaurant. By then, we had got used to simple yet delicious fish, lamb, food dishes all over Iceland. Silfra did not disappoint. The restaurant serves Nordic cuisine with emphasis on sourcing local produce. We enjoyed our dinner. But I think that if we had stayed for longer than 2 nights, I would have liked some variety in the food, including some comfort food.
A Drink with a View
After dinner, we enjoyed the dramatic views at the Northern Lights Bar. This large bar area has floor-to-ceiling windows that make the outside natural landscape a part of the hotel. I can only imagine what the view would be in deep winter with the aurora borealis dancing in the sky! I am told the hotel has a northern lights wake-up call service for its guests.
Relaxing Hot Spring Pool
But for me, the best part of the hotel was the hot pool outside on the patio. This natural hot spring pool is so delightful. We had spent a day trip hiking at Landmannalaugar and it was heaven to then soak myself in this pool at 10 PM. It was super quiet all over and I felt one with nature while comfortably seated I the hot pool. There is a full-fledged spa at the hotel, but I cannot comment on the services since we didn’t use any treatment.
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The hotel is not what you’d consider economical. But Iceland is expensive in general and for us, our stay at ION Adventure was certainly a good splurge. It certainly made the Iceland trip cost budget move to the higher side!
Author bio: Shweta of Zest in a Tote
Shweta has always been passionate about travel and immersing in new experiences. Having been to over 45 countries, she blogs at Zest In A Tote to bring family-friendly itineraries and tips, destinations, and luxury stays to her readers. Her belief in family travel needn’t be boring and one can do a mix of local culture & food, adventure activities and relaxation, all with family. Connect with Shweta on Facebook or Instagram.
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