Northern Europe · Iceland
Iceland
The land of fire and ice, where a lava-fed lagoon, a heli-ski lodge under the midnight sun, and turf-roofed suites sit beneath the aurora.
Plan this trip →- Suggested stay
- from 4 · 7 ideal · up to 10 nights
- Best season
- Two distinct seasons reward two different travelers. For the northern lights, come September through March, when long dark nights bring Hótel Rangá's aurora wake-up service and observatory into their own. For heli-skiing and summit-to-sea descents from Deplar Farm, the window is March through early June, when the midnight sun stretches skiing into the small hours. June through August brings near-endless daylight, greener highlands, and the easiest driving conditions for the Golden Circle and south coast.
Iceland is the rare place where the landscape itself is the luxury. Within a few hours’ drive of Reykjavík you move from a lava field steaming with geothermal water to glacier tongues, black-sand coasts, and waterfalls that dwarf the people beside them. The country has quietly built a collection of hotels equal to that setting, and it now anchors a serious ultra-luxury circuit rather than a rugged detour.
The stays divide neatly by intent. For arrival and decompression, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon sets suites and a subterranean spa directly into an 800-year-old lava flow, with a private arm of the mineral lagoon and a Michelin-starred kitchen. For pure adventure, Eleven Deplar Farm on the remote Troll Peninsula flies guests from its own helipads onto Arctic summits and skis them to the sea, often in the spring midnight sun.
South and inland, the mood turns to fire-and-ice romance. Torfhús Retreat builds turf-roofed suites with private basalt-stone pools in a village of its own on the Golden Circle, while Hótel Rangá has made itself the country’s definitive aurora base, complete with a working observatory, resident astronomers, and a wake-up call when the sky ignites. A fifth name, Six Senses Össurá Valley, has long been promised for the southeast; it remains unbuilt, and travelers should plan around the four that exist.
Dining is small but genuinely accomplished. Reykjavík holds all three of Iceland’s Michelin stars, at Dill, Óx, and Moss, each drawing on foraged, fermented, and hyper-local produce, and the best rural hotels cook to a similar standard with ingredients gathered within a few miles. Shopping is modest and design-led rather than a draw in itself, concentrated on Reykjavík’s Laugavegur.
Arrival is straightforward for private travelers. Keflavík handles nearly all private-jet traffic through two well-run FBOs with VIP lounges and in-terminal customs, the in-city Reykjavík airport serves helicopters and light aircraft, and Akureyri opens the north. From there the country is best taken by private 4x4, with helicopter charter reserved for the glaciers, summits, and highland ground no road reaches.
Ideal for
Aurora chasers · Heli-ski and adventure travelers · Wellness and geothermal-spa seekers · Design-led nature romantics · Photographers
Where to stay
The Houses
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon Iceland (independent) · Geothermal spa hotel · Grindavík, Reykjanes Peninsula, within the Blue Lagoon
A 62-suite hotel carved into an 800-year-old lava flow on the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, roughly 45 minutes from Reykjavík and 20 minutes from Keflavík airport. Suites open onto their own arm of the mineral-rich lagoon, and the subterranean Retreat Spa descends beneath the lava with in-water rituals and treatment rooms. It opened in 2018 and holds a Michelin Key. Note: the wider Blue Lagoon area has experienced periodic volcanic activity and precautionary closures since 2023, so confirm operating status at the time of booking.
Why The single most singular hotel arrival in Iceland: a private geothermal lagoon at your door, a Michelin-starred restaurant on site, and a spa built inside the lava itself.
Dining: Moss, 1 Michelin star
Eleven Deplar Farm
Eleven (Eleven Experience) · Private adventure lodge · Troll Peninsula, between Skagafjörður and Eyjafjörður, northern Iceland
A converted sheep farm turned 13-room, all-inclusive adventure lodge on the remote Troll Peninsula, with two helipads, a geothermal indoor-outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, spa, gym, yoga room, and a band loft. The all-inclusive plan covers meals, two guided adventures a day, equipment, and roundtrip transfers from Akureyri. In heli-ski season (March to early June) guests land on 1,500-metre summits and ski lines to the sea, often under the midnight sun; summer shifts to sea-kayaking, fly-fishing, hiking, and horseback. Featured in the Michelin Guide.
Why Iceland's benchmark for buy-out-the-lodge adventure luxury, with heli-skiing straight from the property and a guide-to-guest ratio most operators cannot match.
Six Senses Össurá Valley
Six Senses (IHG Hotels & Resorts) · Wellness resort (announced, not yet open) · Svínhólar near Lón, southeastern Iceland
Announced but not yet open. Six Senses' first Iceland resort is planned for 4,000 acres of privately owned land in the southeast, with a first phase of roughly 70 rooms plus private cottages and the brand's signature wellness and sustainability programming. Originally targeted for 2022, the project has been repeatedly delayed; as of 2026 it is listed as under development with no confirmed opening date. Included here for planning horizon rather than present availability.
Why When it opens it will be the first global-flagship wellness brand in Iceland, on a vast private wilderness estate; worth watching for a future trip.
Torfhús Retreat
Design retreat / turf houses · Bláskógabyggð, Golden Circle (15 minutes from Selfoss)
A private village of turf-roofed houses built from stone and reclaimed wood, inspired by traditional Icelandic Viking farms and set in wilderness within reach of Gullfoss and Geysir. The 25 accommodations include Torfhús suites with private basalt-stone geothermal pools and Torfbær rooms sharing pools, and the property runs entirely on geothermal and hydroelectric power. Dining in the Viking Langhús draws on ingredients sourced within a ten-mile radius.
Why The most atmospheric expression of Icelandic vernacular architecture done as genuine luxury, with a private geothermal pool under a turf roof and dark skies for the aurora.
Hótel Rangá
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (Considerate Collection) · Aurora resort · Hella, South Iceland, on the banks of the East Rangá river
A log-built riverside resort in South Iceland positioned for dark-sky viewing, with its own observatory housing two research-grade telescopes and resident astronomers, plus an aurora wake-up call so guests never miss a display. Rooms include seven continent-themed suites; the restaurant and cellar are among the strongest in rural Iceland. It holds a Michelin Key and is part of SLH's Considerate Collection. Well placed for the south coast waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and the highlands.
Why The country's definitive northern-lights base: a serious observatory, the aurora wake-up service, and outdoor geothermal hot tubs positioned for the show overhead.
Where to dine
The Tables
Dill
1 Michelin starNew Nordic · fine dining
Iceland's first Michelin star and still its most celebrated table, chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason's foraged, fermented New Nordic tasting menu.
Óx
1 Michelin starModern Icelandic · chef's counter
An intimate 11-seat counter with a surprise menu from chef Thráinn Freyr Vigfússon, the hardest and most theatrical reservation in Reykjavík.
Moss
1 Michelin starIcelandic terroir · fine dining
The Retreat's own Michelin-starred room, chef Aggi Sverrisson's exploration of Icelandic terroir overlooking the lava field and lagoon.
Sumac
Levantine / North African · bistro
Reykjavík's most consistently loved non-star dining, a lively Levantine and North African grill on Laugavegur.
Ánna Jonsson / Langhús at Torfhús
Hyper-local Icelandic · destination restaurant
Dinner in a Viking-style longhouse with ingredients drawn from within ten miles, the finest rural table on the Golden Circle.
Hótel Rangá Restaurant
Icelandic · hotel dining
A serious kitchen and one of rural Iceland's deepest wine cellars, the natural dinner after an evening under the aurora.
What to do
Experiences
Private heli-skiing, Troll Peninsula
By arrangement through Eleven Deplar Farm; guided, small-groupAdventure
IFMGA-guided helicopter skiing from Deplar Farm's own helipads onto 1,500-metre Arctic summits, with descents to the ocean and, in spring, late-evening runs under the midnight sun.
Why Some of the only true summit-to-sea heli-skiing on earth, with a lodge buy-out option for total privacy.
Private aurora program at Hótel Rangá
Guest program; private astronomer sessions on requestNature
Astronomer-led observatory sessions with research-grade telescopes, an aurora wake-up service, and riverside hot tubs positioned for the display, September through March.
Why The most reliable and comfortable way to actually see the northern lights, backed by resident astronomers rather than a bus tour.
Golden Circle and glacier by private guide
Private driver-guide and vehicleSightseeing
A privately guided day to Thingvellir, the Geysir field, and Gullfoss, extendable to snowmobiling on Langjökull or an ice-cave walk in winter.
Why The essential first day, done without crowds and paced to the light and weather.
Private geothermal spa rituals
By appointment; private lagoon and spa accessWellness
In-water treatments and the seven-step ritual at the Retreat Spa in the lava field, or a private basalt-pool soak at Torfhús.
Why Iceland's geothermal bathing culture at its most refined, away from the public lagoon.
South coast and highlands by helicopter
Private charter (Reykjavík or Keflavík)Adventure
Charter flightseeing over volcanoes, glaciers, black-sand coast, and remote highland calderas, with summit or glacier landings.
Why The fastest way to grasp the scale of the interior, and to reach ground no road touches.
Shopping
The Maisons
Laugavegur & the Reykjavík 101 quarter
The capital's main shopping spine and surrounding downtown streets, home to Icelandic design, wool, jewelry, and homeware boutiques.
By appointment
Private atelier visits with Icelandic jewelry and knitwear designers, arranged through your hotel or DMC
Arrival & departure
Coming & Going
Airports
Main international gateway, about 40 minutes from Reykjavík; handles the majority of private-jet traffic.
In-city airport for domestic flights, helicopters, and light private aircraft.
Northern hub and the transfer point for Deplar Farm and the Troll Peninsula.
Private terminals
- Iceland Jet Center dedicated private terminal / VIP lounge at Keflavík (Icelandair Group, 24/7)
- Iceland Aero Agents FBO at Keflavík (Building 810)
Meet & greet · gate escort
- Airside meet-and-greet and expedited customs via Iceland Jet Center or Iceland Aero Agents at KEF
- Mercedes V-Class ramp transfer to in-FBO customs clearance (Iceland Aero Agents)
First-class & arrivals lounges
- Iceland Jet Center VIP lounge, East Apron, Keflavík (complimentary refreshments, duty-free, shower rooms)
Private transfers
- Private chauffeured 4x4 and SUV transfers from KEF to Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon, and the Golden Circle
- Helicopter transfer from Reykjavík / Keflavík to remote lodges
- Deplar Farm roundtrip transfer from Akureyri (included in the lodge program)
Private aviation
- Private jet charter to and from KEF via Iceland Jet Center and Iceland Aero Agents FBOs
- On-island helicopter charter for flightseeing, glacier and summit landings, and lodge transfers
Good to know
Questions & Answers
When is the best time to visit Iceland? +
Two distinct seasons reward two different travelers. For the northern lights, come September through March, when long dark nights bring Hótel Rangá's aurora wake-up service and observatory into their own. For heli-skiing and summit-to-sea descents from Deplar Farm, the window is March through early June, when the midnight sun stretches skiing into the small hours. June through August brings near-endless daylight, greener highlands, and the easiest driving conditions for the Golden Circle and south coast.
How many nights should you spend in Iceland? +
7 nights is the sweet spot; 4 at a minimum, and up to 10 if you want to take it slowly.
What are the best luxury hotels in Iceland? +
The Grand Index ranks 5 houses in Iceland. The ultra-premier tier: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Eleven Deplar Farm, Six Senses Össurá Valley. Each is bookable through our advisor at the same rate as direct, with VIP perks layered on.
Which airport do you fly into for Iceland? +
Keflavík International Airport (KEF); Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV); Akureyri Airport (AEY).
Can I book Iceland hotels through The Grand Index? +
Yes. Our advisor books every house featured here through Fora, a Virtuoso member agency, at the same rate you would pay direct — with VIP perks such as room upgrades, daily breakfast and a property credit layered on at no extra cost. Begin at the enquiry page.
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