For travelers looking to take in the beauty of the Northern Lights (known as Aurora Borealis to some), trek across some glaciers, and explore lava fields, ION Luxury Adventure Hotel is a wonderfully unique place to stay in Iceland.
Less than an hour by car from Iceland’s coastal capital of Reykjavík, ION is built of sustainable materials (and was recently recognized with a Boutique Hotel Award in the sustainability category) and surrounded by natural hot springs.
Close to Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Lake Þingvellir, ION provides easy access to all activities in “the land of fire and ice.” From fly-fishing to exploring waterfalls and active volcanic areas, guests will never be at a loss for things to do.
With 45 luxurious rooms, the Lava Spa, and a magnificent landscape that stretches out to the horizon wherever you look, ION provides a calming atmosphere and premium amenities for travelers to recharge, reflect, and rejoice on this small island nation.
Iceland's newest design hotel, ION, lies at the foot of the active volcano, Hengill.
Architects Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir and Tryggvi Thorsteinsson designed the bold building. Even though - as their names suggest - they are from Iceland, their architect firm, Minarc, is based in Santa Monica, California.
Minarc is known for its holistic and sustainable approach to architecture, and ION's building is a remarkable showcase of architectural skills. The hotel is as dramatic as its surroundings.
The hotel's large window surfaces decrease the need for artificial light, while Iceland's natural hot springs provide energy-saving heating and hot water. So, ION Adventure Hotel has done an excellent job of being eco-friendly.
If all your adventures leave you hungry, ION’s Silfra Restaurant and Northern Lights Bar offer a menu of fresh local ingredients served with a unique twist, accompanied by an array of beers and spirits from Iceland’s many microbreweries.
The chefs at Silfra use food made from the region's freshest, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's name derives from the Silfra rift in Lake Þingvellir, Iceland's most popular diving, and snorkeling site.
All 45 rooms are decorated in warm tones and have comfortable beds, luxurious bath products, and floor-to-ceiling windows that give you a front-row view of the midnight sun or the northern lights, depending on when you're there.
Iceland's natural materials inspired the rooms. Recycled wood, rubber, concrete, lava, and leather are used here. Large black-and-white photographs of Icelandic nature and wildlife decorate the walls.
The hotel has a spectacular outdoor pool with heated spring water — the perfect place to relax after an active day.
The ION Adventure Hotel is one of Iceland's best hotels to experience the wildly colorful Northern Lights.
Nesjavellir, 801 Nesjavellir, Iceland
