The Hotel Ion is a truly unusual hotel. It resembles a world war bunker and its remote location only adds to the intrigue. The setting is beautiful and is perfect for making the most of the ample winter and summer activities on offer in the area.
Highlights
From the Hotel Ion a myriad of activities is possible ranging from horse-riding to rafting, snorkelling and diving to hiking, kayaking and fishing
A stay at the Ion means you go to sleep atop lava fields
Nestled at the edge of Þingvellir National Park the Hotel Ion is perfectly situated for famous tours such as the Golden Circle
The Ion acts as the perfect place to sit back and wait for the amazing Aurora Borealis to grace you with their presence and you can do this from the Northern Lights bar with its double height windows
An easy hour long journey through breath-taking scenery takes you to the barren landscapes in and around Þingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here majestically set against the backdrop of lava fields, waterfalls and geysers lies the Hotel Ion, a remarkable structure that offers travellers a departure from the norm.
The hotel comprises 45 rooms in total - standard and deluxe - all offering incredible views of either the white steam and vapour from the Nesjavellir Power Plant or towards Þingvellir Lake and the lava fields. Eco lovers can rest easy as the hotel offers Sóley Organic products made from handpicked Icelandic herbs and free from any chemicals as well as bedding that is made of fair trade linen.
Iceland is renowned for its amazing cuisine and the Hotel Ion measures up on this front too. Silfra restaurant offers seasonal dishes using local, organic and the freshest of ingredients as far as possible. Then retire for a night cap to the Northern Lights Bar where you can relax into a comfy armchair and hope to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis through the double height windows. Be sure to sample an Icelandic beer that won't disappoint!
The lava spa is a wonderful place to relax after a day of adventure where Icelandic herbs and sea salt are used in the treatments. Take a dip take a dip in the 10 meter long geothermal hot tub.
Any mention of the Hotel Ion wouldn't be complete without a nod to the extensive range of activities on offer. Adventurers take note as this destination is a year round one for thrill seekers. Hot springs picnics, ice climbing, horseback riding, bird watching, diving or snorkelling, caving, white-water rafting, snowmobiling, super-jeep tours, glacier hikes, fly fishing for trout and arctic char to name but a few.
Guests are sometimes surprised to find a large power station on the horizon. This is the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station, the second largest geothermal power station in Iceland and located on Mount Hengill. This power station delivers around 1100 litres of hot water to Reykjavík and neighbouring towns servicing space and water heating. The station produces about 120 MW of electrical power, while 73.8% of this electricity is hydro power.
All in all the Hotel Ion is a wonderful and unusual departure from the norm and worth adding on to any adventure to Southern Iceland.
When to visit
Request a lake view room to make the most of the dramatic local landscape.
Speak to an Expert on Iceland
Our team of travel specialists are waiting to help you book your next adventure.
Enquire NowFishing
The Hotel Ion is majestically set in the wilderness yet is just a 1-hour drive from the capital, Reykjavik.
Hotel Grimsborgir
Hotel Grímsborgir offers luxurious Scandinavian-inspired accommodation in the Golden Circle,with tailored adventures, local cuisine, and private hot tubs or fireplaces,providing discerning travellers with a personalised and immersive Icelandic experience.
Sörla Camp
Discover the untouched beauty of Iceland with a stay at Sörla Camp, offering luxury yurts, bespoke adventures, and personalised service in an extraordinary wilderness setting. A once-in-a-lifetime experience tailored to you.
Torfhus Retreat
Torfhus Retreat offers an exclusive Icelandic escape with stylish suites, bespoke adventures, wellness treatments, and local cuisine, surrounded by untouched wilderness for discerning travellers seeking privacy and connection to nature.
Hotel Geysir
Nestled beside Strokkur geyser, Hotel Geysir offers stylish comfort, locally inspired dining, and bespoke Golden Circle excursions, making it the perfect base to experience Iceland’s geothermal wonders and dramatic landscapes.
Hotel Ranga
Hotel Ranga offers a warm welcome, delicious gourmet food and wine, and the opportunity to enjoy the natural wonders of this remarkable part of the country. Its location means there is good chance of catching sight of the Northern Lights.
Blue Lagoon Silica Hotel
A tranquil hideaway set in lava fields with exclusive access to a private lagoon, Silica Hotel offers serene luxury and a restorative base to experience Iceland’s elemental beauty with Scott Dunn.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon offers exclusive lagoon access, sophisticated suites, world-class wellness, and bespoke Icelandic experiences, providing discerning travellers with an unparalleled blend of luxury, privacy, and natural beauty.
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
A stylish Icelandic hideaway between glacier and ocean, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon offers sleek comfort, striking scenery and effortless access to Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders—elevated with Scott Dunn’s tailor-made expertise.
Glacier Lagoon Hotel
Luxury meets wilderness at Glacier Lagoon Hotel. Watch icebergs drift from your room, dine on Icelandic cuisine, and explore glaciers and lagoons with Scott Dunn’s bespoke experiences.
South Coast to Jökulsárlón Tour
Explore Iceland’s dramatic south coast in private, from black sand beaches and legendary sea stacks to towering waterfalls, glacier tongues, and charming coastal villages, in a journey of legend, wonder, and breathtaking scenery.
The Golden Circle
Discover Iceland’s Golden Circle in style with a private guide: erupting geysers, roaring waterfalls, and the tectonic drama of Thingvellir National Park, where nature and history converge in a truly unforgettable journey.
Private Icelandic Farmstead & Food Experience
A private day in Iceland’s countryside exploring working family farms. Meet farmers, greet animals and enjoy homemade tastings with a farm-to-table lunch, uncovering an intimate, unhurried side of Iceland far from the crowds.
Private Superjeep Tour to Thorsmork
A privileged journey deep into Iceland’s wild heart. Venture by super jeep across glaciers, rivers and volcanic plains, guided to hidden wonders few ever reach—an exclusive immersion into Thorsmork’s raw, untouched beauty.
Private Reykjadalur Horseback & Stable Experience
Private Icelandic horse experience in Reykjadalur valley, combining hands-on stable time and gentle riding for all ages. Meet iconic Icelandic horses, learn with expert handlers, and immerse in geothermal landscapes on a curated family adventure.
Laugarás Lagoon Sanctuary of Wellness
Immerse yourself in Icelandic geothermal luxury at Laugarás Lagoon, where mineral-rich waters, mountain vistas, saunas, and a gourmet menu combine for an exclusive wellness escape in nature’s dramatic embrace.
Luxury Lunch in the wild
Savour a gourmet lunch in Iceland’s wild heart. From hidden caves to Thorsmork’s valleys, a private chef prepares a bespoke meal amid dramatic landscapes, turning a scenic stop into an unforgettable, intimate culinary adventure.
South Coast Safari
Discover Iceland’s dramatic South Coast with a private guide, thundering waterfalls, black-sand beaches, volcanic cliffs, and glacier vistas—an exclusive journey into one of the country’s most captivating and varied landscapes.
Silfra Snorkelling between Tectonic Plates
Drift between continents in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra, where visibility stretches to 100 metres. A serene, dreamlike snorkelling experience revealing Iceland’s most ethereal underwater world.
