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.
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The Hotel Ion is majestically set in the wilderness yet is just a 1-hour drive from the capital, Reykjavik.
It is a 3-hour direct international flight from London to Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport followed by a 1 hour 15 minute drive to Hotel Ion.
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