Selfoss, IcelandNesjavellir
ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels
Cantilevered volcanic lodge
Nesjavellir Selfoss, Iceland
Opened
2013
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Local WellnessOutside the door
The house
ION HotelsCantilevered volcanic lodge
The glass lodge stands on concrete stilts over mossy lava, heated entirely by steam from the surrounding volcanic field.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Minarc's concrete and glass structure cantilevers cleanly over mossy volcanic lava fields.
Notable
Adjacent geothermal steam heats the building, where furniture incorporates local wool and lava.
Listed
A ten-meter outdoor geothermal soaking pool warms a stone terrace beneath the cantilever.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
Built into the side of a mountain, half of the property stands on what look like elaborate stilts.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Mount Hengill rises directly behind the grounds, and Thingvellir National Park's Silfra fissure is a short drive away.
The rooms
Driftwood furniture sits against bare concrete walls, and tall windows look straight out toward Mount Hengill or Lake Thingvallavatn.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The outdoor pool sits beneath angled concrete pillars, looking straight out across the open volcanic landscape.
The spa & gym
At the table
Silfra Restaurant serves Arctic char from neighboring Lake Thingvallavatn, and the panoramic Northern Lights Bar pours Icelandic craft beers.
a no-frills barracks for geothermal power plant workers was transformed into a concrete-and-glass Nordic-modern showpiece that wears its reverence for the natural setting on its sleeve.
How it began
The concrete structure was originally a staff dormitory for the neighboring geothermal plant before its 2013 opening as a hotel.
Selfoss
More like this
Torfhús Retreat
“Turf-roofed Viking homestead”
360 Hotel, Boutique Hotel and Spa
“Panoramic geothermal lodge”
Black Sand Hotel
“Minimalist volcanic lodge”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.