I had a rough start to my trip to Iceland. My plan ride had been horrendous, getting my phone to work was a nightmare, I had a brief period where I lost my ADHD medication (Later, luckily found at the bottom of a bag) and the weather was miserable. It was barely above freezing, if even, constantly maybe raining, you know, the kind that makes the sky grey all day and just spits on you endlessly. I was going to attempt a very long journey on public transportation to Reykjavik but with my phone only working when connected to wifi, then I had to shell out way too much money for an hour long taxi ride instead since I couldn’t get the train pass on my phone to work while waiting at the bus stop. Though my driver’s anecdotes about the country were great and his driving quick and skillful, I hadn’t planned on such a big transportation budget.

 I was a mess when I threw myself down onto the white pressed sheets of my rented apartment. My little escape to relax had been filled with struggles and difficulties. 

I was in luck however, the man I was dating at the time took pity on me, asked my plans for the next day and when he found out I was free, he booked me a spa day at Sky Lagoon. 

Sky Lagoon was located a short taxi right from my apartment in Reykjavik. Though man made, it blends in seamlessly with the grey volcanic rocks on the peninsula that it occupies and I barely noticed the facility upon our approach, the parking lot maybe the only thing that gave away the route to the entrance.  

After passing through the doors, it seemed to be one of those places that was bigger on the inside than on the outside. The Spa dug itself into the shores and caverns along the sea coast and greeted me with hallways of stone and polished wood, scented oils wafting through the air and dim lights, like shy stars, guiding the way down to the shower rooms. 

Staff quickly greeted me, gave me a waterproof wristband to act as my ID & locker key during my stay while they went over basic rules & charges.

The lockers were beautiful and seemed to stretch for kilometers, but that might have been a trick with the mirrors and rock walls. After showering and putting my things away in the locker I proceeded further inside where a hallway opened into a cave with a gentle sloping tiled path into the blue lagoon waters. The cave overhang opened up to a small section of the lagoon with picturesque pitted volcanic walls, before winding you towards the spectacular view of the Atlantic. An infinity wall separates you from the rocks so upon first glance the lagoon seems to span endlessly into the sea until you reach the horizon in the distance. 

Though the weather outside was still disagreeably grey the water was blue and comfortably warm and created a mist that snaked around bathers, adding to the illusion we had fallen through a portal into a sacred hidden bath in a world of magic. The larger area of the lagoon revealed more areas to explore. In one corner there was a giant waterfall where people giggled as they swam through, filming themselves on their bagged up iphones. I had my phone with me myself for a bit to take a video of the incredible view, but soon found myself scurrying back to the locker room so I could lounge without worrying about anything in my hands as I enjoyed my experience, especially since I knew I would be heading into the spa treatment shortly and doubted my phone case would provide protection from the saunas steam. 

Another break in the lava rocks revealed another secluded section of the lagoon to lounge, a little more protected from the winds of the ocean water and also hosted a waterside bar, where my wrist band allowed me to obtain two cocktails to sip on and admire the view. 

In the corner opposite of the waterfall was my next experience on my spa day to refresh: The cold plunge. 

The staff assured me this wasn’t a necessary step and many guests opted to not plunge themselves into the small pool of glacial water after being wrapped in the lagoon’s warm tides. I tried it anyway and can’t say I recommend it too readily, after gasping my way to the surface of the small pool I found myself rushing towards the sauna’s seductively warm embrace while wrapping myself in a fluffy warm towel from the staff.

I have a soft spot in my heart for saunas. This one in particular was gorgeous. Large and spacious, there were many wood platforms to lounge and lay on in an amphitheater style around the coals in the middle. The wall opposite the door was floor to ceiling perfect glass, creating the illusion that you are almost right there outside by the seaside. On a nicer day I can imagine the sunset from this view would be amazing but even on this windy bleary day it was still pretty breathtaking. I wish I had been able to take photos but truly, it was enough to just lay there and enjoy the view, especially without worrying about disturbing the peace of other guests.

After the sauna there were a host of other various treatments that I was passed to and from. A room out of a dystopia novel, completely empty with just black rock overhanging and a drizzle of freezing cold rain water, another room hotter than anything imaginable with strange light and seats making the room look alien and unearthly as I felt sweat pour down my face rapidly, cold showers where I was given scrubs of salts, oils and herbs to purify and sooth my skin, before I was wrapped up once more and shown back to the lagoon. 

Wishing I had saved one of my cocktails for post treatment, I relaxed for a bit once more in the warm silky water. Since Sky Lagoon is man made, the mineral content in it is controlled and though it feels rich, it will not cause damage to your hair from large amounts of minerals like some other hot springs that you will find in Iceland. 

Once I was done, I made my way back to the locker room and then passed through the hallways and finally the posh gift shop before making my way to the exit where I checked out with staff and they kindly called me a taxi to my apartment. Entering the apartment a new person, scrubbed clean of woe, dead skin and worries, I pressed white sheets once more, with a contented sigh that I was pretty sure could be heard at least three blocks away. 

Though a day at the Sky Lagoon and the treatments will run you at least $100, on top of the taxis if you chose to take one from wherever you are staying, I have to say it was one of the most breathtaking afternoons I’ve ever had and I think my skin might have been the softest it’s ever been. If you want to experience a hot spring in the middle of nature, but also all of the amenities of a man made spa, this is your place.