Jet-setters and adventure-seekers, do we have your attention? Get ready to pack your bags and head to the land of fire and ice where stunning volcanic landscapes, Michelin-star dining and cosy Nordic interior design is waiting for you at The Reykjavik EDITION Iceland.
Iceland, famous for its geothermal hot springs, black sand beaches, snow-capped glaciers, soaring waterfalls and northern lights, is a bucket list destination. Especially Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital, having recently opened the city’s first five-star luxury hotel, The Reykjavik EDITION. Whether you’re looking for a winter wonderland escape or you’re chasing the sun in the summer months, Iceland offers an unforgettable experience come snow or shine.
During the winter, daylight hours in Reykjavik Iceland can be as short as four hours a day (11am to 3pm), this makes the light truly magical as it’s always super low, making it an Instagrammer's dream with lots of hard shadows and golden hues. The landscape is covered in a beautiful blanket of snow, the waterfalls freeze, theres’s ice caves and loads to do like snow-bombing and dog-sledding, before warming-up in the world famous Blue Lagoon beneath the breathtaking phenomena of aurora borealis the, better known as the northern lights.
We may stereotypically see Reykjavik Iceland as a winter destination, but take one visit to the island and everyone will tell you that you must return in the summer months. It can see up to 24 hours of daylight, giving travellers extra time to witness all the country has to offer, like the black sand beaches and soaring waterfalls. During the Summer, the volcanic lava fields put on a vibrant coat of green moss and colourful wild flowers. It’s also primetime to go on a whale watching adventure and there’s an abundance of food and music festivals to keep you entertained.
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When it comes to The Reykjavik EDITION hotel itself, it’s not your average accommodation. Firstly, the location is unbeatable, right in the heart of Reykjavik, opposite the iconic Harpa Concert Hall and a short walk from Rainbow Street, a sign of support to the LGBTQ+ community. The hotel, especially from the rooftop bar, has stunning 360° panoramic views of the ocean, mount Esja and the Snæfellsjökul glacier.
The design of the exterior of the hotel mimics the island's lava rock with a dark, moody outer shell that makes it stand out in Reykjavik, without making it look out of place. The contrast of the black surface, next to the glowing golden light of the hotel rooms, against the snowy white backdrop is a first-impression to die for, almost like looking at a modern interpretation of an erupting volcano.
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The interior is just as breathtaking. As soon as you step foot into the lobby, you’re quite literally engulfed in luxury. Firstly, with the signature scent of EDITION, black tea. The scent is everywhere; rooms, spa, toiletries, or one of the black tea infused cocktails in the lobby bar. Secondly, the jaw-dropping nordic aesthetic. It’s like stepping foot into a live Pinterest board. Yes, it has clean lines, muted colours and minimalist scandinavian design, but it’s by no means boring. There’s plenty of nods to the local area with nordic-style leather seating, draped in faux fur blankets, surrounded by soft cosy rugs, facing the crackling central glass fire pit. Opposite the lobby bar, there’s a whole wall dedicated to a digital display of the northern lights. Every element of the interior design has a thoughtful process behind it and we’re here for it.
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The vibes don’t stop at the lobby. The rooms echo the character of the hotel, they are super spacious, cosy and inviting, an absolute perfect setting to watch the northern lights in the middle of the night. The hotel has an ‘opt-in’ service, whereby if the northern lights appear, you’ll get a friendly wake-up call to your room so you can’t miss it. The bathrooms are a monochromatic haven, black fixtures, white tiles and the black tea aroma. Just exquisite.
Every single dining experience at this place is honestly sublime, whether it’s a quick taste of the continental breakfast, a cinnamon roll with a cup of black tea (highly recommend) in the lobby bar or a five course dinner at TIDES, mastered by Michelin-star Chef, Gunnar Karl Gíslason. After a long day of exploring, rest assured you’re in for the best meal of your life, no matter what you chose from the menu, but, if you truly want to soak-up the Icelandic culinary culture, opt for the lamb.
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For those of you, who don’t feel the need to sleep instantly post-dinner, there’s the stunning rooftop bar, THE ROOF. It has dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass doors with panoramic views of the city or there’s the unmissable underground bar and nightclub, SUNSET. Both scenes have a roster of ongoing events and vibey music (sometimes with live DJs) for you to sip your cocktails along to. There's also plenty to do in Reykjavik itself, the music scene is epic!
Last but not least is the SPA. After a long-day of wading through the snow, there’s no better way to recharge and rebalance. The spa is generally on the smaller side, but it’s definitely not lacking. There’s a sauna, steam room and the pièce de résistance, a communal hammam. Choose a treatment from the beautifully curated bespoke spa menu with local rituals at its heart and finish-off with a post relaxation smoothie or a cup of green tea. Not to mention, that wherever you are in the hotel, or even in Iceland as a whole, tap water is the best tap water you’ll ever taste. Thanks to Iceland’s geography, cleanliness and sustainability, tap water is more than safe to drink and is actually encouraged by locals and members of staff.
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The flight to Iceland is around three hours from London. We highly recommend kicking-off your Icelandic experience with IcelandAir, the airline is fully equipped to deal with the ever changing weather conditions. Delays often occur during the winter months due to snow and wind. Comparing our delay experience to that of the budget airline passengers, the level of chill we had with IcelandAir was hugely appreciated, meaning we could enjoy the extra hours we got to spend in Iceland.
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In a nutshell, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in total luxury and Icelandic culture in-between blue lagoon dips, black-sand beach walks and waterfall selfies, while having the whole city at your fingertips, then you really can’t do any better than The Reykjavik EDITION. We can’t recommend it enough.
Rooms start from £340 per night (includes breakfast and wifi).
For more from British Glamour's Senior Visual Editor Chelsea Hughes, follow her on Instagram @chelshughes92.
