A Review of Silica Hotel, Iceland | Hotel Above Par

"Set a short walk from the main Blue Lagoon complex but emotionally galaxies away, Silica Hotel feels like a quietly lunar, minimalist wellness retreat embedded in the Illahraun lava field. It opened in 2005 as a medical clinic for psoriasis patients and was reimagined in 2016 as a 35-room retreat with a new mission of fewer bodies, more breath. Low-slung buildings blend into the rock and interiors of pale birch, warm textiles, and clean‑lined furniture keep the views front and center via floor-to-ceiling windows; the rooms are spare but considered — concrete floors that never feel cold, thick linen curtains, a moody black-and-white photo, and a terrace facing the lava where I watched the moss shift from weathered charcoal to neon green. Bathrooms were larger than expected with waterfall showers, stone tile, and Icelandic spa products (I would’ve liked a bathtub, but underfloor heating compensated). Breakfast felt like a highlight: fresh skyr, soft‑boiled eggs, still-warm rye, cured fish, and coffee — take a second cup to the lagoon-view lounge and sit. The private Silica Lagoon (same geothermal water as the Blue Lagoon) is the real reason to come: peaceful, warm, late-open and uncrowded, and the hotel complements it with a small gym, concierge-recommended hikes and hidden trails, Northern Lights wake-up calls, and concierge-arranged activities; it’s about 45 minutes from Reykjavík and 20 minutes from the airport." - Jordi Lippe-McGraw