Iceland
Bespoke luxury holidays to Iceland, tailor-made by our specialist travel advisors.
Luxury Hotels in Iceland
A glimpse at some of the exceptional properties we recommend in Iceland, hand-picked by our specialists.
Luxury holidays in Iceland
Luxury holidays in Iceland are about space more than show: glaciers and black sand beaches with almost no one on them, hot springs under the Northern Lights, and a private guide who knows exactly where to go when the weather changes.
We plan luxury Iceland holidays around those moments. We choose the right hotels, arrange private super-jeeps and helicopters, and build an itinerary that suits the season and the way you like to travel, whether that is four days around Reykjavík or two weeks across the whole island.
Why book your Iceland holiday with us
Iceland is easy to visit but hard to do well. Distances are longer than they look, roads close without warning in winter, and the best places are busiest at exactly the times everyone else arrives. A private guide and a flexible plan make the difference between a rushed trip and a remarkable one.
We work with experienced local guides and pilots, and we plan each day so you see the famous sights at quieter times and the less-known places that most visitors miss. As members of Virtuoso, we can often add benefits at the hotels we book. See all our trusted partners.
Where to go in Iceland
Most first visits combine Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the South Coast. With more time, the north and the Highlands show a wilder side of the country.
Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon
Reykjavík is a small, walkable capital with excellent restaurants, design shops and a lively music scene, and a good base for the first night or two. Nearby, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the milky blue geothermal water of the Blue Lagoon sits in a moss-covered lava field.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most exclusive hotel, with private access to its own section of the lagoon and a subterranean spa. Read our stay at The Retreat. In the city, The Reykjavík EDITION is our pick for style and location, and as Marriott STARS and Luminous partners we can add benefits there too.
The Golden Circle and the South Coast
The Golden Circle links three of Iceland’s best-known sights: Þingvellir National Park, where you can snorkel between two continental plates, the Geysir geothermal area and the Gullfoss waterfall. With a private guide you can see them early or late, without the coach tours.
Further east, the South Coast has the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara, and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where icebergs drift out to sea. In winter, guided trips into the ice caves of Vatnajökull are a highlight.
North Iceland
The north is quieter and more remote: the volcanic landscapes of Lake Mývatn, the town of Akureyri and whale watching from Húsavík, one of the best places in Europe to see humpback whales in summer.
Deplar Farm, a remote lodge on the Troll Peninsula, is our favourite place to stay in the north, with heli-skiing in spring and fishing, hiking and riding in summer.
The Highlands
The Highlands are Iceland’s empty interior, open only in summer when the mountain roads thaw. Landmannalaugar’s striped rhyolite mountains, lava fields and hot rivers are best reached by private super-jeep or by helicopter.
It is the part of Iceland that feels most untouched, and a day here, with a picnic in the middle of nowhere, is often the moment our clients remember most.
Where to stay
Iceland has only a handful of truly luxurious hotels, and they book up early. Around them, we choose smaller boutique hotels and lodges in the best locations, so you are close to the sights at the quiet times of day.
For families or groups, we can also arrange private villas and exclusive-use lodges. Tell us who is travelling and what you want to see, and we will suggest the right mix of hotels for your route.
Planning your Iceland holiday
Flights from London to Keflavík take around three hours, which makes Iceland an easy long weekend as well as a longer trip. The Blue Lagoon is around twenty minutes from the airport, so many clients go there straight from the plane or on the way home.
We arrange private drivers and guides throughout, with super-jeeps for glaciers and the Highlands. Helicopter flights over volcanoes and glaciers, or straight to a remote lodge, save hours of driving and are often the highlight of the trip.
Private guides
Expert local guides and super-jeeps, so you see the famous sights at quieter times.
Helicopters and glaciers
Helicopter flights over volcanoes and ice caps, and guided glacier and ice cave trips.
Hot springs and spas
The Blue Lagoon, private geothermal pools and spa hotels to end each day.
When to visit Iceland
Summer, from June to August, brings the midnight sun, green landscapes, whale watching and access to the Highlands. It is the busiest season, so hotels and guides need booking well ahead.
Winter, from October to March, is the time for the Northern Lights, ice caves and snow-covered landscapes, with fewer visitors but short days. September and April are good in-between months, with a chance of the Northern Lights and quieter roads.
Combine Iceland with Scandinavia
Iceland combines well with the rest of the Nordic region. Popular pairings include the fjords of Norway or the Swedish Lapland of Sweden, especially in winter for more chances to see the Northern Lights.
For a shorter trip, a few days in Iceland also works well before or after a city break elsewhere in Europe. Speak to one of our advisors about the best way to put your trip together.
FAQs
Iceland holidays: your questions answered
The questions our clients ask most often when planning a luxury holiday in Iceland.
It depends on what you want to see. June to August brings the midnight sun, whale watching and access to the Highlands. October to March is the season for the Northern Lights and ice caves. September and April offer a good balance with fewer visitors.
Four or five days is enough for Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the Blue Lagoon. With seven to ten days you can add the glacier lagoon and the east, and with two weeks you can see the north and the Highlands as well.
The Northern Lights are visible on clear, dark nights from around September to April. Sightings are never guaranteed, so we suggest at least three or four nights and a hotel away from city lights.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is the country’s most exclusive hotel. In the north, Deplar Farm is an outstanding remote lodge, and in Reykjavík we recommend The Reykjavík EDITION. We combine these with the best boutique hotels along your route.
Flights from London to Keflavík take around three hours. The airport is about forty-five minutes from Reykjavík and twenty minutes from the Blue Lagoon.
It is not essential, but it makes a big difference. A private guide adapts the day to the weather, avoids the crowds and takes you to places you would not find alone. For glaciers, ice caves and the Highlands, a guide and a super-jeep are the safest way to go.
Start planning your Iceland holiday
Tell us when you would like to travel and what you want to see, and one of our advisors will plan the right route, hotels and guides for you.
YOUR DEDICATED TRAVEL PARTNER
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TAILORED SERVICES
TAILORED SERVICES
Our in-house concierge service will use their extensive contact list
to help you source anything you desire.
TAILORED SERVICES
Our in-house concierge service will use their extensive contact list
to help you source anything you desire.
BESPOKE itinerary
BESPOKE itinerary
We work hand in hand with clients to create your dream
itinerary ensuring every detail is looked after from start to finish.
BESPOKE itinerary
We work hand in hand with clients to create your dream
itinerary ensuring every detail is looked after from start to finish.
BESPOKE AIR
BESPOKE AIR
We have access to every major airline and an extensive knowledge of their pricing schedules helping our clients achieve highly competitive airfares in all cabins.
BESPOKE AIR
We have access to every major airline and an extensive knowledge of their pricing schedules helping our clients achieve highly competitive airfares in all cabins.
PRIVATE SKY
PRIVATE SKY
Working directly hand in hand with our brokers and
aircraft owners we can source the best deals and most convenient slots for Private Jet hire.
PRIVATE SKY
Working directly hand in hand with our brokers and
aircraft owners we can source the best deals and most convenient slots for Private Jet hire.
EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS
EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS
We have arranged with a number of our luxury partners some exclusive additional benefits. These can include complimentary daily breakfast, a hotel credit towards food or spa treatments,an upgrade on arrival where available, and early check in / late check out.
EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS
We have arranged with a number of our luxury partners some exclusive additional benefits. These can include complimentary daily breakfast, a hotel credit towards food or spa treatments,an upgrade on arrival where available, and early check in / late check out.
COST MANAGEMENT
COST MANAGEMENT
We provide access for our clients to the most cost effective and convenient travel means. Our long standing partnerships and in depth industry knowledge ensure that we source the best rates available on the market.
COST MANAGEMENT
We provide access for our clients to the most cost effective and convenient travel means. Our long standing partnerships and in depth industry knowledge ensure that we source the best rates available on the market.
London office suite
