Blue Lagoon: Retreat Spa Experience & Private Changing Suite

The best part of this Blue Lagoon experience is the private Retreat Lagoon, where you can soak in the same warm, blue geothermal water without the busy feel of the main bathing area. The spa is built into dark lava rock, giving the whole visit a calm, sheltered character.

I like the private changing suite, with its own shower, dry area, robes, towels, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare. I also like having five hours to move at your own pace, from the sauna and steam cave to the fireplace, viewing deck, cold plunge, and lagoon. The main drawback is the price: $724 for two people is a serious splurge, especially since food and swimwear cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• The Retreat Lagoon is quieter than the main Blue Lagoon, with private access from the spa.
• Five hours gives you time to slow down, rather than rush through a short soak.
• The Blue Lagoon Ritual includes four skincare steps, using salt, silica, algae, and oil.
• Your private changing suite is fully equipped, but swimwear is not supplied.
• Electronic devices and cameras are not allowed, helping keep the spa quiet.
• Public Blue Lagoon access is included, so you can compare the private and main bathing areas.

Entering the lava-built Retreat Spa

The Retreat Spa sits on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, about 20 minutes by car from Keflavík Airport and roughly 50 minutes from Reykjavík. This makes it a practical first or final stop on an Iceland trip, especially if you are flying in or out of Keflavík.

By car, follow signs for The Retreat. Day visitors have free parking near the spa entrance. If you arrive by bus, get off at Blue Lagoon, walk to the Luggage House, and ask an attendant to call the shuttle to The Retreat.

Your visit begins with check-in and a briefing. Staff explain how the spa works, then show you to your private changing suite. This is a useful start because the Retreat has several connected areas, and you will get more from the five-hour visit if you understand where everything is before settling in.

The architecture is one of the main pleasures here. Dark volcanic rock forms the walls and passageways, making the spa feel tucked into the earth rather than placed on top of it. The setting is polished but not flashy. Lava, warm water, soft resting areas, and quiet corners do most of the work.

The spa is designed for people who want stillness. Cameras, phones, and other electronic devices are not permitted. That rule may disappoint you if you want to document every moment, but it also removes the usual poolside distraction. If you want a picture in the Retreat Lagoon, staff can take one for you and email it afterward.

Your private changing suite and five-hour pace

The private changing suite is a real part of the experience, not just a place to change clothes. It gives two people their own space to prepare, shower, dry off, and return to between treatments and soaking.

You receive towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare amenities. The suite includes a large shower and a dry area, so you can take your time without managing your belongings in a shared locker room.

Bring your own swimwear. It is not included. The spa can help store luggage if you need that service, which is useful if you are stopping between the airport and Reykjavík.

Five hours is generous for a spa visit. You can start with a soak, take a break, use the sauna, eat at the restaurant, and return to the water without watching the clock. I would avoid treating this like a quick Iceland stop. The value depends on using the time slowly.

That said, five hours can feel long if you mainly want a warm pool and a quick photo. The package makes more sense when you enjoy spa routines, quiet rest, skincare, and unhurried time with a partner.

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 18 must be with a parent or legal guardian. Children under 12 cannot use the spa, so this is aimed at adults and older teenagers rather than families with young children.

The Retreat Lagoon without the main-pool crowds

The Retreat Lagoon is the heart of the visit. Its water has the same blue geothermal character associated with Blue Lagoon, but this private area offers a more sheltered setting and fewer people around you.

You can order a drink while soaking and take in the quiet surroundings. The water is the reason most people book the Retreat, but the calmer setting is what makes the higher price easier to understand. You are paying for space, privacy, and time, not simply for access to warm water.

I like the way the lagoon fits into the spa rather than feeling like a separate outdoor pool. You can move between the water and the indoor relaxation areas without turning the visit into a series of appointments.

The private lagoon is also a good place to begin. Warm water helps you settle into the pace of the spa, and you can then decide if you want to use the sauna, steam cave, treatment ritual, or viewing deck next.

Your included drink adds a small comfort. Food is not included, so plan to pay separately if you want a meal. The drink choice is included once, while additional dining and drinks are extra.

Sauna, steam cave, fireplace, and cold plunge

The Retreat Spa gives you several ways to pause between time in the lagoon. The sauna provides dry heat, while the steam cave offers a more humid setting. You also have a fireplace area and a nesting area for quiet rest.

The viewing deck adds a change of scene. From there, you can look across the mineral-rich water and old lava around the spa. This is not a sightseeing tour with a guide or a series of scheduled stops. It is a place to sit, look, and let the setting do its job.

The cold plunge well is a useful contrast to the warm lagoon and sauna. Some people enjoy switching between heat and cold, while others will prefer to skip it. You are free to choose. Nothing requires you to use every feature.

This variety is important because soaking for five hours straight is not a good plan for most people. Moving through different temperatures and rest areas gives your body a break and keeps the experience from becoming repetitive.

The facilities are close enough to make movement easy, but you should still pace yourself. Drink water, rest when you need to, and do not assume that more heat automatically means a better spa visit.

The four-part Blue Lagoon Ritual

The Blue Lagoon Ritual is a self-applied skincare sequence built around the lagoon’s natural elements: salt, silica, algae, and minerals. It is included in the package and is one of the main reasons this is more than a standard public-lagoon admission.

The first step is a salt scrub. This starts the treatment with gentle exfoliation and prepares your skin for the masks that follow. You apply the products yourself, so the ritual feels more like a guided spa routine than a hands-on massage.

Next comes the silica mud mask, the treatment most closely linked with Blue Lagoon. You spread it over your face and body, then allow it to work before rinsing. The algae mask follows, adding another skincare step with a different purpose and texture.

The final stage uses nourishing face and body oil. This brings the routine to a softer finish after the salt and masks. Blue Lagoon skincare products are also available in your changing suite, so you can continue the same care after leaving the water.

The ritual is not a private therapist treatment. If you want massage or a staff member to perform every step for you, this package does not promise that. The appeal is the setting and the sequence, with you controlling the pace and application.

I recommend doing the ritual after you have already enjoyed the lagoon and settled in. That way, you are not trying to rush through the skincare steps before your body has adjusted to the spa.

Eating at the Spa Restaurant

The Spa Restaurant serves light, seasonal meals using fresh local ingredients. It overlooks the mineral-rich water and centuries-old lava, giving you a broad view while you eat.

Food is not included in the $724 package, but the restaurant is convenient because you do not need to leave the spa for a meal. No reservation is needed, so you can decide during your visit rather than locking yourself into a fixed dining time.

A restaurant break can also improve the five-hour rhythm. After soaking, sauna time, and the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a light meal gives you a reason to dry off and rest before returning to the water or changing for departure.

The price of the meal is worth considering when you calculate the full cost of the day. The package already has a high starting price, and food, extra drinks, transport, and swimwear can add to it. If you are trying to keep the day affordable, eat before arriving and use only the included drink.

Is $724 for two people good value?

At $724 per group of up to two, this is one of Blue Lagoon’s luxury options. The price includes five hours, a private changing suite, the Retreat Spa facilities, the private lagoon, the Blue Lagoon Ritual, skincare amenities, one drink, and access to the public Blue Lagoon.

The private suite matters most if you are visiting as a couple. You have a comfortable base for the whole visit, rather than simply changing and leaving your belongings in a shared area. The private Retreat Lagoon also gives you a quieter experience than the main pool.

The five-hour duration strengthens the value. You are not paying for a short entry window. You can use the sauna, steam cave, rest areas, viewing deck, cold plunge, restaurant, and both lagoons at a relaxed pace.

Still, this is not a bargain. If you only care about bathing in geothermal water, the standard Blue Lagoon admission will likely make more financial sense. The Retreat package is worth considering when privacy, a private suite, and the ritual are central to your plans.

I would also factor in your Iceland itinerary. If this is your only major splurge, the cost may feel justified as a special couple’s day. If you already have several costly excursions and upscale meals planned, the added benefits may not be essential.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

This package suits couples who want a quiet, polished spa day with room to linger. It also works well for a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or final day in Iceland, though the experience itself is not built around a special celebration service.

You will probably appreciate it if you enjoy:

• Private changing space
• Long, unhurried spa visits
• Skincare rituals
• Quiet settings without phones or cameras
• A mix of indoor and outdoor relaxation areas
• A drink and meal break during the visit

It is less suitable if you want a lively social pool, a family activity, or a short stop between sightseeing plans. Children under 12 are not permitted, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or legal guardian.

The no-device rule is another dividing line. I see it as a benefit for rest, but you may find it frustrating if taking your own pictures is a major part of the visit. Staff can take a lagoon photo and email it, but personal cameras are not allowed inside the spa.

Practical timing and arrival advice

The duration is five hours, and starting times vary, so check availability before booking. Give yourself enough time to reach The Retreat, check in, receive the briefing, and settle into the private suite.

The airport location makes this easy to pair with a flight, but do not cut it too close to departure. You still need to finish the spa visit, collect your luggage if it was stored, and reach Keflavík Airport. The drive is about 20 minutes, but airport schedules deserve a buffer.

From Reykjavík, the drive is about 50 minutes. A private car gives you the simplest arrival, while the bus option requires walking to the Luggage House and waiting for the shuttle to The Retreat.

Bring swimwear and leave cameras and electronic devices behind. The staff can assist with luggage storage, and the spa supplies towels, robes, and flip-flops.

Should you book the Retreat Spa?

Book it if you want privacy, quiet, and a full five-hour spa ritual rather than simple access to a famous geothermal pool. The private suite, secluded lagoon, skincare ritual, and device-free setting give the visit a more personal feel.

Skip it if $724 for two would make you uneasy, or if you mainly want a quick soak and a few pictures. The public Blue Lagoon can serve that purpose at a lower cost.

For a couple with room in the budget, this is a strong special-occasion choice. Just arrive with swimwear, allow plenty of time, and treat the visit as the main event rather than a short add-on to a busy day.

FAQ

Where is the Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa?

The Retreat Spa is on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavík.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

What does the private changing suite include?

The suite includes a large shower, a dry area, towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare amenities.

Is access to the public Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The package includes access to the Blue Lagoon public area through a private entrance from the spa.

What is included in the Blue Lagoon Ritual?

The ritual includes a salt scrub, the Silica Mud Mask, the Algae Mask, and nourishing face and body oil.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you can eat at the Spa Restaurant. No reservation is needed.

Can I bring a camera or phone?

No. Cameras and electronic devices are not permitted in the Retreat Spa. Staff can take a photo in the Retreat Lagoon and email it to you.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.