Blue Lagoon: Retreat Spa Experience & Private Changing Suite

The striking part of this experience is the Retreat Lagoon, a quieter pool of the same blue geothermal water found in Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon. You get five hours in a spa built into black volcanic rock, with a private changing suite, sauna, steam cave, cold plunge, and direct access to the main lagoon.

I like the privacy for couples and the unhurried pace. I also like that the Blue Lagoon Ritual gives you something to do beyond soaking: silica, salt, algae, and nourishing oil turn the visit into a simple spa treatment. The main drawback is the price, $724 for two, with food and swimwear extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Five hours in a volcanic spa: You have time for the Retreat Lagoon, treatment ritual, relaxation rooms, a meal, and the public lagoon without rushing.
• A private suite for two: Your changing room includes a large shower, dry area, towels, robes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare products.
• The Retreat Lagoon is the quiet center: It uses the same geothermal water as the public lagoon, but offers a more private setting.
• The Blue Lagoon Ritual is self-applied: You move through salt scrub, silica mud, algae mask, and Blue Lagoon face and body oil.
• A phone-free setting: Cameras and electronic devices are not allowed inside the spa, though staff can take a photo in the Retreat Lagoon and email it to you.
• The price buys space and time: At $724 for two, this is a special-occasion splurge, not a casual Iceland stop.

Entering the Retreat Spa from Keflavík or Reykjavík

The Blue Lagoon sits on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, about 20 minutes by car from Keflavík Airport and about 50 minutes from Reykjavík. That location makes the spa especially useful at the beginning or end of an Iceland trip, though you should allow extra time around your booked start time.

If you drive, follow signs for The Retreat rather than simply following the general Blue Lagoon signs. Retreat day guests have free parking. If you arrive by bus, get off with the other passengers at Blue Lagoon, walk to the Luggage House, and ask an attendant to call the shuttle to The Retreat.

The booking lasts five hours, but the exact start time depends on availability. I would choose a time that lets you enjoy the spa without watching the clock. This is not the place for a quick one-hour stop between airport and hotel.

Check-in includes a briefing about the spa and advice on how to use the facilities. You are then shown to your private changing suite. That small amount of orientation matters because the Retreat is built as a series of connected rooms and water areas rather than as one open pool complex.

Your private changing suite for two

The changing suite is one of the clearest differences between this experience and a standard public spa visit. You have a private room for two, along with a large shower and dry area. Towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare amenities are provided.

You still need to bring swimwear. Food is not included, and swimwear is not available as part of the package, so pack it before leaving your hotel or airport. If you have luggage with you, staff can assist with storage.

The suite is useful beyond changing clothes. It gives you a calm place to get ready, shower, and return to your own space during a long spa visit. For a couple celebrating something, that privacy may help justify the higher cost. If you mainly want a warm soak and do not care about a private room, the price will feel harder to defend.

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 18 must be with a parent or legal guardian. This is an adults-oriented setting in practice, even though teenagers over 12 can use it under those rules.

The Retreat Lagoon without the main-pool crowd

I would begin with the Retreat Lagoon. It contains the same blue geothermal water as the Blue Lagoon, but its smaller, more secluded setting changes the mood. You can settle into the water, order your included drink, and take in the surrounding volcanic rock without starting with the busier public area.

The word private is important here, but it should not be taken to mean that you have an entire lagoon to yourself. The experience is for a private booking of up to two people, while the Retreat Lagoon is part of the spa. Its appeal is the more intimate atmosphere and controlled access, not total isolation.

The blue water against the dark lava rock gives the setting its strongest visual effect. This is a spa designed around Iceland’s volcanic ground rather than a generic indoor wellness center. You are surrounded by mineral-rich water and old lava, with the building tucked into the rock.

Your included drink can be enjoyed in the lagoon. It is a small perk, but it keeps the experience from feeling like a series of separate appointments. You can soak, pause, and continue at your own speed.

Sauna, steam cave, fireplace, and quiet corners

The Retreat Spa gives you more than a pool. You have access to a sauna, a steam cave, a fireplace, a nesting area, a refreshment area, a panoramic viewing deck, and a cold plunge well.

The sauna and steam cave offer the classic hot and cool rhythm of a Nordic spa. The cold plunge is there for a sharper change of pace, though you should use it at your own comfort level. The package does not promise a guided circuit, so you decide how long to spend in each place.

The fireplace and nesting area are designed for pauses between water and heat. That matters during a five-hour visit. Without these quieter spaces, a long soak could become repetitive. Instead, you can dry off, rest near the fire, return to the water, or sit with a drink.

The viewing deck gives you a wider look at the setting. The exact views can depend on weather and light, but the point is clear: the spa connects the indoor rooms to the volcanic surroundings instead of shutting them away.

I like this choice of facilities because it gives you control. You can make the visit active, moving through heat, steam, water, and cold, or slow it down to a few long rests. The tradeoff is that the spa works best when you have time to use those areas. A rushed visit loses much of its value.

The Blue Lagoon Ritual, from silica to algae

The Blue Lagoon Ritual is the main treatment included in the price. It is a self-applied cycle using the lagoon’s well-known elements: salt, silica, algae, minerals, and Blue Lagoon skincare products.

The treatment includes:

• A salt scrub
• The Silica Mud Mask
• The Algae Mask
• Blue Lagoon face and body oil

You apply the products yourself as part of the spa circuit. That makes the treatment less formal than a private massage or facial, but it also means you control the pace and amount. You can take your time with each stage rather than being moved through a fixed appointment.

The silica mask is the most recognizable part of the Blue Lagoon experience. The algae mask follows with a different texture and purpose, while the oil finishes the sequence with moisture for face and body. The salt scrub adds a more active step before the masks.

I see the ritual as a good match for someone who enjoys spa routines and skincare. If you want hands-on treatment from a therapist, this is not that kind of service. The package gives you the products and the setting, not a staff-led massage or facial.

Use the ritual when you are ready to slow down. Trying to squeeze it between a quick soak and a meal would miss the point. The five-hour window lets you treat it as one part of a longer visit.

Using the public Blue Lagoon after the Retreat

The Retreat Spa includes access to the main Blue Lagoon through a private entrance. This lets you compare the quiet spa area with Iceland’s better-known public pool.

The main lagoon is the more social and expansive part of the experience. It can be useful if you want to see the full Blue Lagoon setting after spending time in the Retreat. At the same time, anyone seeking complete quiet may prefer to stay mostly in the Retreat Lagoon.

I would save the public lagoon for later. Start in the calmer Retreat area, take your time with the ritual and spa rooms, then use the private entrance for a change of scene. You can also do the reverse, but beginning in the public area may make the Retreat feel less peaceful by comparison.

The access is valuable because you are not forced to choose between the exclusive spa and the signature Blue Lagoon. You receive both in one visit. Still, the price is not justified by public lagoon access alone. The main value comes from the private suite, quieter Retreat facilities, treatment ritual, and five-hour stay.

Eating at Spa Restaurant

Spa Restaurant is not included, but it is available before, during, or after your spa time. The seasonal menu focuses on light, nourishing food made with fresh local ingredients. The dining room has broad views of the mineral-rich water and old lava around the spa.

No reservation is needed. That makes it easier to fit a meal around your time in the water, though your food bill is separate from the $724 package.

A meal can be a sensible addition to a five-hour visit. You may want something more substantial than a drink after using the sauna, steam cave, cold plunge, and lagoon. The restaurant also gives you a dry break in the middle of the experience.

If you are watching the total cost, plan for this extra before booking. The package includes a drink of your choice, but not lunch or dinner. The setting may be memorable, yet the meal should be treated as an optional addition rather than part of the paid spa treatment.

The phone-free rule and taking photos

Cameras and electronic devices are not allowed in the spa. This is a strict break from modern sightseeing, and it helps keep the Retreat quiet.

You cannot carry your phone around for casual photos, messages, or navigation. If you want a picture in the Retreat Lagoon, staff will take one for you and email it. That gives you a keepsake without turning the spa into a photo stop.

I consider the rule a plus, but it can surprise anyone used to documenting every part of an Iceland trip. Save important messages, directions, and transport details before entering. You can then leave your device stored without worrying about it.

The ban also supports the private atmosphere. You are not sharing the spa with people holding phones above the water or stopping every few minutes for pictures. For some people, that alone will be part of the appeal.

Who gets the best value from $724?

At $724 for up to two people, this is one of the most expensive spa choices in Iceland. The right question is not simply whether the water is worth the price. You are paying for five hours, a private changing suite, quieter lagoon access, the ritual, spa rooms, a drink, public lagoon access, and the ease of having it all in one booking.

For a couple marking a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or major trip, the private suite and relaxed schedule can make sense. The experience is also a good fit if you dislike crowded public changing areas or want a polished spa day near the airport.

The value is weaker if you have only a short window, want a basic geothermal soak, or would rather spend your money on food and other Reykjanes sights. In that case, a less costly Blue Lagoon option may be enough.

The five-hour duration is a major part of the calculation. Divide the price across a long stay and two people, and it becomes easier to understand. Treat it as a quick stop, and the price feels steep.

The experience has a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 40 ratings, and one verified booking from the United States describes it as wonderful. That matches the package’s strongest point: it gives you a polished, private-feeling spa day rather than just entry to warm water.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Bring swimwear and arrive ready to spend most of the day at the spa. Towels, robes, flip-flops, and skincare products are supplied, so you do not need to pack those items.

Keep your phone and camera stored. Since electronic devices are not allowed, download or write down anything you need before check-in. Staff can help with luggage storage.

Plan your route carefully. The Retreat entrance is separate from the general Blue Lagoon arrival point, and bus arrivals need to use the shuttle from the Luggage House. By car, follow the signs for The Retreat and use the free parking for day guests.

Use the included drink in the Retreat Lagoon, where it contributes most to the relaxed pace. Save the public lagoon for later if you want the quieter setting to be the main impression.

Finally, leave room for the ritual. The salt scrub, two masks, and oil are not a five-minute add-on if you want to enjoy them properly.

Should you book the Retreat Spa?

I would book this for two people who want a special, slow spa day and can accept the high price. The private changing suite, five-hour stay, quieter lagoon, self-applied ritual, and phone-free setting work together as one polished experience.

I would skip it if you want only a quick soak, need to keep costs low, or prefer a staff-led treatment. Food is extra, swimwear is extra to bring, and the public lagoon can be busy compared with the Retreat.

For a special occasion near Keflavík or Reykjavík, this is a strong splurge. Book it for the space and time, not just for the blue water.

FAQ

How long does the Retreat Spa experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can use the private changing suite?

The private changing suite is for up to two people.

Is access to the main Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. You receive access to the Blue Lagoon public area through a private entrance from the Retreat Spa.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food is not included. Spa Restaurant offers seasonal meals, and no reservation is needed.

Is a drink included?

Yes. The package includes a drink of your choice.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear. Towels, a bathrobe, slippers or flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare amenities are provided.

Are children allowed to use the spa?

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

Can I bring a camera or phone into the spa?

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