Blue Lagoon: Retreat Spa Experience & Private Changing Suite

The Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa trades the public lagoon’s busy feel for a quieter geothermal hideaway carved into lava rock. I like that you get exclusive access to the Retreat Lagoon and time to explore the sauna, steam cave, relaxation areas, and viewing deck at your own pace.

I also like the private changing suite for two, which gives you a comfortable base for five hours of soaking and spa time. The main consideration is the price: at $724 for two, it is a high-cost visit, and meals and swimwear are not included.

• The Retreat Lagoon is private to spa visitors, with the same blue geothermal water as the public Blue Lagoon.
• Five hours gives you room to slow down, rather than rushing through the lagoon and treatment.
• The Blue Lagoon Ritual uses silica, algae, and minerals in a self-applied scrub, masks, and nourishing oils.
• A private changing suite is included for up to two people, with towels, robes, flip-flops, and skincare amenities.
• You can also enter the public Blue Lagoon through a private connection from the spa.
• Cameras and electronic devices are not allowed, though staff can take a photo in the Retreat Lagoon and email it to you.

The Retreat’s lava-rock setting

This is a spa visit built around the contrast between Iceland’s rough volcanic ground and warm geothermal water. The Retreat Spa occupies a space of lava rock, with a concourse leading to the water, sauna, steam cave, fireplace, nesting area, refreshment area, cold plunge well, and panoramic viewing deck.

That setting gives the visit a different character from a straightforward soak. You move between warm and cool spaces, and between water, steam, and quiet rest. The design is meant to keep the outside world at bay, which is why the spa prohibits cameras and electronic devices.

I’d think of this less as a quick stop on a sightseeing day and more as a dedicated half-day. The five-hour duration allows time to try the different spaces without treating each one as a box to tick. You can start with the lagoon, pause by the fireplace, visit the steam cave, then return to the water when you feel ready.

The setting may appeal especially if you value quiet and privacy as much as the famous Blue Lagoon water. If your main aim is simply to see the lagoon and take a photo, the public area may be enough. The Retreat is priced for a more secluded, slower-paced visit.

Check-in and your private suite

At check-in, staff brief you on the spa and explain how to make the most of its facilities. You are then shown to a private changing suite for up to two people. It has a large shower and a dry area, with towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon Skincare amenities provided.

That private room is a practical part of the package, not just a small luxury. You have a place to change and keep your belongings while moving between the lagoon and the spa’s indoor areas. It can also make the visit feel more relaxed if you are coming as a couple and want a little more privacy than a shared changing area provides.

Bring your own swimwear. It is not included, and you will need it for the water. If you are arriving with luggage, Retreat Spa staff can help store it, which is useful if you are travelling to or from Keflavík Airport.

The spa is wheelchair accessible. The minimum age is 12, and anyone under 18 must be with a parent or legal guardian. Children under 12 cannot use the spa, so this is best suited to adults, older teens with a guardian, and couples looking for a calm visit.

Start with the private Retreat Lagoon

The Retreat Lagoon is a natural place to begin. Its water is the same blue geothermal water found in the Blue Lagoon, but this pool is reserved for the spa area. That smaller, more private setting is a central reason to choose the Retreat package rather than a standard public-area visit.

Take time to settle into the water before moving on. You can order a drink of your choice, included with the experience, and enjoy the quiet around the lagoon. The point is not to hurry through a list of amenities. Five hours gives you space to linger, rest, and return to the water after trying other parts of the spa.

There is also direct access from the spa to the public Blue Lagoon area. This gives you the option to visit the larger public pool as part of the same booking, while keeping the Retreat Lagoon as a quieter retreat. The two areas offer different moods, so it is useful to have both available rather than choosing one or the other.

If you want a photo, leave your camera and phone behind. Staff can take a picture for you in the Retreat Lagoon and email it. That is a modest but helpful workaround for a place designed to be free from digital distractions.

The Blue Lagoon Ritual, step by step

The Blue Lagoon Ritual is the spa’s main treatment, and it is self-applied rather than a hands-on service from a therapist. The sequence uses the lagoon’s signature ingredients: silica, algae, and minerals. You work through a salt scrub, a Silica Mud Mask, an Algae Mask, and nourishing face and body oil from Blue Lagoon Skincare.

The self-guided format means you can take the treatment at your own pace. It also means you should not expect a private massage or a treatment room appointment. The appeal is the chance to use the products as part of a broader spa visit, with the geothermal setting and other relaxation areas close at hand.

The ritual adds more than a standard soak, especially if you are interested in the Blue Lagoon’s skincare products. But it is worth being clear about what is included: the products and treatment steps are part of the package, while food is not. If you prefer a spa visit focused on staff-led treatments, this may not be the right fit.

Sauna, steam cave, and places to pause

The indoor spaces give you options when you want a break from the water. The sauna offers dry heat, while the steam cave provides a different kind of warmth. There is a fireplace and a nesting area for resting, plus a refreshment area and a viewing deck with broad views over the mineral-rich water and old lava.

The cold plunge well adds another temperature contrast. You can choose whether to use it; the visit does not require you to follow a set circuit. That freedom is part of the value of having five hours. You can alternate between heat, cold, and water, or simply spend more time in the spaces that suit you.

The viewing deck is a good reason to step away from the pools for a while. The surrounding terrain is a reminder that this is not a conventional urban spa. Still, the experience is designed as a polished retreat, so choose it for comfort and setting rather than expecting a rugged or remote outing.

A meal at the Spa Restaurant

The Spa Restaurant serves seasonal, light meals made with fresh local ingredients. It has views across the mineral-rich waters and centuries-old lava, and you can eat before, during, or after your spa time. Reservations are not needed.

Food is not included in the $724 booking, so budget for lunch or a meal separately if you plan to eat there. The restaurant’s location makes it convenient to fit a meal around the spa, but there is no need to treat it as part of the package price. If you are watching costs, decide in advance whether you want to dine on-site or eat elsewhere.

What $724 buys, and who gets the best value

The price is $724 for a private group of up to two people. If both places are used, that works out to $362 per person. For that amount, you get five hours, a private changing suite, access to the Retreat Spa and Retreat Lagoon, entry to the public Blue Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon Ritual, skincare amenities, and one drink per person.

That is a substantial package, but the value depends on what you want from the day. I can see the price making sense for a couple who will use the full five hours, enjoy the ritual, and appreciate a quieter lagoon and private changing space. If you only want a short soak, or are mainly interested in visiting the public Blue Lagoon, you may not get enough use from the extra privacy and facilities to justify the cost.

Remember to add swimwear and food to your plans. Towels, robes, slippers, and skincare amenities are supplied, so you do not need to pack those. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, which offers some flexibility if plans change.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 40 reviews, and the available written feedback includes a simple five-star account calling it a wonderful experience. That short praise fits the appeal of the visit, but it does not tell you whether the high price suits your own plans. Think about how much time you will spend in the spa, not just how impressive the setting sounds.

Getting to The Retreat

By car, the Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavík. Follow signs for The Retreat when you arrive; day-guest parking for The Retreat is free.

If you arrive by bus, get off at the Blue Lagoon with the other passengers and walk to the Luggage House. An attendant can call the shuttle to The Retreat. The host or greeter speaks English, and the experience is booked as a private group for up to two people.

The airport distance makes this a possible stop near the start or end of an Iceland trip, while the drive from Reykjavík is long enough to plan as a substantial outing. Give yourself time to arrive and check in before the five-hour spa visit begins. The package duration is five hours, so do not treat it as a brief airport layover activity.

Should you book the Retreat Spa?

Book it if you want a long, private spa visit with more than the public lagoon: a changing suite, a quieter pool, the Ritual, heat and relaxation areas, and access to both lagoon spaces. It makes the strongest case for couples who will use the facilities at an unhurried pace and see value in privacy.

Skip it if the public Blue Lagoon alone is your priority, or if the price would make you feel obliged to use every minute. The Retreat is at its best when you want to slow down, keep your phone out of reach, and treat the spa itself as a major part of your Iceland itinerary.

FAQ

How long does the Retreat Spa experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. Check availability for the available starting times.

Does the booking include a private changing room?

Yes. A private changing suite for up to two people is included, with a large shower and dry area.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, though the Spa Restaurant serves seasonal meals and does not require reservations.

Do I need to bring swimwear?

Yes. Swimwear is not included, so bring your own.

Can children use the Retreat Spa?

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and children under 12 are not permitted.

Are cameras and phones allowed in the spa?

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