I wrote about my experience at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, the ultra-luxury hotel at one of Iceland’s most famous tourist attractions. In this post, I’d like to talk about what’s no doubt the property’s most controversial policy, which I’ve seen some complaints about online. Is it a nice counter to the digitally connected world we otherwise live in, or just unreasonably and baselessly strict?
In this post:
How The Retreat at Blue Lagoon electronics ban works
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon bans all electronic devices, including cameras, in the Retreat Spa and Retreat Lagoon. Let me emphasize that this is specific to The Retreat (the luxury compound at the Blue Lagoon), and it doesn’t apply to the main lagoon. The ban also doesn’t apply to the hotel, aside from the spa and lagoon.
Just to be crystal clear, the ban isn’t just against taking pictures, but if a phone is visible, they’ll ask you to bring it to reception. There are some rather stern security staff who closely monitor this.
The hotel describes this policy as being designed to allow people to unwind, and also to offer privacy to all guests. However, the policy doesn’t mean that you can’t have your picture taken. Instead, they offer for the security guards to take some pictures of you in the pool (using the hotel’s iPhone), and then they’ll email or AirDrop them to you.
Now these aren’t professional photographers, and I can’t say they do a particularly great job setting up photo shoots, but they’ll at least help you prove that you were there. 😉
I’m conflicted about such a strict electronics policy
I don’t think I’ve ever stayed at a hotel with such a strict electronics policy. It’s understandable that many hotels ban taking pictures in changing rooms or other areas with nudity (for obvious reasons), but even at the lagoon, when that’s the main attraction? I’m not sure what to think.
On the one hand, I find the policy to be refreshing. Sometimes it feels like we live in a world where so many people travel just to be able to show off on social media, so it’s kind of cool to see everyone just enjoying themselves here, not focused on electronics.
Furthermore, there’s no denying that in everyday life, some people take photography to the extreme, and disrupt others. I imagine if photography were allowed without restrictions, you’d have some people here just doing photoshoots all day, like you’ll find at the Burj Al Arab (which is fun and entertaining in an entirely different way).
On the other hand, it seems awfully prescriptive to basically tell people that they can’t look at their phone all day. People have life commitments, and things they need to check on. I can understand a policy against phone calls, or against photography of others, etc., but just a blanket ban on having electronics on you?
I also have to imagine that this policy leaves some guests with a really bad impression. I suspect many guests who book don’t realize this policy exists. And I also imagine many guests are traveling for very special occasions, like honeymoons. Like it or not, people like to capture these kinds of moments.
Lastly, the policy just seems bad for marketing. Like I said when I wrote about the hotel, I had no clue what to expect prior to our stay, largely because there’s so little information out there about it. The lagoon at the hotel is unbelievably beautiful, yet you’ll almost never see pictures of it online. I have to imagine the hotel would see a lot more business without this policy.
Hey, this property can set its own rules, and people can decide if this is right for them. Personally, I appreciate the concept the hotel is going for, but I think the execution is a step too far. I think a fairer restriction would be a ban on phone calls, or a ban on pictures in the spa as such, or a ban on pictures that have other guests in them.
The problem is that it’s hard to create policies around common sense and discretion. For example, there were hour-long periods where we didn’t see a single other person, so you’d think that taking a picture wouldn’t disturb anyone. But hey, that’s just me…
Bottom line
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is an amazing hotel, though it has an electronics ban for its main feature. No electronics are allowed in the spa area and lagoon. We’re not just talking about pictures being banned, but you can’t even look at your electronics, let alone bring them.
While I appreciate the idea of encouraging people to disconnect, this is definitely one of the stranger hotel policies I’ve come across.
What do you make of the concept of this electronics ban? Are you a fan, or do you think it’s too extreme?
last time i went to the blue lagoon, it was packed with people taking pictures while others are in swimsuits
it might feel different when you are at the beach, but shooting women in a giant swimming pool is just awkward and disrespectful.
And it's a retreat after all. No electronic device is a good thing. It's tiring to see influencers invading most places
100% pro for this.
There should be areas without electronics.
And asking people for common sense when it comes to selfies? Asking a group of monkeys to show restraint about a bunch of bananas.
If you feel you need to do something on that day, well do not do it in the restricted areas, do it in your room.
If that is not acceptable for you do not book this hotel.
And if they are fine with this policy, why would they have any reason to change it.
Sounds extremely refreshing.
I think it's totally fair in a spa setting....especially where people are naked in the locker room and in bathing suits in the public areas. A lot of spas are like that. Also, it's part of differentiating the luxury hotel area from the bus crowds of people in the public areas where photos are allowed. Not sure how it is now, but before the hotel was luxury and when it was just a med spa,...
I think it's totally fair in a spa setting....especially where people are naked in the locker room and in bathing suits in the public areas. A lot of spas are like that. Also, it's part of differentiating the luxury hotel area from the bus crowds of people in the public areas where photos are allowed. Not sure how it is now, but before the hotel was luxury and when it was just a med spa, guests had access to the spa and public areas so you could get pics in the lagoon and then retreat to the private part.
Ben,
Just leave your binky in your bag. You will survive a day or two without touching it.
Personally I don't want to be in the background of anyone's picture. I support this resort's policy. If it doesn't work for you, I have ensured that US261 has compensation for your discomfort.
I think it’s genius. Totally supportive of the policy. I went to Sky Lagoon and it was amok with people Instagraming ruined the vibe.
Wow! This makes me want to visit this hotel. Love the idea of an electronics ban! The obsession with photographing everything has gone too far. What ever happened to just remembering experiences? Just relax….how refreshing!
We go to an Appalachian Mountain Lodge in Maine that is off grid. There is nothing better than a week without a cellphone signal.
I would love to see more hotels adopt the policy that Blue Lagoon has.
They should make the policy more visible before booking.
Not just to avoid having guests who are frustrated by it (which makes the atmosphere less pleasant for everybody) but also to attract those of us who relish 'phone free spaces.
In addition to the obvious 'photoshoot' issues with electronics, it can be disheartening as a kid to see your parents pull out laptops or take work calls when you're somewhere so special with them
Yes, I think this may be a big part of what drives pushback effectively.
One comment on "Do kids use screens too much?" was "Not too bad, but their parents ...."
Not just as a kid, but as a spouse too! Your company will survive 48 hours without you checking on it every ten minutes. If there's an emergency, someone will call.
If this prevents them from becoming the next “Breakfast in the pool in Bali” destination, I’m all for it.
100 percent on the hotel's side--no phones is a strong reason for me to come. No influencers needed.
I'm deaf and I use my phone to communicate. It's got a clever little app on it which transcribes conversation at speeds Google should be ashamed they don't offer. In everyday situations my hearing aids provide a backup to my, if I do say so myself quite good self taught lip reading skills ( I only lost my hearing in my early 40s during lockdowns), however wearing those in say pools or sauna's isn't conducive...
I'm deaf and I use my phone to communicate. It's got a clever little app on it which transcribes conversation at speeds Google should be ashamed they don't offer. In everyday situations my hearing aids provide a backup to my, if I do say so myself quite good self taught lip reading skills ( I only lost my hearing in my early 40s during lockdowns), however wearing those in say pools or sauna's isn't conducive to their continued operation.
Without that without my hearing aids I live in an, all but, soundless world.
I'm also a realist who doesn't expect the entire world to know how to Sign and especially not BSL when their language is not English.
That's why I have said app which handle languages from around the world and do it in real time.
Whilst I'd hope that with a brief explanation of my situation they would adapt and brief said security guards I would also deal with their request as simply that. A request, one that I would politely refuse. One that should they not I'd also be happy to see them in court over on undeniable discrimination charges. Not because I'm prone to such things but as a moral imperative for others who many came after me so they don't have to be treated in such a way.
But of course and like I said. I'm sure they would be intelligent and adaptable enough in such a situation. Having been to the 'normal' part of the lagoon before I found all the staff I interacted with there lovely and helpful as well as all the Icelandic people to be somewhat pragmatic about life generally.
Hello, Clayton...If your helpful app is free and available, could you please mention its name? More and more it seems that I need it, too! Merci!
Of course. It's called "Live Transcribe" it comes preload on all newer Samsung phones.
Settings>Accessibility> follow prompts and it'll bring the app to the fore. I'd suggest selecting Add to Home Screen and finding a place for it on the front page.
I can't talk for other manufacturers and my sincere apologies for not actually naming it previously. My bad there on not proof reading before actually posting.
I highly endorse how...
Of course. It's called "Live Transcribe" it comes preload on all newer Samsung phones.
Settings>Accessibility> follow prompts and it'll bring the app to the fore. I'd suggest selecting Add to Home Screen and finding a place for it on the front page.
I can't talk for other manufacturers and my sincere apologies for not actually naming it previously. My bad there on not proof reading before actually posting.
I highly endorse how effective it is. It has a ton of AI baked into it. It will work fully on Samsung S23s upwards ( that's the 1st cell I used it with) However there is a setting on Samsung phones about keeping any AI integrated app strictly on your phone. It does work but I'd honestly say it's better if you allow it to leave your device ( I was quite anal on going through the terms myself. It keeps chat unidentifiable but will make use of it to improve the LLM backing it up so as to improve itself).
Quite amusingly the AI is razor sharp on picking up on environmental factors whilst it's working like wind, bird noise, tons of factors which it identifies by altering the microphones soundscape and parameters. One thing it's excellent at is it knows your on an airplane the second a single engine is powered up and it will detect when your in flight where it heavily filters out sounds and, imho, is the most dialled in to speech decibels. Even more so than when I'm at, eg, a concert and it's trying to pick out singing and a person next to you speaking ( it'll show them in different colors of set up to).
After I'd been using it a couple years and had personal faith in the app I started mentioning it to the audiologists staff at my hospital as something to perhaps bring up with others in my situation and, confidentiality observed, several of them have told me that other patients have found it quite useful.
>> Clarification Disclosure: no idea who built, runs or owns the app. Don't work for whoever that is or for any phone company/ manufacturers. This is just me taking a chance to pay it forward a little just incase it helps someone else <<
Clayton, I think they'd bend over backwards to accommodate your disability and make your stay as easy and comfortable as possible. Advising them of your requirements in advance would almost certainly ensure an incident-free vacation. They restrictions at this property are to banish the ghastly Instagram/TikTok crowd, not to inconvenience people with a genuine need.
If I'm paying $1600++ per night, I don't want ANY rules (that don't break the law).
This includes dress codes, electronic rules, partying noise rules (below legal limits), whatever.
The whole point of paying is that we can do whatever during vacation
People like you are why their "no electronics" rule was needed in the first place.
Agree with Noa. I don't like to be instructed as how to relax.
You know, acting as a jerk makes your concerns less relevant to most people. Buy your own island.
Sounds wonderful. Not only do I love the policy, but I love that they enforce it.
I second this.
Interesting to hear below that it was not their initial idea, but a response to the place being overrun with 'phones.
I hated my father wanting to take photos and cine films of everything, and that was back in the 1970s when the cost of film had some limiting effect.
I definitely understand the rationale beyond this policy, however, my one concern is for people with disabilities who rely on their cell phones. For a lot of people, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, access to a cell phone is crucial to independence. I’m not saying the hotel shouldn’t have this policy at all, but I would hope that it would be thoughtfully implemented to take this into account.
Bit of a waste of time going to see the Northern Lights?
I kid :)
As I replied to Clayton above, I'm sure the property can make an exception for people with a genuine disability, particularly if it's notified to them in advance. It's the business of hotels and resorts to ensure that everyone has a great experience.
REFRESHING!!!
Absolutely love this policy and wish it was much more common.
How can anyone be conflicted about this?
I love the policy and wish more properties had it. Intercontinental Warsaw has a fantastic pool with a view on the top floor, but I stopped going there because it's constantly filled with people doing photoshoots there. You can't enjoy it because there's constantly someone posing and taking pics. My only problem with this is the part when they have staff taking pics for guests which kinda goes against the point?
Agree with all your opinions, although I found photo-taking at the IC Warsaw pool a lot less annoying than in many places where peace and quiet is more the point. Admittedly I was there during the day - I can imagine that in the dark it would be much worse.
I'm 100% in favor of this. I know exactly what event put me over the top. My wife and I were at a Ritz resort and a group of 4-5 influencers tried taking over the pool for their shots. It was beyond obnoxious and rude. I started to fight fire with fire and made sure my not so necessarily photogenic self was in most of their photos. Not the way I usually handle myself but...
I'm 100% in favor of this. I know exactly what event put me over the top. My wife and I were at a Ritz resort and a group of 4-5 influencers tried taking over the pool for their shots. It was beyond obnoxious and rude. I started to fight fire with fire and made sure my not so necessarily photogenic self was in most of their photos. Not the way I usually handle myself but they pushed all the right buttons with their entitlement to dictate to other guests. I also couldn't believe the hotel did nothing to stop them.
We see people using their electronics without any consideration towards those around them. It should not be surprising that high-end properties would forbid such behavior.
As someone who was born in the (early) 90s, I really appreciate how life was before the internet. From CRT TVs to dial-up internet and flip-phones. Even life in the 2000s was good.
Now everything is on an app with phones typically faster than your average desktop PC.
From Ben's (or Lucky (whatever you want to call him)) trip to Yukon years back, makes me want to go somewhere remote for a while without just...
As someone who was born in the (early) 90s, I really appreciate how life was before the internet. From CRT TVs to dial-up internet and flip-phones. Even life in the 2000s was good.
Now everything is on an app with phones typically faster than your average desktop PC.
From Ben's (or Lucky (whatever you want to call him)) trip to Yukon years back, makes me want to go somewhere remote for a while without just to unwind and not have to deal with technology and the outside world.
I'll trade every last annoying person on instagram or those posing in front of some landmark simply for having the convenience of google maps in my pocket. Not having to bring 40 different sets of mapquest printouts on a vacation is just heavenly.
@Fsuga
You complain about using Mapquest?
The time has come that people who aren't old enough to actually "live" in the good old days complain about the good old days.
You bring 40 sets of printouts?
Wait till you try fold it back.
I highly recommend Medawisla Lodge in northern Maine, run by the Appalachian Mountain Lodge. Off grid and a great place to relax with no electronics or news to distract.
So you were in violation for the photos in the post?
No?
For the picture of the lagoon he got a picture from a staff member I believe. The other one is just a photo from the outside...
It sounds a bit weird to me, that we need electronics in a spa. In Germany we have the Vabali semi-luxury SPA which also prohibits electronics throughout their property. I'm not sure how strictly this is enforced though.
Enjoy the moment, make memories and if you are on a honeymoon etc. take some nice pictures in your room, as dinner or outside exploring Iceland.
I think, it is refreshing and I wish, other Hotels will follow. It bothers me more and more that people everywhere are talking with their loudspeakers on, taking pictures everywhere etc etc. Silcence has become a rare thing nowadays…
Ah, so that plot point of The White Lotus (season 3) wasn't so far-fetched!
I wish this was in place when I was there to keep people like you from taking pictures all around me. They don’t need your publicity.
From what I've heard, it was like that ("photoshoots all day") before they put this policy in place. Personally, I love it. No phones makes the atmosphere better, and at the end of the day, this is part of a spa and they want the atmosphere to reflect that (somewhat). I'm sure this also helps keep the droves of "influencers" away. If you're that bothered by not having your phone and being able to take...
From what I've heard, it was like that ("photoshoots all day") before they put this policy in place. Personally, I love it. No phones makes the atmosphere better, and at the end of the day, this is part of a spa and they want the atmosphere to reflect that (somewhat). I'm sure this also helps keep the droves of "influencers" away. If you're that bothered by not having your phone and being able to take pictures for a few hours, you are way too attached.
I've been to two comedy shows and a concert in the past couple of years that required guests to lock their phones in those portable lockboxes. I wish every show would do this. The experience was SO much better, especially not seeing hundres/thousands of phone screens raised in the air taking videos constantly. Everyone in our group agreed that it made it much more enjoyable, even if it's a little more difficult to locate your friends.
I was there with my wife a couple years ago, and I’m fully in favor of the rule. It’s relaxing, quiet, and results in people being particularly quiet and keeping their voices down. It was very peaceful. (How much that is no cell phones? Who knows. The result works, though) I assumed all such places have that rule. Anywhere with a sauna probably should have such a rule, too.