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?
If this prevents them from becoming the next “Breakfast in the pool in Bali” destination, I’m all for it.
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
Sounds wonderful. Not only do I love the policy, but I love that they enforce it.
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.
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?
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.
So you were in violation for the photos in the post?
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.