With my mom having recently passed, I now have a bit more time for travel, and also feel like I need to get out and just enjoy the outdoors and clear my head. So along those lines, I’ve just booked a quick adventure for Ford and me to go to Iceland at the end of the month, and would like to share what I’ve booked, and also get some feedback.
Why we’re traveling to Iceland (sort of) off-season
Back in 2014, I visited Iceland for a few nights, traveling alone in the peak of summer. I absolutely loved it, and I’ve been meaning to return ever since. While I was close to planning a trip several times, life always ended up getting in the way.
Well, that’s no longer the case, and rather than putting it off, I just decided to book the trip, as the stars sort of aligned in terms of our schedules (including childcare), flight and hotel availability, etc. Let me share some background, what flights I’ve booked, what hotels I’ve booked, and then I’d love some thoughts and feedback.
Usually I’m someone who avoids cold weather whenever possible, perhaps aside from our once annual ski trips (Ford skis — for me it’s more of a once annual apres-ski trip). 😉 However, Iceland in the off-season has always interested me a bit, for a variety of reasons.
For one, I still have never properly seen the Northern Lights, and Iceland is a great place from which to do so. Furthermore, living in Florida, it’s just kind of cozy to go to a cold and dark climate every once in a while.
I’m finally flying Icelandair Saga Class again!
First let’s talk about the flights. I’m not sure if the flights I booked make me the best husband (for putting Ford on a better flight) or the worst husband (for putting Ford on a better flight and then abandoning him), or if they just make me a good blogger (for taking one for the team)… you decide. Long story short, Ford and I are flying separate itineraries.
Ford has a very nice journey to get there — he’s flying Delta One from New York (JFK) to Keflavik (KEF), as I redeemed Flying Blue points for him. So he’ll be enjoying the Delta One Lounge and the industry leading Delta One product on the Boeing 767-300ER. 😉 Then on the return, he’s taking Icelandair’s brand new nonstop flight to Miami (MIA), so while it might not be that luxurious, it sure is convenient.
My situation is a little different. Long story short, I’ve been meaning to review Icelandair for a long time, as I last flew the airline in 2014, and it has an all-new fleet.
I’ve written about the general challenge of redeeming points for flights to Iceland, though fortunately the airline often has attractive Saga Class ares, including if you have a stopover in Iceland when traveling between many points in North America and Europe.
So what I did is book New York to Keflavik on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, and after a stopover in Iceland, I’ll be continuing to London (LHR) on the Airbus A321LR. I found a reasonable paid Saga Class fare (around $1,200 total), so that works for me.
What’s my return flight going to look like? Well, I’m actually using this trip as a jumping off point for a larger review trip, which I’ll share the details of soon. I think some of you will be very happy with my choices.
The four hotels we booked for Iceland
In total, I’ll be on the ground in Iceland for six nights, and I’ll be staying at a total of four hotels (Ford is on the ground for five nights, and staying at three hotels). So, what’s the plan?
We’ll be staying at the Reykjavik EDITION for a couple of nights, which is probably the city’s most luxurious property, and it’s also one of the points hotels that’s most on my radar. So that’s easy enough.
Speaking of Reykjavik, does anyone have any dining tips, for restaurants that are worth checking out? I know the city has a great dining scene, so I’d appreciate recommendations for any “can’t miss” meals, either for one or both nights. We’re open to anything from fine dining to casual, as long as it’s good! And if there any activities or other sights y’all recommend there, I’d love to hear it as well.
Next, we’re going to do a couple of nights in a more secluded area, which perhaps maximizes our chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Deplar Farm is without a doubt the most luxurious adventure property in Iceland, though it’s a bit more than I’d like to pay, so we won’t be staying there (maybe next time?).
We then tried to decide between the following three options:
- ION Adventure Hotel is a Marriott Design Hotels property; I’ve heard mixed reviews of the hotel, though it’s the most reasonably priced of the options
- Hotel Ranga is a secluded property that I’ve heard good things about, and it’s part of Hilton Honors’ Small Luxury Hotels of the World collaboration, so I like the points angle
- Torfhus Retreat looks like the most charming option between these three choices, though has no points angle
Based on a past post where I asked OMAAT readers which of those properties is best to stay at, Torfhus Retreat was the most widely recommended, so that’s what I ended up booking. Does anyone have any tips on how to best spend two days driving around the area from there, taking in as many sights as possible?
Next, I was going back and forth about whether to stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions, and arguably it’s a bit of a tourist trap. When I visited the Blue Lagoon in 2014, it was one of my least favorite parts of my trip to Iceland.
However, I’m intrigued by The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. I could never decide if it looks like it’s worth it or not, given how expensive it is. So I’m taking one for the team, and we’re staying there for one night. I’ll be sure to report back!
Lastly, on a less glamorous note, I’ll be spending a night at the Courtyard Keflavik Airport, simply because I have a very early morning flight (and Ford flies out the evening before, so I’ll be alone).
Bottom line
It has been over a decade since I’ve last visited Iceland, and I’m excited to finally return. To be honest, I booked this as a pretty last minute adventure, as the stars sort of aligned, in terms of wanting to get out, finding decent value flight options, and being able to tie it into a bigger review trip.
I’ve been putting off this trip for so long, so am hoping for the best. I’d certainly appreciate any feedback OMAAT readers may have.
How will Icelandair be (I know it’s more like premium economy than business class)? Did we make the right choices with the hotels we booked, and any things to be aware of with them? Any restaurants we can’t miss in Reykjavik? What are our odds seeing the Northern Lights in late October? Will I have issues driving as a Floridian, or will conditions still be fine? Thanks!!
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