Reykjavík Grapevine - jan. 2023, Blaðsíða 21

Reykjavík Grapevine - jan. 2023, Blaðsíða 21
21The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 1— 2023 shop.grapevine.is shop.grapevine.is shop.grapevine.is shop.grapevine.is* shop.grapevine.isshop.grapevine.is Don't Hesitate! Act Now! * You only need to type the URL in once Get Grapevine Merch! MUSEUM OF DESIGN AND APPLIED ART GARÐATORG 1 210 GARÐABÆR OPEN TUE–SUN 12–17 WWW.HONNUNARSAFN.IS Instagram Facebook honnunarsafn EXHIBITIONS HÖNNUNARSAFNIÐ SEM HEIMILI AT HOME IN THE DESIGN MUSEUM OPENS 27.01. THE PLATFORM BEST BOOK DESIGN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD 2022 OPENS 20.01. RESIDENCY ADA STAŃCZAK CERAMIC DESIGNER OPENS 20.01. temperatures and depths, which are littered across the beach. If you get tired of the great outdoors, you can head inside for a bowl of seafood soup or tuck yourself away in the loaf-shaped steambath to hum to yourself and feel the acoustics vibrate your skull to samadhi. This is the place to go after munching those edibles you forgot were in your beige weekender. HOT TIPS: Don’t be nervous about the jellyfish if you decide to take a dip in the sea — they don’t sting. Do be careful on the wooden steps connecting the pools — they get moderately-to-insanely slippery. Honourable Mention: Forest Lagoon Another newbie on the spa circuit, the Forest Lagoon on the outskirts of Akureyri forgoes the dark lava design that’s become so popular in Iceland by weaving their hot springs into a man-made forest clearing with views over Eyjafjörður. THE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK GeoSea There is no such thing as a cheap spa and, if you’re just looking for a cosy hot tub, you’re better off with any of the pools. But if you’re looking to kick it up a smidge without break- ing the bank, then GeoSea leads the pack. While it may not offer an exhaustive range of spa activi- ties, the Húsavík staple does offer an infinity pool filled with heated seawater, which guides your eye to ludicrously gorgeous views over Skjálfandafjörður. So sit back and take it all in with a long sigh and a glass of bubbly. HOT TIPS: Remember to pay the bar tab on your plastic bracelet. You may find that the wine has eaten into the Blue Lagoon savings Honourable Mention: Laugar Spa Located in the bowels of the World Class Laugar gym, you don’t go to this spa for the views. Look out for 2-for-1s and discounts and you can enjoy a range of steam baths surrounded by oddly sex-fixated decor choices. If you need fresh air, take a brisk jaunt over to Laugar- dalslaug, which is included in the entry price. THE ULTRA FANCY SPA The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Oh, shit is that Beyoncé!? No? Oh, well, it’s still pretty nice. The Blue Lagoon Retreat seems to have been built to meet the affluent and famous contingent’s need for uninterrupted selfies and boy does it deliver. Far from the madding crowds of the regular lagoon, here you will get your very own chang- ing suite with private facilities. After threading your way through a maze of saunas and relaxation rooms, you can choose between lounging in the whisper-quiet café, grabbing a bubbly in the private lagoon area, or descending to the lower level for an upscale version of the silica skincare regime found in the commoners’ lagoon. While the price tag is dizzy- ing, there is a lot to be said for avoid- ing the foot traffic and embracing serenity to its fullest. HOT TIPS: You will get lost making your way to the changing room, be careful not to stub your toes on the steps in the opaque lagoon water, and take advantage of the surpris- ingly generous portions at the café. Honourable Mention: Deplar Farm This lodge in a remote part of North Iceland has a similar price-based barrier to entry as the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon but, in addition to the usual spa facilities, it offers a swim-up bar, flotation tanks and two helipads (for all your helicopter- ing needs). MORE DELICIOUS SPAS! Reykjavík Metropolitan Area: - Edition Hotel Spa - Hreyfing Spa - Hótel Borg Spa - Hilton Nordica Spa - Grand Hotel Spa - Þingholt Spa - Sky Lagoon Within 2 hours from Reykjavík Laugavatn - Fontana Spa Haukadalur - Hótel Geysir Húsafell - Canyon Baths Reykholt - Fosshótel Reykholt Spa - Krauma East Jökulsárlón - Fosshótel Jökulsárlón Egilsstaðir - Vök Natural Baths - Lake Hotel Spa North Mývatn - Myvatn Nature Baths What the heck is a spa? This may seem like a simple enough question, but it gets particularly thorny in a country with a widespread bath- ing culture. The only way forward is to wade into these murky waters and bash together a definition. Here are the defini- tive characteristics of a spa, as far as the Grapevine is concerned: 1. The first one is easy. An Icelandic spa must offer pools of geothermal mineral water for people to relax in. This is non- negotiable. Think of it as a waterpark for relaxing adults. That said, there shouldn’t be a full-blown lap pool. A spa is not the place to get your cardio in. 2. It should not have much geared towards children. It’s a place for mommy to get away from her hellspawn. 3. Robes. Robes are nice. Give in to the robe. 4. Booze. While not an essential part of the experience for some, easy access to sparkling wine does help enforce the message of relaxation and celebration. Just don’t start getting all shouty or think we don’t know when you are getting handsy in the water. 5. Higher service level. If you’re lucky, a trip to a traditional Icelandic pool includes an old woman shouting at you to clean your buttcrack. A spa should be a notch above that. 6. Treatments for your aching bones and saggy skin. Massage, facials, mani, pedi, etc. If the nice spa person tells you it is a good idea to get wrapped up in seaweed and thrown into hot lava, then you shut up and do it. You want that glow.

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