Upon arriving in Iceland, you'll immediately know that you are not on a typical vacation as people are exuberantly ready to disembark the plane while lacking the proper clothing to handle the typical conditions there. The inhospitality of the landscape there is equally balanced by the grace and pleasantness of the local residents there.  Depending on the time of year, your journey from the airport in Keflavik can be chaotic and long, but once you are on your way, the oasis called The Blue Lagoon Resort is only a short drive away.

The Blue Lagoon itself has been around for a while. A public-type bathhouse carved right into the volcanic rock that surrounds the area. On a typical day, you would mostly see a sea of heads and steam protruding from the warm waters there. However, thankfully The Retreat Hotel is situated on the private side of the Lagoon and the decor and views transport you to an ethereal world straight out of a movie. 

The rooms are spacious and their raw beauty and exquisite linens provide the 5-star essentials we all desperately desire. Service at the Retreat is top-notch along with the food and beverages available. From daily fresh seafood to freshly roasted lamb and world-class cuisine, you'll be wanting for more after every meal. However, the real reason you want to stay at The Retreat is the unfettered access to the Spa.

The Retreat Spa seems as though it's something that belongs on the moon or another distant planet, just without the need for spacesuits. Your every whim and desire is provided with the staff that is both friendly and respectful of your privacy if you just want the time to yourself. The moment you enter this sanctuary you are treated and cared too as though you are royalty. Which one would expect out of this experience.

The waters of the lagoon are like being reborn. The silica in the water envelope your body and seep into every pore leaving you with a tingling feeling.The water itself is murky looking and you cant see more than a few inches down, though one prays that whatever is below you is clean. Given the limited number of people they allow in, I imagine that it couldn't be too difficult to keep clean unlike the public side of the Lagoon.  Once you've had enough of the water, the Spa features several other rooms and areas for general relaxing and enjoyment.

However, the best part of the entire experience must be saved for last, The Ritual!  This exhilarating experience combines all the natural resources of the environment and coats your body in a variety of silica, algae's and minerals through three different rooms. While rejuvenating your body and spirit in the geothermal seawater. By the end of this journey, you'll feel like you shed 10 pounds of body weight and 100 pounds of stress! You'll leave feeling like you've been reborn, though you'll likely feel like you want to sleep for a week afterward. Luckily the rooms are not too far from the spa so you don't have too long to wait before you can curl back up in your bed.

Overall, the experience of the Blue Lagoon Retreat will leave a lasting impression for years to come, and if you're fortunate enough, making a yearly visit to this oasis should be high on your list!