ION Adventure Hotel Nesjavellir
iceland, iceland · ★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
ION Adventure Hotel is the design hotel for couples who want their Iceland honeymoon to feel architecturally memorable. The property juts out of a lava field in Nesjavellir — 45 minutes from Reykjavík, on the doorstep of Þingvellir National Park — with a cantilevered concrete-and-glass form that feels like something from a Bond film. Rooms are compact but meticulously designed: blackout drapes, lava-gravel walls, recycled-timber headboards, and huge windows facing a landscape that can shift from green summer moss to white lunar snow in a week. The hotel's Northern Lights Bar is genuinely an attraction — a long glass wing with low lighting, designed for aurora spotting — and the outdoor geothermal pool, carved into the hillside, is one of the most photographed honeymoon moments in the country. Add a kitchen doing confident farm-to-table Icelandic cooking and you have a stylish, scenic base for exploring the south and west.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
91/100
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Northern Lights Room — floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lava plain and the aurora corridor, king bed, rainfall shower, and a reading nook oriented at the view.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $1,050/nt) | $7,350 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $5,880 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $600 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $1,058 |
| Total estimated | $17,588 |
Book Your Stay
Check availability
We compare ION Adventure across partners and redirect to the cheapest option.
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival and first pool soak
Transfer from Keflavík (75 minutes), check-in, a welcome cocktail at the Northern Lights Bar, and an evening soak in the geothermal outdoor pool.
Þingvellir and Silfra fissure
Short drive to Þingvellir National Park, a guided snorkel or dive between the tectonic plates at Silfra, and lunch at a lakeside café.
Reykjavík culture day
Day in the capital — Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, the FlyOver Iceland experience, and dinner at a Reykjavík tasting-menu restaurant before returning to ION.
Golden Circle
Full Golden Circle loop including Geysir and Gullfoss, a stop at Kerið crater, and a late-afternoon return for a sauna and aurora watch.
Snæfellsnes peninsula
Long day trip to the 'Iceland in miniature' peninsula — Kirkjufell mountain, Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier — returning under star-pricked skies.
South Coast waterfalls
Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara black-sand beach, with an ice-cave or glacier-walk add-on in winter.
Spa and farewell
Slow morning, couples massage in the ION spa, a final soak in the outdoor pool, and a short transfer back to Keflavík.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The hotel is remote — there is no town or walkable dining nearby, so you will drive or use guided transfers for every meal outside the hotel.
Rooms are well designed but not huge; if you want a suite-scale honeymoon footprint, pre-select one of the corner or signature rooms.
The outdoor pool is heated geothermally but the walk to it is cold in winter — bring or borrow a robe and sandals.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon booking inquiry — ION Adventure Hotel Hello ION team, My partner and I are planning our honeymoon and would like to book 7 nights at ION Adventure Hotel from [DATE] to [DATE], preferably in a Northern Lights Room. Please could you confirm availability, the best available rate including breakfast, and any honeymoon amenities you can offer (champagne, late check-out, a spa credit)? We would also like to pre-book a Silfra snorkel tour, a Golden Circle private guide, and a couples treatment in the ION Spa. A private transfer from Keflavík would be appreciated. Thank you, [NAMES] [EMAIL] / [PHONE]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is this hotel good for honeymooners?
Yes — it's a design-led boutique with a geothermal pool, aurora-optimized bar, and strong restaurant in one of Iceland's most dramatic landscapes. A very good pick for style-conscious couples.
What is the best time to visit?
September to March for aurora, June to August for midnight-sun hiking and Silfra snorkeling. The surrounding national park is spectacular year-round.
What should we book in advance?
A Northern Lights Room, a Silfra snorkel or dive slot, Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes excursions, and a dinner reservation at the hotel restaurant on peak nights.
Is it adults-only?
No, ION is not adults-only, but it attracts a mostly adult, design-interested clientele and the mood is generally quiet and focused on nature.
What's the best room type for a honeymoon?
The Northern Lights Room with its panoramic view is the signature honeymoon choice. The Junior Suite adds more floor space and a lounge area if the budget stretches.
How do we get there?
Fly into Keflavík (KEF). The hotel is about 75 minutes away by road; book a private transfer or rent a car for flexibility on excursions.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
