Visiting the lagoon will be an ideal add on for Golden Circle tourist packages / photo: Laugaras Lagoon
Contrast bathing and fine-dining are two standout features of an upcoming geothermal wellness destination that’s strategically positioned on Iceland’s Golden Circle – a popular tourist route close to the capital of Reykjavik.
Due to open in Q3 this year, Laugarás Lagoon is a two-storey geothermal lagoon on the banks of the Hvitá River, which is designed to allow visitors to descend from an upper pool to a lower pool through a passage under the water’s surface, emerging through a waterfall.
The 1,000sq m bathing area will include a cold pool for contrast bathing, using glacial water from the nearby river, as well as two saunas, relaxation spaces, two swim-up bars, a 6.6-metre waterfall and a secluded grotto with seating.
Ylja, its 280sq m restaurant, is headed up by well-known Icelandic chef Gísli Matt. The seasonal menu will offer ingredients from nearby farms, fisheries and greenhouses.
“Our location, architecture, nature and culinary expertise are what sets us apart,” managing director, Bryndís Björnsdóttir, tells Spa Business. “The area is attractive to both locals and tourists and we believe it truly deserves a wider range of activities.”
Investment and pricing Real estate company Norverk bought the plot in 2015 and appointed development firm Mannverk.
Architects T.ARK, engineering firm Efla and lighting design studio Hildiberg are also working on the project.
The modern architecture incorporates glass panels that offer sweeping views of the Hvitá River, mountains and woodland. Locally sourced materials have been combined with Iceland’s abundant geothermal energy to create the lagoon.
Hjalti Gylfason, one of the partners at Mannverk, told local media last year that the construction cost was estimated to be around ISK2 billion (US$15.6 million, €13.7 million, £11.6 million).
Laugarás Lagoon, which has the capacity for around 200 bathers, is looking to attract up to 180,000 visitors a year and will offer three packages starting at ISK 6,900 (US$54, €47, £40).
Target markets Björnsdóttir says local residents, summerhouse owners and those living in Reykjavik will be offered membership cards for frequent visits. It will also be partnering with many tour operators to offer packages which combine a Golden Circle trip and a visit to Laugarás Lagoon.
She adds: “Our proximity to the Golden Circle is significant as guests can include a visit to Laugarás before or after marvelling at Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir National Park and the Geysir [geothermal area].”
Iceland is becoming known for its geothermal bathing destinations, which include the original Blue Lagoon and the more recent Sky Lagoon and Forest Lagoon.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2025 issue 2
Editor’s letter: The Gen Z effect
With young adults reshaping our industry, affordable, community-based models are thriving, while traditional spas risk being left behind
Spa people: Novak Djokovic
Game, set, spa. The tennis star is poised to launch a biohacking pod while also entering a multi-year ambassador partnership with Aman
Spa people: Peter Attia
One of the most respected names in longevity medicine has co-founded preventative health clinic, Biograph
Spa people: Alexis Dean
The founder of Soak is on a mission to deliver social wellness without the hefty price tag across Australia
News report: Young influencers
Millennials and Gen Zers are redefining the wellness landscape according to new research by McKinsey
News report: Double vision
Fresh data from RLA Global reveals that hotels delivering wellness earn twice as much as those that don’t
Project preview: Laugarás Lagoon
Contrast bathing and fine dining are two USPs of a new geothermal destination in Iceland’s Golden Circle
Interview: Suzanne Holbrook
Marriott’s new global leader of spa, fitness and wellness talks candidly to Katie Barnes about her plans for the world’s largest hotel spa portfolio
Ask an expert: Vagus nerve
Insider insights into why this critical nerve is a key to wellbeing and how supportive treatments are set to shake up spa menus. Kath Hudson reports
Research: Marginally speaking
CBRE’s latest numbers show that spa revenues in US hotels have edged upward, profits have slipped slightly and costs are down
Investigation: Dealing with death
With a new openness emerging around the subject of end-of-life care, Julie Cramer investigates whether spas could offer death doula services
Trend: Head first
Judy Chapman tries out brain mapping at Gwinganna to see why it’s become so popular
First person: Relaxation rebooted
Does AI massage have a place in luxury spas? Cassandra Cavanah heads to The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara to find out
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
Visiting the lagoon will be an ideal add on for Golden Circle tourist packages / photo: Laugaras Lagoon
Contrast bathing and fine-dining are two standout features of an upcoming geothermal wellness destination that’s strategically positioned on Iceland’s Golden Circle – a popular tourist route close to the capital of Reykjavik.
Due to open in Q3 this year, Laugarás Lagoon is a two-storey geothermal lagoon on the banks of the Hvitá River, which is designed to allow visitors to descend from an upper pool to a lower pool through a passage under the water’s surface, emerging through a waterfall.
The 1,000sq m bathing area will include a cold pool for contrast bathing, using glacial water from the nearby river, as well as two saunas, relaxation spaces, two swim-up bars, a 6.6-metre waterfall and a secluded grotto with seating.
Ylja, its 280sq m restaurant, is headed up by well-known Icelandic chef Gísli Matt. The seasonal menu will offer ingredients from nearby farms, fisheries and greenhouses.
“Our location, architecture, nature and culinary expertise are what sets us apart,” managing director, Bryndís Björnsdóttir, tells Spa Business. “The area is attractive to both locals and tourists and we believe it truly deserves a wider range of activities.”
Investment and pricing Real estate company Norverk bought the plot in 2015 and appointed development firm Mannverk.
Architects T.ARK, engineering firm Efla and lighting design studio Hildiberg are also working on the project.
The modern architecture incorporates glass panels that offer sweeping views of the Hvitá River, mountains and woodland. Locally sourced materials have been combined with Iceland’s abundant geothermal energy to create the lagoon.
Hjalti Gylfason, one of the partners at Mannverk, told local media last year that the construction cost was estimated to be around ISK2 billion (US$15.6 million, €13.7 million, £11.6 million).
Laugarás Lagoon, which has the capacity for around 200 bathers, is looking to attract up to 180,000 visitors a year and will offer three packages starting at ISK 6,900 (US$54, €47, £40).
Target markets Björnsdóttir says local residents, summerhouse owners and those living in Reykjavik will be offered membership cards for frequent visits. It will also be partnering with many tour operators to offer packages which combine a Golden Circle trip and a visit to Laugarás Lagoon.
She adds: “Our proximity to the Golden Circle is significant as guests can include a visit to Laugarás before or after marvelling at Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir National Park and the Geysir [geothermal area].”
Iceland is becoming known for its geothermal bathing destinations, which include the original Blue Lagoon and the more recent Sky Lagoon and Forest Lagoon.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2025 issue 2
Editor’s letter: The Gen Z effect
With young adults reshaping our industry, affordable, community-based models are thriving, while traditional spas risk being left behind
Spa people: Novak Djokovic
Game, set, spa. The tennis star is poised to launch a biohacking pod while also entering a multi-year ambassador partnership with Aman
Spa people: Peter Attia
One of the most respected names in longevity medicine has co-founded preventative health clinic, Biograph
Spa people: Alexis Dean
The founder of Soak is on a mission to deliver social wellness without the hefty price tag across Australia
News report: Young influencers
Millennials and Gen Zers are redefining the wellness landscape according to new research by McKinsey
News report: Double vision
Fresh data from RLA Global reveals that hotels delivering wellness earn twice as much as those that don’t
Project preview: Laugarás Lagoon
Contrast bathing and fine dining are two USPs of a new geothermal destination in Iceland’s Golden Circle
Interview: Suzanne Holbrook
Marriott’s new global leader of spa, fitness and wellness talks candidly to Katie Barnes about her plans for the world’s largest hotel spa portfolio
Ask an expert: Vagus nerve
Insider insights into why this critical nerve is a key to wellbeing and how supportive treatments are set to shake up spa menus. Kath Hudson reports
Research: Marginally speaking
CBRE’s latest numbers show that spa revenues in US hotels have edged upward, profits have slipped slightly and costs are down
Investigation: Dealing with death
With a new openness emerging around the subject of end-of-life care, Julie Cramer investigates whether spas could offer death doula services
Trend: Head first
Judy Chapman tries out brain mapping at Gwinganna to see why it’s become so popular
First person: Relaxation rebooted
Does AI massage have a place in luxury spas? Cassandra Cavanah heads to The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara to find out
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
