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Travel + Leisure Readers' 3 Favorite Resorts in Iceland of 2023
Readers voted this world-famous accommodation as their favorite resort in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023.
How Voting Works
What readers loved, the full list.
Geothermal pools glistening in a milky turquoise hue, lava fields caked in glacial ice, impressively good yogurt … it’s just another day in Iceland, a stark landscape that seems scripted like a fairy tale. The feeling of fantasy is enhanced further still when you’re overnighting in one of the country’s magical luxury lodges. Because around here, the locals have developed a style of grandeur all their own.
Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Rooms/facilities
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
Courtesy of Blue Lagoon Iceland
Rather than ornate lavishness you might expect from five-star properties, Icelanders prefer a minimalist approach, in which the architecture defers to the majesty of the surrounding landscape. The top-rated entries included below afford you a front-row seat to the natural spectacle, while dialing inner calm and comfort up to unrivaled rungs.
Want to wake up beside a glacial lagoon? Of course you do. When you arise at the Fosshotel (No. 3) at the foot of Hvannadalshnúkur — Iceland’s tallest peak — you’ll have to spend time convincing yourself that you haven’t been transported to another planet in your sleep. Don’t worry, the memorable dining experience here will snap you right back to reality, even if the tasting menu — comprised of artfully rendered Nordic specialties — is dubbed the “Dreamfeast.”
Meanwhile, The Retreat (No. 2) is situated along Iceland’s most celebrated landmark: the Blue Lagoon. “[It’s] likely my favorite hotel in the world,” one reader commented. “It’s as if you took the level of service and luxury of Aman resorts and gave it earnest Icelandic hospitality with their wonderful culture of wellness and delicious foods. I would live at this hotel if I could.”
While moving into The Retreat isn’t currently on the table, booking a stay at these hotels — voted the top resorts in Iceland by our readers — is an enviable consolation prize.
Silica Hotel: Grindavik, Iceland
Courtesy of Silica Hotel
The aptly named Blue Lagoon is a world-famous destination for good reason: it’s a wholly unique human-made wonder. But that’s also why it gets so overrun with tourists. Those who stay overnight at the sleek and stylish Silica Hotel get a slice of the stunning hot pools all to themselves. Here, you’ll find your own private bathing lagoon available exclusively to hotel guests open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. “It was a splurge financially,” warns one reader of rooms that start at $650 per night. “But it was well worth it.”
1. Silica Hotel : Grindavik, Iceland
Reader Score: 90.13
2. The Retreat : Grindavik, Iceland
Reader Score: 89.13
3. Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon : Öræfi, Iceland
Reader Score: 88.86
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Travel Advisory. Longer test Travel Advisory Alert post login will go here. Longer test alert here. Read More. New Feature. Test New Feature Alert post login Read More. New Marketing. Test System Outage Alert post login Read More. Browse All Affiliated Resorts. Keyword Search. Done. tell us where you'd like to go ...
Your fly, tour, cruise package includes: $2500 per person flight credit. 7-night Iceland Adventure with Globus. Most meals included. First-Class or Superior First-Class with private bath or shower. Includes hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. Visit some of Iceland's breathtaking natural scenery.
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Pricing based on departure date 27 June 2025. Experience the magnificence of Iceland's natural wonders, glorious waterfalls, mossy lava fields, snow-capped mountains, and jaw-dropping fjords are breathtaking sights just waiting to be explored on your Iceland cruise. Dip into the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Indulge in Iceland & Ireland. AU$3,655 per person with Exchange. Duration: 15 Nights. Region: Northern Europe. Provider: Royal Caribbean International. Deal Code: PA1A16SS. 1300 301 022. Deal Description. Uncover a different way of life in Amsterdam, where the main mode of transport is a bicycle and canals replace roads.
Iceland. Discover a northern paradise where ice meets mountains and nature abounds. Cruise to Iceland, where you can visit the enchanting cities of Reykjavik and Akureyri and marvel at the country's rough and unusual natural wonders. With a population of only 123,300 people, Iceland's capital and largest city, Reykjavik, is home to colourful ...
Make a 23 Night Iceland & Greenland - Arctic Expedition under the Midnight Sun cruise your next vacation aboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen today when you book with RCI Cruise! Ports Of Call ... RCI Cruise is provided by a third party provider, World Travel Holdings, Inc. (WTH), under agreement with RCI, LLC (RCI). ...
Alternate departure date available for travel in 2023, Call us for the availability. Experience the iconic sights of Iceland as you gasp in awe at the exploding hot springs in Geysir and lose yourself in the Northern Lights dancing overhead in Reykjavik. From the thundering waterfalls of Skógafoss and the majesty of the Hekla volcano, to the ...
The 3 Best Resorts in Iceland in 2022. Each of the winning hotels in this new list of the best resorts in Iceland, according to Travel + Leisure readers, offers a unique way to experience the ...
138 Saint James Ave, Boston, MA US. Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston. 922 reviews. From $263.79 per night. 821 Washington Street, Boston, MA US. Doubletree By Hilton Boston - Downtown. 947 reviews.
Make a 12 Night Iceland & Scotland cruise your next vacation aboard the Jewel of the Seas today when you book with RCI Cruise! Ports Of Call ... RCI Cruise is provided by a third party provider, World Travel Holdings, Inc. (WTH), under agreement with RCI, LLC (RCI). Therefore, RCI disclaims all responsibility in connection with any third-party ...
Make a 11 Night Iceland: Alta Akureyri & Honningsvag cruise your next vacation aboard the Norwegian Star today when you book with RCI Cruise! Ports Of Call ... RCI Cruise is provided by a third party provider, World Travel Holdings, Inc. (WTH), under agreement with RCI, LLC (RCI). Therefore, RCI disclaims all responsibility in connection with ...
RCI offers points and weeks' timeshare owners member-only travel access and discounts for hotels, resorts, car rentals, cruises and more. Say hello to your every-trip travel source.
Travel + Leisure Readers' 3 Favorite Resorts in Iceland of 2023. Readers voted this world-famous accommodation as their favorite resort in our annual "World's Best Awards" survey for 2023 ...
Make a 7 Night Around Iceland cruise your next vacation aboard the Star Pride today when you book with RCI Cruise! Ports Of Call. Free upgrade! Book an eligible stateroom on any qualifying sailing and receive a free upgrade! ... RCI Cruise is provided by a third party provider, World Travel Holdings, Inc. (WTH), under agreement with RCI, LLC ...
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Welcome to RCI. In 1974, Jon and Christel DeHaan changed everything. By letting owners exchange time at their home resorts for a stay at affiliated properties, members got value, flexibility, and adventures to share. Today, RCI isn't just the leader of vacation exchange. It's an entire global travel network that lets you book cruises ...
Make a 10 Night Northern Europe: Iceland & Norway cruise your next vacation aboard the Norwegian Prima today when you book with RCI Cruise! Ports Of Call ... RCI Cruise is provided by a third party provider, World Travel Holdings, Inc. (WTH), under agreement with RCI, LLC (RCI). Therefore, RCI disclaims all responsibility in connection with any ...
RCI Travel. Call:1-800-756-641. Se Habla Español. Who's Traveling? Select a profile to personalize your experience, book travel and save all your favorites! Create New Profile.
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Vacation Homes are wholly owned vacation properties. All 52 weeks are owned by the same person and are made available for exchange through RCI. These vacation properties consist of stand-alone homes, villas, condos and other types of vacation experiences The check in process, decor, on-site services and vacation experience may vary from ...
Travel Ban On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, President Trump announced a travel ban from continental Europe. This suspension applies to all foreign nationals physically present in the Schengen Area of Europe in the 14-day period prior to attempted entry into the U.S. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia ...