Ludo's Research Trip to Iceland: Part 1

My first hotel was the four-star Hotel Reykjavik Saga, which I thought was an excellent option for a city stay. The location is fantastic, putting you within easy walking distance of Reykjavik's main sights, restaurants, and waterfront. The rooms were comfortable, the bed was excellent and it delivered exactly what I wanted from a well-positioned city hotel.

I even managed to get out for a morning run around the lake, which was a lovely way to see a quieter side of the city before breakfast. For clients looking for a comfortable, well-located base without spending five-star prices, I think Saga is a very strong option.

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon was one of the hotels I was most excited to experience, and it certainly lived up to its reputation. Built into Iceland's extraordinary volcanic landscape, this is a hotel that feels completely different from almost anywhere else. The architecture, the lava fields and the milky-blue geothermal water combine to create something genuinely special.

The spa is the real highlight. It is an incredible experience, with beautiful spaces, geothermal pools and a sense of calm that makes it very easy to lose track of time. This is somewhere I would encourage clients to spend enough time to properly enjoy rather than simply treating it as an overnight stop.

The hotel also has a Michelin-starred restaurant, Moss, which adds another dimension to the experience. I did feel that the Lava Restaurant could do with a little work, particularly when compared with the otherwise exceptional standards of the property.

And then came one of those magical Icelandic moments – seeing the Northern Lights from my room. It was a wonderful reminder that even at one of the country's most luxurious hotels, nature remains the star of the show.

For me, The Retreat is an iconic property and one that absolutely deserves consideration for a special occasion or luxury Icelandic itinerary.

Heading into the countryside, we stayed at Hotel Rangá, one of Iceland's best-known properties for Northern Lights viewing. Rangá has a wonderfully homely atmosphere. The service was warm and attentive; the food was consistently good and the hotel felt like somewhere you could happily settle in after a long day exploring.

Its location is one of its biggest strengths. Away from the bright lights of Reykjavik, it is an excellent base for attempting to see the aurora, with wide-open skies and very little light pollution.

I particularly loved the Northern Lights wake-up call service, something offered by several hotels during our trip. Rather than spending the entire evening staring at the sky, you can head to bed knowing the team will alert you if the lights appear. Such a simple idea, but one that makes a real difference to the experience.

I did feel that Rangá could benefit from a little TLC in places. Some areas are beginning to show their age, and I would love to see a few updates to the property. That said, the service, atmosphere and location make it a very appealing option, particularly for clients who want to prioritise the Northern Lights.

We also visited Skálakot Manor, a lovely alternative to Hotel Rangá in southern Iceland.

The property has its roots in a traditional Icelandic homestead, and I really liked the character and atmosphere. It feels intimate and personal, with a strong connection to the surrounding countryside What impressed me most was the design of the rooms. They were beautifully finished, with a style that felt both elegant and in keeping with the property's heritage.

I can see Skálakot working particularly well for clients who prefer smaller, characterful hotels rather than larger luxury properties. It is exactly the sort of place I love discovering on research trips – somewhere that might not be the most famous hotel in a destination but could be the perfect fit for the right client.

Torfhús Retreat was another real highlight of the trip.

Visually, the property is stunning. The traditional turf-house-inspired architecture sits beautifully within the surrounding landscape, creating a real sense of place. It feels wonderfully Icelandic while still delivering a luxurious and comfortable experience.

The food and service were both excellent, but what really impressed me was the attention to detail. It is often the small things that distinguish a very good hotel from an exceptional one, and Torfhús seemed to understand that perfectly. Everything felt carefully considered, from the design and atmosphere to the way the team looked after us.

I loved the feeling of being immersed in the landscape while still having all the comforts of a luxury retreat. For clients looking for something special, particularly couples or those wanting a more intimate countryside experience, I think Torfhús is an excellent choice.

We finished with a visit to The Reykjavik EDITION, one of the city's most prominent luxury hotels.

This is a very different proposition from the smaller countryside properties we had experienced. It is a contemporary, international five-star hotel with a much more corporate feel, right in the centre of Reykjavik.

The location is excellent, and the rooftop bar is a real highlight, offering a stylish setting for a drink overlooking the city. However, I did feel that a few areas could be improved.

Privacy in some of the rooms wasn't quite what I would expect at this price point, and the service didn't feel as personal or polished as we had experienced elsewhere in Iceland.

For clients who enjoy large, contemporary luxury hotels and want to be right in the heart of the city, it is certainly worth considering. Personally, though, I found myself more drawn to the smaller, characterful properties where the service and atmosphere felt particularly special.