Blue Lagoon: Retreat Spa Experience & Private Changing Suite

The most striking part of this experience is the Retreat Lagoon, a quieter pool of the same blue geothermal water found in Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon. You reach it through a lava-rock concourse that leads to a sauna, steam cave, fireplace, cold plunge, relaxation spaces, and a viewing deck.

I like the private changing suite, which gives you a calm place to start and finish the visit, and I like the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a four-part treatment built around silica, algae, minerals, and nourishing oil. The ban on cameras and electronic devices also helps keep the spa peaceful.

The main drawback is the price: $724 for two people is a serious splurge, and food, swimwear, and transportation are not included. Five hours is generous, though, so this makes the most sense when you want a major spa day rather than a quick soak between sightseeing stops.

Key points to know before you book

• A private lagoon away from the main crowds: The Retreat Lagoon offers the same geothermal waters as the public Blue Lagoon, with a quieter setting and private spa access.
• Five hours gives you room to slow down: You can move between the lagoon, sauna, steam cave, fireplace, cold plunge, relaxation areas, and viewing deck without rushing.
• The private changing suite is for two people: It includes a large shower, dry area, towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon Skincare amenities.
• The Blue Lagoon Ritual is self-applied: You use silica mud, salt scrub, algae mask, and face and body oil in a set wellness cycle.
• Your spa time includes the public Blue Lagoon: A private entrance connects the Retreat Spa with the larger Blue Lagoon area.
• The setting is intentionally device-free: Cameras and electronic devices are not allowed inside, although staff can take a photo in the Retreat Lagoon and email it to you.

Entering a spa built into Icelandic lava

The Retreat Spa sits on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 20 minutes by car from Keflavík Airport and about 50 minutes from Reykjavík. Its design makes the volcanic setting part of the visit rather than a backdrop you simply glance at from a parking lot.

You enter through a concourse formed from lava rock, then move into a series of dark, warm, quiet spaces. The route is not about collecting sights. It is about changing pace. After a day of driving, airport transfers, or Reykjavík sightseeing, the low light and heavy stone create a clear break from normal travel.

At check-in, staff explain the spa and how to use its different areas. You are then shown to a private changing suite. That small amount of orientation matters because the Retreat is spread through several connected spaces, and your first few minutes are better spent getting comfortable than trying to work out where everything is.

The private suite has a large shower and dry area. Towels, a bathrobe, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon Skincare products are provided. You do need to bring swimwear, and swimwear is not included. If you are carrying luggage, staff can help store it.

The private changing suite is more than a locker room

For a high-priced spa visit, the changing suite is one of the details that helps explain the cost. You are not simply changing beside a row of lockers before joining a large pool. You have a private space for two, with room to shower and dry off at your own pace.

I find this especially useful for couples who want the day to feel unhurried from the beginning. It also makes the visit easier if you are coming straight from the airport or preparing for a flight afterward. The provided robe and flip-flops mean fewer items to pack into your day bag.

The suite does not turn the Retreat into a hotel room. It is still a spa changing area, and food is not included there. But it gives the arrival and departure a sense of privacy that the standard Blue Lagoon visit does not promise.

Starting in the Retreat Lagoon

The Retreat Lagoon is the natural first stop. Its geothermal water is the same blue water associated with the public Blue Lagoon, but this pool is reserved for Retreat Spa users. You can soak, order a drink, and let the visit begin without trying to claim a quiet corner in a busy public pool.

This is where the high price has its clearest benefit. The water itself is not exclusive. The value comes from the setting, the lower-key atmosphere, the private entrance, the changing suite, and the ability to use the full spa area around it.

You should not expect a completely silent room. Water, conversation, and spa activity still exist. But the Retreat Lagoon is designed as a more intimate part of the Blue Lagoon complex, and it gives couples a better chance to relax together without the feel of a large public attraction.

The drink included with admission can be enjoyed while you soak. The exact drink choices are not specified, so you should treat this as a pleasant extra rather than the reason to book. Food is separate, and the Spa Restaurant is available before, during, or after your spa time.

Saunas, steam, fire, and the viewing deck

The lagoon is only one part of the five-hour visit. The surrounding Retreat Spa includes several spaces that let you change the temperature and mood of the day.

The sauna gives you a dry heat option after time in the water. The steam cave offers a more humid setting, while the fireplace and nesting area provide places to sit and rest between treatments. A refreshment area is also available.

There is a cold plunge well for a sharper change of temperature. You can use it as a brief reset between warm spaces, although the experience is not designed as a race from hot to cold. The value comes from choosing what feels comfortable and leaving plenty of time for rest.

The panoramic viewing deck gives you a chance to look beyond the water and lava rock. It is a useful stop if you have been inside the spa for a while and want fresh air and a broader view. The deck is not a separate sightseeing excursion, but it adds variety to a long spa session.

With five hours, you can repeat your favorite areas. That is important. A two-hour admission would make the facilities feel like a checklist. Five hours lets you soak, take a break, use the sauna, pause by the fire, and return to the lagoon without watching the clock every few minutes.

The Blue Lagoon Ritual, step by step

The main treatment is the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a self-applied cycle using the lagoon’s well-known natural elements. It includes a salt scrub, Silica Mud Mask, Algae Mask, and Blue Lagoon face and body oil.

The self-applied format is worth understanding before you book. This is not a private massage with a therapist guiding every movement. You carry out the treatment yourself, following the spa’s setup and instructions. Some people will enjoy the freedom and privacy. If you want hands-on treatment from a professional, this is not that kind of service.

The salt scrub begins the sequence and gives the treatment a brisk, exfoliating feel. Next comes the silica mud mask, the product most closely associated with the Blue Lagoon. You apply it as directed, allow it to work, and then rinse it away.

The algae mask follows. It is intended as the more nourishing part of the cycle and adds a different texture and feel after the silica. The final step is face and body oil, which helps finish the treatment with a smoother, more moisturized feel.

You should leave enough time for the ritual rather than trying to squeeze it in at the end. The treatment is one of the included features that makes this more than a premium pool admission. It also works well as a shared activity for two people, since you can move through the stages together while still having personal space.

The skincare products are also available as amenities in the private suite. If you like the products, the visit gives you a chance to try them in their natural setting, but the cost of retail purchases is not part of the admission.

The public Blue Lagoon is included too

A private entrance gives you access to the public Blue Lagoon area during your Retreat visit. This is a useful inclusion, especially if you want to see the larger, more famous side of the complex rather than staying only in the Retreat.

The public area has a different feel. It is the more social and widely visited part of Blue Lagoon, while the Retreat focuses on privacy and quiet. You can compare both spaces during one booking, then return to the Retreat when you want a calmer setting.

This access also helps with value. At $724 for up to two people, the price is hard to justify if you only plan to sit in one small pool for an hour. Using the public area, private lagoon, Ritual, sauna, steam cave, and other spaces gives you a fuller day.

Still, do not book this expecting the public area to feel as secluded as the Retreat. The inclusion lets you enjoy both sides of Blue Lagoon, but the experience changes when you leave the private entrance.

Eating at the Spa Restaurant

Food is not included, but the Spa Restaurant offers seasonal meals made with fresh local ingredients. It serves light, nourishing dishes and has broad views over the mineral-rich water and old lava.

No reservation is needed, which makes the restaurant practical during a five-hour visit. You can eat before the spa, take a break during the day, or sit down after the Ritual. Because the meal is an extra cost, include it in your budget before deciding that the admission price is manageable.

The restaurant is also useful if your schedule places the spa between airport and hotel plans. The Blue Lagoon is close to Keflavík Airport, so some people may use the visit as part of an arrival or departure day. The provided information confirms the distance, but not luggage timing or airline check-in arrangements, so leave enough time for your own flight plans.

Getting there from Keflavík or Reykjavík

By car, follow signs for The Retreat after arriving at Blue Lagoon. Parking for Retreat day visitors is free. The drive takes about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport or about 50 minutes from Reykjavík.

By bus, get off with the other passengers at Blue Lagoon and walk to the Luggage House. An attendant can call the shuttle that takes you to The Retreat. This is a small but important detail: the bus does not simply leave you at the Retreat entrance.

The activity is offered as a private group for up to two people, with an English-speaking host or greeter. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your date. The spa is wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not describe every facility or route in detail, so ask the provider about your specific needs before booking.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans are uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.

Who gets the best value from the $724 price

At $724 per group of two, this is a luxury purchase. You are paying about $362 per person before food, transportation, or any swimwear purchase. That price is not a good match for a quick soak or a budget-focused Iceland itinerary.

The value improves if you plan to use most of the five hours. Think of the admission as a full spa day with:

• A private changing suite
• Retreat Lagoon access
• Public Blue Lagoon access
• Sauna and steam cave
• Relaxation areas, fireplace, and viewing deck
• A cold plunge well
• One drink
• The Blue Lagoon Ritual
• Towels, robes, slippers, and skincare amenities

Couples who want a special Iceland day will get the clearest benefit. It also suits people who value quiet, privacy, and time to rest more than a packed sightseeing schedule.

I would be more cautious if you are visiting Iceland on a tight budget, dislike self-applied treatments, or only have a spare hour. The public Blue Lagoon offers a different product, and the Retreat price is justified mainly by the private suite, quieter pool, Ritual, and extra spa spaces.

The strong 4.7 rating from 40 ratings, along with a verified booking described as a wonderful experience, supports the idea that the package delivers what it promises. Still, the rating cannot erase the basic trade-off: this is expensive, and the biggest benefit is comfort and privacy rather than a completely different kind of geothermal water.

Age rules and the device-free policy

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and children under 12 cannot use the spa.

Cameras and electronic devices are not allowed inside the Retreat Spa. This is more than a small rule to remember. It changes the feel of the visit by removing the pressure to record every stage of the day.

If you want a photo in the Retreat Lagoon, staff can take one for you and email it to you. You should not plan on taking your own phone into the spa for directions, messages, or pictures. Store it with your belongings and treat the device-free rule as part of the experience.

Should you book the Retreat Spa?

Book it if you want a private, slow five-hour spa day for two and are comfortable paying a luxury price. The private suite, quiet Retreat Lagoon, self-applied Blue Lagoon Ritual, sauna, steam cave, and public lagoon access create a full package rather than a simple pool visit.

Skip it if you only want to sample the water, need to keep costs low, or prefer a therapist-led treatment. For the right couple, this is one of the more polished ways to experience Blue Lagoon. Just arrive with swimwear, budget for food, plan your transport, and give yourself enough time to use the facilities instead of treating the Retreat as a quick stop.

FAQ

Where is the Retreat Spa located?

The Retreat Spa is on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula at Blue Lagoon. It is about 20 minutes by car from Keflavík Airport and about 50 minutes from Reykjavík.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How many people can book for the listed price?

The price of $724 covers a private group of up to two people.

Is the changing room private?

Yes. The experience includes a private changing suite for up to two people, with a large shower and dry area.

What is provided in the changing suite?

Towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon Skincare amenities are provided.

Is the Blue Lagoon Ritual included?

Yes. The included Ritual features a salt scrub, Silica Mud Mask, Algae Mask, and Blue Lagoon face and body oil. You apply the treatment yourself.

Can I use the public Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The package includes access to the public Blue Lagoon area through a private entrance from the Retreat Spa.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but the Spa Restaurant serves seasonal, light meals and does not require reservations.

Can I bring a camera or phone into the spa?

No. Cameras and electronic devices are not permitted in the spa. Staff can take a photo for you in the Retreat Lagoon and email it to you.

Are children allowed?

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with them, and children under 12 cannot use the spa.