The Retreat Spa at the Blue Lagoon Iceland: My In-Water Massage & Spa Experience
I have already posted a spa review of The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon from when I visited Iceland last year (2024) which you can find here, but from that (day) visit I knew I wanted to return and stay at The Retreat Hotel.
Realising that Icelandair were starting a new service between Edinburgh and Reykjavik , I took the opportunity to go back and revisit The Retreat Hotel at the Blue Lagoon, and of course I spent most of my time at the amazing Retreat Spa. This time I also booked a treatment, which turned out to be such an incredible experience - an in water massage.
The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland: The Important Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Spa | The Retreat Spa, Blue Lagoon Iceland |
| Treatment | In-Water Massage |
| Duration | 30 / 60 minutes |
| Location | Private Retreat Lagoon, carved into Iceland’s lava fields |
| Website | bluelagoon.com |
| @retreat.bluelagoon | |
| Signature Elements | Floating massage in geothermal waters, using Blue Lagoon mineral oils |
| Visited | September 2025 |
Retreat Blue Lagoon: Spa Sanctuary in the Heart of Iceland
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary at Retreat Blue Lagoon, a sanctuary of wellness set against the captivating Icelandic landscape. This exclusive spa destination redefines luxury through its unparalleled natural geothermal waters and innovative treatments inspired by the island’s unique volcanic environment. Unwind in mineral-rich lagoons that soothe and replenish, indulge in rejuvenating silica mud rituals, and explore advanced facial therapies crafted from Iceland’s purest ingredients.
Every experience at Retreat Blue Lagoon is thoughtfully tailored to harmonize with the serene surroundings, offering discerning travellers a transformative journey of relaxation and restoration. Elevate your wellbeing in a place where nature’s power meets expert care, promising an escape that is both invigorating and profoundly peaceful.
“The Retreat Spa
A geothermal paradise of timeless wellbeing”
The spa experience
If you’re staying in the hotel, you have unlimited access to both the spa and lagoon at The Retreat, but also access to the main Blue Lagoon and its facilities too. From my last visit, the steam and sauna facilities had been upgraded, and were excellent.
The Ritual
I completed the Blue Lagoon ritual a couple of times during my stay, with these four steps, after having warmed up the body to open pores, in either the steam room or the sauna.
Step 1: -Cleansing - The ritual begins with a nourishing body scrub, which combines Blue Lagoon silica, volcanic minerals, and the geothermal seawater’s microalgae. This scrub gently exfoliates the skin, leaving it smooth and revitalized. You then take a shower and dry off before the next step.
Step 2: Detoxifying - After cleansing, you apply a mineral-rich mud mask made from the Blue Lagoon’s silica. Once dried on the body, again take another shower and dry off before the next step.
Step 3: Masking - You apply a mineral-rich mud mask made from the Blue Lagoon’s algae. This mask purifies and revitalizes the skin, helping to restore its natural radiance. For the last time, you take another shower and dry off.
Step 4: Moisturizing - The final step is the application of a hydrating argan oil that seals in moisture and nourishes the skin. This product is also derived from the Blue Lagoon’s unique natural resources. There is a different version for face and neck vs body, and you’re also given a lip balm.
The recommendation is that you relax for a while before either going back into the lagoon, or taking further heat therapies. There is a relaxation room overlooking the lagoon (The Nest) or a darker inside relaxation space (Fireplace Room) where I could have spent hours. There’s also the Refresh room with views over the outside terrace (steam cave, viewing platform over the main Blue Lagoon and the cold well) where you can find drinks and snacks.
My Review - The Retreat Spa
This is such a special place for me, I just love it. If you’re staying in the hotel, you can access the spa and lagoons without having to check into the spa reception, unless you’re booked in for a treatment, as I was. With my having booked the in-water massage, and also looking to get changed later in the spa, after the check-out time, I was allocated a changing suite.
Changing facilities
I mentioned in my last review how exceptional these facilities are, and how they compared to say the likes of the Sky Lagoon. I did go back again to the Sky Lagoon (for their more premium Sér package) and while those changing facilities are good, at the Retreat they’re amazing.
Each suite has a large vanity unit and sink, walk-in twin overhead rain showers, and complete with robes, slippers, towels and all toiletries that you might need, including another gift set of the Blue Lagoon skincare collection.
Think dark slate tiles and wood, with clever subtle LED adjustable lighting, and nice touches (if you need them) like hairdryers and straighteners. The only thing that I initially thought was missing was a bag for swimwear, but on checking one of the vanity units drawers, I found a couple of compostable wet bags there. They really do think of everything.
Facilities
In the Retreat itself, there’s a dedicated spa restaurant, fitness and yoga room up in the main hotel, and in the spa area which surrounds the exclusive lagoon, there’s a steam cave, sauna, lava spring, cold plunge well, and the ritual area with the four steps above.
The Lagoon
From The Retreat, you can slip straight into the private lagoon at different levels, connected by little bridges and walkways, all filled with those mineral-rich geothermal waters. And if you fancy a change of scene, you’ve also got full access to the main Blue Lagoon included in your stay.
Food & Drink - The Spa Restaurant
I had breakfast in the hotel lobby area, but the spa restaurant is open all day for drinks, snacks or a full lunch. Food is excellent as is service, and you can be as indulgent or as healthy as you like. A really nice feature just outside is a window direct from the lagoon into the restaurant, where you can press a bell to be served drinks whilst still bathing. Whether you’re a day spa guest, or staying in the hotel, you’ll be provided with a wristband such that you can charge anything to your account - this also works in the main bar in the Blue Lagoon itself. I’ve never had sparkling strawberry wine anywhere bar there, and I had it again this time!
My Spa Treatment
The spa menu at The Retreat is extensive—there’s something for every kind of indulgence, from the signature in-water massage (which I experienced) to more grounded therapies on land.
When I visited, I chose the in-water massage, which is as magical as it sounds: you float gently atop a submerged mattress in the geothermal water while the therapist works their way through salt scrubs, algae wraps, and full-body massage sequences. The natural buoyancy and the mineral-rich waters make for an experience unlike any regular massage—it feels like you're surrendering to the water as much as to the touch.
But that’s not all. The Retreat also offers:
Float therapy: an immersive session where you drift in the lagoon, letting the water’s support and texture help you unwind fully.
The Blue Lagoon Ritual (or “Ritual”)—a multi-step body & skin treatment built around their signature ingredients: silica, volcanic minerals, algae and sea mud. It includes cleansing, detoxifying, masking, and moisturizing phases.
Blue Lagoon + facials
Next time I’d love to experience Lava Cove, a private sanctuary within the incredible sanctuary of the Blue Lagoon Retreat. This is a hidden world — a private suite where your own lagoon flows just steps from your living space. Think: 42 m² of sanctuary with its own 28 m² warm lagoon, plush seating, and a flickering fireplace, cocooned inside the volcanic hush of The Retreat.
The Retreat Hotel
You can read my full hotel review here, but I can tell you here this is such an amazing option for Iceland. Whether you’re using this as a base for touring around the island, or having an extended spa break, I cannot recommend this highly enough. It’s an amazing design and so carefully designed around the lagoon to maximise the views, and services and facilities to match.
My only regret is not having booked longer. I would say the perfect timing would be at least two nights; this way you could have a full day experience in the spa and lagoons without rushing, book some treatments, and have two nights to try both restaurants - Lava and Moss.
The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon: The Highlights
The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon delivered so many memorable moments, but these are the highlights that truly stood out during my spa experience.
The style and design of the Retreat - Spa and Hotel
The new improved facilities at the main Blue Lagoon itself - love the steam cave just off the lagoon, and the sauna with panoramic windows was excellent. Can’t wait to see what they improve next.
My in-water massage was like nothing I’ve had before - I never thought it was even possible to have a massage with oils in water - the therapist was so good.
I love the exclusivity of the Retreat Spa, but I would also love to see the Lava Cove.
Food and drinks - very indulgent, having champagne while bathing.
It sounds odd saying the changing suites were a highlight, but they are so exceptional, really!
Opportunities for Enhancement
Whenever I stay at a hotel or visit a spa, I like to focus on the highlights of the experience. That said, there are often small details that, if improved, could make an already excellent stay even better. These are, of course, personal observations, but they reflect what I feel could truly elevate the overall experience.
I said the last time that my only recommendation would have been to combine the spa visit with a stay in the Retreat Hotel. Having done that this time, my only enhancement opportunity would have been to stay for another night!
Final thoughts on the Retreat Spa
An absolutely fantastic experience again, and really enhanced by also staying in the Retreat Hotel. Having been twice, I would love to go back again and would recommend this so highly to any clients. Really a wonderful experience from start to finish.
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