Blue Lagoon: Retreat Spa Experience & Private Changing Suite

Volcanic rock hides a very quiet spa. The Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa gives you a private changing suite, a calmer lagoon, and five hours to enjoy saunas, steam, treatments, and geothermal water on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. I especially like the peaceful Retreat Lagoon and the thoughtful access to both the private spa and the main Blue Lagoon.

I also like that the Blue Lagoon Ritual includes silica, algae, minerals, salt scrub, and nourishing oils without requiring a separate treatment appointment. The main drawback is the price: at $724 for two people, this is a major splurge, and food is not included.

The experience earns a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 40 ratings, with the simple praise of a wonderful experience capturing its main strength. This is not a quick dip between airport stops. It is a long, slow spa visit built for couples who want privacy and quiet.

Key points to know before booking

• Five hours at the Retreat: You have time to use the private spa, soak in the Retreat Lagoon, enjoy the ritual, and visit the public Blue Lagoon.
• Private changing suite for two: Your suite includes a large shower, dry area, towels, robes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare products.
• The Retreat Lagoon is the calm center: It uses the same blue geothermal water as the main lagoon, but offers a more intimate setting.
• The Blue Lagoon Ritual is self-applied: You move through silica, salt, algae, and oil treatments at your own pace.
• A phone-free setting: Cameras and electronic devices are not allowed inside the spa, helping keep the mood quiet.
• Easy access from the airport: The Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavík.

Arriving at The Retreat on the Reykjanes Peninsula

The Blue Lagoon sits in a volcanic setting on the Reykjanes Peninsula, making it an easy stop near Iceland’s main airport. By car, the drive takes about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport or about 50 minutes from Reykjavík. Follow signs for The Retreat when you arrive, then use the free parking reserved for day visitors to The Retreat.

If you arrive by bus, get off with the other passengers at Blue Lagoon. Walk to the Luggage House, where an attendant can call the shuttle to The Retreat. That extra transfer is simple, but allow a little breathing room if you are working around a flight.

The spa can also help store luggage. That matters if you are visiting between flights and do not want wet bags or suitcases crowding your changing suite.

At check-in, an English-speaking host or greeter explains the spa areas and how to use the services. You are then shown to your private changing suite. The calm start is useful because the Retreat is not a place where you rush in, change, and race straight to the water.

Your private changing suite for two

The private suite is one of the clearest differences between this experience and a standard public-lagoon visit. It is shared by up to two people and includes a large shower and a dry area, along with towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare amenities.

That setup gives couples a comfortable base for the full five hours. You can change without using a busy communal area, keep track of your belongings more easily, and return to a private space between parts of the spa visit.

You need to bring your own swimwear. Food is not included, and the spa restaurant is available separately. Plan around that if you are booking the experience during a long day of sightseeing or before catching a plane.

The private suite is especially useful for couples celebrating a special occasion or for anyone who values personal space. It may feel excessive if your only goal is to spend an hour in geothermal water, but five hours gives the suite more practical value.

A subterranean spa shaped by lava rock

From the changing area, you enter a concourse built into the volcanic earth. The design uses lava rock and creates a sheltered feeling without turning the setting into a dark cave.

The route opens onto several places to pause: a sauna, steam cave, fireplace, nesting area, refreshment area, viewing deck, cold plunge well, and the Retreat Lagoon. You do not need to use every feature. The value is having several ways to change pace during a long spa visit.

I like the contrast between the warm geothermal water, the sauna and steam cave, and the cold plunge. You can move between heat and cool water, then settle by the fireplace or in a quiet relaxation area. The viewing deck gives you a chance to look across the surrounding mineral-rich water and old lava.

The design encourages you to stop making decisions. You are not following a tightly timed sightseeing schedule. You can spend time in the water, dry off, sit quietly, and return when you feel like it.

The Retreat Lagoon, the heart of the visit

Start with the Retreat Lagoon. It contains the same blue geothermal water as the main Blue Lagoon, but the setting is more private and intimate.

The main benefit is not a different type of water. It is the quieter atmosphere and the sense of space around you. If a crowded public pool makes relaxation difficult, this part of the experience is likely to matter most.

You can order a drink in the Retreat Lagoon and take it slowly while looking across the mineral-rich water and centuries-old lava. The included drink is a useful touch, although additional food and dining are separate.

The water itself is central to the Blue Lagoon experience, but the five-hour format keeps it from becoming repetitive. You can leave the lagoon for the sauna, steam cave, fireplace, or viewing deck, then return once you are ready.

Staff can take a photo for you in the Retreat Lagoon and email it to you. You cannot bring a camera or electronic device into the spa. That rule may disappoint anyone who wants constant pictures, but it helps preserve the phone-free mood and protects the privacy of people around you.

The Blue Lagoon Ritual, step by step

The Blue Lagoon Ritual is the main treatment included in the price. It is self-applied, so you do not receive a private therapist-led massage or facial. Instead, you use a series of Blue Lagoon elements and skincare products as part of a full-body routine.

The ritual includes:

• A salt scrub
• The popular Silica Mud Mask
• An Algae Mask
• Blue Lagoon face and body oil

The order creates a simple cycle of cleansing, masks, and moisturizing. The silica mud is closely tied to the Blue Lagoon experience, while the algae mask adds another skincare step. The salt scrub gives the ritual a more active start, and the oil provides a finishing layer for your face and body.

I see the self-applied format as both a strength and a limitation. You can take your time and avoid the formality of a scheduled treatment. On the other hand, if you want hands-on massage or a therapist to guide every step, this will not provide that.

The ritual also works well for couples because you can share the experience without needing two separate treatment appointments. You will want to follow the spa’s instructions at check-in and allow enough time to rinse between products.

Sauna, steam cave, fireplace, and cold plunge

The Retreat Spa gives you more than a pool and a changing room. The sauna provides dry heat, while the steam cave offers a wetter, softer kind of warmth. These are useful places to go when you want a break from the lagoon.

The fireplace and nesting area are made for quiet pauses. You might sit there in your robe, let your body cool down, and enjoy the unusual setting before returning to the water.

The cold plunge well adds a sharper contrast. Some people will enjoy the quick change from hot to cold, while others may prefer to skip it. It is an optional part of the spa, not a test you need to complete.

The viewing deck is another good reason not to spend all five hours in the lagoon. The surrounding mineral-rich water and centuries-old lava give you something to look at beyond the pool itself.

Eating at Spa Restaurant

Spa Restaurant serves light, nourishing food made with fresh local ingredients. It has broad views over the mineral-rich water and old lava, so it can be a memorable part of the visit.

Food is not included in the Retreat package. You can eat before, during, or after your spa time, and no reservation is needed. That flexibility is helpful, though the meal will add to an already expensive outing.

If you are arriving hungry from the airport or planning to stay for the full five hours, allow time for the restaurant. If your schedule is tight, do not assume the included drink will replace a proper meal.

The restaurant is also a practical option for couples who want the spa visit to feel like a complete occasion rather than only a swim. Still, you should check the menu and prices directly when planning your budget, since the package details do not include meal costs.

Is $724 for two people a fair price?

The listed price is $724 for a private group of up to two people, which works out to $362 per person when two people share it. That is far more than a basic pool visit, and the price deserves careful thought.

You are paying for five hours, the private changing suite, Retreat Spa access, the Retreat Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a drink, skincare amenities, robes, towels, flip-flops, and access to the public Blue Lagoon. The private suite and quieter lagoon are the main value points.

For a couple marking a special trip, the cost may feel justified because the experience combines privacy, treatment, food options, and several relaxation areas in one place. The long duration also makes the price easier to accept than a short, one-hour visit.

The value is weaker if you dislike self-applied treatments, do not care about a private changing area, or plan to spend only a short time at the spa. In that case, a less expensive Blue Lagoon option may suit you better.

Remember to add food and any transport costs not already included in your own plans. Swimwear is also not included, so bring it with you.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend the Retreat Spa most strongly to couples who want quiet, privacy, and a special setting. It works well for a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or a final Iceland treat before flying home.

It also suits people who prefer slow days over packed schedules. Five hours gives you room to use the water, ritual, heat rooms, quiet areas, viewing deck, and restaurant without turning the visit into a checklist.

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 18 must be with a parent or legal guardian, and children under 12 cannot use the spa. The private group format is limited to two people, so this is not designed for a large family outing or a group of friends.

The spa is wheelchair accessible, which is useful to know when planning. Electronic devices and cameras are not allowed, so this is best for someone happy to put the phone away for several hours.

Timing your visit near Keflavík Airport

The location makes the Retreat Spa easy to pair with airport plans, but you should not treat a five-hour spa visit as a quick airport stop. The Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and about 50 minutes from Reykjavík.

A visit before a flight can work if you build in generous time for transport, changing, the full spa session, and airport procedures. The staff can assist with luggage storage, which makes the airport connection easier.

A visit after landing also works well, especially if you want a quiet first activity in Iceland. The volcanic setting, warm water, and slow pace offer a soft landing after a flight.

Starting times vary, so check availability before arranging transport. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, which gives you some flexibility if your Iceland plans shift.

Final verdict: book it for privacy, not simply for the water

The Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa is worth booking if you want the most private and unhurried version of a Blue Lagoon visit. The strongest features are the private changing suite, the quieter Retreat Lagoon, the phone-free setting, and the included Blue Lagoon Ritual.

I would skip it if your budget is tight or if you only want a quick soak. At $724 for two, this is a luxury experience, not a value-priced stop.

For the right couple, though, the five-hour format makes sense. You get time to slow down, try the ritual, move between heat and water, enjoy a drink, and share a memorable setting without constantly checking your phone. That is what you are really buying: privacy, time, and a calmer way to experience Iceland’s famous geothermal waters.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. Check available starting times when booking.

What is included in the private changing suite?

The suite includes a large shower, a dry area, towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and Blue Lagoon skincare amenities. It is private for up to two people.

Is the Blue Lagoon Ritual included?

Yes. The ritual includes a salt scrub, Silica Mud Mask, Algae Mask, and Blue Lagoon face and body oil. It is self-applied.

Can I access the main Blue Lagoon?

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

Are food and swimwear included?

No. Food is not included, and you need to bring your own swimwear. Spa Restaurant serves food separately, with no reservation required.

Are cameras and phones allowed inside 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.

What is the minimum age for the Retreat Spa?

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