Holiday Destinations

ION Adventure Hotel basks in the glow of the northern lights

ION Adventure Hotel basks in the glow of the northern lights
Nestled amid the diverse Icelandic landscape, the ION Adventure Hotel is in prime position to view the northern lights
Nestled amid the diverse Icelandic landscape, the ION Adventure Hotel is in prime position to view the northern lights
View 37 Images
Nestled amid the diverse Icelandic landscape, the ION Adventure Hotel is in prime position to view the northern lights
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Nestled amid the diverse Icelandic landscape, the ION Adventure Hotel is in prime position to view the northern lights
The ION Adventure Hotel opened its doors earlier this year
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The ION Adventure Hotel opened its doors earlier this year
The ION hotel features a spa and heated outdoor pool overlooking the surrounding lava fields
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The ION hotel features a spa and heated outdoor pool overlooking the surrounding lava fields
The Northern Lights Bar is a highlight of the hotel, featuring double height windows and sweeping views across the starry night's sky
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The Northern Lights Bar is a highlight of the hotel, featuring double height windows and sweeping views across the starry night's sky
ION Adventure Hotel sits beneath the aurora
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ION Adventure Hotel sits beneath the aurora
Iceland's newest adventure hotel is located in the heart of the Mt. Hengill region, offering guests the opportunity to get a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis
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Iceland's newest adventure hotel is located in the heart of the Mt. Hengill region, offering guests the opportunity to get a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis
The ION Adventure Hotel outdoor pool
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The ION Adventure Hotel outdoor pool
The ION Adventure Hotel is 40 kilometers (approx. 25 miles) from Reykjavik
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The ION Adventure Hotel is 40 kilometers (approx. 25 miles) from Reykjavik
The ION Hotel features 45 guest rooms, panoramic restaurant and bar
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The ION Hotel features 45 guest rooms, panoramic restaurant and bar
The ION Hotel
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The ION Hotel
The ION Hotel features 45 guest rooms
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The ION Hotel features 45 guest rooms
All of the beds, lounges and chairs were built from recycled materials
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All of the beds, lounges and chairs were built from recycled materials
The ION Hotel panoramic restaurant
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The ION Hotel panoramic restaurant
ION Hotel dining room
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ION Hotel dining room
The ION Hotel lounge boasts sweeping views over the landscape
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The ION Hotel lounge boasts sweeping views over the landscape
Local wood such as driftwood was used to furnish most of the building's interior and all of the beds, lounges and chairs were built from recycled materials
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Local wood such as driftwood was used to furnish most of the building's interior and all of the beds, lounges and chairs were built from recycled materials
Iceland's newest adventure hotel is located in the heart of the Mt. Hengill region, offering guests the opportunity to get outdoors and get active
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Iceland's newest adventure hotel is located in the heart of the Mt. Hengill region, offering guests the opportunity to get outdoors and get active
Local hot springs provide the hotel with geothermal energy and hot water
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Local hot springs provide the hotel with geothermal energy and hot water
Warm and cozy on a cold winter's day at the ION Hotel
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Warm and cozy on a cold winter's day at the ION Hotel
Corrugated cardboard was used to make many of the dining room lamp shades
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Corrugated cardboard was used to make many of the dining room lamp shades
Situated close to the popular "Golden Circle" tourist route, the ION Hotel provides a unique spot to visit during both the summer and winter seasons
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Situated close to the popular "Golden Circle" tourist route, the ION Hotel provides a unique spot to visit during both the summer and winter seasons
Guests have access to local hiking trails and hot springs
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Guests have access to local hiking trails and hot springs
The hotel offers white water rafting tours
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The hotel offers white water rafting tours
Guests have access to snowmobiling and glacier hikes
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Guests have access to snowmobiling and glacier hikes
Diving at Silfra Frissure
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Diving at Silfra Frissure
Guests have access to local hiking trails, hot springs, horseback riding, snowmobiling, glacier hikes and specialized Jeep tours
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Guests have access to local hiking trails, hot springs, horseback riding, snowmobiling, glacier hikes and specialized Jeep tours
Summer time dip in the natural hot springs
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Summer time dip in the natural hot springs
ION Adventure Hotel lounge area
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ION Adventure Hotel lounge area
Corrugated cardboard was used to make many of the dining room lamp shades
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Corrugated cardboard was used to make many of the dining room lamp shades
ION Adventure Hotel lounge area
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ION Adventure Hotel lounge area
Recycled rubber was used for the restroom basins
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Recycled rubber was used for the restroom basins
ION Adventure Hotel guest room
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ION Adventure Hotel guest room
The ION Adventure Hotel outdoor pool
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The ION Adventure Hotel outdoor pool
The Northern Lights Bar is a highlight of the hotel, featuring double height windows and sweeping views over the landscape and starry night's sky
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The Northern Lights Bar is a highlight of the hotel, featuring double height windows and sweeping views over the landscape and starry night's sky
View of the northern lights from the ION HOtel
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View of the northern lights from the ION HOtel
ION Adventure Hotel captures the magic of the aurora
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ION Adventure Hotel captures the magic of the aurora
ION Adventure Hotel sits beneath the aurora
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ION Adventure Hotel sits beneath the aurora
View gallery - 37 images

While the use of geothermal energy and recycled materials would normally be starting points for Gizmag's look at a new holiday destination like the ION Adventure Hotel, there's one element here that stands well above the pack – location. The hotel is nestled amidst the diverse Icelandic landscapes in the heart of the Mt. Hengill region, offering guests the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis or midnight sun, depending on which time of the year it is.

The ION Adventure Hotel opened its doors earlier this year and was built with the environment in mind.

"The fact that we are in a water protected area and the nature around the hotel is so rich we wanted to connect the hotel with the nature rather than have it stand out from the nature," ION's Assistant Hotel Manager, Katrín Ósk Sigurgeirsdóttir tells Gizmag.Local hot springs provide the hotel with geothermal energy and hot water, local wood such as driftwood was used to furnish most of the building's interior and all of the beds, lounges and chairs were built from recycled materials. Corrugated cardboard was used to make many of the hotel's lamp shades and recycled rubber was used for the restroom basins.

The ION Hotel lounge boasts sweeping views over the landscape
The ION Hotel lounge boasts sweeping views over the landscape

The hotel features 45 guest rooms, panoramic restaurant and bar, corporate and private event facilities, spa and heated outdoor pool overlooking the surrounding lava fields. The Northern Lights Bar is a highlight of the hotel, featuring double height windows and sweeping views over the landscape and starry night sky. And yes, as its name suggests the bar is an ideal spot to view the aurora borealis, otherwise known as the northern lights.

"Guests can see the lights from the hotel," says Ósk Sigurgeirsdóttir. "The time period is from October to March and it changes each year for what month is the best."

Iceland's newest adventure hotel is located in the heart of the Mt. Hengill region, offering guests the opportunity to get a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis
Iceland's newest adventure hotel is located in the heart of the Mt. Hengill region, offering guests the opportunity to get a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis

Situated close to the popular "Golden Circle" tourist route, the ION Hotel provides a launching point from which guests can access local hiking trails, hot springs, horseback riding, snowmobiling, glacier walks. The hotel also offers specialized Jeep tours, white water rafting, fishing and snorkeling/diving at Silfra Frissure. Between May 20 and July 20 guests can experience the midnight sun, with the night skies remaining light as the sun never actually sets more than six degrees below the horizon.

The ION Adventure Hotel is 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Reykjavik and is open all year round, with prices starting from US$165 per couple per night.

Source: ION Hotel via E-Architect

View gallery - 37 images
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