Iceland’s world-famous Blue Lagoon welcomes its first five-star hotel, designed with a minimalist aesthetic and a strong focus on wellness.

Iceland, a Nordic island nation famous for the elusive Northern lights and the beautiful Blue Lagoon, has recently welcomed a luxury hotel called The Retreat.

As the hot spring’s first five-star property, the property takes full advantage of the iridescent geothermal water, which is said to be rich in minerals like silica and sulphur (purportedly beneficial to the skin).

Blending seamlessly into the natural beauty of the lagoon, the hotel is built on an 800-year-old lava flow on the Reykjanes Peninsula and features 62 suites.

Designed by Reykjavik-based Basalt Architects, The Retreat’s contemporary angular building fuses into the natural terrain, with each suite designed to reflect the textures and colors of the surrounding landscape.

Think: Wooden paneling, elegant light fixtures, furniture in deep grey. In the restaurant, spot a custom lava-based wall installation by Icelandic artist Ragna Róbertsdóttir.

Guests can expect to marvel at stunning vistas of the lagoon from the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows and enjoy a dip at an exclusive section of the lagoon.

With wellness at its core, the hotel also offers full-fledged amenities including in-water massages, a cold well, a steam room, as well as a full-service restaurant serving local delicacies.

Considering how popular Blue Lagoon is, The Retreat looks set to give guests a sense of peace and serenity, far away from the tourist crowds.

More information here.