Unique Places to Stay in Iceland

Aurora-viewing rooms

A handful of properties, particularly around South Iceland, have built glass-roofed or large-window rooms specifically so guests can watch for the northern lights without leaving bed — a genuinely appealing option for a winter trip, and usually paired with a remote, low-light-pollution location that also improves your actual viewing odds.

Geothermal river lodges

Properties built directly along naturally warm rivers let you soak outdoors, in the landscape, rather than in a built spa — a quieter, more intimate version of the geothermal bathing experience than the Blue Lagoon offers, usually in more remote settings that reward travelers willing to drive a bit further off the main routes.

Ice hotels and igloos

Seasonal ice and glass-igloo style accommodations appear in a few locations, offering a genuinely novel (if short) stay built largely from snow and ice, alongside standard heated rooms for warmth between excursions. These operate on a seasonal basis tied to winter conditions.

Highland retreats

At the far end of the "unique stays" spectrum, a small number of remote lodges sit deep in the highlands or fjords, reachable only by 4x4, boat or occasionally helicopter — designed around fly fishing, horseback riding or simply total isolation. These are a genuine splurge, but deliver a version of Iceland almost no other type of accommodation can.

Are they worth it?

These stays generally cost meaningfully more than a standard hotel room of equivalent size, and the value is entirely about the experience rather than square footage or amenities. For a special occasion or a once-in-a-while splurge night within a longer trip, most travelers who choose one come away glad they did — just don't expect it to be the cheapest way to sleep in Iceland.