It was a smooth an hour and half drive from Keflavik Inernational airport to the hotel, we opted to take the scenic road 435 between Reykjavik and Nesjavellir which is only open during summer months. Once off the Icelandic ring road the road narrowed into two lanes with the occasional sheep wandering into road the only traffic you encounter. We stopped to see the Nesjavellir power station in the Hengill area which is an important geothermal energy source. Most towns in Iceland are heated with geothermal power. A few more minutes on the dusty road leads to the ION Adventure and Luxury hotel, protruding like a alien spaceship on a bed of lava rocks.
Luxury and Location
Once and abandoned inn now turned into a boutique hotel, Ion Adventure Hotel is where modern design meets Iceland’s incomparable natural landscape. Situated in the south-western town of Selfoss, near a national crossroad making the hotel accessible to various parts of the country, Ion is conveniently located to offer guests the best of Iceland. From the volcanic marvels of Mount Hengill to the urban sophistication of Reykjavik nearby, the unique landscape plays a big role in design of the hotel. Throughout 45 rooms, you can expect a mix of concrete minimalistic chic and earthy ambiance, combined with the warm accents of locally salvaged wood, Icelandic wool and lava. The design was simple owing to the Scandinavian roots and yet the strategically places accents of cushions and throws make it cozy and inviting. The staff were friendly and very helpful mapping out the adventures around the area. We were there during summer so didn't have the opportunity to peruse the award winning North lights bar which is perfectly positioned for viewing the dancing lights in the sky. But we enjoyed the mid night sun and endless view of moss rocks across the lava fields towards Thingvellir(Þingvellir) National Park.
Adventures
ION Adventure and Luxury hotel is located inside the Thingvellir(Þingvellir) National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is a perfect base from which to explore Iceland's rich heritage, hardy flora and fauna, and the many opportunities for adventure. ION is located on the "Golden Circle" route which makes it easy to go chasing waterfalls, swimming between continental plates, hiking and exploring the land of Fire and Ice. The hotel has access to so many adventures around the area that the staff can arrange including horse rides, heli rides, snowmobile rides and snorkeling. After a day of adventures you get to come back to the beautiful and well appointed rooms featuring the gentle and friendly Icelandic horse images, endless views of the lava moss rocks to relax!
Silfra
We had dinner and breakfast at the Silfra during our stay but heard that people drive all the way from Reykjavik for a meal here. The chefs at Silfra emphasize in what is called "slow food" that can be simplified as food made from the freshest ingredients available that is originated in the neighborhood of the hotel. The restaurant’s name derives from the Silfra rift in Lake Þingvellir. The rift is the most popular diving site in Iceland, it is the crack between the American and Eurasian continent with magnificent visibility. We learnt the fish that is served at Silfra is from the rivers around the area and even smoked in the trees on site. The whipped butter and ice creams are locally sourced as well. What a wonderful feeling to eat local where you can name the farm from which your butter, Skyr or Ice cream comes from. Skyr (pronounced skeer) is a remarkable dairy product unique to Iceland. It is smooth, high in protein, rich and has a tangy flavor - a creamy thick texture like Greek yogurt. Skyr actually, is not yogurt. It’s a fresh skim-milk cheese, strained to a whipped-custard consistency. Because it’s strained to such a density, it requires about three times more milk to produce than yogurt, meaning it’s higher in protein and calcium.