Torfhús Retreat – A Luxury Hotel Experience in Iceland
The reason Torfhús Retreat is an exceptional luxury hotel experience in Iceland is that it reinvents luxury by granting guests a locally rooted experience. At Torfhús travelers live in their own private torf house, just like the vikings did back in the day. As a modern-day viking you will retreat to the tranquility of your own traditional torf house, meanwhile enjoying the contemporary amenities of any other luxury hotel in Iceland.
Iceland has in recent years experienced a luxury hotel revolution, the aftermath of which is travel residencies characterised by another kind of indulgence compared to what travelers may have experienced at luxury hotels elsewhere in the world.
Icelandic luxury is raw and wild, just like the country’s geological heritge.
This luxury hotel in Iceland is secluded from the crowds of the Golden Circle, but conveniently close to all its iconic – as well as more secret – sights. The staff at Torfhús Retreat are all familiar with every secret corner of Iceland and more than pleased to assist guests in creating the most outstanding experience out of their visit.
Continue reading to learn more about the Torfhús luxury hotel experience.
Best Northern Lights Hotel in Iceland
If you are planning on going to Iceland during the Northern Lights season, i.e. September to March, you should take your aurora hunt into consideration when choosing accommodation for your stay.
To see aurora borealis you need to get away from the light pollution from towns and roads. Located in the Icelandic wilderness, Torfhús Retreat is one of the best places in Iceland to stay to see the magical northern lights.
Guests of this luxury hotel in Iceland enjoy their own private torf house and geothermal basalt stone hot pool. One of many highlights of their stay is usually experiencing the northern lights in the company of loved ones from the unspoilt terrain surrounding Torfhús Retreat.
Want to know more about how to catch the shimmering green light dance across the sky? Find our Northern Lights Guide here.
An Eco-Luxury Turf House Village
In its own tiny village, secluded from the crowds of the Golden Circle, you will find the charming turf houses of Torfhús Retreat. As guests at Torfhús Retreat you will stay in your own private turf house. Beyond the living turf roofs, the houses are made from stone and reclaimed wood.
From a visual standpoint the houses melt beautifully into the natural surroundings and are true to the traditional Icelandic landscape, as the style has been common throughout the history of the nation.
Perhaps difficult to imagine, but turf actually served as a modest kind of luxury for the first settlers of Iceland.
With the challenging climate that is notorious to Iceland, the turf offered insulating properties that could not be achieved in houses solely made of wood or stone. Difficulties in finding sufficient amounts of these construction materials also contributed to giving turf its leading position throughout the early history of Iceland.
The concept of eco-luxury resonates well with Torfhús Retreat, as one of the primary goals of the luxury hotel is to have a minimum impact on its surroundings. Sustainability is a continuously considered aspect within all practices of the hotel, evident by everything from local power supply in the form of hydroelectric- and geothermal energy to the use of locally sourced ingredients in the restaurant.
Stay in Your Private Luxury Turf House
The turf houses are decorated pretty much like you would imagine from looking at them from the outside. The general theme of the interior is warm and cozy chalet-style, inspired by earthly elements.
The sloping ceiling is covered in oak, just like the hand-made furniture and details decorating the houses with both function and atmosphere. Contemporary amenities are mindfully incorporated into the interior to keep the modern-day viking vibe intact.
There are two types of residencies:
- The Torfbær suite is ideal for two guests as the 30 square meters accommodates a cozy rustic bedroom, a luxurious bathroom and a comfortable living area with a fully equipped kitchen. The suites are located three in a row and between them share a geothermally heated basalt stone pool.
- The Torfhús house accommodates four guests. The 60 square meters make space for two beautifully rustic bedrooms, a luxurious bathroom and a living room area in connection to a fully-equipped kitchen. Each house enjoys its private geothermally heated basalt stone pool, located just outside the private veranda.
All residencies furthermore includes:
– Large bottle vanity products
– Nespresso coffee machine and herbal teas
– Daily restocked mini bar
– UHD Smart TV
– High-speed WIFI-Internet
– Safe deposit box
Find Rejuvenation in a Geothermal Basalt Stone Hot Pool
The same basalt stone pillars that you may have spotted on your sightseeing tours around Iceland, for example at places like Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Svartifoss Waterfall, you will also encounter at Torfhús Retreat.
Basalt stone pillars have been mined in the nearby area of the luxury hotel and used to form the shape of the exclusive plunge pools that can be found outside each of the torf houses. The pools are filled with Iceland’s famous geothermal water and provide the ultimate relaxation for guests after a long day of exploring.
Did you know that bathing in geothermal water is an ancient tradition in Iceland and today an essential part of the Icelandic culture? Icelanders love immersing themselves in heated water sourced from the deep underground and often meet up with their family and friends at pools to chat and relax.
At Torfhús Retreat you can utilise the pools in any season of the year just as well as at any time of the day – under the bright sun, in snowfall or why not with the magical northern lights shimmering above.
The pool temperature ranges from 38 to 42 degrees celsius and can be adjusted according to your preferences.
Experience Icelandic Cusine at Its Finest
Every luxury hotel needs its own restaurant that rises to the same standard. True to the spirit of Torfhús Retreat, breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in the slightly mystic, but cozy, Viking Langhús.
Stepping into the Viking Langhús is like travelling back in time. Greeted by pictures of old turf houses and decorations of the past, like leathered skins from salmon and an old horse cart, you are certain to get in the viking-spirit. The stone and reclaimed wood further adds to this authentic and traditional Icelandic ambience.
Outside the window you can see Icelandic horses grazing in a naturally decorated backdrop of beautiful mountains and a distant glacier.
As soon as the sun reaches the horizon, the atmosphere transforms and the Viking Langhus turns into an ambient venue. The cozy and warm atmosphere invites guests to still their hunger and find peace of mind after a long day out in the Icelandic wilderness.
Chef Thorarinn Eggertsson is continually experimenting with traditional Icelandic flavours and with locally sourced ingredients succeeds in presenting guests with culinary experiences that are nothing but divine.
The ingredients are to the highest degree possible sourced within a 10 mile radius:
– Berries, fruits, vegetables, salads and herbs are grown in geothermal greenhouses
– Salmon and char are caught in the local rivers
– Seafood comes from coastal fishermen
– Mountain grazed lamb and beef is fresh and local
Explore the Natural Surroundings and Activities
Torfhús Retreat is situated right by the Golden Circle and is therefore the perfect starting point for exploring the famous sights of the route. For the ones who feel particularly curious, the luxury hotel is also an optimal base for exploring the less known sights of the route as well as the southern coast of the country.
The following map provides a visualisation of the distances between Torfhús Retreat and some of the most recommended sights to visit in the area.
Do you want to know more about the Golden Circle and its hidden gems? Find information about the main sights as well as more unknown spots to visit here.
Beyond admiring the unreal nature, there are also many pulse-raising activities to take part in while visiting Torfhús Retreat.
The most popular activities on the Golden Circle are:
– Horseback riding
– River rafting
– Hiking
– Quad Biking
– Glacier walking
– Snowmobiling
– Fishing
– Golfing
– Luxury heli-touring
– Volcano visit
