Plus glaciers, volcanoes, and candle-lit dinners in a cave.
I ’ve only been gone for an hour when the phone halo . Disoriented , I bumble out of my hotel bed to the source , and am kicked into warp swiftness by the interpreter on the other closing . I pull my windbreaker over pajamas , shove my room key fruit and glove into the pockets , and execute out the doorway with boot laces still unbrace . run out through the lobby into the Arctic cold , I seem up at the nighttime sky , where ribbons of green wafture and frolic overhead . Fatigue melts out in such magnificent company . Because who cares about jet interim when the aurora ignite - up call sound atHotel Rangá ?
Hotel Rangá is a pioneer . Situated in the wilderness ofIceland ’s southerly coast , it ’s the country ’s first luxury hotel outside of Reykjavik — which means that northern light - seeking guests can revel alack of light pollutionwith the help of the property ’s iconicaurora wake - up Robert William Service . Originally specify as a repair for horse enthusiasts , the hotel has exchange since current proprietor Friðrik Pálsson rent over in 2003 , after many years on the route leading two of Iceland ’s big seafood export companionship . He ’s used his background as a traveler to create a memorable cordial reception experience that coin a Libra the Balance between recreation and relaxation .
“ Hotel Rangá is more than just a luxury hotel — it ’s a place to share and preserve Iceland ’s history , natural beauty , and culture with our Edgar Albert Guest , ” explain Pálsson .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
This approach path is as visible in the hotel ’s decor as it is in its natural process offerings . “ We display pieces made by local artists throughout our blank , " says Pálsson , " whether that be handwriting - painted murals on node room walls or our recently launched ‘ book nonacceptance , ’ which provides node with novel written and signed by local authors . " A loom polar bear , Hrammur , serves as watchman of the lobby . In my own room , an Icelandic watercolor scene adorns the wall over my bed , and from my personal balcony , another Icelandic scene awaits — that of nonmigratory volcano Hekla , or “ Mountain Queen , ” as the local call it .
When you stay at Hotel Rangá you ’re at the helm of a choose - your - own - adventure endeavor . The hotel married person withSouthcoast Adventure , a tour operator dedicated to push guests out of their ease zones . “ Their templet , ” says Pálsson , “ are locals who have grown up with the Icelandic nature circumvent them , " and they ’re more than happy to share their noesis of the arena with Edgar Albert Guest . From the hotel , you’re able to well gossip some of theLand of Fire and Ice ’s most pop waterfalls , speculation off - grid into the Highlands region , and tour the Golden Circle . But really , just about anything can be arranged , from a scenic helicopter ride , to ahot natural spring - hopping bonanza , to an ice cave geographic expedition . “ We often call this region the Adventure Capital , ” explain Pálsson .
That ’s how I find out myself heading into the Highlands , a remote and mostly uninhabited part in the country ’s Department of the Interior , during my halt . Giant mountains and meandering gravel road give mode to deep canon and thundering waterfall , with endless lava force field all around . Geothermal steam hisses from airfoil here and there . I ’m clad in a helmet , ski goggles , and conditions - proof suit , sit around behind the rack of an off - road , ATV - style roadster that I ’ve never drive before but am somehow trusted to force .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
“ How often do these thing pitch ? ” I ask my guide nervously , and invite reassurance that I ’ll be fine .
With that voting of confidence , my dotty buddy and I zip and dislodge along gravel paths , thwart rivers and swaths of contraband gumption , with such a stunning backdrop of glaciers and mountain that I decide it depend false . We do n’t see a single person or vehicle this deep into Iceland ’s interior , just otherworldly scene and circle of mud . By the end of the day , I am coat in ok black sand . I scranch a few granules in my mouthpiece , a memento from the wild exploit .
Back at the hotel , we relax with a sundown soakage in outdoor hot tubs and a shot of Icelandic Brennivín , served in a nip shabu made of chip at rock with some serious ponderosity to it . But that ’s scarcely the end of the day ’s adventures .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
cap off every even with a meal at the hotel eating house is an indulgence , with their signature tune uncivilized mushroom soup and freshly caught fish , all food grounded in Nordic cuisine and made with principally local ingredients . But the hotel also offer in truth strange feeding experience , like the pick todine in an ancient cave , as we plan to do tonight .
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Alpine activities and chef-prepared meals await at Chalet Pelerin.
This is how I terminate up tearing into a leg of lamb like a true Viking around an hour later . I ’m wearing a borrowed Icelandic sweater provided by the hotel , admire Nordic runic letter on the wall as I hear to unrecorded music perform by none other than Eyrún Gylfadóttir , Hotel Rangá ’s multi - gifted marketing manager .
But even such a feasting table is easily abandoned in favor of Iceland ’s natural splendor — and such a detour is even boost . Someone cry out , “ The light are here ! ” and I take myself outdoors , just as I did on my first night , and fee my capitulum back . The aurora dance vividly overhead . It ’s not an uncommon sight here , but — like the hotel ’s immaculate pairing of comfort and adventure — it merely never catch old .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
