Selfoss, Iceland

Highland Base

The Nordics • Iceland • Suðurland • Highland Base in Selfoss, Iceland

What’s the hotel in a nutshell?

Highland Base, a summer 2023 revelation by the Blue Lagoon hospitality group, manifests as a revolutionary retreat in Iceland’s untamed Ásgarður Valley. Straddling the line between rugged adventure and luxurious seclusion, Highland Base offers a unique blend of eco-conscious elegance and raw natural beauty. Masterminded by the creative synergy of Basalt Architects and Design Group Italia, its design ethos harmoniously intertwines with nature, adhering to BREEAM’s rigorous sustainability standards. The essence of this extraordinary destination lies in its ability to offer a diverse array of accommodation types, including the Highland Base Hotel with its mix of rooms, suites and luxury lodges, all embodying a cosy, minimalist charm that whispers a story of place, warmth and comfort.

What are the rooms like?

The Highland Base Hotel’s architecture, a testament to the genius of Basalt Architects and Design Group Italia, is a labyrinth of serene spaces. Each of the 46 rooms, varying from 18 to 30 square meters, is crafted to cater to a diverse clientele, from families to solo wanderers. The pièce de résistance is the Highland Suites, 44-square-meter havens boasting private terraces and geothermal hot tubs that offer a front-row seat to the majesty of Iceland’s mountains. For those seeking exclusivity, the six Highland Lodges stand as luxurious, standalone sanctuaries. Additionally, the Highland Base Huts offer a quaint, seasonal A-frame accommodation, balancing shared and private spaces, while the Highland Base Camp provides a more rustic, riverside camping experience.

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What else?

Set against the backdrop of the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range, Highland Base enriches its guests with activities like hiking, electric mountain biking and winter sports such as backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. The Highland Base Restaurant promises an Alpine-style culinary experience, with hearty cooking and captivating views, ensuring guests are well-fueled for their escapades. The story of Kerlingarfjöll, dating back to the 1930s with Guðmundur Einarsson’s pioneering mountaineering classes, adds a rich historical layer to the visitor’s experience. This place, once the hub of Iceland’s summer skiing culture, now invites guests to immerse in a landscape where adventure and history converge, offering an unmatched blend of exhilaration and relaxation.

What’s the region like?

Suðurland, the spellbinding canvas of south Iceland, entices visitors with its dramatic landscapes, ranging from thundering waterfalls to mystical black sand beaches. Embark on an unforgettable journey through the famed Golden Circle, where history meets geothermal wonders at Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir area. Venture further to embrace the enchanting allure of Reynisfjara’s black sand beach, and stand in awe of the cascading beauty of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. Amid the region’s mesmerising backdrops, the formidable Vatnajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers reign supreme, reminding visitors of nature’s untamed power.

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