New Reykjaböðin spa opens after four billion-krona investment

Reykjaböðin, a new spa opened at the foot of Reykjadalur in Hveragerði, is expected to attract both domestic and international visitors, mbl.is reported. The facility combines an Icelandic bathing lagoon with a bathhouse offering a range of experiences and treatments.

“We are combining Icelandic bathing culture with a bathing lagoon, and have also built a bathhouse with varied experiences and treatments. This overall bathing experience is the first of its kind in Iceland,” said Brynjólfur Jón Baldursson, chairman and co-owner of Hveraberg, which is developing the project with investment company Dionysus and Icelandia Kynnisferðir.

The project had been in development for more than five years, while construction took about two years. The lagoon was expanded during that period, and more was invested in the experiences and a restaurant. Total investment has risen to about four billion Icelandic krónur.

The lagoon covers about 900 square metres and can accommodate nearly 300 people at a time, in addition to the bathhouse and other areas. The bathhouse will accommodate between 30 and 50 people at any one time.

The facility offers nine experiences, including a flotation pool, a cold pool, a steam room, a sauna, a natural pool, experience showers and a snow room. A scrub treatment is also available. Guests can additionally book relaxing massages, rejuvenating facial and body treatments, and flotation treatments in water.

Visitors can order drinks while in the lagoon and eat at the restaurant before or after their visit. The restaurant is on the same level as the lagoon, providing views of its surroundings. An outdoor stage has also been built beside the lagoon for planned events.

A standard admission costs 7,900 krónur and includes access to the lagoon, a large steam room, two cold pools, a Kneipp foot bath designed to help people relax after walks, and a towel.

Signature admission costs 15,900 krónur and includes access to the bathhouse, a robe and a drink of the guest’s choice. The bathhouse is intended to be comparable with the best spas abroad, according to Jóhanna Hreiðarsdóttir, managing director of Reykjaböðin.

About 40 people will work at Reykjaböðin during its first year. The company plans to use its first few weeks to learn how customers behave and how the number of people in the bathhouse interacts with the number of guests in the lagoon.