Drive an hour east of Reykjavík (past the lakeshore road toward Þingvellir) and turn up into a valley where steam drifts out of the hillsides and the only lights at night belong to a long, dark, angular building. That is the ION Adventure Hotel, a former workers' lodge for the nearby Nesjavellir geothermal plant that California design firm Minarc reimagined into one of Iceland's most photographed hotels. It opened in 2013 and has been a favorite of design-minded travelers ever since.
For honeymooners, ION is all about atmosphere. The setting is gloriously remote, with lava fields, mossy mountains and Lake Þingvallavatn below, yet you are within easy reach of the Golden Circle. The rooms are crisp and minimal and the top suites come with their own saunas. The Northern Lights Bar was designed precisely for what its name promises: sitting together with a cocktail behind 180 degrees of glass while you wait for the sky to come alive. Spend the day snorkeling between tectonic plates or hiking among hot springs, then come home to a soak and a New Nordic dinner.
Highlights at a glance
- Northern Lights Bar with 180-degree panoramic windows
- Remote lava-field setting with dark skies
- Lava and Aurora Suites with private saunas
- Modern Nordic dining at Silfra Restaurant
- Short drive to Þingvellir and the Silfra fissure
- Bold design by architecture firm Minarc
Out in the Lava Fields
ION sits at Nesjavellir, on the edge of the Hengill volcanic system, a landscape of steaming vents, hot rivers and moss-covered lava that looks almost lunar under snow. The geothermal plant down the valley supplies much of Reykjavík's hot water; its pipes snake across the hills, a reminder of how much of daily life in Iceland runs on the heat underfoot.
The hotel's brutalist exterior contrasts with the soft green moss. Parts of the building feel almost suspended over the land. Inside, Minarc's interiors use natural materials, dark tones and big windows, so the view is always the main event. There are no neighbors to speak of and almost no light pollution, which is exactly what you want on an aurora honeymoon.
Rooms and Sauna Suites
ION offers around 66 rooms across nine categories. The choice matters more here than at most hotels. Entry-level Classic rooms are compact, around 215 square feet, with restricted views, so for a honeymoon it pays to aim higher.
- Deluxe and Junior Suite rooms add mountain views and a little more space.
- Patio Rooms come with their own outdoor patio, lovely for a summer evening.
- The Lava Suite, about 580 square feet, looks over the lava field and adds a private sauna and complimentary minibar.
- The Aurora Suite, the largest at about 700 square feet, has a private sauna and lake or mountain views.
If budget allows, the Aurora or Lava Suite turns a stay into an event; a private sauna on a snowy night is honeymoon gold.
Silfra Restaurant and the Northern Lights Bar
Dinner is served at Silfra, named for the famous fissure nearby, where the kitchen cooks modern Nordic food from local, seasonal ingredients: Arctic char from Lake Þingvallavatn, Icelandic lamb from nearby farms, wild herbs and vegetables from nearby growers. Breakfast is a generous buffet, ideal fuel before a day on the road.
The Northern Lights Bar is the heart of the hotel. Wrapped in 180-degree panoramic windows, it serves cocktails, wine and light bites. On winter nights it fills with couples nursing a drink and scanning the dark sky. Because the hotel is so isolated, you will eat most meals in-house, so it helps that the setting is this good.
Why guests fall for it
Lava Spa and Geothermal Soaks
After a cold day outdoors, ION's Lava Spa is where you thaw. Guests share a hot tub and sauna. You can also ask about massages when you book. Sitting in hot water as snow falls on the lava, with steam rising off the hills around you, is the kind of quiet moment that defines an Icelandic honeymoon.
If you booked a Lava or Aurora Suite, you also have your own sauna, which makes for a private ritual before dinner. For a bigger geothermal outing, the Fontana baths at Laugarvatn and the Secret Lagoon at Flúðir are both within reach on a Golden Circle loop.
Adventures from the Door
ION is a superb base for the Golden Circle. Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Iceland's parliament first met and the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, is a short drive away. There you can snorkel or dive in the Silfra fissure, in some of the clearest water on Earth, with a dry suit protecting you from the near-freezing temperature.
Beyond that, the Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall make a classic day out. The south coast's waterfalls and black-sand beaches are a longer but rewarding drive. Closer to home, the Hengill area has hiking trails past hot springs and fumaroles. The hotel arranges airport transfers and a range of guided day tours, which is useful if you would rather not drive in winter.
Why Guests Fall in Love
Guests describe ION as the hotel that made their Iceland trip feel cinematic. The Northern Lights Bar is the runaway favorite. Many reviewers recount the thrill of the aurora appearing while they sat inside with a drink.
The design wins constant praise for being bold yet calm. Couples love the isolation, the silence at night and the dark skies. The hot tub and sauna get warm mentions after long days of touring. Diners frequently compliment Silfra for its fresh local fish and lamb. Reviewers also appreciate friendly, helpful staff who share road tips and tour advice, which is especially welcome for travelers new to driving in Iceland.
Good to Know
A rental car is the easiest way to reach ION and explore, but winter driving deserves respect. From Reykjavík, follow Route 36 toward Þingvellir and then turn onto Route 360 toward Nesjavellir. Route 435, which some GPS devices suggest as a shortcut, is closed from about October to May. Check road.is and the weather forecast before setting out. In winter, consider a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The hotel is remote, so plan to dine on-site most nights and pick up snacks in Reykjavík or Selfoss on the way. Entry-level rooms are small, so read room descriptions carefully. Aurora season runs roughly September through March, but sightings depend on clear skies and solar activity, so allow two or three nights to improve your odds.
Insider tips
- Book a Lava or Aurora Suite for the private sauna; entry-level rooms are compact and have limited views.
- Ignore GPS routes via Route 435 between October and May; use Routes 36 and 360.
- Ask the front desk whether they can wake you if the aurora appears, so you don't miss a display while asleep.
- Reserve a Silfra snorkel tour for the morning, then return for an afternoon soak.
