TRAVELLER
Sky Lagoon HATC Traveller
As you step into the thermal baths of The Sky Lagoon, you’re greeted by warm waters and a sea of mist as you embark on a journey of the senses. Powered by the elements, The Sky Lagoon’s oceanside geothermal lagoon is immersed in Icelandic Traditions, minutes from the bustling city centre of Reykjavik. It’s a blissful experience where the sea meets the sky.
We arrive at the lagoon at 2:30, having been booked onto the Sér package. Timing was key for us, as we endeavoured to share the experience with an Icelandic sunset. After utilising the country's incredible coach transportation (I’ve visited Iceland now 3 times, with their coach excursions and transportation being my first choice), we are welcomed at the Sky Lagoon’s reception and fitted with our electric bands, which act as your own personal bar tab. A little early, we decide to order a coffee before moving into the private changing rooms included in the Sér package. When choosing a package, you can pick from their most popular package, the Saman package, with the Sky Lagoons signature Skjól ritual and access to public changing facilities or their Sér ultimate package, including their signature Skjól ritual and access to private changing facilities. If you’re looking for something a little extra special, you can choose from special edition experiences, Spring Edition, A Morning Moment, or Date Night. For me, the Sér package brings another level of luxury to the experience. The changing rooms offer not only privacy but also every amenity you could possibly need, including shower gels, towels, hairdryers, and more. Once changed, we move towards the Lagoon's entrance, leaving our towels hanging on the hooks provided. From the entrance, the atmosphere changes as the steam rises magically above the clear waters. We step into the lagoon, and we come to move between the rocks in the warmth of the waters. There’s something about the waters, surroundings and muted voices as they appear in the steamy shadows that still feels private. The atmosphere is one that feels special, a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. Having already visited Iceland twice, I was excited for our visit to the lagoon, and within moments, it had become a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Towards the edge of the lagoon there’s an infinity-inspired view where the lagoon meets the sea, and the sea meets the sky, the perfect place to watch the orange glowing sun start to move into the sea.
Having taken in the view and explored the lagoon upon entrance, our attention moves to the Sky Lagoon’s Skjól Bathing Ritual. Their seven-step ritual immerses you whilst connecting you with tradition. The seven-step experience starts with the lagoon and its geothermal waters, as you soak in the lagoon's natural warmth of 38-40 degrees and calming energy whilst taking in some of Iceland’s most stunning views. Having embraced the Lagoons warmth, it’s time to feel invigorated by something Iceland isn’t shy about, half the year round: the cold. The lagoon’s cold plunge, inspired by Iceland’s ancient Snorralaug pool, aims to awaken your senses, stimulate your immune system, reduce inflammation, and provide a natural endorphin rush. Not being able to utilise the cold plunge due to having Addison's disease, I did enjoy watching others survive the chill. Just beside the cold plunge sits the entrance to the rest of the Sky Lagoons' seven-step ritual, through a little door into the Lagoons' turf house, which makes you feel like you’re part of something magical, even cinematic. Upon our entrance we made our way to the sauna, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. It's the perfect opportunity to embrace the scenery in the heat and the silence of the sauna as you connect with the ocean view through Iceland’s largest single window. Not only are you enveloped in warmth, but your body will thank you later as the heat removes toxins and cleanses your skin. For me, there’s something gentle about the Sauna’s heat; it isn’t abrasive like other saunas can be. It’s soothing and calming, with us spending 10 minutes embracing the breathtaking view and whilst taking the time to feel at peace and even have a moment of reflection. Following the sauna is the fourth step of the ritual. The Súld is possibly one of the most breathtaking parts of the ritual, a cold mist touched by the Icelandic winds. Hanging in the sky is what looks like a levitating stone as the midst falls through the air. Cleansed and embraced by the elements, you get the opportunity to rejuvenate your skin with gentle exfoliation, then invigorate it with almond oil and sesame seed oil before wearing the scrub into the stream to cleanse. The Gufa provides a blanket of steam, wrapping you in warmth as it opens your pores once again, whilst your skin absorbs the key therapeutic elements of the Skjól ritual, maximising hydration. Having walked through the ritual, the final step is to drink the Elixir and to be enticed as your taste buds are stimulated by the Icelandic flavours and taste of Kraekiber.
As we make our way back into the warmth of the lagoon, the sun is starting to creep towards the sea. We make our way to the lagoon bar and choose from a surprisingly extensive drinks menu. As we take pride of place at the edge of the lagoon, we let every moment sink in as the sun sets across the clear sky. It’s moments like these that I want to take my time with and let sink in. It’s often easy to get caught up in life’s fast pace and forget about the importance of slowing down, embracing the little moments and how they make you feel. And it’s not every day that you get to watch the sun set in Iceland over the Atlantic Ocean, and for that moment, even if only for a moment, I basked in the tranquillity, the experience, and the memory of a healing journey rooted in heritage.
