Blue Lagoon: Retreat Spa Experience & Private Changing Suite

Stepping into lava stone and warm geothermal water feels oddly peaceful. The Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa puts you in a subterranean wellness world, with calmer lagoon time and a private Retreat Lagoon for your group of up to two.

Two things I really like about this experience are the private changing suite with shower and all the spa comforts, and the way the Blue Lagoon Ritual builds a full routine around silica, algae, and minerals. One consideration: you need to go device-free, since cameras and electronics are not allowed in the spa.

If you want a calmer Blue Lagoon day without skipping the classic experience, this one is built for that. You start with the Retreat side, then you still get full access to the main Blue Lagoon afterward, but you do it with a more relaxed setup and pacing. The Retreat also includes sauna, steam cave, and multiple cozy areas, not just water and chairs.

The main drawback is practical: you must bring swimwear, and you will be asked to leave phones and cameras outside the spa spaces. If you were hoping to document every step, the Retreat staff can take a photo for you instead, but you will not be filming your own highlights.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Private changing suite for two, with shower, towels, bathrobes, flip-flops, and skincare amenities
• Retreat Lagoon time first, so you get the geothermal glow with fewer crowds
• Blue Lagoon Ritual includes salt scrub, silica mud mask, algae mask, and face and body oil
• Full Retreat Spa access to sauna, steam cave, relaxation areas, fireplace, viewing deck, and cold plunge well
• One drink included, plus light meals available at Spa Restaurant
• Private entrance to the main Blue Lagoon public area through the spa experience

Price and what $724 buys you for two

At $724 per group (up to two people) for a 5-hour experience, you are paying for more than lagoon time. You are buying access to the Retreat Spa spaces, a private changing setup, a structured spa ritual, and a smoother way into the main Blue Lagoon afterward.

If you split this as per-person, it is not cheap. But the value comes from the extras that are hard to replicate on your own: the changing suite privacy, the dedicated Retreat Lagoon start, and the full Blue Lagoon Ritual components that are part of the experience. You also get a drink of your choice, and the basic skincare setup is included so you do not have to figure out what to bring.

A smart way to look at it is this: if you are going to Blue Lagoon anyway, this format pays for comfort and pacing. It is a good choice when you want less rushing, more quiet, and a couples feel.

Arriving at the Retreat: getting there without stress

The Blue Lagoon Retreat is on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. It is about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and around 50 minutes from Reykjavík, so it can fit well into an arrival day or a short pre-flight buffer.

If you drive, follow signs to The Retreat. Day-guest parking at the Retreat is free of charge, which is one of those rare “small wins” that makes the whole trip easier.

If you are taking the bus, you disembark when the bus arrives at Blue Lagoon. Then you walk to the Luggage House, where an attendant calls a shuttle to The Retreat. That shuttle is how you get from the bus drop-off to the spa.

Practical tip: pack your swimwear and keep it easy to reach. You will check in first, then you get guided to your private suite, and you will want to be ready to move quickly once you start.

Check-in to your private changing suite, the real starting point

Your experience begins at check-in, where you get a briefing on the spa area and the best way to use the services. After that, you are shown to your private changing suite made for up to two people.

Inside, you get a large shower plus a dry area with towels, bathrobes, and flip-flops. Blue Lagoon skincare amenities are also provided, so you can go through the ritual without scrambling for products.

This is more than convenience. In a place where you will spend hours in and around water, having your own setup changes the vibe. You are not waiting, you are not crowding, and you can settle in before you ever get to the first soak.

One more practical note: since electronic devices and cameras are not allowed in the spa, you should plan to store your phone. If you want a photo in the Retreat Lagoon, staff can take one for you and email it, so you are not totally out of luck.

Retreat Lagoon first: geothermal warmth with a quieter mood

When it is time to start, you head to the Retreat Lagoon. It uses the same blue geothermal waters as the main Blue Lagoon, but it is designed to feel more intimate and less crowded.

This is the move I would recommend for most couples. Start here, before you add the bigger-energy public lagoon spaces. The Retreat Lagoon is your chance to go slow, soak, and let your body warm up gradually in a calmer setting.

You can also order a drink of your choice while you soak. That simple detail matters, because it turns the opening soak into a real reset, not just a quick dip. And the overall setting is underground and lava-rock carved, so it feels like you are inside a natural spa room.

Expect calm rules: no cameras, no phone scrolling. You are meant to just be in the water and the warmth.

Retreat Spa spaces: sauna, steam cave, fireplace, and cold plunge

The Retreat Spa experience is not only “soak and go.” You get access to a full set of areas designed to move you between heat and cool, plus spots to rest.

Here is what you can use during your Retreat access:

• Sauna
• Steam cave
• Relaxation areas
• Fireplace area
• Nesting or cocooning relaxation space
• Refreshment area
• Panoramic viewing deck
• Cold plunge well

My practical advice is to treat these like a simple loop. Warm it up in the sauna or steam cave, then cool down with the cold plunge well. If you want to go gentler, you can skip the hardest cooling step and still get the benefit of heat plus rest plus water.

The viewing deck and fireplace areas add something people often overlook in spa days. They give you a change of pace between water moments, so you are not constantly shifting between wet and dry without a break. In a lava environment, that shift from hot water to indoor deck time is part of what makes the day feel special.

And yes, it is okay to take breaks. The whole point of choosing the Retreat format is less rushing.

The Blue Lagoon Ritual: salt scrub, silica mud, algae mask, oil

The pinnacle of the experience is the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a self-applied cycle built around silica, algae, and minerals. You use the treatment materials during your session, so it feels structured but still relaxed.

The ritual includes:

• Salt scrub
• Silica Mud Mask
• Algae Mask
• Nourishing face and body oil

This is a key value driver for the Retreat. It is not just access to pools. It is a guided sequence that uses the signature Blue Lagoon elements in a full-body way, including both skin and face care.

Because it is self-applied, you get some control over how long you keep each product on, which can help if you are sensitive or you just want to customize your comfort. You still follow the overall ritual flow so it does not feel random.

If you care about getting the most out of your Blue Lagoon stop, this ritual is where your time should be focused. It is the part you would struggle to recreate as well with a general public lagoon ticket.

Spa Restaurant: when to eat and what kind of meal to expect

The experience also includes access to Spa Restaurant, where you can grab seasonal meals. This is not the heavy kind of restaurant stop. The menu is designed for light, nourishing eating with fresh local ingredients.

The big plus is the setting. Spa Restaurant has expansive views of the mineral-rich waterscape and the lava surroundings. That means you are not just eating, you are keeping the spa atmosphere.

Food is not included with the Retreat Spa package. So you will want to plan around that, especially if you are doing the session as a longer day activity. The good news is that you do not need reservations.

My recommendation: if you tend to get hungry during spa time, have a plan to eat before you go to the main Blue Lagoon areas. You are already spending hours, and a simple meal keeps you comfortable instead of running on snack mode.

Main Blue Lagoon access, plus a private entrance advantage

One of the most useful details is that you get full access to the Blue Lagoon public area through a private entrance from the spa. That gives you the best of both worlds: Retreat time with a calmer vibe, then access to the classic public lagoon later.

This matters because the main lagoon can be a visual and social change. By doing the Retreat first, you set your body up with warmth and routine, then you shift to the public spaces with less stress and less scrambling.

Think of the day as two phases:

1) Retreat phase for comfort, ritual, and decompression

2) Main lagoon phase for the full Blue Lagoon experience with more activity

If you are someone who wants the famous Blue Lagoon waters but does not want to start your day in crowds, this format fits your style.

What to bring, and the rules that affect your comfort

Here is the simple packing list that matters most:

• Swimwear

Towels, bathrobe, and flip-flops are included. Blue Lagoon skincare amenities are included too, which helps keep you from carrying extra bottles.

Rules that shape your planning:

• Cameras are not allowed in the spa
• Electronic devices are not allowed in the spa
• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed
• The minimum age for using the spa is 12
• Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

If you want a photo while in the Retreat Lagoon, staff will happily take one and email it to you. So you can still get a keepsake, you just are not doing it yourself with your own camera.

Who this Retreat experience suits best

This Retreat Spa is ideal for couples. It is designed around intimacy and private comfort, with a changing suite for up to two and Retreat Lagoon time that feels more cocooned.

It also fits well if you are:

• On a tight schedule and want a single high-quality spa block
• Going to Blue Lagoon and want fewer crowds at the start
• Interested in the signature Blue Lagoon ingredients used in the Ritual

Who might not love it:

• Families with younger kids, since the minimum age is 12 and it is not suitable for children under 12
• People who really want to take lots of personal photos or record video, because cameras and electronics are not permitted in the spa

It is wheelchair accessible, so if mobility is a concern, this is worth considering, since access is explicitly supported.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa?

I would book this if your top goal is a calmer, more private Blue Lagoon day with a full Blue Lagoon Ritual and a proper couples setup. The combination of a private changing suite, Retreat Lagoon first, and heat-to-cool spa facilities makes the day feel planned instead of chaotic.

I would skip it if:

• You want to bring your phone for photos nonstop
• You expect food to be included
• You are traveling with kids under 12

One last decision helper: compare how you want your day to feel. If you want “soak, reset, ritual, then enjoy the main lagoon,” this Retreat format nails it. If you just want a quick water experience and you like doing things on your own schedule, you might find the extra structure less necessary.

FAQ

What is included in the Retreat Spa experience?

You get access to the Retreat Spa with sauna, steam cave, and relaxation areas, access to the Retreat Lagoon, a private changing suite for up to two people, towels, bathrobe, flip-flops, the Blue Lagoon Ritual, access to the Blue Lagoon public area, Blue Lagoon skincare amenities, and a drink of your choice.

Does this include food?

No. Food is not included. Spa Restaurant has a seasonal menu with light, nourishing meals, but you pay separately.

Do I need to bring swimwear?

Yes. Swimwear is required, and it is not included.

Is the changing suite private?

Yes. The experience includes a private changing suite for up to two people.

Can I take photos or use my phone?

No. Cameras and electronic devices are not allowed in the spa. If you want a photo while in the Retreat Lagoon, staff can take one for you and email it.

What is the minimum age to use the spa?

The minimum age is 12 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

How long is the experience?

The duration is 5 hours.

Where do I meet the service, and how do I get there?

By car, Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and about 50 minutes from Reykjavík. Follow signs to The Retreat, and parking for Retreat day guests is free. By bus, get off when the bus arrives at Blue Lagoon, walk to the Luggage House, and an attendant will call a shuttle to The Retreat.