A Luxury Itinerary Through Iceland: Adventure, Design and Ease
In Iceland, luxury isn’t defined by chandeliers or bellhops. It’s the stillness of a glacier at sunset, the glow of a lava field under the midnight sun and the way your day flows effortlessly from one extraordinary moment to the next.
For travelers who crave adventure but expect comfort - couples, families or friends celebrating something special - Iceland delivers in every season. Below is our guide to experiencing it the way it should be: with beauty, ease and a touch of the unexpected.
PLANNING A TRIP TO ICELAND?
As a partner of leading luxury networks and hotel brands, we unlock exclusive perks at Iceland’s top properties - from daily breakfast and spa credits to upgrades and early check-in when available. More importantly, we maintain personal relationships with on-the-ground teams to make sure every stay feels seamless and personal.
Reach out to us here to see how we can help find the perfect stay or plan your dream trip to Iceland.
WHERE TO STAY IN ICELAND
THE REYKJAVIK EDITION
Reykjavik finally has a true five-star hotel in The EDITION and it’s every bit as design-forward as you’d expect. With 253 rooms, the look is clean and quietly luxurious: pale oak, soft sheepskin throws and sweeping harbor views. The spa is one of the city’s best (don’t miss the hammam and power showers) and the rooftop bar is a magnet for locals. It’s also well-located within Reykjavik and walkable to galleries and cafes.
This is the spot to bookend your trip - a place to unwind after flights or toast your last night in Iceland. We love to request a Terrace Room for our clients - you can step out to harbor views by day and spot Northern Lights by night in the winter.
TORFHUS RETREAT
A small-scale sanctuary of turf-roofed stone cottages in the heart of the Golden Circle, Torfhus Retreat feels like a secret village tucked into the lava fields. Each suite has a private geothermal plunge pool fed by natural springs and meals are served in the cozy Langhús dining hall, where the chef reimagines Icelandic classics using ingredients from local farms. Evenings here are made for slow dinners and stargazing - we’ll time your seating to sunset so you can linger over dessert while the sky shifts through every shade.
Torfhus is authentic without ever feeling rustic - sustainable luxury at its most grounded.
DEPLAR FARM
If you know, you know - Deplar Farm is Iceland’s most exclusive lodge, set deep in the Fljot Valley on the less-visited Troll Peninsula. With just 13 rooms, it feels more like a private home than a hotel, complete with an indoor-outdoor spa, geothermal infinity pool and full adventure staff standing at the ready.
In winter, it’s all heli-skiing and snowcat rides; in summer, think salmon fishing, sea kayaking and horseback treks through wildflower meadows. Every stay is fully customized - nothing is cookie-cutter here.
We book our clients well in advance here (ideally a year or more) as the property fills with repeat guests, families and small groups.
HOTEL BUDIR
Moody, romantic and unmistakably Icelandic, Hotel Budir sits alone on a lava field overlooking the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Its 28 rooms are simple but stylish and the on-site restaurant is one of the best in the country - people drive hours for its langoustine soup and local lamb. It’s ideal for couples looking for a cozy hideaway or as a final stop after a loop around the island.
One of the best rooms is a corner room facing the sea and glacier; the black church next door is one of Iceland’s most photographed spots and you’ll see why at sunset.
A LUXURY ITINERARY THROUGH ICELAND
DAYS 1-3 | REYKJAVIK + WEST ICELAND
Ease into the time zone with a few nights at The Edition. Take a private city bike tour, explore Harpa Concert Hall and end one evening dining in a local chef’s home for an authentic Icelandic welcome. From here, you will head west to explore waterfalls and the ice tunnels of Langjokull Glacier.
DAYS 4–6 | SOUTH COAST ADVENTURE
Trade the city for countryside charm at Torfhus Retreat. Private glacier hikes, ATV rides across black sand beaches and fishing excursions can all bring the landscape to life. Evenings mean soaks in geothermal tubs, searching for northern lights and leisurely dinners fueled by local seafood and storytelling.
DAYS 7–10+ | GOLDEN CIRCLE + BEYOND
Stay near the Golden Circle, nature’s playground in Iceland. Visit Thingvellir National Park, snorkel between tectonic plates at Silfra or embark on helicopter tours over volcanoes and geothermal fields. The ION Adventure Hotel or Torfhus Retreat make ideal bases for your adventures. End your trip with a restorative day at The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon before departing - preferably capped by a massage and a glass of bubbles.
ICELAND BY SEASON
SUMMER (JUNE–AUGUST)
Endless daylight, green valleys, and adventure in full swing - from glacier hikes to fly fishing. The weather is always crisp in Iceland, but this is when it’s at its most predictable and comfortable.
AUTUMN (SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER)
Fewer crowds, golden landscapes, and the start of Northern Lights season. Ideal for dramatic photography and a more romantic, moody vibe.
WINTER (NOVEMBER–MARCH)
Snowy silence, cozy lodges, and Iceland at its most dramatic - with prime Northern Lights viewing. Deplar Farm is a dream home base, and their expert guides tailor each day’s plans to the weather.
SPRING (APRIL–MAY)
Waterfalls surge, foals fill the fields and hotels reopen after winter’s rest. A sweet spot for value, quiet, and seeing Iceland wake up for the season.
WHY WORK WITH A TRAVEL ADVISOR
Iceland looks simple on a map - but the reality of travel in Iceland is that weather patterns shift on a dime, the drives are long and and the experiences are remote (and book out months in advance). We have partners and relationships on the ground in Iceland that help us handle the puzzle pieces: private driver-guides, seasonal timing and access to experiences most visitors don’t even know exist.
At The Citrine Compass, we create Iceland journeys that balance adventure with comfort - the kind of adventure where you can chase glaciers by day and enjoy fine dining or geothermal soaking by night. Every detail is handled so you can simply take it all in.
Reach out to our team here to start the conversation - we would love to hear more about what you’re envisioning!
