The Scenic Solitude of Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll

Past the occasional volcanic eruption, the ragged splendor of Iceland’s dramatic cliffs, valleys, and mountain peaks are deceivingly picturesque, solely hinting of the continuing violence perpetually unfolding beneath its soil. The collection of geological actions liable for churning, carving, and reshaping the various Icelandic panorama over millennia have made it an adventurer’s paradise. And for years, the Blue Lagoon Iceland positioned simply outdoors of Reykjavík has taken benefit of the nation’s volcanic temperament, luring guests from across the globe to calm down their muscle mass bathed within the resort’s otherworldly turquoise-tinted geothermal heated water.

The identical group behind the Blue Lagoon are additionally liable for the newly opened Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll, a property located on the foot of the Kerlingarfjöll mountain vary designed to serve up stimulating journey with a aspect of luxurious serene solitude.

The remoteness of Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll’s location (the resort doesn’t checklist a regular deal with, however as a substitute lists “getting right here” choices that differ in summer time versus winter. Such is the cantankerous nature of the central highlands the place a minimal 3-hour automotive trip from Reykjavík is realizable solely in probably the most perfect of circumstances. In wintertime the route turns into so difficult, the resort requires visitors to schedule transport by a 4×4 tremendous Jeep pushed by an expert to maneuver the snowy and ice-covered terrain.

However this arduous journey from metropolis to resort seemingly will solely add to the notion that the Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll guarantees a keep not like some other place on earth, interesting to visitors who solely search relaxation and rest as bookends to a extra strenuous keep whereas exploring the distant community of trails surrounding the property accessible by foot, mountain bike, skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile.

The resort itself was designed to go away as little of a footprint on the panorama, with the small village-like format of lodging divided into the Highlands Base resort with its 26 rooms and a pair of suites operated yr spherical, 6 stand-alone lodges, and for these actually seeking to tough it – however solely in summertime – one of many property’s A-frame Hostel Huts or riverside campsites for tent tenting. A shared kitchen, restroom, and bathe services are located close by to serve these extra rugged-minded visitors.

Sustainability ranked excessive in creating Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll, with Blue Lagoon Iceland’s in-house design group reuniting with Basalt Architects and Design Group Italia, the identical cohorts liable for designing the Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Stone and wooden play distinguished at each touchpoint, on partitions and underfoot, with tender touches of upholstery and blankets silently inviting, “relaxation right here.”

To shelter visitors from the worst of the biting components, a system of underground passageways join the resort to the restaurant and the baths, permitting visitors to remain comfortably heat throughout their keep.

With “coziness” emphasised as intrinsic to their visitors’ keep, the rooms on the Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll vary from 237 sq. toes to 474 sq. toes, every furnished with a up to date palette of pure supplies and colours referencing the encompassing Iceland panorama, a temper simply famous whereas staring out of any of the room’s picturesque views.

Company who determine to remain in one of many resort’s 20 Highland Base Hostel rooms are served the naked requirements warmed with a country spirit, with the bigger room choice permitting for a household of 4 to sleep upon a queen dimension bunk mattress.

The resort’s 80-seat Highland Base Restaurant and Lounge is specified by Alpine-style seating, serving all the pieces from vegan choices, native seafood, and conventional Icelandic dishes akin to Kjötsúpa (a easy winter soup made with lamb, rutabaga, and potatoes).

And people with a penchant for all issues candy take notice: each afternoon the restaurant units up a waffle buffet, serving up the tender, skinny, and heart-shaped Icelandic waffles referred to as vöfflur together with strawberry jam, whipped cream, syrup, espresso, and sizzling cocoa.

Like The Bolder Lodges in Lysefjord, Norway, a equally distant vacation spot marrying architectural lodging with adventure-focused itineraries, the Highland Base is rigorously curated to align the physique, thoughts, and mindset right into a state of off-grid bliss. And in contrast to the popularly accessible Blue Lagoon, the sojourn required to succeed in the Highland Base will inevitably assist maintain the Highland Base inside the class of a finest identified secret.

What: Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll
The place: Kerlingarfjöll, Iceland
How a lot: Ranging from $430/night time inside one of many resort’s Deluxe rooms.
Highlights: Taking within the view of Hofsjökull, Iceland’s third-largest glacier, from your personal balcony sizzling tub is difficult to beat. Exploring the smoldering, steam laced pastiche of Hveradalir mountain vary by foot equally so.
Design draw: With assistance from Basalt Architects and Design Group Italia, Blue Lagoon Iceland’s in-house design group have usual a comfy, minimalist architectural and inside design language harmonious with its placing pure setting.
Guide it: Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll

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Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, climbing, tide swimming pools, and street journeys, a choice of his adventures and musings might be discovered at gregoryhan.com.