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Glacier Hiking
Experience guided glacier hikes on Vatnajökull, exploring the stunning ice formations and breathtaking landscapes.
Wellness getawayMindReach
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Europe's glacier lagoon hotel: Jökulsárlón icebergs, Vatnajökull ice caves, Diamond Beach at the door, and Iceland's most remote Ring Road overnight base
Jokulsarlon, Suðurland
1 night
Guest voices
Stories from guests
Real moments shared by participants at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.
Property film 1
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Experience highlights
What a stay here actually feels like.
View packages
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Ice Cave Exploration
Discover the mesmerizing blue ice caves of Vatnajökull, a unique adventure available from October to March.
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Northern Lights Viewing
Enjoy optimal conditions for witnessing the Northern Lights, with minimal light pollution and expansive views.
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Gastronomic Dining
Savor exquisite Icelandic fusion cuisine in a stunning restaurant setting, inspired by the natural surroundings.
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Relaxation at the Spa
Unwind in the hotel's wellness spa, featuring hot tubs and a sauna, all with views of the glacier.
Gallery
The setting
Spaces, views, and surroundings at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.
Your journey
Arrive at the lagoon
The Ring Road approach to Jökulsárlón — the first view of the lagoon is a shock: ice blue icebergs floating on dark water with the glacier wall behind, clearly visible from the road. Nothing prepares you for the scale.
Zodiac boat among the icebergs
The rubber inflatable among icebergs of 500–1,000 years old, with the glacier face calving occasionally in the distance. The ice tour guide paddles past bergs larger than houses.
Diamond Beach at sunset
The 5-minute walk from the hotel to the black sand shore, where the same icebergs that were floating in the lagoon this morning have washed ashore by afternoon. Iceland's horizontal winter light through translucent ice.
Vatnajökull ice cave
The guide headlamps reveal a chamber of compressed blue ice — thousands of years old, translucent, with light filtering through from the glacier surface above. The most extraordinary enclosed space in Iceland.
Hotel hot tub at dusk
The exterior hot tub with Vatnajökull glacier facing directly ahead — watching for northern lights as the sky darkens over the ice cap and the valley quiets for the evening.
About
About this getaway
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is a modern hotel situated at the edge of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, providing guests with breathtaking views of Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull. Located 370 km east of Reykjavík on the Ring Road, this hotel serves as a gateway to some of Iceland's most extraordinary natural wonders. With panoramic windows and clean Scandinavian interiors, the 104 rooms are designed to immerse guests in the surrounding glacier landscape. The hotel's exterior platform features a hot tub that faces the glacier, offering a unique opportunity to relax while taking in the stunning scenery. Guests can engage in wellness programming that includes glacier hiking with certified guides and ice cave exploration in the blue ice caves of Vatnajökull, accessible from October through March. The remote location also makes it an ideal spot for witnessing the Northern Lights, with minimal light pollution enhancing the experience. Dining at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is a culinary adventure, with a restaurant that seats up to 180 guests. The menu focuses on Icelandic fusion cuisine, inspired by the surrounding landscape. The hotel also offers a complimentary wellness spa, featuring a sauna and hot tubs, ensuring that guests can unwind after a day of exploration. With its commitment to sustainability, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon has received Green Key certification, making it a responsible choice for eco-conscious travelers.
Jökulsárlón was not always a lagoon. Breiðamerkurjökull, the outlet glacier that feeds it, extended to the sea a century ago — the current lagoon formed as the glacier retreated throughout the 20th century, and has grown rapidly in recent decades as glacial retreat has accelerated. The floating icebergs are not decorative features but direct evidence of a glacier in retreat: each one calved within the past 1,000 years (Vatnajökull ice moves very slowly), and the deep-blue interior colour visible in some icebergs is the result of compression that removed all air bubbles from the ice over centuries of accumulation.
Packages & pricing
Rates and availability from the property's official booking page.
Featured program
Glacier View Room (breakfast included)
Contemporary room with Vatnajökull or lagoon views and full Icelandic breakfast.
Check dates & bookPlan your trip
Availability notes
- • Ice cave season (October–March) is the most demanded period — book 4–8 weeks ahead.
- • Winter weekends fill quickly as the Ring Road and glacier circuit become popular.
- • Summer midnight sun period is also high demand for the Ring Road circuit.
Accommodation
- Standard glacier view rooms
- Superior rooms (enhanced views and space)
- Confirm current room categories at islandshotel.is
Location & travel
- Getting there
- Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is at Hnappavellir, Öræfi, 785, approximately 370 km from Reykjavík on Ring Road (Route 1). Drive east from Reykjavík via the South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Vík, Eldhraun lava field, Skaftafell, then Jökulsárlón — a full day's drive with stops. Car rental required. Confirm winter driving conditions before travel — Route 1 in the southeast can be affected by glacial river flooding and winter conditions.
Policies
- Minimum stay
- 1-night minimum — confirm at islandshotel.is.
- Cancellation
- See islandshotel.is for current cancellation terms.
- Children
- Children welcome. Glacier hiking and ice cave tours have minimum age requirements — confirm with guides.
Contact & book
Reach the retreat directly or reserve online
FAQ
Good to know
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is at 3 PM and check-out is at 12 PM local time.
Is parking available at the hotel?
Yes, guests can enjoy free parking at the hotel.
Are pets allowed at the hotel?
Yes, dogs are allowed in restricted areas. Please inform the hotel when booking.
Does the hotel offer breakfast?
Yes, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon offers a continental breakfast for guests.
Is the hotel open year-round?
Yes, the hotel is open all year, providing opportunities to see the Northern Lights in winter.
Location
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