The Blue Lagoon portfolio is a collection of sustainable destinations, resorts, spas, and skincare lines. It has recently announced the summer opening of its newest nature-driven development, Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll…
Debuting in the Ásgarður Valley, at the edge of a remote mountain range deep in Iceland’s central highlands, the multi-faceted Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll from the Blue Lagoon Hotel group, will be the first of its kind in this untouched, adventure-driven paradise. The year-round destination will feature the Highland Base Hotel, complete with rooms, suites, and luxury lodges as well as a series of Highland Base Huts designed for private or shared accommodations, the Highland Base Camp, the 80 seat Highland Base Restaurant and Lounge and the Highland Base Baths.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll.
“Kerlingarfjöll has been beloved by Icelanders for decades, and we’re pleased to introduce the destination in an entirely new way,” said Grímur Sæmundsen, Founder & CEO of Blue Lagoon Iceland. “Full of adventure—from the journey to the experiences while there—Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll will be unmatched for those looking to explore the remote, central highlands of Iceland.”
Ideated and developed by the design teams at Blue Lagoon Iceland, Basalt Architects, and Design Group Italia, the property is being constructed to exist in harmony with nature. The development process has been conducted in accordance with the standards developed by BREEAM—the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for building—and the cosy, minimalist interior designs produce a sense of place, warmth, and comfort felt throughout the entire complex.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
In addition to syncing with nature, the design caters to a wide range of travellers and will be comprised of three distinct accommodations types. The Highland Base Hotel is composed of multiple structures encompassing 46 guestrooms, two suites, and six luxurious lodges. The 46 guestrooms range in size from 18 square metres to 30 square metres and are designed for everyone from families to solo travellers. The two Highland Suites are 44 square metres and feature a terrace with a private, geothermal hot tub and breathtaking views of the mountains. The six Highland Lodges are luxurious, stand-alone, private accommodations.
The Highland Base Huts provide a range of seasonal accommodations in A-frame buildings including bunk beds with shared facilities as well as private huts designed for families or small groups travelling together. Getting even closer to nature, the Highland Base Camp is a seasonal, riverside campsite located at the base of Kerlingarfjöll mountain range with access to the same communal facilities used by the guests staying in the huts.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
Covering almost 100 square kilometres, Kerlingarfjöll, a protected nature reserve, is a circular mountain range that formed over 10,000 years ago with a series of subglacial volcanic eruptions. The range includes peaks reaching more than 1,500 kilometres, and panoramic vistas punctuated by the grand glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, making it an adventure lover’s dream. For guests the selection of seasonal activities includes hiking the vast network of trails, ranging from one kilometre to 50 kilometres, access to a fleet of electric mountain bikes to traverse the raw and colourful mountain scape, backcountry and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing through the geothermal valleys and exploring the incredible panoramas via snowmobiles.
Main image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
