Tatler UK - 09.2019

Vanity case

Flora Gill discovers the

deepest relaxation at

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon spa

TREATMENT

MENU

Signature massage,

£312 for 120 minutes

Signature facial,

£127 for 90 minutes

Relaxing massage,

£111 for 30 minutes

Deluxe manicure, £124

IF A BOND VILLAIN WITH

exceptional taste designed a spa

hotel, it would be The Retreat

at  Blue Lagoon. Sunken within

centuries-old volcanic rock and

featuring sauna caves, roaring fire-

places and a wine cellar hewn from

lava, this subterranean paradise is

the perfect place to unwind after

some world domination.

For years now, the Blue Lagoon

has been a must-see destination in

Iceland; geothermal seawater is

pumped from 2,000 metres below

ground, so full of beneficial natural

minerals that doctors prescribe dips

there to psoriasis patients. Set in a

Unesco Global Geopark, the main

reason for the location’s popularity

is its picturesque quality – tourists

clamour for Instaworthy photos in

the milky pale blue water.

1. Vitamin C Brightening Primer SPF 15, £55,
   by DR SEBAGH. 2. Retinol Ceramide Capsules
   Line Erasing Night Serum, £72, by ELIZABETH
   ARDEN. 3. Bikini, £240, by BURBERRY at
   Farfetch. 4. Sunglasses, £285, by BALENCIAGA
   at Net-A-Porter. 5. Ozweego trainers, £330, by
   ADIDAS X RAF SIMONS at Browns. 6. Bag,
   £1,290, by FENDI at Matches Fashion. 7. Resin
   earrings, £190, by MARNI at Net-A-Porter

But for true lavish beauty, you

have to go somewhere so exclusive

they discourage photography (and,

in this spa, phones are banned).

The Blue Lagoon was recently

extended to create a more secluded

stretch for The Retreat’s guests. From

my suite, I walk past my sitting

room, through my bedroom, out

onto the balcony and directly down

into my very own section of the

waters. Tearing myself away from my

private pool, I explore the spa’s own

winding, stretching lagoon, where,

still waterborne, I order a Mimosa

through a waiter’s window.

I book their signature treatment.

Before being massaged, I lie suspended

in the rejuvenating water and am

given a salt scrub and silica body

mask, followed by an algae mask.

Once smothered, I’m placed in a

large plastic sack, into which I’m

tied up like a sleeping bag and left

to stew, floating in the lagoon. I feel

like both a swaddled baby and a

corpse being disposed of. This might

sound extreme, but is meant as

the highest form of praise. You’re

most relaxed and carefree at three

points in your life: when you’re a

baby, when you’re dead and when

you’re at The Retreat. Once the

treatment is finished, my only real

awareness is of the inconceivable

softness of my skin.

I’m told that people often book

for one or two nights and regret

not staying longer – I can relate.

With stunning surroundings to

explore, an exquisite tasting menu

at the hotel’s Moss restaurant, and

complimentary activities such as

absurdly scenic yoga and afternoon

tea, there’s much more to do than

one might expect. In the winter,

the place is submerged in snow,

with rooftop sightings of the

Northern Lights, and apparently

feels like an entirely different hotel

• the perfect excuse to visit again.
  Book it: From £927 per night (retreat.
  bluelagoon.com). Fly with Icelandair
  from £180 return. icelandair.com

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Flora Gill unwinds at

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

Aqu a

rising

PHOTOGRAPHS: ADAM VALLANCE

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