Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel by Minarc

Article source: Minarc

In a land of myth and legend, on an island where fire meets ice, surrounded by hot springs, glaciers, and the mystical glow of the Northern Lights, comes a new hotel where nothing comes between you and this otherworldly landscape. Iceland’s newest luxury hotel.

LAVA CAVE, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

• Architects: Minarc
• Project: Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel
• Photography: Art Gray

ELVES AND TROLLS, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

Nestled into the slopes of Mt. Hengill, near Thingvellir national park, the hotel sits atop a series of high-seat pillars, an homage to Iceland’s first settler, Ingolfur Arnarson, who enroute to Iceland in the year 874 threw his high-seat pillars overboard and sailed to where gods brought them ashore.

ION LUXURY ADVENTURE HOTEL, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

Like an enormous basalt post pile, with its black, lava-like exterior emerging from mountainside, the new wing appears suspended, as if floating on the cloud of geothermal steam that surrounds it. The Ion, with its use of natural light, outdoor living spaces and panoramic views of environs, creates a unique sense of oneness, where the boundaries of walls seem to part and beckon nature inside.

GEOTHERMAL, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

Inspired by the environmental surroundings, it incorporates innovative materials, sustainable practices, and natural features of Iceland into its design. It is surrounded by hot springs, which provide geothermal hot water and energy. The building system exceeds environmentally safe building standards. Driftwood and other natural materials are used extensively in furniture throughout the hotel. Beds and chairs are built from recycled materials. Mirrors are framed with indigenous Birchwood. Lights made of lava and found wood illuminate the rooms.

URRIDI THE ANCIENT SALMON, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

Images of the Icelandic horse, the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and other Icelandic references adorn the hotel walls. Each guest room is detailed with restrained lighting effects and subtle color palettes, as well as an abundance of natural daylight. Large picture windows in each room offer breathtaking views of Lake Thingvallavatn and the surrounding mountains, over which nature’s own theatre unfolds as the most spectacular light show, the Northern Lights, comes to life.

RUBBISH SINK, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

ICELANDIC HORSE, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

THE SETTLERS PILLARS, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

NORTHERN LIGHT BAR & LOUNGE, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

THE VIEW, Image Courtesy © Art Gray

Image Courtesy © Minarc

Image Courtesy © Minarc

Image Courtesy © Minarc

Category: Hotel

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