Iceland’s Forest Lagoon spa offers a peaceful retreat among the trees

Nestled in the northern woodlands of Iceland, a charming new spa invites guests to relax in natural hot springs while surrounded by lush greenery, blending nature with serenity.

Forest Lagoon, created by the same architects behind the popular Blue Lagoon and GeoSea spas, promises to deliver the high-quality services typical of Iceland's geothermal spas. What truly sets it apart is its seamless integration with the rocky landscape and forest surroundings.

A spa nestled in the trees

Relaxing in one of the two 104°F infinity pools with a drink in hand from the swim-up bars, visitors can gaze through the opening between birch, pine, and fir trees to enjoy a breathtaking view of the fjord.

The spa’s leisure pools are filled with naturally heated geothermal water sourced from the mountainside behind the property. Discovered by construction crews in 2014 during a tunnel project between Akureyri and Húsavik, the water, once a nuisance, is now a soothing source of relaxation.

Slated to open by April, the 1,300-square-meter Forest Lagoon complex features a bistro, two infinity pools with swim-up bars, a cold pool, and a sauna. The facility can host up to 200 guests at once.

Located in the Vaðlaskógur forest, the spa is just a short drive or a brief walk from Akureyri. Often called the 'Capital of the North,' this town is about 40 minutes by plane or a five-hour drive from Reykjavík.

Environment and design

The spa is designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest and mountains, achieving a harmonious integration with nature.

Hrólfur Karl Cela, a lead architect on the Forest Lagoon project, also worked on designing the Blue Lagoon and GeoSea spas with Reykjavík-based Basalt Architects. He explains that the primary goal of these projects is to integrate them into their environments and highlight the unique characteristics of each location.

'In this case, the challenge was to create architecture that harmonizes with the forest, offering a dual experience of geothermal bathing and forest bathing,' Cela shared via email.

It’s not just the exterior that matters, but the interior as well. Cela explained that the design team aimed to minimize the environmental impact of the building while ensuring visitors remained fully immersed in the forest ambiance.

This is why cross-laminated timber was chosen as the primary material to enhance the spa’s interior design.

According to climatetrust.org, cross-laminated timber can help reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings, and is also resistant to both fire and earthquakes.

Another great reason to head north

The discovery of the geothermal water source in 2014 caused delays in the tunnel project but inspired soon-to-be business owners Sigríður Hammer and Finnur Aðalbjörnsson to take action.

After purchasing 250 hectares of land and securing rights to the runoff water, construction of the Forest Lagoon began in the summer of 2021. Hammer explained that she and her husband wanted to showcase the beauty of one of Iceland’s lesser-known towns.

'Akureyri is already a stunning destination with plenty to offer, but we wanted to give tourists even more reasons to explore and extend their stay here,' Hammer said.

The geothermal pools are not just for tourists; with plans to remain open year-round, Hammer mentioned that special winter passes will be available for locals. If the first year proves successful, the couple plans to expand with a massage spa and a hotel nearby.

Both the owners and architects of Forest Lagoon are optimistic that the worst of the pandemic is behind them, allowing visitors to enjoy this quintessentially Icelandic experience with peace of mind.

'The history of geothermal bathing in Iceland is fascinating,' Cela shared.

'Bathing here feels like a public ritual. It’s where meaningful conversations take place – in the hot tubs, in the pools. You have people who don’t know each other, all half-naked, so there’s no sense of status or identity. This creates an atmosphere that encourages open dialogue.'