Picture this: You are in Iceland, and instead of staying at a 3-4-5 star hotel, you check in into a hotel where all you see are trees covered in blankets of snow with just a container. Will you be a daredevil and find your room?
This was my experience in April when I was in Reykjavik, Iceland, with a group of people and had booked a hotel straight out of my dreams. However, we were late for check-in and reached the hotel only at 11 pm, just after sunset.
I had not seen the pictures of the property as I wanted it to be a surprise element, and to my surprise, the moment the cab stopped, I was sceptical to even get out of the cab. I could see nothing apart from blankets of snow, without a soul in sight and a tiny cabin. Finally, we gathered the courage to explore the place and find our rooms, as this hotel was on top of my bucket list experience.
Welcome to Ölvisholt, also known as the "5 Million Star Hotel” in Southern Iceland- A bubble hotel straight out of a fairytale!
Here you will get a moment to enjoy the stillness and serenity of a place apart from the rest of the world. The property is approximately 200 metres off the road from the main highway. Once you reach the cabin, you have to climb multiple stairs to reach the 1st room. I felt it was quite a task, but the moment I reached the top, all my efforts paid off because the view was simply mind-blowing.
The place has 9 rooms located far away from each other, offering complete privacy. Some rooms are through the trees, and some are with steps below the ground, but all the bubbles are extraordinary and beautiful.
The moment you find your bubble, it feels like a dream. The moment you lay down on the bed, you will be hit with multiple emotions and be able to see the sky and the beautiful surroundings right from your bed. Do not open both doors together else, the bubble will deflate and take time to inflate again. The bubbles are warm thanks to the heater.
We decided to stay up the night to enjoy the view and the multi-coloured skies. The weather here is so unpredictable, with clear skies one moment and snow the other. We could listen to the birds at a distance and enjoy the atmosphere with a drink. The best part was a stool set right in the middle of the central ground, which was perfect for the group. As much as the night had kept our breaths away, the sunrise was mesmerising.
Important things to note.
➊ The hotel is open only from 15 April to 1 December every year.
➋ Do not carry excess luggage, you will have to carry them up, which is very difficult, and there is no safe to keep the same.
➌ Carry a water bottle without fail, or else you will have to go to the container again for the same.
➍ Each bubble is only for two adults in a 180 cm bed. Children under six years can sleep with their parents in the same bed.
➎ No food is served. You can buy food in the nearby villages of Selfoss, Eyrarbakki, Stokkeyri or Hveragerði.
➏ There is no formal reception area. You will be on your own. However, helpline numbers are available.
➐ Check-in time to the bubbles is between 17:00 and 20:00 while check-out time is before 10:00 am.
➑ If you cannot walk in the snow- I would suggest sticking to Room numbers- 1,2,4,5, or 7.
➒ There is a toilet upstairs which is clean.
How to reach the hotel?
Ölvisholt is 71 km from Reykjavik and is a 1-hour drive located in a forest close to Selfoss. Pre-booking a cab if you don't have a vehicle will be a good idea as there is no mode of transportation available otherwise.
Here is the Google link. The exact locations of the bubbles are a secret until you book. You will get the exact location, GPS coordinates, and detailed driving instructions after booking, to maintain privacy.
What's the rate per night and how to book?
Prices start at ISK 54,900 for 2 people per night, that's about ₹32,110 which is worth it if you ask me. The experience of staying in these bubbles, so close to nature and being able to see the snow, rain, and northern lights (if you are lucky) from your bed is unlike any other.
Here is a direct link for booking this amazing stay.
What is the cancellation policy?
The stay can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of booking. After 24 hours, the booking will be subjected to a 15% cancellation fee if cancelled three days before the stay date. The stay dates can be changed at no extra charge, no less than three days before start time, beyond which it is non-refundable.
Overall, this place was beyond what I imagined and definitely checked all the boxes of my bucket list.
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