Very special, quixotic, gorgeous and annoying. 

I have tried a dozen times to upload photos but no dice. Use your imagination. Update, added photos

Check In

We arrived early, some 90 minutes before check-in and waited two hours. Staff was kind, brought us champagne and tea but it was a long wait nevertheless. Small venue, few lagoon suites so I was unsurprized but annoyed nevertheless -- we were paying $6K for two nights and would be leaving at 7:30am the morning of departure. Not much they can do about this yet the cost is such that automatic annoyance spikes at even modest occasion.

Nevertheless, we were sumptuously attended to by Hermann who was both fun and suave. Check-in itself was the usual routine, nothing special other than lovely courtesy. By which time we were quite worn out having arisen at 5:30am for preparations to depart the cruise ship at 8am. We hired car and driver for what was a particularly great custom tour before arrival at the Retreat.

Escort by Hermann to the suite was straightforward and facilities and amenities covered well.

Room

private lagoon

view from living room

Jim at chess

private lagoon

As you read my comments, keep in mind we paid $3K (U.S.) per night and had to book two nights in order to have a lagoon suite.

The suite is small but designed well on the face of it, especially if one is younger with knees, back and hips in good order. At 68 and 75, the living room furniture was dicey for us. Living room is very small and cluttered. Too much oversize sleek furniture. Yet, lovely shelving with an assortment of books about Iceland including fiction and mysteries. This delighted me! one entire wall floor to ceiling windows looking out to a gorgeously different landscape. This view, alone of other ostensible benefits, came very close to fulfilling expectations. I never have been so riveted by a view that changed hour by hour. The 20-hour days helped with that. It never got dark-dark.

Extravagant bathroom facilities but quite dark with confusing lighting controls. Fabulous gargantuan but dark shower. Lovely bath with a view. Dark toilet alcove. Dark double-sink area. Did I say DARK? Yes, dark. Nice small-size shampoo, conditioner, face mask, moisturizer, etc.

Bedroom adequately sized, comfortable bed. Nice linens. Two sides of floor to ceiling windows with ceilin to floor curtains which are needed because, in July, it never gets quite dark.

Free mini bar, lots of wine. If you run out, just call for more.

Now, then, the entire point of the lagoon suite is your own totally private lagoon. It looked fabulous, I could not wait to immerse myself. Fortunatey, I prefaced my plunge with a sit on the first entry stair. Whereupon, my feet slid out from under me and I landed inelegantly on mid spine, ouchies. So, and make a note of this!, the lagoon water is rendered milky blue by several minerals one of which is ... well ... silica. As in silica = slip! And so, readers, I did go ass over teapot. I never let Jim get even close to our private lagoon, too dangerous! Also, damn, it's hot. 

So, our private lagoon, the whole point, was a grave disappointment.

Service

Staffed entirely by young folk with the best smiles and kindly natures. There are ups and downs but intent is always aspiring of special care. I wanted to adopt them all.

When I wanted more wine, it appeared quickly. Room service food was less swift and much less accomplished.

Service needs work. At these prices, most guests will be semi demanding.

Again, we love Hermann. 

Dining

Food was ok, good enough. tres expensive but that is the way in Iceland. 

Location

OK, now we're talking. This is why you go to Iceland. Actually I did not want to go to Iceland, it's where the Norway cruise disembarked. 

For a treeless place, Iceland is amazing. Simply stunning. I would like to return asap were Jim in better mental fitness.

Look at my photos, assuming they are right-side up. Yikes, they won't pist.