Taking advantage of Iceland’s clean air, sustainable energy and high national happiness, Six Senses will be unveiling its newest hotel in the Land of Fire and Ice in 2022
Six Senses will be making its Iceland debut with Six Senses Össurá Valley, set to open in 2022. This Iceland escape will be ideal for those wanting to experience nature, wellness and adventure by day, and indulgent dining, comfortable beds and perhaps a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis by night.
The rugged southeastern coast of Viking country, where the new Six Senses will be located, has an expansive and diverse natural environment. From glacier tongues, craggy volcanoes, ice-filled lagoons and geothermal lakes to untouched highlands and long black beaches, many of these natural wonders have become famed for their beauty and are visited throughout the year — making it the perfect setting for a scenic vacation and luxury hotel.
The Six Senses addition spans 4,000 acres of privately-owned land in Svínhólar near Lóni. The flatland at the southern end is adjacent to the Lón Lagoon, which is separated from the North Atlantic Ocean by a beautiful black sand beach. This is the biggest gathering space for swans in the country and the hotel will be involved in monitoring and protecting this Icelandic population.
Six Senses Össurá Valley is surrounded by a mountain range and the vast Össurá Valley and River. The valley’s multiple waterfalls and surrounding landscape lend themselves to out-of-the-ordinary experiences including dog sledging, horseback riding, ice and rock climbing, bird watching and boat trips.
Northwest of the development is the Vatnajökull National Park with Europe’s largest glacier and Iceland’s highest peak, the Öræfajökull volcano. The dramatic southern landscapes have also provided breathtaking settings for many movies and shows, including Interstellar, Batman Begins, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, James Bond and Game of Thrones.
The first phase of the project will be the opening of a 70-guestroom resort and private cottages dotted on the surrounding land. Six Senses-branded residences will offer residents the opportunity to call this exquisite location home and tap into all the unique amenities and privileges of the resort.
Built using renewable and locally-sourced materials and adhering to high standards of energy and water efficiency, guest accommodation and residences will tread lightly on the earth while providing an uncompromising level of space and comfort. Project Architect John Brevard has added another layer to the design brief to create a space that considers the implications of human bioenergy, electromagnetism, astrology, sacred geometries and the principles of Feng Shui. The goal is to align guests and residents with natural order and hyper-dimensional realities so they recharge and reconnect.
The resort’s welcome lounge will feel integrated into the surrounding environment and include a library, cinema room, water bar and an Earth Lab that will showcase the project’s sustainability efforts.
Guests will additionally take comfort in the Six Senses Spa, with its functional fitness centre, yoga studio and comprehensive wellness programming. There will be a farmhouse with an organic garden and a cooking school where chefs will share their passion for hearty and healthy food and showcase farm-to-table seasonal recipes.
All-day dining, a specialty restaurant offering seafood delicacies and a lively bar will embrace indoor and outdoor living, following the guiding principles of Eat With Six Senses. Different scenic dining settings will additionally be offered, including over-water wooden walkways, a romantic waterfall and a traditional boat house.
The upcoming hotel will be a 30-minute drive from the airport at Hofn, while Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, one of the most popular sites in the country to watch the otherworldly color displays of Northern Lights, is just an hour’s drive away.