About this hotel
General information
Torfhús Retreat is a small hamlet of turf-roofed houses in the heart of the Golden Circle, set on volcanic plains that run out towards snow-capped mountains and the Langjökull glacier. Its architecture follows the old Icelandic farmstead of the Viking age: local stone, turf and timber outside, reclaimed oak and pine within, and furniture made by hand in the retreat’s own workshop. Beside every house sits a basalt hot pool, sunk into the ground and filled with geothermal water.
The retreat belongs to the Considerate Collection, the Small Luxury Hotels of the World selection of hotels with an active sustainability practice. A geothermal source less than 5 km away heats the houses and pools, a local hydroelectric plant supplies the power, plastic bottles are banned and housekeeping drives electric cars. Breakfast and dinner are served in the Viking Langhús longhouse, the retreat’s own Icelandic horses graze the surrounding plains, and with no light pollution the night sky is clear for stargazing — and, on clear nights in the darker months, for the northern lights.
Location
The retreat lies in South Iceland, close to Geysir, on the Golden Circle route. Gullfoss waterfall is 10 km away, the Geysir geothermal area with the Strokkur geyser 12 km, Kerið crater 38 km and Þingvellir National Park 64 km. Keflavík airport is about 150 km away. The Torfvilla has helicopter landing access (season dependent), and an electric shuttle runs around the grounds.
Spa
Wellness here means Iceland’s tradition of open-air geothermal bathing. Guests in the Torfvilla have a private trio of their own: a hot pool facing the plains, a cold plunge pool and a traditional Icelandic sauna built into the earth. Everyone else bathes in the basalt hot pool beside their house.
Sports & leisure
On site, guests can meet the Icelandic horses and learn their story, and on clear nights watch the stars from the hot pool. Everything further afield is arranged by the team with trusted local partners:
- guided riding nearby with expert guides, including the five gaits of the Icelandic horse;
- mountain hikes with a guide who collects guests from the retreat, matched to experience and length, with views of Hekla and the Langjökull glacier;
- Langjökull glacier trips: ice caves and snowmobiling;
- buggy rides through the forest between Gullfoss and Geysir towards the Highlands;
- rafting and kayaking on a glacial river (in season);
- snorkelling and diving in the Silfra fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates, in Þingvellir National Park;
- private helicopter tours: out to sea to spot whales (in season), over the black-sand beaches of the south coast, glaciers and lava deserts;
- a day in the Highlands with a private guide, including Landmannalaugar with its coloured mountains and hot springs (in season);
- fishing in rivers, lakes and the sea — salmon, trout, Arctic char, cod and halibut;
- trips to waterfalls, a lava cave and the black-sand beaches of the south coast, and the northern lights on clear nights in the darker months.
Restaurants & bars
Breakfast and dinner are served in the Viking Langhús, a longhouse of stone and old timber hung with tanned salmon skins and early photographs of turf farmsteads; breakfast arrives on a restored horse-drawn cart. By day the room is bright, with views of horses, mountains and the glacier; by night it is lit by candles. Dinner is a chef’s set menu that changes every evening and draws mostly on produce from within about 16 km: berries, vegetables and herbs grown all year in geothermally heated greenhouses, salmon and char from nearby rivers, seafood from coastal fishermen, and lamb and beef from mountain pastures, paired with wines from the retreat’s own cellar. In the Torfvilla, a personal chef cooks in the villa itself.
Swimming
In place of a conventional pool there are hot pools of basalt stone, sunk into the ground and fed by a geothermal source. Each Torfhús and the Torfvilla has its own, while the three Torfbær suites share one between them. They are used all year round — under the stars or falling snow in winter, and on bright summer nights.
Pets
Pets are not accepted.
Rooms
There are 27 units of three types: Torfbær suites, two-bedroom Torfhús houses and the four-bedroom Torfvilla. Interiors have a warm chalet feel, with reclaimed oak, painted walls and handcrafted furniture.
Each unit has a bathroom with large-bottle toiletries, a Nespresso machine, herbal teas, a minibar restocked daily, a private veranda and free Wi-Fi.
Torfbær
One of three suites in a row under turf roofs, with a bedroom with a double bed (two twins on request), a living area and a private veranda, for up to 2 guests. The basalt hot pool is shared between the three suites.
Torfhús
A standalone house for up to 4 guests, with two bedrooms set up with a king-size bed or twins, a spacious living room, a fully equipped kitchen with dining area and a veranda. Its own basalt hot pool is sunk into the ground outside.
Torfvilla
A standalone villa for up to 8 guests, with four en-suite bedrooms (king-size or twin beds, smart TVs), a kitchen, dining area and living room. Outside are a private hot pool, a cold plunge pool and a sauna, and a personal chef can cook in the villa.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.