The Ion - I knew an Ion who was handsome, fierce, in love with nature and a little extreme. When I learned about The Ion in Iceland, I thought I would post this amazing outpost in Iceland and dedicate it to my late friend Ion. To Ion and rugged beauty.
When I learned there was an architectural sustainable hotel in Iceland called Ion, I wanted to marry these two Ions in one post because surely the Ion I knew would have loved to photograph the Ion. To you Ion, may you be taking in this beauty from wherever you are.
In Memory
Ion The Man, The Photographer, The Father & Nature Lover
Based in a location where fire meets ice, ION offers eco-conscious luxury and an unrivalled opportunity to explore the best of Iceland.
Less than an hour’s drive from the hustle and bustle of Reykjavík and set against a backdrop of majestic mountainous lava fields, ION Luxury Adventure Hotel is an unforgettable experience. Whether you are seeking a quiet, soulful soak beneath the Northern Lights, a challenging trek across an ancient glacier or a day of fly-fishing in plentiful icy rivers – at ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, these are only a wish away.
Sleep
ION’s location by the “Golden Circle” route makes it the perfect base to explore Iceland’s rich heritage, hardy flora and fauna, and myriad opportunities for extreme adventure. Close to Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), ION provides easy access to all the essential attractions of “the land of fire and ice”.
trek
Extreme landscapes make for diverse fun hiking, diving, glacier treks and then some
Sólheimajökull
It is a magnificent phenomenon, a rugged, raw and ever changing hub of ancient frozen water. There you can explore the crevasse riddled outlet glacier with it’s amazing ice formations, sinkholes and jagged ridges. Along the way there an ice wall on the glacier and try our hands at ice climbing. In this trip tour guides will provide you with all the tools you need: ice axes, crampons and safety lines.
For the less active guest there is an option to take a guided Super Jeep Safari on top of Langjökull Glacier for example
dive
Diving in Silfra Frissure in Þingvellir National Park
The rift is the most popular diving site in Iceland, first of all because it the crack between the American and Eurasian continent and secondly because of the magnificent visibility that isn’t anywhere else under those circumstances.
Silfra Frissure consists of 3 sections, the Silfra Hall, the Silfra Cathedral and the Silfra Lagoon. All of these sections are spectacular and are really something you can’t miss when you visit Iceland.
For the most daring divers it is possible to dive through Silfra and into Þingvellir Lake.
hike
Mount Hengill
The Hengill area is an ideal recreational area that can be enjoyed the year round. It offers most of the features of Iceland´s natural beauty; interesting landscapes, geothermal areas with hot springs and craters, diverse vegetation, rivers and lakes. Since 1991, Reykjavik Energy has marked interesting hiking trails, put up information signs, built a hiking lodge and has published a hiking map.
There are several half day or whole day hiking trips that are available for hotel guests like,
…hiking in Reykjadalur where a geothermal river blends with a fresh water river and are combined in a lovely natural spring where tourist can relax and bath.
…hiking to the top of Mount Hekla. Myths say that on the top of Helka is the gates to hell
…hiking the hills of the famous volcano Eyjafjallajökull
ION takes good care of you upon your return after a day of adventures. Our luxurious rooms, exquisite Silfra Restaurant, award-winning Northern Lights bar, the awesome Lava Spa and the magnificent landscape that stretches out to the horizon wherever you look provides calm and good service so you can recharge, reflect and reimagine.
ION recently was granted the acclaimed Boutique Hotel Awards in the sustainability category.