Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll: A Remote Luxury Retreat in Iceland's Untamed Highlands

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll in Kerlingarfjoll, Iceland, stands out as a "One Michelin Key" property, signifying a very special stay that offers a memorable experience. This unique mountain retreat, established in July 2023, is lauded by guests for its blend of modern Nordic design and the raw beauty of its remote location in Iceland's central highlands.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with many describing their stay as "amazing," "beyond expectations," and "fantastic and magical." It consistently receives high ratings for cleanliness, facilities, comfort, and staff. Guests appreciate the feeling of a luxurious, spa-like resort nestled in a remote and gorgeous part of Iceland.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll:

• Location: Its truly remote setting amidst the Kerlingarfjöll mountains, offering breathtaking views and unparalleled access to hiking and nature activities, is a major draw.
• Baths & Sauna: The inclusion of hot spring baths, an open-air bath, a hot tub, and a sauna is a significant highlight, with many guests enjoying soaking while taking in the mountain scenery. Access to the hot spring is often included and accessible via an underground tunnel.
• Design & Architecture: The hotel's modern, design-forward, and clean architecture, utilizing sustainable cross-laminated larch timber, is frequently praised. The rooms are described as stylish, thoughtfully designed, and cozy, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
• Food: The delicious and comforting food, including excellent restaurant offerings and a generous breakfast, is a recurring positive comment.
• Tranquility: The quiet and peaceful atmosphere, allowing guests to truly get away from it all, is highly valued.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll are described as beautifully designed, modern, and comfortable. They feature private bathrooms, modern amenities, and often offer stunning mountain views through large windows, some even with a daybed for enjoying the scenery. Deluxe rooms and suites typically include queen beds, and family rooms are also available. Rooms in the hotel are designed with earthy tones that complement the exterior landscape. While most found beds comfortable, one review mentioned beds could be softer. Rooms are stocked with Blue Lagoon amenities. An underground passageway connects the hotel rooms to the main building, allowing guests to avoid outdoor elements. There are also more basic accommodations available, including hostel rooms, A-frame cabins, and a campsite, to cater to various budgets.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience is generally rated as excellent. The family-friendly restaurant serves local cuisine with vegetarian options. Breakfast, which is included, is described as hearty and delicious, often featuring pastries, juices, cereals, hot items like eggs, bacon, and sausages, as well as Icelandic staples like cod liver oil and skyr.

Lunch often includes substantial "ski lodge fare" such as hamburgers, mushroom soup, and lamb stew. Dinner menus change seasonally, offering refined dishes like salmon, cured goose, pan-fried Arctic char, and Icelandic lamb soup. A notable and unique amenity is the daily hot waffle bar in the lobby from 4-5 p.m., offering made-to-order waffles with whipped cream and jam, a tribute to the site's history as a ski school. The bar serves classic cocktails and warm drinks, including hot chocolate that can be spiked with Icelandic cream liqueur.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback highlights the staff as friendly, helpful, professional, and very welcoming. Reviewers specifically mention warm hospitality, genuine helpfulness, and attention to detail. Staff are available 24 hours at reception and provide full waiter service in the bar and restaurant. They are also willing to assist with specific requests, even researching how to make a drink they weren't familiar with. Rangers are available to provide hiking information.

6. Location & Accessibility

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll is situated in an exceptionally remote part of Iceland's central highlands, within the Ásgarður Valley of the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range, between the Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. It is approximately 121-124 miles (200 kilometers) from Reykjavík, a drive that typically takes 3.5 to 4 hours in summer.

The area is a paradise for hikers, photographers, and those seeking solitude, with marked trails leading through volcanic ridges, rhyolite mountains, and steaming geothermal valleys like Hveradalir. Activities include stargazing, skiing, hiking, and biking, with opportunities for glacier exploration on Hofsjökull ice cap.

Accessibility varies by season:

• Summer: Accessible by cars and buses via Kjölur road (Route 35). The hotel offers daily bus transfers from Reykjavik and Gullfoss from July to September. Guests can drive themselves if their rental vehicle is insured for F-roads.
• Winter: Only accessible via 4x4 vehicles driven by professionals or guided tours due to challenging, unpaved roads and potential snow. The drive can take up to six hours in snowy conditions.

Despite its remoteness, the property prioritizes accessibility, with wheelchair-accessible rooms on the ground floor and elevators connecting the restaurant, lounge, and baths via an underground passageway.

7. Value & Pricing

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll is considered an expensive stay, but many guests believe it offers good value for the unique and luxurious experience it provides in such a remote location. Rates reportedly start from 72,400 ISK (approximately £428) per night, based on two sharing, and include breakfast and admission to the Highland Base Baths. While main accommodation prices are high, the existence of a campsite and retrofitted A-frame cabins and hostel rooms offers more budget-friendly options. However, some individual food items, like a hamburger for $41 or a beer for $15, are noted as extremely high.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• High Prices for Food: Individual items on the menu, such as a hamburger and beer, are considered very expensive by some guests.
• Room Features: Some ground-floor rooms may lack the "sit-in-the-window" feature seen in other rooms, instead offering a patio. There were also comments about subtle room numbers leading to accidental entries, and a lack of certain luxury touches like luggage space, additional seating, a coffee table, TV, or fridge in some rooms. Beds were occasionally described as "too soft" or that they "could have been more comfy".
• Accessibility within Buildings: One review mentioned no elevator access to lower-ground rooms in a next-door building, despite overall efforts for accessibility.
• Road Conditions: The unpaved and sometimes bumpy roads leading to the hotel can be challenging, especially in winter, and some guests prone to car sickness recommend bringing medication.
• Dinner Buffet Limitations: One guest found the dinner buffet to have limited selection and poor value for its price.
• Minor Maintenance Issues: Isolated reports of a loose bathroom light switch or streaky windows were mentioned.
• No Turndown Service: While daily housekeeping is provided, guests should not expect turndown service.

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