Hótel Jökulsárlón, also called the Glacier Lagoon Hotel, is a modern hotel in Suðursveit, a short drive from Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and the edge of Vatnajökull. For couples on a Southeast Iceland honeymoon, it is one of the most convenient places to sleep near the glacier lagoon, so you can see the icebergs at sunrise or late in the evening, when the tour buses have gone.
The hotel offers standard doubles and suites, a second-floor restaurant with views and an outdoor area with hot tubs and a sauna, free for guests. On a clear winter night, the dark sky over the ice makes it a fine place to watch for the northern lights.
It is a practical, comfortable hotel rather than a romantic boutique. Rooms are modern and clean, with a calm Nordic style and the restaurant means you do not have to drive anywhere for dinner. It suits couples who want to explore the lagoon area at its quietest, combine it with a day in Skaftafell to the west and a langoustine dinner in Höfn to the east and return each evening to a warm room and an outdoor soak.
Highlights at a glance
- A short drive to Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
- Suites for couples
- Free outdoor hot tubs and sauna
- Second-floor restaurant with views
- Dark winter skies for aurora
Why Couples Love It
The main reason is proximity. Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland's most famous sights and from late morning to mid-afternoon it can be crowded. Staying close means you can arrive at dawn, when icebergs glow pink and blue, or linger at Diamond Beach in the evening light.
The hotel also gives you a good range of options in a region where choices are thin. Suites are available for couples who want more space and the restaurant serves dinner every evening.
The outdoor hot tubs and sauna are a welcome finish to a cold day. In winter, the region's dark skies and the aurora overhead make an evening soak special. In summer, the long light means you can explore late into the night.
Rooms to Book
The hotel offers four room types, all non-smoking.
- Double Standard: compact and comfortable, the right choice if you will spend most of the day out exploring.
- Suite: the honeymoon pick, with more space to relax after long days outdoors.
- Family Suite and Standard Triple: designed for families or friends, so most couples will not need them.
Ask for a room with a view toward the mountains and glaciers when you book and mention your honeymoon. If you are traveling in winter, ask whether staff can offer an aurora alert. Book early for summer and the holiday weeks of winter, since accommodation near the lagoon is limited and fills quickly.
Food, Drink and Wellness
The signature restaurant on the second floor seats about 180 guests. Breakfast is served as a buffet each morning, a bar menu runs from midday into the late afternoon and dinner is served in the evening. Expect Icelandic dishes with plenty of fish and lamb. Langoustine from the waters off Höfn is a regional specialty worth ordering.
The bar is a relaxed spot for a drink after a day outside.
Outdoors, hot tubs and a sauna are free for guests, first come, first served and open from early morning until late evening. Bring a swimsuit. A soak before breakfast, after an early visit to the lagoon, is a nice way to start a day. In winter, check the sky from the tubs for the aurora.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
- Take a boat tour among the icebergs on Jökulsárlón. Zodiac boats get closer to the ice than the larger amphibious boats.
- Walk Diamond Beach at sunrise, when glacier ice glitters on black sand.
- Book a guided blue ice cave tour in winter, roughly November to March, depending on conditions.
- Drive west to Skaftafell for the hike to Svartifoss and guided glacier walks.
- Visit Fjallsárlón, a quieter glacier lagoon close to Jökulsárlón.
- Drive east to Höfn for a langoustine lunch or dinner by the harbor.
Seals often swim in the lagoon and at the river mouth. Always join a certified guide for anything on the ice itself; glaciers are dangerous without proper equipment and knowledge.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Hornafjörður (HFN), with domestic flights from Reykjavík, under an hour's drive east of the hotel. From Keflavík International (KEF), the drive along the south coast takes around five to six hours without stops. Most couples spread it over two or three days, with nights near Vík or Skaftafell.
A rental car is essential. In winter, rent a four-wheel drive with good tires, check road and weather conditions daily and keep plans flexible, since storms can close the Ring Road. Fuel stations are spread out, so fill up when you can.
Plan to arrive in daylight in winter, because the roads here are dark and there are few landmarks at night.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want to stay close to the glacier lagoon with a comfortable room, hot tubs and dinner on site, Hotel Jökulsárlón is a good choice. Rooms usually start in the low to mid-hundreds of dollars a night, with summer at the high end and suites more. These figures are approximate.
It is a functional, modern hotel rather than a luxury retreat and tour groups pass through in summer. Couples looking for a cabin with a private hot tub or a design-led boutique may prefer farm stays elsewhere in the region.
If your priority is seeing Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach at their quietest and coming back to a warm hotel with a soak and a good meal, this is one of the most convenient places to stay.
Insider tips
- Book a Suite rather than a Double Standard for a honeymoon.
- Visit Diamond Beach at sunrise, then soak in the hot tubs before breakfast.
- Bring swimsuits; they are required in the hot tub area.
- Drive to Höfn one evening for langoustine by the harbor.
