The hotel is perched on the banks of the river Varmá (literally “warm river”), one of the hotel’s most distinctive landmarks. Views of the river and is gentle current are one of the highlights of the hotel’s rooms and restaurant (which is named after the river).

And although it is a remarkably beautiful river, it is also one of the few rivers in Iceland that visitors can bath in (that is, if you’re not looking to freeze your rear end off!). The river is fed by several nearby hot springs, some of which empty directly into the riverbed, which can reach around 18°C in the summertime. It’s an extraordinary experience to wade out into the Varmá on a dark night and submerge yourself in the water’s warm embrace.