Thanks for stopping by our Iceland Wedding Planner blog today to check out our third installment on the very best and most unique Iceland wedding hotels!

Hveragerði (pronunciation found here) in Southwest Iceland, is known as the hot spring capital of the world.  It is only 45km from downtown Reykjavík, but still far enough away to offer a spacious country feel.  This fabulous and historical city is home to one of our favorite Iceland wedding hotels, Frost and Fire.  It is unlike any other hotel in Iceland, because of its distinctive experience.  There are very few hotels in the world that are built on active geothermal land.  The property also borders alongside of a river with hiking trails, and a waterfall.  Being outside of the city limits of Reykjavik also allows the chance of viewing the Northern Lights during the winter months.

The first rooms of this boutique hotel were built in 1995 and it has continued over the years to expand along the banks of the Varma River.  Presently, Frost and Fire has 19 rooms with 4 more on the way to completed by this summer.  The location, the wilderness that surrounds, and staff really set Frost and Fire a part from others in the area.  The river Varma which flows behind the hotel never freezes because of the geothermal heat exiting the ground.  The steam vents around the property exude volcanic gas, bubble, and hiss.  It’s a pretty sight to see especially at night, as it creates a dreamy and romantic atmosphere.

Iceland Wedding Planner’s Visit to Frost and Fire:

From the moment we first­ heard about Frost and Fire in 2012, we were so excited to stay there.  Frost and Fire is such a unique location for couples planning an Iceland wedding that we had to try it out ourselves.  We had made the drive that December morning from Hali Country Hotel in Hofn to Frost and Fire in Hveragerði.  From Route 1 you turn onto Breiðamörk Road which takes you into the town of Hveragerði.  It has a well maintained historical downtown.  So if you have time to spend, check it out!

As you head further up the road towards Frost and Fire you will be passing by the Varma hot spring river and Reykjafoss waterfall on the right hand side.  This charming waterfall was once the site of a wool factory (1902 – 1914) which ran its electricity from the power generated by the waterfall.  Now stands just a ruin of the factory’s foundation, but the old world stones provide a fabulous backdrop for some really gorgeous Iceland wedding photos.

If you continue down the road, you will find Frost and Fire’s entrance on the right hand side.  Once you park and step out of the car you may smell a tinge of sulphur and see steam rising from mounds in the ground.  You check in at the main building where the restaurant Varma is.  No matter the hour you check in a staff member will greet you with a warm smile, give you direction to your room, and explain the wonderful amenities.  We felt so welcome and thrilled to be there!

Our room was in the main building on the far left side near the pool.  The walk to our room was decorated by wall hangings from local Iceland wool artists.  Inside of the room was bright, fun, and inviting.  It was very clean and offered all the comforts of home (queen size bed, hairdryer, warm towels, sandals, robes, TV, and coffee).  To our surprise, our room also offered a phenomenal balcony that gave us a direct view of the rippling Varma river.

After settling in to our romantic abode, we changed and decided to give their spa facilities a whirl.  They have a 39 foot geothermal heated swimming pool, hot tubs, a circulation relaxation room, and a sauna which all guests have the ability to use at any of time during their stay.  They also offer massage and acupuncture services onsite by appointment.  The swimming pool and hot tubs were our personal favorites during our stay, especially at night.  Feeling the cold air rush beside you, seeing the stars, and steam rising from the ground created a romantic and mysterious setting that is unforgettable.

In the restaurant Varma, they serve traditional Icelandic foods such as an appetizer titled, “A Taste of Iceland” which is a mix in season traditional foods like smoked puffin/goose, Icelandic langoustine, Artic Char, etc (2,200 ISK / 20 USD).  They also have other interesting menu items to choose from like Fish Stew (2,800 ISK / 25 USD) and Grilled Horse Tenderloin (4,440 ISK / 40 USD).

We had kept our fingers crossed for seeing the Northern Lights that night but sadly our clear night turned into a downpour of rain for the remainder of our stay.  But had we been graced by the Northern Lights presence, a staff member would have come around and knocked on each guests door to let them know to come out.  When we turned in for the night we kept the sliding balcony door open slightly to hear the sound of the river rushing, it was so relaxing to sleep to!

A European style breakfast is included with your room stay each morning and is served in the Varma restaurant.  You can anticipate fresh fruit,  different types of rúgbrauði (rugbread), cereals, meats, cheeses, liver oil shots, coffee, juices, and a special boil an egg station.  Guests are invited to try their hand at boiling an egg in the geothermal ground outside.  What a unique experience!

Despite the sideways rain during most our stay at Frost and Fire, we still enjoyed every second of it!  Before leaving Frost and Fire, we took a 10 minute walk down the path south of the hotel and enjoyed the wool factory ruin and Reykjafoss waterfall.  There is a flat area to the left side of the waterfall that would be perfect for a intimate Iceland waterfall wedding of 20 people or so.  In case of rain an alternative option could be Hveragerðiskirkja Church only minutes away.  The closest natural wonder attraction to Frost and Fire would be the Geothermal Park where you can take a dip in warm hot springs, bake bread with heat from the ground, or hike.  If you visit in the summer they are open every day otherwise you must call ahead.  Frost and Fire is a great base camp if you intend on doing a self drive tour of the Golden Circle as it is close proximity of Gulfoss Waterfall, Geysir, Kerid Volcanic Crater Lake, Skálholt, and river rafting on Hvítá.

Frost and Fire is an optimum location for Iceland spring and summer weddings.  With a waterfall on the pathway south of Frost and Fire’s property, it provides a grand natural backdrop. What a romantic walk it would be for guests and the bride to take.  So dreamy!  The hotel and restaurant can accommodate an Iceland destination wedding of up to 50 people.

We had a wonderful time chatting with the owner, Elfa Dögg Þórðardóttir about Iceland destination weddings at Frost and Fire.  She offered this advice to couples planning an Iceland wedding, “Have enough time for hotel reservations, since we get fully booked over the summertime.  Use the amazing nature.” We very much agree with Elfa too!  If you’re planning an Iceland summer wedding you should try to book at least 12-18 months before to ensure your first choice on location.  Frost and Fire is already taking bookings into 2015, so do not delay if you’re interested in staying here on your Iceland wedding day, honeymoon, or romantic getaway.

Frost and Fire’s Contact Information:

Website: http://www.frostogfuni.is/
Address: 810 Hverhamar; Hveragerdi, Iceland
Frost and Fire GPS Coordinates: 64.006122 N” -21.184113 W”
Phone : +354 483-4959
E-mail: info@frostogfuni.is

Thanks for stopping by our Iceland Wedding Blog today and checking out Frost and Fire.  Remember to go back to our other posts in this series too as you plan your Iceland wedding adventure:  Hali Country Hotel and Hotel Laekur.  Make sure you come back to read about our final location that topped our favorite host hotel list for 2013, you won’t want to miss it!  If you’re a couple who has decided on Iceland as your destination wedding location, congratulations!  We’d love to chat with you more about your dream wedding in Iceland, be your wedding planners and Iceland wedding photographers!  Please feel free to contact us directly here.

With a smile, Ann & Chris Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographers)

2002-2014, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

The post Iceland Wedding Venue: Frost and Fire appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Choosing Iceland as your honeymoon location is a really special decision.  Iceland is not the “typical” honeymoon spot filled with relaxation, palm trees, 80 degree temperatures and white sand beaches.  Quite the opposite for temperature and terrain.  But for adventure seekers, our cup runneth over! A place that is epically pure, beautiful, unforgettable, offers unique activities, and is unlike anywhere else on the planet.  Iceland truly offers you another world experience.

Southeast Iceland houses one of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (pronunciation found here).  A receding glacier created this gorgeous sight of multicolored icebergs within a lake.  But, as many of you will find out as you start planning your trip to Iceland, the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is ­­more than 5 hours one way from downtown Reykjavík.  Driving there and back in one day can take its toll and bus tours out of Reykjavík just isn’t for everyone.  Staying the night at Hali Country Hotel in Hofn is a great escape from the long drive.  Hali Country Hotel is only a few miles from this spectacular glacier lagoon.

Hali Country Hotel made our favorites list this year for so many reasons!  They are a year round boutique hotel that can easily accommodate Iceland honeymooners and elopements. They also have a historical exhibit onsite to the great writer Þórbergur Þórðarson (1888 – 1974), and a dynamite restaurant on the property that serves the traditional Arctic Char.   You get a private experience especially if you are lucky enough to book one of their newly built stand alone condos.

This country escape was built in 2005 and has continued to expand over the years as it grows in popularity.  Currently Hali has 23 double bed hotel rooms, a guesthouse with 6 double beds, and 2 condos with 2 double beds in each.  They book 1 year in advance, so make your plans early.

Iceland Wedding Planner’s Visit to Hali Country Hotel:

The evening before, we had stayed at Hotel Laekur in Hella, Iceland.  We had an action packed schedule for our 5 hours of daylight that day.  We explored off the beaten paths from Hella to Kirkjubæjarklaustur in daylight.  Once dusk settles, the road can be tough to drive in the rain and in the dark so be careful!  After many twists, turns, and one way bridges you’ll find Hali Country Hotel nestled between the Vatnajökull Glacier and the Atlantic Ocean, slightly off of Route 1.  We arrived around 6:30pm that November evening and the outside of the main building looked beautiful lit up.

Our fabulous hosts Torbjörg Arnórsdóttir and Fjölnir Torfason, gave us the opportunity to try out their newest addition to the property, their yellow honeymoon cottage.  We stayed in the upper portion of the cottage and it was beautiful.  As soon as you go up the stairs and enter in to the main floor, there is a large living room, fully furnished kitchen with all new appliances, coffee machine, pots, pans, glasses, etc.  The owners have not left out one detail.  On the other side of the cottage there are 2 bedrooms with double size beds that are lush and comfortable.  The bathroom just outside of both rooms is well done and offers a view of the coastline.

Once we settled in to our Icelandic honeymoon cottage, we took a short walk back to the main building to grab some dinner.  All of the staff at Hali Country Hotel, were professional, and offered us very quick service.  The dining area is delightfully simple offering a nice space for their guests to dine.  The walls are adorned with photographs from some really amazing Icelandic landscape photographers and really adds to the overall ambience.  At this point, we had not been able to visit the glacial lagoon and seeing those photos throughout really added to our excitement.

Hali Country Hotel Restaurant is well-known for their Arctic Char and lamb raised at the Hali Farm.  Have you heard of Arctic Char before?  It is a delicious cold water fish that is most often found in the Nordic countries.  The fish tastes like a mix between salmon and trout (smooth taste, not fishy at all).  All of their ingredients for their menu are sourced locally, were incredibly fresh and scrumptious.  We delighted the following items during our stay at Hali:

• Traditional Icelandic Meat Soup (1,250 ISK / $11 USD)
• Artic Char with salad, and roasted potatoes in a garlic dill sauce (3,500 ISK / $31 USD)
• Grilled Lamb, vegetables, potatoes and homemade gravy (4,400 ISK / $39 USD)
• Traditional Icelandic Skyr with ice cream and whipped cream (900 ISK / $8 USD)

A traditional European breakfast is served to all guests in the morning.  It was a very nice spread filled with lots of cereals, meats, cheeses, coffee, and juices.  One thing we did find very surprising during our stay at Hali was the wind, it was incredibly fierce and just reminded us of nature’s power in Iceland.  Even our host at Hali Country Hotel, Torbjörg says that her favorite thing about Iceland is that, “The magnificent nature is totally different from other parts of Europe. The power of nature and weather which you cannot control, but must adjust to.”  And adjust we did.

In the same building as the Hali restaurant, the museum and heritage centre offers opportunity to learn more about the famous writer Þorbergur Þorðarson and a chance to learn more about the difficult lives Icelandic farmers lived during that era.  We found the museum gave a great illustration on how local life was during that time.

In speaking with one of the owners, Torbjörg about weddings she boasted the following advice, “Expect Icelandic weather to be unpredictable and not always possible to be outdoors. Not even in the summer time.”  Although there is no indoor wedding ceremony option onsite at Hali Country Hotel, Kálfafell Church is within 10km and a perfect “plan b” option.  If you had good weather for your Iceland wedding day, the Skaftafell National Park, Vatnajökull Glacier, Jökúlsárlón Glacier Lagoon are all within minutes of this serene country escape.

Hali welcomes Iceland destination weddings for groups less than 40 people in the off season months.  If you have a group, are a couple on your Iceland honeymoon, or it is just the two of you eloping, feel free to reach out to the Hali team to see if they have availability for your stay.

Hali Country Hotel’s Information:

Website: http://hali.is/
Hali Hotel GPS Coordinates: 64.129671 N” -16.017823 W”
Address:  781 Höfn í Hornafirði, Iceland ?
Phone: +354-478 1073 / 867 2900
Email: hali@hali.is

We hope today you have enjoyed our feature on Hali Country Hotel and will consider them as you plan your trip to Iceland.  If you are interested in having your wedding in Iceland at the Jökúlsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell National Park, or on top of the Vatnajökull Glacier we would love to help you plan and photograph your dream wedding!  Please feel free to contact us directly here for more information on making that happen.  In the meantime, Happy New Year and we hope 2014 proves to be your best year yet!

With a smile, Ann & Chris Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographers)

2002-2013, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

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