Nordica Hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland

Julie Register, Your Guide to Spas, visited this hotel spa in Iceland in May 2003

I had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the 10-story Nordica Hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland on May 6, 2003 amid ice sculptures, videos and speeches, drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Photo Index Click HERE for Photos of The Spa at the Nordica Hotel Click HERE for Photos of a Deluxe Guest Room at the Nordica Hotel Click HERE for Photos of the Nordica Hotel Contact Nordica Hotel, Icelandair Hotels • Address: Suðurlandsbraut 2, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland • Tel: (+354) 444 5000 • Fax: (+354) 444 5001 • Hotel E-mail: icehotels@icehotels.is • Spa E-mail: info@nordicaspa.is • Hotel Web Site: http://www.nordicahotel.is • Spa Web Site: http://www.nordicaspa.is/ Related Resources • Icelandair • Embla Eco Adventures • Reykjavik Excursions • Spa City Reykjavik • Icelandic Tourist Board • Iceland Tourist Board - North America • Iceland Naturally • About's Honeymoon Site: Iceland Travel Holiday • About's Europe for Visitors Site: Iceland • About's Cassic Literature Site: Icelandic Literature

Formerly known as Hotel Esja, the hotel's extensive 18-month, $20 million renovation and refurbishment has been primarily geared to the conference and meeting business with the addition of 58 business and executive rooms, the Presidential Suite, a Business Suite, Executive Lounge, a business center, 11 meeting rooms, a Grand Ballroom with seating for 650 and an Exclusive Boardroom - all equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technical and lighting facilities and audio-visual equipment. The hotel has also added items of interest for the leisure traveler - Vox, a gourmet restaurant, run by internationally acclaimed chef Hákon Már Örvarsson, recipient of the bronze medal from the gastronomical contest Bocuse d'Or and a lovely, new fitness center and spa.

Spa

I had an appointment for a massage at 8am, but I wanted to use the fitness center first. I woke up early, got dressed, ran down the three of the nine flights of the central spiral staircase to the second floor, and was in the spa by 6:30am. I checked in at the reception desk and was led down a long hall that led to the fitness center and outdoor log cabin sauna on the left and the locker rooms, wet area and treatment rooms to the right. I walked down another hall past the wet area that led to the treatment rooms on the left and the Ladies (Konur) Locker Room to the right. I put my things in my locker and returned to the Fitness Center to use the treadmill for a while and then did a little circuit. Classes are offered throughout the week in spinning, yoga etc.. I had time to use the wet area before my massage, so I headed to the showers. In Iceland, the custom is to shower completely before putting on a bathing suit (as opposed to putting on your suit then stepping into the shower), so I left my clothes in my locker and took my towel and bathing suit with me to the showers. I left them in the rack, got in the shower and soaped up and shampooed my hair. I then put my bathing suit on and went to the the wet area. (The showering custom did not seem unusual in the spa since I was alone, but at the public pools, you are usually in a crowd of other naked bathers - a challenge if you are modest.) The wet area is the core of the spa. Its atmosphere is subdued and quiet. The area is lined with a stone wall, blue tiled columns and wood on the ceiling. It has two steam rooms, a shallow pool, a warm whirlpool and a hot whirlpool. I stepped into the steam room for a short while, then got into the warm whirlpool. While I was there, a massage therapist (who would later give me my massage), asked if I would like a neck and shoulder massage while I soaked. Silly question...of course, I would! As she massaged my shoulders, she asked if it was sore. It has been for months - ever since I got my wireless internet connection and type on my computer where ever I feel like it - the living room sofa, lounge chair or glider on the deck, the kitchen table, etc.. I hardly ever work at my desk anymore. However, when I worked at my desk, I sat in an ergonomically correct position. Now I am paying the price - an extremely sore shoulder - "computer arm." Having a massage while in the whirlpool was really relaxing! I soaked for a while longer and Þorhildur (pronounced Thorhildur) said she could take me early for my massage if I would like. She left to set up the room and I showered, dried off and got into my robe. I entered the treatment area and followed Þorhildur to a treatment room. She asked me to select which aroma of Aldo Vandini oil I preferred. I selected Balance. Þorhildur gave an excellent massage and read my body as she went along. She asked if I ever have pain running down my leg. I told her I had sciatica a number of years ago, but it went away after I left my job (to do this one full time). She asked if I walked a lot. I replied that I took long walks sporadically and told her I had just been on the treadmill before coming to the spa. She massaged me and stretched me and joked I would probably be taller after the treatment. I left relaxed and much less sore than when I had come in. (Side note: I went to the doctor for a regular check up 2 weeks after my visit to the Nordica Spa. When the nurse measured my height, it was 5'4". She measured twice. I have never been more than 5'3". Coincidence? I think not!)

Click HERE to See The Spa Treatment Menu

Guest Rooms

There are 284 guest rooms in the Nordica Hotel - standard, deluxe, business and suites. I stayed in a deluxe room which was furnished in a contemporary style with wood floors, a queen-size bed covered by two down-filled feather beds, bath robe, desk, safe, mini bar, telephone with voice mail, high speed internet access, TV, and bathroom with a deep tub. There are a few environmental conservation aspects to the rooms that many US visitors may not be familiar with. The first, which is fairly common, is the reuse of bath towels. Hang the towel up after you use it, and room service will not take it to be washed. The second, which is something I first saw in Thailand is the main switch for the room's electricity. When you enter the room, you insert your room card into the slot and leave it there while you are in the room. The electricity in the room will only come on if the key is in the slot. When you leave the room, you take the key with you. The lights stay on for a few minutes after the card is removed, but then go out so no lights will be left on when no one is in the room. The final item is one I first saw in New Zealand - the flush mechanism on the toilet. The left side is for a full flush, the right is for one that uses less water.

Spatip: Request a room with an even number. Even numbered rooms have a view of the water and mountains. Odd numbered rooms have a view of a parking lot.

Photos copyright 2003, Julie Register
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