The Reykjavik EDITION: Old Harbour palace next to Harpa Concert Hall with Tides by Gunnar Karl Gíslason, rooftop Northern Lights bar, and thermal spa

Reigning with striking volcanic basalt and Scandinavian modernist architectural majesty directly on the Old Harbour waterfront adjacent to the crystalline Harpa Concert Hall in downtown Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland (just steps from Laugavegur shopping street, the Sun Voyager sculpture, and whale-watching piers, 45 minutes from Keflavík International Airport), The Reykjavik EDITION opened in 2021 as Iceland’s premier design-led luxury lifestyle and culinary grand palace. Designed in collaboration with local architecture firm T.ark and Ian Schrager Company, the 253-room luxury palace is wrapped in charred timber, volcanic basalt stone, and blackened steel reflecting Iceland’s dramatic geological forces. Centered around Michelin-starred Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason’s acclaimed modern Icelandic dining institution Tides, the 7th-floor rooftop lounge The Roof (framing Mt. Esja and the Northern Lights), and the subterranean Forbes Five-Star EDITION Spa with social thermal plunge pool and bar, this property is the Land of Fire and Ice’s ultimate grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Nordic cosmopolitan glamour and Old Harbour historic splendour: liveried footmen greet guests beneath the monumental charred timber canopy on Austurbakki before entering the glowing lobby lounge with monumental Icelandic basalt stone fireplace, custom sheepskin seating, signature Le Labo black tea scent, and chilled Icelandic glacier water or Champagne with warm artisanal canapés. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Iceland geothermal, glacier, and marine pursuits: boarding private luxury yachts for whale watching and puffin tours departing directly from the Old Harbour (steps away), private guided super-jeep excursions to the waterfalls and geysers of the Golden Circle (45 minutes away), private VIP after-hours access to the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon (40 minutes away), soaking in the subterranean thermal plunge pool, indulging in volcanic ash and Icelandic moss therapies at the Forbes Five-Star Spa, sipping craft aquavit cocktails under the aurora borealis at The Roof, and reserving a window booth for dinner at Tides.

Palace living balances active Icelandic exploration with serene geothermal sanctuary wellness: The EDITION Spa features private luxury treatment suites, a subterranean social thermal plunge pool with full-service bar, Turkish steam rooms, Icelandic timber saunas, and therapies utilizing volcanic minerals and ESPA skincare. Dining is an extraordinary Modern Nordic culinary summit: elevated seasonal gastronomy at Tides by Gunnar Karl Gíslason (celebrated for Arctic char, Icelandic lamb, smoked birch, and sommelier Grand Crus), sourdough pizzas in the Café, cocktails at The Roof, and 24-hour in-room royal dining.

Accommodations comprise 253 rooms and luxury executive suites styled by Ian Schrager in warm Icelandic ash boiserie, bespoke wool throw blankets, deep freestanding soaking bathtubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Old Harbour, Mt. Esja, or Harpa Concert Hall ranging from 28 to 130 square metres. Each residence features plush king beds with custom linens, and stone bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom Le Labo black tea amenities.

Nordic purists, Northern Lights watchers, and luxury travelers seeking Reykjavik Old Harbour location, Tides dining, and rooftop aurora views should book The Reykjavik EDITION without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 4,600 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 7,200 reviews.