Staying at Aura Retreat Iceland: Sauna Heat, Mirror Walls, and Total Privacy
If your Iceland itinerary needs one place that feels like a destination on its own, make it Aura Retreat in Hella. Disappear into Icelandic nature while the mirrored exterior reflects snowy lava fields, distant mountains, and if you are lucky, the aurora or the glow of the midnight sun. Between the wood-fired sauna and the hot tub, this stay is built for slow mornings and long, steamy evenings with nothing but wind and birds for company. It sits near Hekla Volcano, about an hour outside Reykjavík, which makes it an easy must-stop on your Ring Road route.
Aura’s glass and mirror cladding is the headline feature. By day it blends into the moss and snow, almost like a mirage. By night it turns into a minimalist lantern against the lava fields. The effect is beautiful and surprisingly calming. You get those uninterrupted views you fly to Iceland for, without giving up the sense of being cocooned inside.
Privacy you can actually feel
The mirrored exterior is more than a design flex. It adds a layer of privacy that pairs with the retreat’s setting, so you can relax without feeling on display. The vibe is quiet, secluded, and made for couples or anyone who wants a reset between Iceland’s big driving days.
Aura Retreat is photogenic in any season. In winter you are here for long sauna nights and the chance of northern lights. In summer you get soft, endless light that makes late-night hot tub sessions feel surreal. The mirrored walls catch both moods perfectly.
Aurora or midnight sun
You are based in Hella, roughly one hour from Reykjavík, with Hekla on the horizon. It slots smoothly into a Ring Road loop and works as a restorative pause after a packed South Coast day. Plan your drives so you land here with a few hours to unwind rather than crashing right before bed./person/day
The sauna and hot tub routine
This is where Aura Retreat shines. Step out to the wooden sauna, heat up, then slip into the hot tub to watch clouds tear across the sky. Rotate a few rounds and you will forget what time it is. The contrast makes chilly air feel addictive and it turns any weather into spa weather. We loved using the sauna first thing in the morning before coffee and again after dinner while watching for a hint of green overhead.
Location: Hella, near Hekla Volcano
Why Aura belongs on your Ring Road plan
You come to Iceland for scenery, and Aura Retreat lets you live inside it. The mirrored exterior captures the landscape, the sauna and hot tub keep you warm while you watch it, and the privacy lets you exhale between big days on the road. For us, this stay felt like the perfect reset and one of the most memorable nights on our journey.
We're the adventure-loving duo behind the lens and the keyboard, swapping nine-to-five predictability for jet lag, desert sunrises, and stories worth replaying. Follow our journey to 50 countries while we share all our tips, mistakes and hidden gems along the way. We love finding the world's most unique bucket list adventures and stays to share with you here!
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