Watching the Northern Lights from the Northern Lights Lounge at ÖÖD Hekla Horizon.
Gertrud Ots
The Northern Lights have been very active lately and that activity is expected to continue: experts estimate these nocturnal light shows to be at their peak through the middle of this year. Instead of being awakened in the middle of the night and rushed outdoors to observe them, however, visitors to Iceland have a new way of taking in that sight: from bed through the glass walls of a remote cottage with mirrored exteriors that reflect the flashing lights, intensifying the show. That’s one of the advantages of staying in the development ÖÖD Hekla Horizon which opened in the southwest part of the country near the volcano Mount Hekla on February 1.
One of the mirrored cabins at ÖÖD Hekla Horizon reflecting the Mount Hekla volcano.
Ingibergur Thor
The Creation of Mirrored Houses
The brainchild of Estonian brothers Jaak and Andreas Tiik who, bored with the typical offerings of standard hotels and entranced with the rawness of nature, created distinctive ÖÖD mirror houses in 2016 to be placed in and afford clear views of rugged natural landscapes and withstand even severe climates. The success of the houses with private clients encouraged them to start ÖÖD Hötels two years later with destinations ranging from Finland to Scotland, Estonia, Mexico and several U.S. destinations including California, Texas, Georgia, Arizona and Vermont.
The view from one of the bedrooms of the Glacier Family House.
Ingibergur Thor
The Three Types Of Houses
For ÖÖD Hekla Horizon they joined forces with local Icelandic partners Arnar Jónsson and Ingibjörg Jakobsdóttir to showcase the world-renowned rugged beauty of the Icelandic wilderness. Northern Lights viewing was a focus, either from the glass walled cottages, a hot tub or the all glass Northern Lights Lounge. The seven houses range from 226 square foot Standard Houses with one double bed, a kitchenette, a dining and seating area, private patio and access to the shared hot tub to the slightly larger 280 square foot Extended Houses with a more spacious dining and seating area and private hot tub and the 441 square foot, two bedroom Family Houses with all of the other features plus a private sauna.
The dining area of the Glacier Family House
Ingibergur Thor
Culinary Options
The houses are provided with kitchenettes because there is no food service on the property but there are recommended restaurants within driving distance such as Hygge Restaurant & Bar and Eldstó Art Café (which is also a ceramics gallery) serving local dishes such as Icelandic lamb stew, Icelandic Fish Gratin and Braised Beef in Viking Beer. There’s also a supermarket half an hour away to stock up on supplies for the kitchens.
The Skógafoss waterfall in South Iceland
getty
South Iceland Sightseeing
Given the surroundings of volcanic plains and lava fields with Mount Hekla in view, exploring is essential; hiking trails to those lava fields and rivers for fly fishing extend from the property. Going further afield is easily arranged with local tour operators who work with the company to visit iconic sights such as the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and Landmannalaugar with its mountains and geothermal hot springs along with out of the way sights that tourists generally don’t know. Following a day out of energetic exploring and a hearty local dinner, guests can then hunker down in their cabins or the Northern Lights Lounge and wait for the light show to begin.
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