Valpas is expanding to Iceland as the Black Sand Hotel becomes the first guaranteed bedbug safe hotel in the country, further increasing its global reach to 25 countries.
With 70 rooms, nine suites and other facilities such as a restaurant and a spa, among others, the Black Sand Hotel is about to open its doors in the Olfus region, located 57 km. from Reykjavik in the South Coast of Iceland. Inspired by the volcanic landscape, the textures and horizon of the Nordic island country, the hotel combines Icelandic craftsmanship with Scandinavian design while it creates a space where nature leads and guests can enjoy the rhythm of the landscape.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Black Sand Hotel in our network,” Valpas co-founder and CEO Martim Gois said. “Black Sand was designed as a place where nature leads and people can slow down, a stay that matters. The decision to open as a Valpas bed bug-safe hotel reflects that same intention: it settles guest expectations in advance, without disruptive or chemical-heavy reactions, and allows the stay to remain calm, private, and sustainable.”
“We are proud to be the first hotel in Iceland to offer a bed bug-safe environment,” Black Sand Hotel general manager Oskar Vignisson said. “By partnering with Valpas, we ensure every room is certified from day one, allowing our guests to enjoy a calm, secure, and worry-free stay. It’s an honour to join a global community of hotels leading the way in safer and more sustainable hospitality.”
Valpas certification
Valpas Certification is a globally recognised bed bug safety standard for hotels, enabled by Valpas proprietary in-room technology, which intercepts bed bugs travellers may unknowingly bring in and prevents infestations permanently and without pesticides.
Once every room is equipped and digitally verified, the hotel unlocks Valpas certification, a continuous, verifiable proof of safety. The certificate includes visible labels and digital recognition across booking and travel platforms, so that guests and buyers can know in advance that its stay will be bed bug-free.
Valpas is currently the only platform that certifies bed bug safety as a continuous standard and it replaces reactive, chemical-heavy responses with quiet, built-in certainty.
The impact extends far beyond individual hotels. As more properties become certified, entire destinations become safer: fewer infestations reach homes or circulate inside cities and regions. This strengthens traveller’s trust and supports destinations in achieving their sustainability and quality goals.