A remarkable recognition for Icelandic wellness and hospitality: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon has been awarded its second Michelin Key, making it the only hotel in Iceland to hold two Michelin Keys — and one of just five hotels across the Nordic countries to receive this distinction.
The new international selection of Michelin Key hotels was announced on September 18, with The Retreat moving up from its previous one-Key recognition.
A Destination for an Exceptional Stay
Michelin describes two Keys as representing an “exceptional stay” — a place that offers an experience that is truly memorable and distinctive.
Much like Michelin Stars for restaurants, Michelin Keys recognise hotels that stand out for the quality and character of the experience they offer. While restaurant and hotel distinctions are assessed separately, the philosophy is similar: celebrating places that deliver something genuinely special.
For The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, the recognition reflects a holistic experience where architecture, design, nature, service and wellbeing come together in one of Iceland’s most extraordinary landscapes.
One of Only Five in the Nordics
With The Retreat’s promotion to two Keys, there are now five two-Key hotels across the Nordic countries.
They are:
- The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Iceland
- Hotel d’Angleterre, Copenhagen
- Grand Hôtel Stockholm, Stockholm
- Storfjord Hotel, Norway
- Walaker Hotel, Norway
No hotel in the Nordic region currently holds three Michelin Keys, the highest distinction in the Michelin hotel selection.
The recognition also highlights Iceland’s growing presence on the international luxury and wellness travel map. When Michelin Keys were first introduced to Nordic hotels last year, five Icelandic properties received one Key. All five have retained their recognition this year, while The Retreat has moved up to two.
The other Icelandic hotels holding one Michelin Key are UMI Hotel, The Reykjavík EDITION, Hotel Rangá and Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll.
What Does a Michelin Key Recognise?
Michelin inspectors assess hotels across a range of elements, looking beyond traditional measures of luxury. Among the five key criteria are:
- Architecture and interior design
- Quality and consistency of service
- The hotel’s individuality and character
- Value for the experience
- The hotel’s connection to its surroundings
Michelin describes the distinctions as follows:
One Key represents a very special stay.
Two Keys represent an exceptional stay.
Three Keys represent an extraordinary stay that is considered worthy of a dedicated journey.
This emphasis on the overall experience feels particularly relevant to the world of wellness, where a meaningful stay is about more than accommodation alone. The setting, atmosphere, sense of place, service and opportunity to slow down all become part of the experience.
More Than 2,800 Hotels Worldwide
This year’s Michelin selection added nearly 500 hotels receiving their first Key, while more than 80 properties moved up to a higher level.
There are now 2,832 Michelin Key hotels worldwide:
- 155 with Three Keys
- 657 with Two Keys
- 2,020 with One Key
Across Europe, 1,338 hotels currently hold one, two or three Michelin Keys.
The Michelin Key was first introduced as a dedicated hotel distinction in 2024. Hotels are assessed by Michelin inspectors who travel anonymously and independently, bringing the same discreet approach that has long characterised the Michelin Guide.
A New Benchmark for Icelandic Wellness
For Iceland, The Retreat’s second Michelin Key is more than another accolade. It places one of the country’s most distinctive wellness destinations among a very small group of Nordic hotels recognised for an exceptional hospitality experience.
Set within the dramatic volcanic landscape surrounding the Blue Lagoon, The Retreat brings together Icelandic nature, contemporary architecture and restorative experiences — creating a destination where wellness is deeply connected to place.
For anyone looking to experience Iceland through a slower, more immersive lens, it is a fitting reminder that some journeys are about much more than where you go. They are about how you feel while you’re there.