Last week, a new airline touched down at Liverpool John Lennon airport, offering passengers the chance to fly from Liverpool to the USA via Iceland.
I was lucky enough to be on board PLAY airlines’ maiden flight to Reykjavik and spent the weekend soaking up the sights and sounds of Iceland’s capital. Now, full disclosure, I’m a horrendous flyer.
But when I do fly, I always find travelling from Liverpool helps put me at ease and, sure enough, I was through security and sampling the delights of the Kissing Gate within 15 minutes.
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The flight itself could hardly have been better. PLAY is the new kid on the block in terms of the Icelandic aviation scene, having only been founded in 2019. It’s marketed as a budget airline, with a single ticket from Liverpool to Reykjavik coming in at £41, however I found the plane seemed brighter, more spacious and generally just a bit nicer than some of its other budget counterparts.
The flight time is advertised as being just under three hours, however we landed at Keflavik airport -which is around 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik itself - more than half an hour ahead of schedule. After being greeted by the delightfully bracing Icelandic air, we hopped on the bus to the Grandi hotel, located in the heart of the city’s creative quarter.
The hotel is part of the Center Hotels group. Managed by three generations of an Icelandic family, Center’s eight hotels are dotted across Reykjavik, with each one offering something a little different.
The four-star Grandi has a stylish, slightly industrial vibe, and our room was immaculate with stunning views over the harbour. Breakfast is included with every stay, and we also dined at the hotel’s Héðinn Kitchen & Bar, which was hosting a pop-up event during our visit.
The elegantly decorated restaurant welcomed the celebrated team from Atoboy in New York, who offered a Korean-infused tasting menu consisting of dishes such as scallops, octopus and wasabi ice cream. I’ll be honest and say I’m no expert when it comes to Michelin-starred cuisine, but each dish was exquisitely crafted and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful, going above and beyond to provide a meat-free alternative to every dish for my dining companion, despite there being no vegan options advertised on the menu.
Despite being Iceland’s largest city, Reykjavik has a population of less than 150,000 and lacks the frenetic chaos of many other capitals. Instead, the city evokes a sense of melancholic beauty, the slightly stark volcanic landscape juxtaposed with rows of colourful rooftops, quirky gift shops and cosy cafes selling mouth-watering pastries.
One of Iceland’s biggest draws is its geothermal pools, with the Blue Lagoon probably one of the country’s most famous attractions. In 2021, a new competitor arrived on the scene in the form of the Sky Lagoon, and we spent an afternoon at the spa which is located about ten minutes outside Reykjavik.
The phrase ‘bucket list’ might be a little bit overused, but I can honestly say that the Sky Lagoon is something that everybody should jump at the chance to experience should they get the chance. With breathtaking views over Mount Keilir, the venue offers the chance to bask in the gloriously warm waters of the lagoon before trying out their seven-step ritual.
The ritual, which includes a cold plunge, body scrub and steam room, is meant to rejuvenate the body and the soul. After two hours at Sky Lagoon, I can certainly say that I felt rejuvenated (although that could also be down to the Aperol Spritz available at the Lagoon bar).
During our stay, we also checked out the Perlan museum which offers plenty of family-friendly fun including a Northern Lights Planetarium and the world’s first indoor Ice Cave. The museum also boasts gorgeous 360 degree views over the whole city from its observation deck.
In terms of food, the city is home to a host of fantastic restaurants including the very trendy Duck and Rose and delicious Italian, Caruso. While, thanks to PLAY, the air fare to Reykjavik won’t set you back too much, the city is notoriously pricey, with the average cocktail carrying a price tag of more than £15.
Many travel to Iceland in the hopes of seeing the Northern Lights and, while a number of companies offer specialist tours and boat trips, it's never a guarantee that you’ll actually be able see them. Fortunately, our luck was in, and the dazzling natural phenomenon made a brief appearance to cap off a magical weekend.
While it might not be your destination of choice if you’re looking to tighten the purse strings, I would say a visit to Reykjavik is worth every penny and I will definitely be returning in the future.
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