The Mermaid will be unlike any other Icelandic spas in its appearance, the services provided, as well as its unique location.
The Spa's appearance is inspired by the surrounding area and the region's centuries-old coastal culture. The seaweed baths themselves are a unique experience guests will not soon forget, be it for the complete relaxation they offer or the fantastic, immediate effects the seaweed has on hair and skin. Bathing in the soft, freshly cut seaweed is also an adventure in itself. In addition, guests can get massage treatments and relax in hot tubs in the outdoor area. You will also find onsite a herbal sauna, a regular sauna, and a restaurant specialising in Icelandic seafood with Eastern influences.
Starting such an ambitious project in a sensitive area and an already popular tourist destination takes considerable time. It calls for changes in the general zoning and detailed land-use plans, but that work is almost complete. Scheduled plans estimate that construction will take about two years. If all goes accordingly, we can expect to open in the spring of 2025. The size of the structures will be around 1,200 m², and the operation requires considerable equipment. The total investment cost is estimated at 1,750 million ISK.
The project
Mermaid's uniqueness will be its location by the open Atlantic Ocean, where the main emphasis is on seaweed baths. Guests get the opportunity to experience the amazing effects of the seaweed baths, surrounded by landscapes shaped by the forces of Icelandic nature.
Products and Services
Guests are sure to find the experience unforgettable. Be they lying in the soft, warm seaweed bath under the glow of the midnight sun, the dance of the northern lights or in real winter weather, when the wind blows and roaring waves hit the beach below. In the restaurant, the main emphasis will be on locally sourced Icelandic seafood, prepared under Eastern influences. The restaurant and spa will be largely separate, but spa guests can have food and drink in the bathhouse lounge or visit the restaurant after their soak. The structures are one floor, low-rise buildings that blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment, including the outdoor area located in front of the open sea.
Headland will be constructed with stone and turf. A turf strip (inspired by the Great Wall of Skagagarður) hides the parking lot, making the structures blend well into their surrounding environment. The walls facing the beach and outdoor pools will be clad in coarse driftwood and rusty corten steel. The design of the pools and the inside of the spa draws inspiration from nature, meant to mimic the shapes of conches, shells, and ocean rocks. The impression guests receive from the facility is significant to the overall bathing experience. To heighten the experience, part of the infrastructure is designed to pay homage to the area's coastal culture and past shipwrecks. Next to the bathhouse by the beach will be free facilities, including a changing room and showers, intended for public use to encourage sea bathing.
Lounge and Relaxation Room
In the cosy lounge and relaxation room of the bathhouse, guests can relax by the open fireplace, after baths or between treatments. There, guests can also order light meals and drinks from our restaurant.
Massage
Four massage rooms will be available, two double and two single. A variety of massages will be on offer, both traditional relaxation massages and oriental Ayurveda pressure point massages. Guests can choose between different lengths of time for their treatment, which will take place in a relaxing and pleasant setting.
Skin Care Products & Souvenirs
The front desk will offer health and beauty skin care products for purchase, produced from algae, among other elements. These will include lotions, shampoos, soaps and supplements, as well as other specially crafted items that will remind guests of their visit to the Mermaid Spa.
Herbal Sauna
Herbal sauna has its origins in Ayurvedic practices and has been practised for hundreds of years in the Far East, both for health and healing. Steam is drawn through a unique mixture of Oriental and Icelandic herbs, such as lemongrass, turmeric, camphor, tamarind, mountain grass, and angelica, before being introduced into the sauna room.
The herbal sauna has an purifying/sanitizing/ antiseptic effect on the skin, increases energy and relieves mood. The herbal sauna will be in the indoor area but with access from indoor and outdoor areas.
Outdoor Area
Five tubs will be in the outdoor area; two cold at 5-12 ° C, two hot at 38 ° C and one at 43 ° C. These will be flow-through tubs with clean water, without chlorine or added acid. The pots will be on the beach edge with a view of the sea and Garðskagi Headland. The outdoor area will also contain a sauna, designed in a style of an old turf house, and facilities to sit and enjoy the weather and refreshments from the restaurants. It will be possible to go straight onto the beach from the outdoor area for a refreshing swim in the cold ocean.
Resturant
The restaurant can seat 100 people in the dining area and another 100 in the lounge and the shared outdoor area of the bathhouse and restaurant. Emphasis will be placed on ambitious seafood dishes made from fresh, local ingredients but under the influence of Southeast Asia.
There will be a romantic atmosphere on site and décor, paying homage to the beach, sea and the area's rich coastal culture. There will be a good view from the restaurant to the beach, the famous Garðskagi Lighthouses, and the sea. Emphasis will be on high-quality and professional services. Guests of the bathhouse can enjoy light meals and drinks from the restaurant in the lounge and outdoor area.
The Seaweed Baths
The baths are filled with warm seawater and hand-harvested kelp and seaweed. The seawater contains a mixture of living microorganisms, vitamins, proteins, mineral salts, and algae, rich in elements such as copper, zinc, iodine, and selenium. During a soak in the seaweed baths, these nutrients penetrate the skin -- our largest organ -- and nourish it. Furthermore, the kelp and seaweed are filled with soothing oils that enhance well-being. By soaking in the warm water, your muscles will begin to relax, and your body will start to detoxify. In addition, the kelp contains Vitamin K, believed to have a beneficial effect on the adrenal glands, helping you maintain a good hormonal balance.
Seaweed baths are used worldwide for various ailments, including pain relief for arthritis patients. Kelp naturally contains large amounts of iodine. The iodine penetrates the skin during a bath, and has shown promising results in treating eczema, combating dry skin and scalp, alleviating muscle pain, and increasing blood flow. At Mermaid, there will be four seaweed-bath rooms containing double-person tubs and two rooms with single-person tubs. Guests will lie in the warm seaweed bath for 45 minutes in complete peace and quiet.
Mermaid
Mermaid - Geothermal Seaweed Spa is an ambitious project that involves building a high-quality spa on a beautiful sandy beach at Garðskagi on the Reykjanes Peninsula.