It's no secret that Iceland has lured millions of travelers across the oceans, in search of fresh adventure amidst its mystical and unforgiving landscapes. There are a thousand ways to explore the island country's vast terrain—by surfboard, by van, by specially engineered off-road vehicles—but the Panorama Glass Lodge, a family-run hospitality company, is proving that comfort can (and should) be part of Iceland's rugged equation, too.
The glass cabin property is run by the Dedlers, a young family based in Selfoss, south Iceland. The four lodges are constructed of glass, wood, and steel, and scattered across the Hella region of the island, just under two-hours from Reykjavík by car.
The "igloos," as the family calls them, are designed to mimic Scandinavian architecture and work in tandem with the surrounding environment—their defining feature is a large section constructed almost entirely of glass, which provides a complete view of the northern sky and the nearby Hvalfjörður Fjord.
Built for two people, each building features a king bed situated underneath the glass ceiling, a spa-like bathroom with a rain shower, and a fully equipped kitchen stocked with cooking basics. Outside, on the terrace, visitors can enjoy a "hotpot," aka outdoor hot tub, that's heated using sustainable electricity. All while enjoying views of the nearby Hekla Volcano and the Icelandic highlands.
Originally intended for quiet, romantic getaways, it's no surprise that the lodges have become more of a draw for adventurers hoping to take in the most of Iceland's unique landscape, even from indoors. For instance, they're the perfect vantage point for viewing the northern lights, which will be viewable this year until April, and again come September. In the summer months, the glass allows visitors to sleep under the midnight sun (don't worry—the hosts provide sleep masks to get you through the night).
The Dedler family has plans in the works for an expansion too—a family-sized lodge for larger groups should be ready by the end of 2022.
Published 02-15-2022
