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A Night in This Glass Cabin May Be the Ultimate Icelandic Escape

Sept. 19, 2018
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3 min read
Panorama Glass Lodge at Hvalfjördur in Iceland
A Night in This Glass Cabin May Be the Ultimate Icelandic Escape
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While the hot springs are a serious plus, Iceland’s surreal landscape is the true selling point for travelers. With such incredible views, it’s almost a tragedy to hide yourself away in a hotel room, especially when you can stay in a glass cabin on the ocean.

The Panorama Glass Lodge is located an hour and fifteen-minutes from Keflavik Airport (on a good day) and is surrounded by mountains, trees, and a scenic fjord. According to the lodge’s website, the nearest neighbors are at least 1,000 feet away, most of the surrounding properties being summer homes.

Because it wouldn’t be a true trip to Iceland without a dip in a hot pot, there’s an on-site hot tub that offers complete privacy from neighbors. It gets better: The wooden bath is located at the back of the home, overlooking the nearby sea— offering quite the view.

The crown jewel of the cabin, though, is the bedroom; the space itself isn’t huge, but the entire room is surrounded by glass walls and a glass ceiling. This may be the ultimate spot for viewing the Northern Lights, if you’re lucky enough to catch a show.

Visiting outside of Northern Lights season? Don't fret. The owners mention that you can regularly spot sunbathing seals or whales passing through the fjord during the summer months.

Currently, there is only one glass lodge available for rent and there’s only room for two adults. The owners discourage bringing along young children, as the wild surroundings aren’t always safe for little explorers. What it is great for: honeymooners, solo travelers looking for some quiet time, or design enthusiasts.

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There’s a lot to do in the area, once you’ve had your fill of relaxing and stargazing. The glass lodge is only a 10-minute drive from Blikdalur, a fantastic spot for hiking alongside locals. If waterfalls are on your list, head to Glymur — a 25-minute drive from the cabin — which will take you on a one-and-a-half-hour hike through caves, valleys, and mountains to the country’s second-highest waterfall. You’ll also find Grábrók, a volcanic crater, about an hour drive from the home, if you’re looking for a different kind of scenery.

Before you book, make sure you plan on renting a car. There is no public transportation available to the glass lodge and there is no option for pick-ups in Reykjavik. And if you plan on visiting during the winter time, think ahead and rent a car with four-wheel drive — the slippery roads can be treacherous.

For more information on the Panorama Glass Lodge and how to book your own stay, visit the rental’s website.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.