THE EDITION REYKJAVIK, ICELAND TO OPEN IN NOVEMBER

By: Christian Stan

Opening in preview on November 9 2021, The Reykjavik EDITION is expected to set a new hospitality standard – one that matches the natural magnificence of the destination – as Reykjavik’s first truly luxury hotel experience.

Opening in preview on November 9th, 2021, The Reykjavik EDITION will set a new standard as the city’s first truly luxury hotel experience, combining the best of the Icelandic capital with the personal, intimate and individual experience that the EDITION brand is known for.

The result is a vibrant and sophisticated urban hub with 253 rooms, an outstanding line-up of bars, signature restaurant and nightclub and, in true EDITION style, the introduction of a new kind of modern social wellness concept. In the land of hot springs, mineral waters and natural fjords, this creative innovation, visceral emotional experience and authenticity of Ian Schrager, together with Marriott International’s long-standing operational expertise and global reach, results in a totally distinct offering that further boosts Reykjavik’s growing allure as a world class international cosmopolitan destination.

Iceland is an aspirational destination for many, in-between North America and Western Europe – increased flight routes, and its otherworldly landscape, drawing visitors from far and wide. The Reykjavik EDITION is the first true luxury brand entering the market which has facilities and services like no other.

Using his Midas touch, Ian Schrager has carefully conceived, concepted and programmed the hotel to create an alchemy and sense of magic exclusive to this hotel. The Reykjavik EDITION designed in partnership with local architecture firm, T.ark and New York-based studio, Roman and Williams with guidance of ISC (Ian Schrager Company) design, subtly captures the spirit of Reykjavik while avoiding the clichés and remaining firmly rooted in the EDITION brand’s strong sense of refined sophistication and style. On a harborside perch, against glorious mountain views, the hotel is in a flawless location at the heart of the city: adjacent to Harpa, the landmark concert hall and conference center – whose multicolored glass façade was designed by the celebrated Icelandic and Danish artist Olafur Eliasson – and just minutes from Laugavegur, the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavik.

From the outside, The Reykjavik EDITION is a striking addition to this downtown neighborhood. Its ebony façade of shou sugi ban timber has been charred to be blacked using an ancient Japanese technique, and blackened steel frames is a clear nod to Iceland’s dramatic lava landscape. The simple, clean-lines of the building itself have been angled to make the most of the views and its lively harborside setting with a double-entrance lobby accessible either from the pedestrian Harpa plaza, or the Harbor. The latter – in a grand sense of arrival similar to The Times Square EDITION – features a canopy, its underside illuminated by 12,210 glass LED nodes.

As with all EDITION hotels, the lobby is a dynamic, social space that subtly reveals a sense of place and sense of time. Here, basalt stone – or volcanic rock – is prominent, appearing on the flooring, which has been laid with an intricate pattern inspired by Icelandic geometry, and a standout sculptural reception desk. In the lobby center piece, the ISC team have added Icelandic lava stone sculptural totem to balance the warm materials such as tactile terracotta saddle leather wrapped around concrete columns – and white oak flooring, ceiling beams and slats, which flank the lobby bar. Lobby bar beverage menu focuses on global wines by the glass selection and classic cocktails with an Icelandic twist. The lobby lounge features a central open-flame fireplace which is the hearth of the space, surrounded by seating and a collection of custom-made furniture in intimate seating groups, such as the JeanMichel Frank-inspired armchair in white shearling and Pierre Jeanneret-inspired chairs in black velvet. As ever, there is a strong emphasis on warm, indirect lighting, which has been thoughtfully considered to create a soft glow and to illuminate fixed furnishings like the bar and the reception desk and Christian Liaigre white bronze floor lamps to create a likeness to a jewelry box installation.

Accessible from the lobby, the ground floor is also home to Tides, the signature restaurant with private dining room, and café with homemade baked goods, and Tölt, an intimate bar that takes its cues from The London EDITION’s award-winning Punch Room.

It is a cozy bar, designed as a hidden sanctuary with three intimate nooks featuring colorful custom rugs with a pattern inspired by traditional Icelandic geometry, teak tambour walls, burnt orange banquettes and pony hair poufs that surround a central fireplace. Outside of the alcoves, the space is cocooned with rich walnut ceiling panels, and flooring, a custom-made walnut chandelier and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of Harpa. Behind the green marble-topped bar are backlit aged bronze shelves suspended from the ceiling, which create a warm glow under which to enjoy a menu of cocktails inspired by Icelandic culture using local Icelandic spirits.

Set to be a destination of its own, The Roof is located on the hotel’s 7th floor and offers panoramic mountain, North Atlantic Ocean and old town vistas. A versatile space that can be divided by a glass door for private events allows it to be the best place from which to enjoy the endless bright summer evenings as well as the magical northern lights in the colder months. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a large wrap-around seasonal outdoor terrace, scattered with comfortable seating and a large fire pit, while the slick all-black interiors create a discreet background that doesn’t detract from the views. Here, the casual vibe is supplemented by a small menu of comfort foods like grilled flatbreads, toasted sandwiches and fresh salads. From this vantage point, it is evident that Ian Schrager designed the hotel based on the views from the property.

Unfolding over the floors under the rooftop, the hotel’s 253 guestrooms and suites have been designed as warm retreats, each with their beds facing floor-to-ceiling windows that frame various views of the surrounding neighborhood. Some come complete with an outdoor terrace, while all of them are an embodiment of the EDITION brand’s approach to modern luxury with a subtle local flavor.

A muted palette of ash wood and pale grey oak serves as a warm foundation for a feature formwork concrete wall, Italian custom-made furniture, copper bed light sconces, faux fur rugs, and artwork and accessories from local craftsmen, such as the colorful bed throw by local wool company, Ístex, ceramics by artist Guðbjörg Káradóttir, and in room art by famous Icelandic artists Pall Stefansson and Ragnar Axelsson showcasing Icelandic landscapes, exclusive to EDITION. Meanwhile, the monochrome bathrooms with custom handmade white ceramic tiles made in Italy, are furnished with a white marble vanity, matte black accessories, and fittings alongside custom Le Labo toiletries of EDITION’s exclusive scent. From its prime corner spot on the 6th floor, the one-bedroom Penthouse Suite – with its own private terrace has magnificent harbor, Harpa and mountain views that are further complemented by bright, light-filled elegant interiors of plush custom furnishings in creamy oatmeal tones. The Penthouse Suite is also accessorized with an oversized bathroom with Italian white marble and a central fireplace too.

Also, on the lower ground floor is a gym, which is kitted out with state-of-the-art black strength training, weight, and cardio equipment, however, it is the social concept at the Spa that is one of the most unique aspects at the hotel and truly sets The Reykjavik EDITION apart. Alongside three treatment rooms, a hammam, steam room, sauna, and plunge pool which offers hydrotherapy, there is also a central lounge with a spa bar, which by day serves a fresh healthy menu of post-workout Viking shakes, champagnes and, delicious moss vodka infusions alongside snacks like volcano bread with black lava salt. This is best enjoyed in the Geothermal water splash pool together with the 60-minute Sundown Spa treatment, which includes an invigorating body massage and a cool onyx scalp massage. Located directly opposite Sunset, the Spa is the perfect pre-party pamper space to get you thoroughly prepared for an epic evening of revelry.

Along with its legendary service, The Reykjavik EDITION is another innovative addition to the EDITION brand and truly redefines luxury in Iceland’s cool capital city.