http://lux.acquisition-intl.com/ 62 LUX - Hotel & Spa Awards 2016 Best Luxury Hotel 2016- Iceland Located about an hour from Reykjavík between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, Hotel Ranga lies just off the main road right in middle of South Iceland’s panoramic scenery. Friðrik explains how the hotel aims to always provide guests with the very best experience from the moment they arrive. “Hotel Ranga has been voted one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, and guests come from all over the world to visit our establishment, which highlights the success of our quest to provide excellence in everything we do. “This approach starts from the moment guests step through our door. On arrival guests are welcomed by a real 10ft Polar Bear called Hrammur who is located in the lobby. On check-in guests are then taken to our lounge-bar for a complimentary welcome drink, this gives us the opportunity to learn more about their personal expectations and plans for their stay with us. “Overall, at Hotel Ranga our team of dedicated staff treat each and every guest with the utmost care and attention. We get to know our clients and build a relationship with them, that way we can better understand their unique requirements and tailor our services in order to exceed expectations.” The establishment has all the facilities and services of a modern luxury resort, whilst at the same time being situated in an area of exceptional natural beauty. Friðrik expresses his pride in the hotel’s natural surroundings and outlines the facilities that guests can enjoy and how these are specifically designed to provide a comforting and relaxing atmosphere. “Hotel Rangá’s picturesque surroundings will take your breath away – Mount Hekla, the famous volcano, lies to the north the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and a mountain range are to the north-east and the Westman Islands to the south. South Iceland offers something special to the visitor all year round, giving a real taste of Iceland. “The resort has 52 cosy and luxurious rooms including seven themed suites, designed to represent each of the seven continents. The continental suites here are truly one of a kind. Themed after each of the seven continents, they provide guests with the ultimate comfort, luxury, relaxation, and experience that is figuratively a “world apart”. Best Luxury Hotel 2016- Iceland Hotel Rangá is the only 4-star resort in South Iceland and offers luxury accommodation, gourmet food and outstanding views of the volcanic landscape. We invited Hotelier Friðrik Pálsson to talk us through this stunning establishment and how it aims to ensure every guests enjoys a truly memorable stay. HO160040 Company: Hotel Rangá Email:
[email protected] Phone: 00 354 487 5700 Web Address: hotelranga.is Address: Hotel Rangá, Sudurlandsvegur, 851 Hella, Iceland “Ranging in size from 40-74m² (430-800 ft²), both the junior and master suites are designed and decorated with fine artwork, fixtures and furnishings sourced from the respective continents.” The restaurant at Hotel Rangá is an acclaimed gourmet restaurant in Southern Iceland, overlooking one of Iceland’s finest salmon rivers, East-Rangá River. The restaurant’s motto is the concept of a “Farmers Market” — in effect using predominantly local ingredients of the highest quality and freshness — following seasonal availability. Head Chef Karl Jóhann Unnarsson’s menu is inspired by modern Nordic cuisine. The resort is one of the best places in Iceland – and possibly the world – to witness the aurora. Hotel Rangá specializes in providing aurora forecasts, photography, and wake up calls to ensure that guests get to experience this wonderful natural phenomenon that draws visitors from far and wide. September-April is the best time to catch the aurora. One of the hotel’s latest additions is The Hotel Rangá Astronomical Observatory, which has with its roll-on roll-off roof been specifically created for stargazing. It has the capacity for up to thirty people for sky tours with an expert at night and is equipped with two high quality computerized telescopes, making it the most advanced observatory in Iceland. Ultimately, Hotel Ranga is without a doubt one of the most memorable locations you can experience, offering a wealth of glorious natural beauty and the very highest quality of service. In his final comments, Friðrik provides an absorbing overview of the hotel’s many attractions and emphasises his excitement at the future for his establishment. “Fundamentally, Hotel Rangá is perfectly located for you to discover everything South Iceland has to offer. The world famous volcano Mount Hekla is clearly visible from the entrance to the resort. Close by are the unforgettable highlands – shaped by fire and ice through the ages – unforgettable with their lunar landscape, volcanic black sand deserts, volcanoes and hot springs. “Other attractions nearby include Þórsmörk nature preserve, the Westman Islands, several beautiful waterfalls, Skógar folk museum, and the dramatic coastline. The Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Vatnajökull glacier (Europe’s largest glacier) and the world famous Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon all make a great day trip from Hotel Rangá. “Activities around the hotel include fishing, golf, horse- riding, super jeep tours, dog-sledding and snowmobiling on glaciers, river-rafting, hiking, bird-watching, visits to art exhibitions, museums and historical places, and much more. There really is something for everyone here and we are looking forward to welcoming new guests in the months and years to come.”