Meet Ion Adventure Hotel, built into the side of a mountain, half the property standing on ornate wooden stilts.

Although less than an hour east of Reykjavík, this hotel’s relatively secluded location makes it a popular stopover for international travelers making long, cross-country journeys, as well as Reykjavík residents looking for a nearby weekend getaway – where the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia meet.

Now, you don’t have to swim with the masses at the Blue Lagoon: Hidden beneath the hotel is a thermal pool where guests can relax and warm up while hoping to spot the Northern Lights from the bar.

Photos Courtesy of Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel