We were off to Iceland to see some potential new activities and to stay at the Wilderness Saeli Icelandic Cottage which we had not seen since it had been extended and refurbished.
What would you like to eat we were asked? “Exactly what our clients eat” was our answer!
We arrived at the Saeli Icelandic Cottage in the dark and after a very short wait our guide met us laden down with shopping bags. We were shown around the cabin, and whilst we settled in, very quickly everything was unpacked into the fridge. Sigga showed us where we could find everything and we certainly didn’t feel we were going to struggle for food. The fridge was jam packed! Surely all this food could not be just for us?!
There were cereals, sliced meats, berries, cheese, eggs and yoghurts for breakfast. There was also fruit juice and tea available as well as coffee through a ground coffee machine.
Whilst Sigga chatted and updated us on the weather and our itinerary she busied herself making our dinner as we relaxed on the large comfy sofa. Chocolate Raisins were put out for us to snack on, with the only thing missing being a glass of wine! We kicked ourselves that we had ignored the advice we give our clients which is to buy wine and any spirits you want at Keflavik airport on arrival. We had even discussed it at the time as the shop is hard to miss being in the baggage arrival hall which had amused us!
The cured salmon starter was truly deliciously fresh – if there is such a thing it tasted fresh! – not like the artificial tasting smoked salmon we get in the UK. Served with lovely bread and slabs of butter it was a super start to the dinner. And this is from someone who is not that big a fan of fish!
Main course was the most succulent lamb served with 2 versions of dauphinoise potatoes – one with cheese and one with bacon – and all just scrumptious! There was also a beautiful salad full of leaves, fruit and nuts
The Skyr pudding is like a soft cheesecake and the perfect round up to dinner as we finalised the details for our Ice Cave visit the next day.
It was such a lovely warm and welcoming atmosphere to have this delicious food cooked and served for us after our journey, and to be able to sit and relax and chat with our guide during dinner, in our cabin. We were having such a nice time talking with Sigga that the dishwasher was loaded and washing up was done without us even really realising it had happened !
Sigga left for the evening and we decided to pop into the new hot tub that is permanently kept warm right outside the cabin. Whilst the Northern Lights didn’t show it was snowing and it was quite a surreal and pleasurable experience to be sitting in the warmth with the snow falling all around us and our breath clouding the air around us.
Returning inside we ignored the TV and Wi-Fi connection and chose to enjoy the opportunity to switch off and tune into the wilderness – the silence was wonderful – how often do you “hear” true silence?
The cabin has been extended to add an extra room which is now the lounge/dining room/kitchen. Big comfortable sofas are there to sink into, and the under-floor heating warmed our feet as we padded around in socks.
An extra bathroom has been added with the biggest bath I have ever had the pleasure to go into. The two bedrooms on the other side of the cabin share a shower and loo and offer plenty of space in each. Both offer a double bed, with one having a bunk bed above the double bed and the other an attic area which houses a mattress on the floor with a low roof so only suitable for a child. Rustically decorated the cabin oozes character and Icelandic quirkiness and is a super place to stay where you can enjoy peace, relaxation, adventure and of course the Northern Lights!
To see the Icelandic Wilderness Cabin Northern Lights break we offer
