Buubble Hotel Ölvisholt, South Coast

4.7 (7 reviews) · Standard
Unique glamping experience inside transparent bubbles in the woods with heated beds and a shared bathroom and kitchen

Overview

Buubble, an innovative nature retreat, offers guests a unique sleeping experience inside a transparent bubble. Tucked amid a forest, about a 15-minute drive east of Selfoss, travelers are within reach of cultural sites like the Skyrland Museum and natural attractions such as the Urridafoss waterfall. Each bubble provides a cozy setup with only a heated bed to furnish the space, allowing guests to immerse themselves under a starry sky lit up by the dancing northern lights (depending on the weather) or the midnight sun. While there aren't common areas like a reception or restaurant, the main cabin has toilets and showers and includes a basic kitchen with amenities like a refrigerator, coffee, and tea.

Kimkim's Take

Tara
Tara Kallembach kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, August 2023 (Learn more)
Pros
  • The transparent bubble provides an unparalleled stargazing experience and the potential to witness the northern lights.
  • You'll be tucked among trees, so there is a good chance you'll get to see some woodland wildlife, including birds and butterflies.
  • Heated beds ensure you stay warm and cozy, even on the coldest nights.
  • The main guest house is available with clean bathrooms, showers, and essential kitchen amenities.
  • Private parking is provided, and a guide will show you to your bubble.
  • You'll be close to local cultural highlights like the Skyrland museum and Tré Og List, as well as natural ones like Urridafoss.
Cons
  • As a camping experience, you won't find much in the way of amenities, and typically the only staff member you may come across is upon arrival.

Authenticity

Buubble offers a special camping experience that truly immerses you in the natural beauty of the Icelandic (woodland) landscape. Unlike traditional accommodations, this unique property allows you to sleep under the stars in transparent bubble-shaped rooms, providing a front-row seat to the northern lights and the midnight sun (depending on the time of year and if the weather is in your favor).

Location

Buubble, set amid a small forest, is a 15-minute drive outside Selfoss in southern Iceland. You'll be surrounded by woodland trees and then an easy drive from nearby attractions, like the Skyrland museum and the Tré Og List gallery, both less than a 20-minute drive. The Urridafoss waterfall is 10 minutes away, and if you're looking to soak in one of the lakeside Laugarvatn Fontana outdoor mineral pools, it's closer to a 50-minute drive. Despite its remote setting, you'll find restaurants and shopping back in Selfoss.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The accommodations at Buubble are designed to bring you as close to nature as possible, featuring transparent bubble-shaped rooms that offer a truly unique glamping experience. Each bubble provides a cozy and comfortable retreat with heated beds, ensuring you stay warm even during the colder months. While the simplicity of the rooms is intentional to highlight the 360-degree views, you'll also have access to a main guest house with essential amenities, including the bathrooms and kitchen facilities. The focus here is on the enchanting experience of sleeping under the stars and possibly witnessing the dance of the northern lights.

Amenities

While Buubble may not offer the extensive amenities of a traditional hotel, it provides a unique experience with its transparent bubble rooms that allow you to sleep under the stars. The main guest house offers essential kitchen amenities like a refrigerator, coffee, and tea. 

Family-Friendliness

Buubble is not particularly tailored for families, as the focus is on providing a unique and intimate experience for adults. Children under six are welcome to share their parents' beds, however.

Wildlife

Given the woodland setting, past guests have commented on seeing forest wildlife, including birds and butterflies.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +354 7734444
Hotel address icon Ölvisholt

Traveler Reviews

7 total ratings, 6 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
5.0
Location
5.0
Staff
4.3
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.5
B
Brian O.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Dec 09, 2024

The Bubble Hotel offers a unique glamping experience where you can sleep under the stars in a clear plastic bubble. While the view was breathtaking, the lack of furniture besides the bed was slightly inconvenient. It's more about the amazing experience and the view than hotel room comforts.

Stayed in November 2024
B
Beth A.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2024

Fun but cloudy skies for us. A big plus was the location near Mika, our favorite restaurant on the trip.

Stayed in September 2024
Huyen
Huyen C.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Apr 04, 2024
A magical experience for northern light viewing. We were not cold with the heating blanket and warmed air. Very clean. Read more

A magical experience for northern light viewing. We were not cold with the heating blanket and warmed air. Very clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2024
Janet
Janet M.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023
This is a wonderful experience to feel like you are sleeping outdoors plus the Northern Lights are right above you. The whole experience was our favorite. Read more

This is a wonderful experience to feel like you are sleeping outdoors plus the Northern Lights are right above you. The whole experience was our favorite.

Authenticity & Character
Who gets to sleep in a bubble.
Location
It’s out in the middle of nature
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was super comfy plus a nice feature having a electric heating pad.
Stayed in September 2023
Tara
Tara K.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023
I'm a kimkim staff member, and I was on a work trip when I stayed at the Bubble Hotel. The Bubble Hotel is simply amazing - quiet, private, warm, and clean. The bed's comfortable and extra cozy too as it is a heated bed. There's also a main guest house complete with clean bathrooms, showers, and essential kitchen amenities like a refrigerator, coffee, and tea. A peaceful retreat that's definitely worth the visit! Read more

I'm a kimkim staff member, and I was on a work trip when I stayed at the Bubble Hotel.

The Bubble Hotel is simply amazing - quiet, private, warm, and clean. The bed's comfortable and extra cozy too as it is a heated bed. There's also a main guest house complete with clean bathrooms, showers, and essential kitchen amenities like a refrigerator, coffee, and tea. A peaceful retreat that's definitely worth the visit!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in August 2023
patty
patty p.
Palm Valley, FL | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2023
The bed was so very comfie. Loved being able to watch the light from snug and warm in bed was incredible Read more

The bed was so very comfie. Loved being able to watch the light from snug and warm in bed was incredible

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
None present
Cleanliness & Comfort
I bit of explanation on how to warm the bubble/bed would have been helpful
Stayed in January 2023

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +354 7734444
Hotel address icon Ölvisholt