STAYING AT AURORA IGLOO SOUTH IN HELLA, ICELAND: OUR HONEST INSIDERS REVIEW!

WONDERING WHETHER TO BOOK THE AURORA IGLOO IN HELLA, SOUTH ICELAND? 🛏🌌

Well, you’re absolutely in the right place! We’ve just come back from a stay at Aurora Igloo South in Hella town, South Iceland, and now have all the inside scoop.

Whether you’re hearing about it for the first time or debating if it’s worth booking, this blog covers everything you could possibly need to know.

From getting there, parking, what’s inside, facilities and even chances of seeing the northern lights. Let’s dive in!

A family photograph of a smiling young family, mum dad and young son inside Aurora Igloo in Hella, located in South Iceland.

Short on time? Here’s the quick review summary:
🛏️ Room type: Transparent igloo bubble hotel with 360 sky viewing
💰 Price: From £200-300 GBP / $250-400 USD per night
📍 Location: 2 minutes drive from Hella, close to restaurants
🍳 Breakfast? No, but there is a mini fridge and coffee machine
🚽 Includes: Private bathroom (select this room option) & free parking
⭐ Best for: Couples looking for a secluded iconic “igloo bubble” stay with excellent Northern Lights potential.

Check availability at Aurora Igloo South ↗

AURORA IGLOO’S PRIVATE BATHROOM OPTION IS WORTH THE SPLURGE

There’s two igloo types at Aurora Igloo South – a standard igloo with use of shared bathroom facilities, or a NEW igloo type with a private bathroom attached.

aurora-igloo-hella-iceland-review — The dome (bedroom area) is fully transparent, giving the ultimate igloo experience! Photo by Jordie.

We personally stayed in one of the new private bathroom domes, and honestly – we think the extra comfort and convenience is absolutely worth the little extra splurge. Especially for such a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.

Book your stay (free cancellation) at Aurora Igloo South ↗

A photograph showing the exterior of a private bathroom igloo at Aurora Igloo in Hella, South Iceland. — We stayed in Igloo 10 (to be precise!) at Aurora Igloo in Hella, complete with a private bathroom. Photograph taken by Jordie.

🗺️ Plan your full adventure with our 5 day Iceland road trip itinerary ↗
🚗 Hiring a car? Our guide to driving Iceland’s South Coast ↗
💤 Northern lights in luxury? Stay at Tiny Glass Lodge ↗

🇮🇸 See all our Iceland travel guides ↗

A LOOK INSIDE THE IGLOO
(WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM)

Entrance area:
As you walk in, there’s a hallway with plenty of storage and a hanging rail on the left. Perfect for keeping bags out from under your feet!

There’s also a refreshment station with an under-counter fridge and a Nespresso-style coffee machine with pods provided. I came prepared with my own tea bags (so British of me, I know) and just used the hot water.

You’ll also find two recyclable coffee cups, plastic wine glasses for your bubbly and even a little chocolate surprise waiting for you. There’s glasses for water in the bathroom.

Check availability for your dates at Aurora Igloo South ↗

Entrance area to an Igloo with private bathroom at Aurora Igloo in Hella, Iceland. Straight ahead is the igloo dome area with bed, to the left is refreshment area and storage and to the right is the private bathroom. Material is a birch / ply wood cladding. — What you see as you walk into Aurora Igloo Hella’s private igloo. Photo by Jordie.

A front facing view of the refreshment station inside a private igloo at Aurora igloo in Hella, Iceland. Cladding is birch / ply wood. Station includes white undercounter fridge, bin and small Nespresso coffee machine with pods on counter surface. — Front on view of the refreshment station. Photo by Jordie.

Private bathroom:
On the right is the private bathroom: a plumbed toilet, large sink with mirror, and a lovely and warm corner shower with both handheld and a waterfall option. This bathroom really surprised us with how nice it actually is!

Under the sink is spare toilet roll and a hairdryer.

The private bathroom area in one of Aurora Igloo in Hella's new igloo rooms with a private bathroom area. — We were really impressed with the Aurora Igloo’s private bathroom! Photo by Jordie.

Bedroom area (The Igloo!):
The bedroom sits inside the fully transparent dome – the igloo itself! In the centre, you’ve got a comfy double bed with bedside tables and soft lighting on either side.

There’s also a small seating area with two dining chairs and coffee table. Plus two movable foot heaters to keep your feet super toasty in the night!

Lock in your stay at Aurora Igloo South here ↗

Inside the fully transparent dome area inside an Aurora Igloo in Hella Iceland. Featuring central double bed with bedside tables and soft lighting either side. — The bedroom area is in the fully transparent igloo dome! Photo by Jordie.

THERE’S A LOT OF IGLOOS, BUT PRIVACY IS NO ISSUE HERE

On arrival, we were surprised to see just how many igloos there are – turns out, 28 in total – all lined up in a neat row.

But once you’re inside, privacy isn’t an issue at all, thanks to the thoughtful design both inside and out.

Inside, a full curtain ring runs around the dome, split into two so you can close off both sides while leaving the front open towards the countryside – ideal for northern lights spotting!

Outside, there’s a large wooden barrier between every unit that blocks any view into neighbouring igloos.

Inside the Aurora Igloo in Hella, The full length curtain is split into two so you can close off both sides. — The full length curtain is split into two so you can close off both sides. Photo by Jordie.

The large wooden barriers between igloos at Aurora Igloo in Hella ensure upmost privacy and no view into neighbouring igloos. — Outside, a wooden barrier to block all views into any neighbouring igloos. Photo by Jordie.

A photograph showing all of the igloos with private bathrooms at Aurora Igloo in Hella, Iceland all lined up in a neat row. — The row of private bathroom igloos (left-hand side of the property). Outside they look quite close together, but you don’t notice once you’re inside. Photo by Jordie.

IT’S A GREAT SPOT TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Thick clouds and heavy rain is what greeted us arriving at Aurora Igloo. So, our expectations for seeing the northern lights that night were pretty low / non-existent.

Keeping optimistic, I set alarms to go off through the night. I was about to turn them off for good at 4.30am – before I saw a clear sky above. A few stars. And – NORTHERN LIGHTS!!!

Blonde woman standing outside Aurora Igloo in Hella Iceland watching green northern lights dance above the sky. — It started off as a singular green arch… (hello bed hair 🙋🏼‍♀️). Photo by Liam.

Green and purple northern lights dancing above our Aurora Igloo in Hella, Iceland transparent dome. — … Before the Aurora exploded across the sky! Photo by Jordie.

So yes, we can now ABSOLUTELY confirm that Aurora Igloo is a fantastic spot to see northern lights, when you get that killer combo of a clear sky and solar activity.

Book your stay (free cancellation) at Aurora Igloo South ↗

There’s hardly any light pollution around, so if / when they appear, they’re super clear to see here.

Moral of the story: even if it’s cloudy when you go to bed, don’t give up. From our experience (also in Rovaniemi, Finland), skies often clear overnight, even for a little while.

Setting a 5am alarm might seem crazy, but we’d have missed the whole display otherwise. I think everyone else did too, we were the only ones outside!

THE UNDERFLOOR HEATING IS INCREDIBLE

I think Liam and I talked about the underfloor heating at Aurora Igloo for about a day after we left! 🤣 Honestly, it was so toasty on your feet, and sometimes I just sat on the floor to enjoy the warmth it was kicking out.

You certainly won’t get cold. There’s also two (very powerful) floor heaters that you can move around, ideal for blasting warm air directly at the end the bed to keep your feet toasty!

One of two floor heaters at Aurora Igloo in Hella, Iceland designed to keep your feet nice and toasty. — Say hello to your new best friend! One of two powerful floor-based heaters that will keep your feet and the igloo warm. Photo by Jordie.

GETTING TO AURORA IGLOO IN HELLA IS SUPER EASY BY CAR, JUST OFF MAIN HIGHWAY 1

The turning for Aurora Igloo is just before you enter Hella town, coming straight off the South Coast’s main Highway 1. Super easy to get to, close to Hella town’s amenities but far enough away from any of its light pollution.

You follow the paved road for a few minutes, until you reach the Aurora Igloo complex on the right-hand side.

Check availability for your dates at Aurora Igloo South ↗

You’re met with a Y-junction on a gravel road. For private bathroom igloos you’ll go left (igloos 1-16), and for standard igloos (igloos 17-28) you’ll go right.

There’s a large sign clearly showing this, and you’ll be told your assigned igloo number days before you arrive.

External signage at the entrance of Aurora Igloo in Hella, telling you clearly where to go — The welcome sign at Aurora Igloo in Hella. As we were in igloo 10, we took the left-hand gravel road.

Car parking:
Each small cluster of igloos had it’s own small gravel car parking area, with just enough room for one car per igloo.

From here, clear gravel pathways and low-level solar lighting easily guided you to your igloo.

The small gravel car park for guest parking at Aurora Igloo in Hella, South Iceland — Each road lead to a small gravel car park, with just enough room for one car per igloo.

WHERE TO GO FOR SOMETHING TO EAT

Aurora Igloo doesn’t have on-site breakfast or dining, but there are some great options just a short drive away in Hella.

The property recommends Stracta Hotel for buffet breakfast (7am – 10am), Kanslarinn for a nice dinner out and Almar Bakari for quick savoury snacks.

For something unique, we personally recommend grabbing a sweet treat (muffin / doughnuts) and a hot drink from the quirky American SchoolBus café, 2 minute drive from Aurora Igloo.

We loved it so much, we went there twice. The hot chocolate was too delicious not to have again!! 🤤

Exterior of the American School Bus Café in Hella town, South Iceland. — Outside the American SchoolBus café in Hella. Photo by Jordie.

Inside the American School Bus Café in Hella town, South Iceland. — Quirky interior inside the American SchoolBus café in Hella. Photo by Jordie.

CONCLUSION: SHOULD YOU STAY AT AURORA IGLOO IN HELLA?

One word – Absolutely! If you’re after a genuine “overnight stay in an igloo”, we can vouch from our recent stay here that Aurora Igloo in Hella is a great option.

It’s fully transparent – giving that full sleeping under the sky experience you’re craving – easy to get to by car, and in an epic location for potential northern light viewings.

I will say again, if you ARE looking to invest in this unique experience – we highly recommend upgrading yourself to the private bathroom option to make your stay just that extra bit special, and more comfortable.

To be honest, we’d say staying just 1-night at Aurora Igloo is enough to get the full experience here.

We hope you found this blog helpful, and have the most magical time in Iceland!! ✨

A photo of Jordie, the author of this specific blog post and owner of the wesbite.

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!

Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com

A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.