The shower is a wooden box, literally.
I was ready for an adventure in the “Land of Fire and Ice” as I packed my bags with my hiking boots, snow pants, winter jacket, gloves and a handmade hat crocheted by my sister. You already know all about the midnight sun from last week. My itinerary in South Iceland included hiking through glaciers, ATV riding on black sand beaches, a rib boat tour through the Westman Islands.
It wasn't until I arrived at Hotel Rangá where I checked into the Asia suite to find out that I stayed in the same exact suite as none other than Mrs. Kourtney Kardashian-Barker herself. A few years back, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West joined her on that trip too.
Besides the unexpected and subtle celebrity flex, this hotel is pretty f*cking cool. They designed each room after a different continent. Inspired by Japan, my suite dripped in cultural motifs where I couldn't believe that I was in fact in Iceland (and staying in Kourtney Kardashian's suite).
It's safe to say that for the remainder of my time at Hotel Rangá I thought to myself, WWKD – What Would Kourtney Do? So of course, I had to take some super extra photos in the room because that is the Kardashian thing to do, right?
The staff was so attentive, I felt like a Kardashian myself.
Many Icelandic locals don't know American celebrities, so they are treated just like us – as they should be. The property is family owned and run by Friðrik Pálsson who started the hotel after an impressive career leading two of Iceland's largest seafood export companies. Throughout his career, he typically would spend over 200 nights a year on the road for work, so he truly knows what makes a memorable stay.
There's hot tubs outside (it is confirmed Kourtney, Kim and Kanye hung out in one!) overlooking the surreal mountainous landscape that I only had seen on a desktop screensaver.
Hotel Rangá has been a hotspot for plenty of American celebrities.
Kourntey Kardashian isn't the only celebrity to stay at Hotel Rangá while escaping to Iceland. Notable personalities include Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, George Clooney, Jake Gyllenhal, Justin Bieber, Charlize Theron and the Real Housewives of Orange County.
Fun fact: Charlize Theron stayed in the Asia suite as well for weeks while filming Ridley Scott's Prometheus.
Seven of the eight suites at Hotel Rangá are designed after different countries and continents.
I've never been in a hotel before where I felt like I was traveling around the world. Immense research went into bringing each culture to life through interior design including artwork, materials, layout and native traditions. Besides Asia, other suite themes included: Australia, North America, South America, Antarctica, Africa and of course Iceland. Guests staying in the suites have a very different experience from one another.
While on Kourtney's birthday trip a few years ago, Kim and Kanye stayed in the Africa suite two doors down.
I literally showered in a wooden box.
The shower was unlike anything I've bathed myself in before and definitely took some getting used to. It's based on modern Japanese influence, so there was no curtain and essentially appeared like a wooden box – with “Geta” wooden sandals included. When traveling, I always try to push myself out of my comfort zone and try new things so I was up for the challenge.
Getting in and out took some practice, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror struggling very awkwardly not to slip on the wooden step. I thought of Kourtney as I was embarrassingly trying to keep my balance and wondered how she liked it.
I felt completely immersed in Asian culture…while in Kourtney Kardashian's suite in the middle of Iceland.
I can see why Kourtney Kardashian was so interested in the Asia suite specifically. Once inside, you're far from the Icelandic countryside. The room uses traditional Tatami mats, rice paper doors and a table based on the Japanese kotatsu tables.
It's so well done where I found myself roaming the suite to notice every fine detail. They went all in and didn't just hang Japanese paintings, but truly transformed the space.
After chasing waterfalls at midnight, heading back to my hotel for some reindeer carpaccio, a local brew and a dip in the hot tub was all I needed. I can see why Kourtney spoke so highly of Hotel Rangá during her trip.
Be good,
JB
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