With typical élan, Ian
Schrager has captured the spirit of Iceland and set a new standard of luxury in
its capital city.
FILM: EDITION Introduces Reykjavik
REYKJAVIK,
Iceland, Oct. 21, 2021
/PRNewswire/ -- A flourishing culinary hotspot with cool cafés, a
rollicking nightlife and an epic music scene, the spotlight is
shining brightly on Iceland's hip
capital city and, with typical finesse, the arrival of The
Reykjavik EDITION further cements EDITION Hotels' uncanny ability
to land in just the right place at the right time. "Reykjavik is a really cool, young city -
perfect for our brand," says Ian
Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique hotel
concept, PUBLIC and EDITION creator. "We think this is Reykjavik's time and we're right here at the
very heart of it and at the perfect time."
Opening in preview on November
9th, 2021, The Reykjavik EDITION will set a new
standard as the city's first truly luxury hotel experience,
combining the best of the Icelandic capital with the personal,
intimate and individual experience that the EDITION brand is known
for. The result is a vibrant and sophisticated urban hub with 253
rooms, an outstanding line-up of bars, signature restaurant and
nightclub and, in true EDITION style, the introduction of a new
kind of modern social wellness concept. In the land of
hot springs, mineral waters and natural fjords, this creative
innovation, visceral emotional experience and
authenticity of Ian Schrager,
together with Marriott International's long-standing operational
expertise and global reach, results in
a totally distinct offering that further boosts
Reykjavik's growing allure as
a world class international cosmopolitan destination.
Iceland is an aspirational
destination for many, in-between North
America and Western Europe
- increased flight routes, and its otherworldly landscape, drawing
visitors from far and wide. The Reykjavik EDITION is the first true
luxury brand entering the market which has facilities and services
like no other. First appearing on the map when American chess
grandmaster Bobby Fischer won the
World Chess Championship in Reykjavik in 1972, Schrager, who was following
the event at the time, says he was taken aback by the country's
unspoiled, natural beauty. Indeed, marooned in the North Atlantic
Ocean, just beneath the Arctic Circle, Iceland is quite literally in the making, its
constantly evolving landscape the result of rumbling volcanoes,
bubbling hot springs, erupting geysers and shifting tectonic
plates. All of this has resulted in a spectacular, mystical medley
of bright green moss-carpeted lava fields, soaring glaciers and
rugged mountains sliced by deep, river-cut valleys. "In Iceland,
you're getting to see things you won't see anywhere else," says
Schrager. "More so than any other place in the world, it's a real
opportunity to get in touch with earth and nature and we're proud
to further expand the EDITION brand in an incredible place with an
incredibly exciting hotel that gives you a true sense of
place."
Using his Midas touch, Ian
Schrager has carefully conceived, concepted and
programmed the hotel to create an alchemy and sense of magic
exclusive to this hotel. The Reykjavik EDITION designed in
partnership with local architecture firm, T.ark and New York-based studio, Roman and Williams with
guidance of ISC (Ian Schrager Company) design, subtly captures the
spirit of Reykjavik
while avoiding the clichés and remaining firmly rooted in
the EDITION brand's strong sense of refined sophistication and
style. On a harborside perch, against glorious mountain views, the
hotel is in a flawless location at the heart of the city: adjacent
to Harpa, the landmark concert hall and conference center - whose
multicolored glass façade was designed by the celebrated Icelandic
and Danish artist Olafur Eliasson -
and just minutes from Laugavegur, the main shopping street in
downtown Reykjavik.
From the outside, The Reykjavik EDITION is a striking addition
to this downtown neighborhood. Its ebony façade of shou sugi ban
timber has been charred to be blacked using an ancient Japanese
technique, and blackened steel frames is a clear nod to
Iceland's dramatic lava landscape.
The simple, clean-lines of the building itself have been angled to
make the most of the views and its lively harborside setting with a
double-entrance lobby accessible either from the pedestrian Harpa
plaza, or the Harbor. The latter - in a grand sense of arrival
similar to The Times Square EDITION - features a canopy, its
underside illuminated by 12,210 glass LED
nodes.
As with all EDITION hotels, the lobby is a dynamic, social space
that subtly reveals a sense of place and sense of time. Here,
basalt stone - or volcanic rock - is prominent, appearing on the
flooring, which has been laid with an intricate pattern inspired by
Icelandic geometry, and a standout sculptural reception
desk. In the lobby center piece, the ISC team have added
Icelandic lava stone sculptural totem to balance the warm
materials such as tactile saddle leather wrapped around concrete
columns - and white oak flooring, ceiling beams and slats, which
flank the lobby bar. Lobby bar beverage menu focuses on
global wines by the glass selection and classic cocktails with an
Icelandic twist. The lobby lounge features a central
open-flame fireplace which is the hearth of the space, surrounded
by seating and a collection of custom-made furniture in intimate
seating groups, such as the Jean-Michel Frank-inspired armchair in
white shearling and Pierre
Jeanneret-inspired chairs in black velvet. As ever, there is
a strong emphasis on warm, indirect lighting, which has been
thoughtfully considered to create a soft glow and to illuminate
fixed furnishings like the bar and the reception desk and Christian
Liaigre white bronze floor lamps to create a likeness to a jewelry
box installation.
Inside the entrance of the hotel, ISC has collaborated with
local artisans to create a totem sculpture of stacked, columnar
basalt slate from the south of Iceland. Rising close to four meters high, the
sculpture's inspiration is found in the traditional Cairns that act
as landmarks across Iceland's
countryside. Dramatically lit by both electric and candlelight and
surrounded by a basalt bench, the totem is layered with lush black
sheepskins, black damask and silk pillows, becoming a gathering
place to see and be seen, at the center of the lobby. Right next to
this, inspired by the spectacle of the aurora borealis (Northern
Lights), ISC has video mapped the Northern Lights and has created
an immersive, three dimensional and atmospheric digital artwork of
beautiful green and purple dancing waves. Located in the lobby, it
stirs a reaction and emotion, similar to witnessing the natural
phenomenon in the Icelandic night sky…but in the comfort, warmth,
and intimacy of the lobby and lobby fireplace. We call
it Northern Lights on demand.
Accessible from the lobby, the ground floor is also home
to Tides, the signature restaurant with private dining
room, and café with homemade baked goods, and Tölt, an intimate bar
that takes its cues from The London EDITION's award-winning Punch
Room. Tides, which has an outdoor terrace and its own waterfront
entrance, is helmed by Gunnar Karl Gíslason - the chef behind Dill,
Reykjavik's much-celebrated New
Nordic Michelin-starred restaurant. The rich and sophisticated
interiors have been thoughtfully considered for a seamless
transition from day to night, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows
that, during the day, shed natural light onto fluted concrete
columns and oiled ash wood details such as the dramatically lit
ceiling panels, various furnishings, and a central hexagonal-shaped
bar- over which hangs a custom-made bronze and alabaster chandelier
by the renowned French artist, Eric
Schmitt. In the mornings, breakfast is a fresh, healthy mix
of clean juices, pastries, fruit, cereal and skyr (Icelandic
yoghurt) supplemented by an à la carte menu of hot dishes and a
selection of open-face sandwiches. For lunch and dinner, Gíslason
serves modern Icelandic cuisine, with subtle hints of traditional
cooking methods, focused on seasonal local products and the highest
quality of global ingredients mainly cooked over an open fire.
Alongside an extensive global wine list, expect dishes such as a
vertical salad topped with fried oyster mushrooms aged soy sauce
and roasted almonds, whole Arctic char stuffed with lemon, dill and
garlic butter, baked Atlantic cod, grilled potatoes, mixed herbs
and butter and lamb shoulder braised and slowed grilled, pickled
onions mint and apples, and for dessert, Tides carrot cake,
buttermilk ice-cream, carrot and sea buckthorn jam, with roasted
caraway oil. There is also a weekend brunch menu and three nights a
week, The Counter, overlooking the theatrical open kitchen,
will serve an eight-course tasting menu with wine pairings for up
to 10 people. Meanwhile those looking for something more casual can
pop into the bakery and café for a coffee and a selection
of freshly baked crowberry scones to delicious sourdough or rye
bread sandwiches where guests can dine in or take away.
On the opposite side of the lobby, away from prying
eyes, Tölt - named after the unique fifth gait
Icelandic horses are best known for - is a cozy bar, designed as a
hidden sanctuary with three intimate nooks featuring colorful
custom rugs with a pattern inspired by traditional Icelandic
geometry, teak tambour walls, burnt orange banquettes and pony hair
poufs that surround a central fireplace. Outside of the alcoves,
the space is cocooned with rich walnut ceiling panels, and
flooring, a custom-made walnut chandelier and floor-to-ceiling
windows that frame views of Harpa. Behind the green marble-topped
bar are backlit aged bronze shelves suspended from the ceiling,
which create a warm glow under which to enjoy a menu of cocktails
inspired by Icelandic culture using local Icelandic spirits.
Set to be a destination of its own, The Roof is
located on the hotel's 7th floor and offers panoramic
mountain, North Atlantic Ocean and old town vistas. A versatile
space that can be divided by a glass door for private events allows
it to be the best place from which to enjoy the endless bright
summer evenings as well as the magical northern lights in the
colder months. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a large
wrap-around seasonal outdoor terrace, scattered with
comfortable seating and a large fire pit, while the slick all-black
interiors create a discreet background that doesn't detract from
the views. Here, the casual vibe is supplemented by a small menu of
comfort foods like grilled flatbreads, toasted sandwiches and fresh
salads. From this vantage point, it is evident that Ian Schrager designed the hotel based on the
views from the property.
Unfolding over the floors under the rooftop, the hotel's 253
guestrooms and suites have been designed as warm retreats,
each with their beds facing floor-to-ceiling windows that frame
various views of the surrounding neighborhood. Some come complete
with an outdoor terrace, while all of them are an embodiment of the
EDITION brand's approach to modern luxury with a subtle local
flavor. A muted palette of ash wood and pale grey oak serves as a
warm foundation for a feature formwork concrete wall, Italian
custom-made furniture, copper bed light sconces, faux fur rugs, and
artwork and accessories from local craftsmen, such as the colorful
bed throw by local wool company, Ístex, ceramics by
artist Guðbjörg Káradóttir, and in room art by famous Icelandic
artists Pall Stefansson and Ragnar
Axelsson showcasing Icelandic landscapes, exclusive to
EDITION. Meanwhile, the monochrome bathrooms with custom handmade
white ceramic tiles made in Italy,
are furnished with a white marble vanity, matte black accessories,
and fittings alongside custom Le
Labo toiletries of EDITION's exclusive scent. From its prime
corner spot on the 6th floor, the one-bedroom Penthouse
Suite - with its own private terrace has magnificent harbor,
Harpa and mountain views that are further complemented by bright,
light-filled elegant interiors of plush custom furnishings in
creamy oatmeal tones. The Penthouse Suite is also accessorized with
an oversized bathroom with Italian white marble and a central
fireplace too.
The Reykjavik EDITION offers modern meeting and event
spaces, including flexible studios, a boardroom with natural
light, bleach oat-wide plank floorings, and a grand ballroom with
pre-function space. The flexible ballroom with floor-to-ceiling
glass windows can be divided into two separate spaces, while large
glass doors are wide enough to accommodate a car. Within
the ballroom is a hanging alabaster chandelier paired with natural
felt overwraps draped around the ballroom.
The lower ground floor is home to Sunset, opening
later this year, a cool underground night spot with a
state-of-the-art sound system and theatrical lighting that
illuminates a dark and edgy black concrete interior with a black
cast concrete bar. Sunset can be divided into three spaces with
access from the hotel and Harpa square. Along with a killer
cocktail menu and an ongoing roster of events, the club will play
host to some of the world's top DJs and performers, earmarking it
as the latest unmissable destination in Reykjavik's thriving nightlife scene. There is
also a private entrance for those in need of the utmost
discretion. "It would have been a dream to have opened Studio
54 here where darkness lasts 6 months rather than the 8 hours as it
does in New York City. It would
have been the perfect place for it" says Schrager.
Also, on the lower ground floor is a gym, which is
kitted out with state-of-the-art black strength training, weight,
and cardio equipment, however, it is the social concept at
the Spa that is one of the most unique aspects at
the hotel and truly sets The Reykjavik EDITION apart. Alongside
three treatment rooms, a hammam, steam room, sauna, and plunge pool
which offers hydrotherapy, there is also a central lounge with a
spa bar, which by day serves a fresh healthy menu of post-workout
Viking shakes, champagnes and, delicious moss vodka infusions
alongside snacks like volcano bread with black lava salt. This is
best enjoyed in the Geothermal water splash pool together with
the 60-minute Sundown Spa treatment, which includes an invigorating
body massage and a cool onyx scalp massage. Located directly
opposite Sunset, the Spa is the perfect pre-party pamper space to
get you thoroughly prepared for an epic evening of revelry. "A spa
and wellness facility with a bar is something we haven't really
seen before," says Schrager. "But going down there and socializing
and drinking and then getting into the thermal waters is, again, a
response to being in Iceland. And
combining this in a tasteful and elegant way underpins what the
EDITION brand is about."
Along with its legendary service, The Reykjavik EDITION is
another innovative addition to the EDITION brand and truly
redefines luxury in Iceland's cool
capital city.
The hotel will be open in Preview from November 9th, 2021. An exclusive
Preview Rate is available for 25% off Flexible Rates,
available for a limited time only. Room rates start
from 53,438 ISK per room, per night. Terms and conditions
apply.
The Reykjavik EDITION, Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Reservations: +354 582 0025 |
eh.rekeb.reservations@editionhotels.com
Hotel Inquiries: +354 582 0000 | info.rek@editionhotels.com
ABOUT EDITION HOTELS
EDITION Hotels is an unexpected and refreshing collection of
individualized, customized, one-of-a-kind hotels which redefines
the codes of traditional luxury. Displaying the best of dining and
entertainment, services and amenities "all under one roof," each
EDITION property is completely unique, reflecting the best of the
cultural and social milieu of its location and of the time.
Conceived by Ian Schrager in a
partnership with Marriott International, EDITION combines both the
personal and intimate experience that Ian
Schrager is known for, with the global reach, operational
expertise and scale of Marriott. The authenticity and originality
that Ian Schrager brings to this
brand coupled with the global reach of Marriott International
results in a truly distinct product sets itself apart from anything
else currently in the marketplace. Each hotel, with its
individuality, authenticity, originality, and unique ethos,
reflects the current spirit and zeitgeist of its location. Although
all the hotels look completely different from each other, the
brand's unifying aesthetic is in its approach and attitude to the
modern lifestyle rather than its appearance. EDITION is about an
attitude and the way it makes you feel rather than the way it
looks. Sophisticated public spaces, finishes, design and details
serve the experience, not drive it. For an underserved market of
affluent, culturally savvy and service-savvy guests, the EDITION
experience and lifestyle explores the unprecedented intersection
and the perfect balance between taste-making design and innovation
and consistent, excellent service on a global scale.
editionhotels.com
editionhotels.com/reykjavik
marriott.com/rekeb
Facebook: /EDITIONhotels
Facebook: /TheReykjavikEDITION
Twitter: @EDITIONhotels
Instagram: @EDITIONhotels
Instagram:@EDITIONReykjavik
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