With the world’s tourism hotspots gradually reopening after months in lockdown, Iceland has hit the headlines as a positive coronavirus case study, having kept its outbreak under control. The tiny island nation – with a population of only 360,000 – has one of the lowest population densities in the world and it’s barely explored northern peninsulas are the ideal place to go-off-grid.
Located in the remote Fljót Valley of northern Iceland along with just a handful of resident farmers – and where sheep outnumber humans by more than 2:1 – Deplar Farm by Eleven Experience is a Nordic-inspired lodge that sleeps up to 26 guests. The property sits on the Troll Peninsula and come winter is surrounded by 3,000ft snow-dusted mountains, allowing guests with access to over 1,500mi2 untouched terrain.
Available year-round, Deplar Farm can be booked out for exclusive use or by room, and its intimate size makes it the ideal escape for guests concerned about social distancing. Visitors can fly privately into one of the nearby fishing villages or charter a private air transfer directly to the lodge. The 13-bedroom property may well be remote, but still offers luxury facilities such as a wellness area comprising a steam room, indoor/outdoor saunas, hot tubs, flotation tanks, three treatment rooms and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, which is heated to 38 degrees from thermal springs and features a built-in sound system and a bar.
The farm also offers a library, entertainment room, conference room, terrace, built-in pizza oven and a full band set up for late-night jamming sessions, as well as two helicopter pads – come evening, guests can sip cocktails mixed by the resident mixologist and feast on local Icelandic delicacies cooked by the private chef. Deplar Farm is also known for its menu of outdoor pursuits, including heli-skiing, sea kayaking, whale watching in the surrounding fjords, astro-touring and fat biking special trails around the valley. Due to limited light-pollution in Iceland, guests can also stargaze out across the clear night sky from a geo-thermally heated outdoor pool, and from October to March, even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Reflecting the requirements of a post-pandemic world, Deplar Farm, along with all Eleven Experience lodges, will employ the following measures:
- Physical distancing – the remote nature and private experiences enjoyed at Deplar Farm gives the property a unique advantage when it comes to physical distancing. Because the number of guests and employees at any given Eleven property is small, they are easily able to support distancing standards.
- Staff training – the lodge has provided cross-training to all lodge staff, which enables its multifaceted team members to assist wherever they are needed most and allows for fewer employees to interact with guests during each stay. Guests will have optionality regarding the level of customer service that best fits their preferred experience. Examples of this include: communication with staff via call, text message or email. On-property meals served in accordance with proper distancing – including outdoors or in other vacant common areas, where available.
- Hygienic resources – in order to provide adequate hygienic materials to guests and staff, Eleven Experience has made hand sanitiser available at all entrances to each property as well as in common spaces. Infrared thermometers are also on site to conduct temperature checks of guests and/or employees upon request. Masks and gloves are available upon request too, subject to availability. Based on current medical advice, Eleven recommends regular hand washing as an alternative to wearing gloves.
Iceland will offer testing on arrival, allowing those that are virus-free to avoid any issues with quarantine.
