Chasing the Aurora: Iceland’s Hotel Wake-Up Calls and the Magic of the Northern Lights
The allure of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, draws travelers from around the globe to Iceland. Witnessing this celestial spectacle is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but its ethereal nature makes predicting and observing it a challenge. This article explores the unique service offered by Icelandic hotels like Hotel Rangá and Hotel Húsafell: the Aurora Wake-Up Call, a technological twist on a classic stargazing adventure.
My recent trip to Iceland culminated in an unforgettable experience at Hotel Rangá. What initially seemed like a minor detail – a small, unassuming button on my room phone labeled "Aurora Wake-Up" – proved to be one of the most valuable features of my stay. This seemingly insignificant button was the key to unlocking an extraordinary night viewing the Northern Lights. Each day, I diligently pressed the button, adding my room to the nightly notification list. Each evening, I drifted off to sleep with a hopeful heart, and on my final night, the phone rang at 11:30 pm. The automated message jolted me awake, heralding the appearance of the aurora.
Racing outside, I joined a small group of fellow guests, all eyes turned towards the heavens. Initially, the aurora was subtle, almost elusive to the naked eye. It was only when I used my phone’s camera, employing a slow shutter speed, that the spectacle truly revealed itself. The photograph captured vibrant streaks of green and purple, dancing across the night sky, a stark contrast to the muted colors visible without the camera’s assistance. My initial disappointment transformed into awe as I witnessed the interplay of colors and movement. The remote location of Hotel Rangá, situated in the southern part of Iceland, minimized light pollution, revealing a canvas of stars more brilliant and numerous than I’d ever seen.
Eyrún Aníta Gylfadóttir, marketing manager at Hotel Rangá (whose stay sponsored my trip), helped me to understand this phenomenon. She explained that, "when solar activity is low, cameras can pick up northern lights that are less visible to the human eye. Using a long exposure on the camera allows more light into the lens, making them visible on the photo. However, when solar activity is high, the northern lights are easily seen with the human eye." This underscores the power of photographic technology in enhancing the aurora viewing experience, even during periods of lower solar activity.
The Aurora Wake-Up Call itself is a meticulously orchestrated system. As Gylfadóttir explains, "If a guest does not pick up the phone for the wake-up call, we do go and knock on the door to make sure they do not miss the lights. The lights can also change quite quickly, meaning they might have been visible when the night guard made the decision to start the wake-up call but had then faded by the time our guest came outside. Sometimes it’s a matter of seconds, sometimes minutes, sometimes hours. We never know for how long they are going to be visible." This commitment to ensuring guests don’t miss this transient spectacle is a testament to the hotel’s dedication to providing a unique and memorable Aurora experience.
Hotel Húsafell, located further north in western Iceland, also offers a similar wake-up service. Áslaug Ragnhildardóttir, the group coordinator at Hotel Húsafell, described their system: "People can sign up at the reception for their individual rooms, and if the northern lights appear during the night, our night receptionist will call their room to let them know. They then need to go outside and face the north, to view the aurora borealis." Both hotels’ emphasis on personalized service ensures that guests receive timely alerts and maximize their chances of witnessing the aurora.
Predicting the appearance of the aurora borealis remains a challenge. While the best time to see them is generally from September to mid-April, their appearance is influenced by solar activity, which is inherently unpredictable. Several Northern Lights prediction apps are available, and Hotel Rangá utilizes the Iceland at Night website, lauded for its accuracy in forecasting aurora activity.
Beyond the enchanting aurora, both hotels offer unique advantages. Hotel Rangá’s remote location in southern Iceland provides optimal viewing conditions, minimizing light pollution while offering access to many other Icelandic landmarks such as waterfalls and other popular attractions. The winter rates start at €394 ($426) per night for a standard room, with aurora-focused packages like "Age of Aurora" offering slightly lower rates starting at €303 ($328) per night. The average, encompassing various room types, hovers around €600 ($649) per night, inclusive of breakfast and access to geothermal hot tubs.
Hotel Húsafell also provides an idyllic location for aurora viewing, further north and situated near Langjökull glacier. As Ragnhildardóttir points out, "The hotel is very close to Iceland’s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, and many times the clouds break and we get to see the [northern lights] here." Its rates, inclusive of breakfast and geothermal facilities, range from $308 to $875 per night, varying depending on room size and season. They often feature special offers, particularly during the off-season.
My trip, at the very end of August, benefited from an unexpected surge in solar activity, resulting in spectacular aurora displays exceeding expectations. But even without the Northern Lights, Iceland’s diverse landscape, with its active volcanoes, stunning waterfalls, and rich culinary scene, ensures an unforgettable journey. The combination of technological convenience (the Aurora Wake-Up Call), strategic hotel locations, and Iceland’s natural beauty creates a truly immersive and magical travel experience that I highly recommend to all. The convenience of a wake-up call, the breathtaking spectacle of the Northern Lights, and the unforgettable beauty of Iceland made this trip one I will cherish forever. The Aurora Wake-Up Call isn’t just a service; it’s a gateway to an unforgettable adventure.
