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Everything you need to know about hosting your retreat at Birkihof, Iceland

Planning a retreat in another country can come with a lot of questions. We want to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Here are some of the questions retreat hosts ask us most often. If there’s something we haven’t covered, just get in touch. We’re here in Iceland and happy to help you work through the practicalities.

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How many guests can I bring?

Birkihof can accommodate up to 18 guests, although we generally recommend retreat groups of around 16 people to give everyone plenty of space and create a more comfortable, intimate experience.

Smaller groups are very welcome too.

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How many bedrooms are there?

The main Birkihof accommodation has eight sleeping rooms/areas, arranged across the ground and upper floors.

There is also a separate staff house which can accommodate an additional 2–3 people when available.

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What is the room configuration?

On the ground floor there are four queen-size beds.

Upstairs there are:

Two twin rooms with single beds
Two triple rooms with single beds

The house is designed as two mirrored living spaces and also has two kitchens, giving groups the opportunity to spread out while still being together.

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Can guests share rooms?

Yes. Birkihof works particularly well for retreat groups where guests are happy to share twin or triple rooms.

The mix of queen-size, twin and triple accommodation also gives retreat hosts flexibility when deciding how to price different room options.

If you’re unsure how best to allocate your group, talk to us and we can help you understand the layout before you start selling places.

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Where does the retreat leader sleep?

We can help you work out the best room arrangement for you and your group.

There is also a separate staff house which can accommodate 2–3 people when available. However, when Birkihof provides catering, Laufey and Valur use the staff house themselves.

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Can you cater for us?

Yes.

Birkihof can provide catering for retreat groups of 12 or more people.

Options can include breakfast, lunch, dinner and light snacks, or breakfast, dinner and snacks depending on the needs of your retreat.

Prepared food can also be arranged for guests to take on day trips and excursions.

It means you can concentrate on hosting your retreat rather than spending your time shopping, cooking and clearing up.

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Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. Meals are primarily plant-based, although fish or meat can be included on request.

Birkihof can tailor the meal plan around the requirements and preferences of your group.

We recommend gathering dietary requirements from your guests well before your retreat so these can be discussed with us in advance.

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Can you arrange airport transfers?

Yes.

Birkihof can arrange collection from Keflavík International Airport and return airport transfers for your retreat group.

If guests would like greater freedom to explore independently during their stay, having access to a car is also recommended.

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How far is Birkihof from Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport?

Birkihof is at Syðri-Reykir in South Iceland, close to Iceland's famous Golden Circle.

Driving from Keflavík International Airport is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes, depending on road and weather conditions.

Reykjavík is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car.

We can help retreat hosts think through transfers and arrival arrangements so getting everyone to Birkihof feels like part of the experience rather than another thing you have to organise.

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Can you help organise excursions?

Yes, and this is one of the advantages of hosting your retreat with us.

Valur, co-founder of Birkihof, offers guiding and has extensive knowledge of the local area.

Experiences can include a silent walk through Haukadalur forest, river dipping at Brúarhlöð canyon, and guided visits to the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.

Tell us what kind of retreat you're creating and what you would like your guests to experience. We can help you explore what could work alongside your own programme.

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Can we have exclusive use of Birkihof?

Yes.

When you host your retreat at Birkihof, your group has access to the entire retreat space, creating a private environment where you can concentrate on your guests without the distractions of other holidaymakers or hotel guests.

This is one of the reasons Birkihof works particularly well for smaller, intimate retreats.

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Is there Wi-Fi?

We'd confirm this before publishing. If the Wi-Fi is particularly good, it's worth saying so, especially for coaches and corporate retreat hosts who may require connectivity.

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What equipment is available?

Birkihof has a heated pool, hot tub, sauna and flotation equipment for relaxation.

The main gathering space can be rearranged for workshops, yoga, breathwork, meditation and other group practices.

Birkihof also offers hot and cold experiences and its signature Sweat Lodge ceremony.

If you require specific equipment for your retreat, let us know when you enquire.

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Where can I teach yoga, breathwork or workshops?

The main gathering area is the heart of Birkihof and can seat approximately 16–18 people.

Furniture can be moved to create an open space for yoga, breathwork, meditation, workshops and other group sessions.

There are also outdoor spaces and the surrounding Icelandic landscape to incorporate into your programme, weather permitting.

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What happens in winter?

Winter creates a very different Birkihof experience.

Shorter days, darker skies and Iceland's winter landscape can make it particularly suited to slower, restorative and more reflective retreats.

The sauna, hot tub, heated pool and indoor gathering spaces mean the retreat experience isn't dependent entirely on being outdoors.

Icelandic winter weather can be unpredictable, so itineraries and travel plans should always have some flexibility built in.

We can help you understand what is realistic for the time of year you're considering.

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Can we see the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights can be visible in Iceland during the darker months when conditions are right.

Birkihof's rural location away from Reykjavík's city lights can provide opportunities to see them, but the aurora is a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed.

We'd recommend treating a Northern Lights sighting as an incredible bonus rather than promising it as part of your retreat programme.

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What is the minimum stay?

The current minimum stay for retreat groups is three nights.

If you're planning something longer, talk to us about your dates and what you have in mind.

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What should I charge my retreat guests?

There isn't one correct price for an Iceland retreat.

Your price will depend on your accommodation costs, catering, transport, activities, flights, additional facilitators, payment fees and, importantly, what you need to earn for your time and expertise.

We recommend working out the full cost of running your retreat first, then calculating what you need to charge based on a realistic number of bookings rather than assuming every available place will sell.

You can also consider different prices for different room arrangements.

If you're at the early planning stage, talk to us about what you'd like Birkihof to provide. Once you understand those costs, you'll be in a much better position to build your retreat price.

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How far ahead should I book?

If you have particular dates or a particular season in mind, we recommend getting in touch as early as possible.

You don't need to have every detail of your retreat figured out before speaking to us.

If you know roughly:

Your preferred dates
The type of retreat
Your expected group size
How many nights you'd like to stay
Whether you'd like catering
Whether you'd like transfers or experiences

That's enough to start the conversation.

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STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

You don't need a finished itinerary to start planning your Iceland retreat.

Tell us what you're thinking about, who you'd like to bring and what you'd like the experience to feel like.

We'll help you understand what's possible at Birkihof.

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