Must-see hotels in Iceland

  • Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel

    Reykjavík

    Captivating art, cool nautical-chic decor and up-to-the-second mod cons ensure this harbourside design hotel is a gorgeous retreat. Clever ways to…

  • Skjaldarvík

    North Iceland

    A slice of guesthouse nirvana, Skjaldarvík lies in a bucolic farm setting 6km north of Akureyri. It’s owned by a young family and features quirky design…

  • Fjalladýrð

    North Iceland

    Fjalladýrð is the name of the tourist service at Möðrudalur farm, and it has a wide array of excellent accommodation spread over various buildings and…

  • Hótel Laugarhóll

    The Westfjords

    Welcome to one of the Westfjords most appealing retreats. Amid mountain-framed plains, an old school has been converted into a smart but relaxed hotel…

  • Fljótsdalur HI Hostel

    The South

    It's very basic, but if you’re looking for a peaceful, remote base for highland walks, with a beautiful garden, homey kitchen, cosy sitting room and…

  • Héraðsskólinn

    The Golden Circle

    A beautifully unique lakeside boutique (originally built in 1928 by Guðjón Samúelsson) identifiable by its distinctive peaked green roofs. The interiors…

  • Icelandair Hotel Vík

    The South

    This sleek black-window-fronted hotel has merged with the former next-door Hótel Edda. It sits on the eastern edge of town with 88 rooms, some suitably…

  • Hótel Geysir

    The Golden Circle

    This four-star, 77-room hotel is minimalist cool. The facade has an entirely wooden front with only a small single doorway, which opens into a grand lobby…

  • Kaldbaks-Kot

    North Iceland

    Located 3km south of Húsavík is this spectacular spread-out settlement of cosy timber cottages that all feel like grandpa’s log cabin in the woods (but…

  • Hildibrand Hotel

    East Iceland

    The biggest thing to happen to Neskaupstaður in years, this complex of 15 super-spacious, fully equipped apartments is plumb in the town centre. Each…

  • The White House

    The Golden Circle

    In a quiet residential area, this big white wooden house is immaculate – and looks like a building straight out of the US. Classic design is used…

  • Vík HI Hostel

    The South

    Vík’s small, cosy, year-round hostel is in the beige house on the hill behind the village centre. Good facilities include a guest kitchen, and several…

  • Hrífunes Guesthouse

    Southeast Iceland

    This old community house has been revived with flair by owners Haukur and Hadda – think stylish country-farmhouse chic, cosy lounge with fire and stunning…

  • Hótel Aldan

    Seyðisfjörður

    This wonderful hotel is shared across three old wooden buildings: reception and a bar-restaurant (where breakfast is served) are at the Norðurgata…

  • Blábjörg Guesthouse

    East Iceland

    In a cleverly converted fish factory, this well-run, year-round guesthouse houses 11 pristine white rooms (you'll pay a little extra for a sea view), plus…

  • Kerlingarfjöll Highland Centre

    Iceland

    There is a broad range of hotel, huts and houses at this great, remote centre, with various bathroom configurations and linen options (sleeping-bag…

  • Brimslóð Atelier

    North Iceland

    This fabulous seaside guesthouse is hands down Blönduós' finest option. It's a stylish retreat run by welcoming locals with a fine food pedigree …

  • Hótel Djúpavík

    The Westfjords

    This charming inn decorated with antiques is set on one of the most stunning bays in Iceland in a defunct herring factory's former women's dormitory. The…

  • River Hotel

    The South

    Relax and watch the river glide by through giant plate-glass windows in the lounge areas of this immaculate hotel on the banks of the Ytri-Rangá river…

  • Buubble Hotel

    The Golden Circle

    This once-in-a-lifetime sleeping experience offers you a clear bubble tent in the countryside near the Golden Circle. Recline and watch the midnight sun…

  • Kvosin Downtown

    Reykjavík

    Firmly a part of Reykjavík's luxury-accommodation wave, the suites at this superbly located historic hotel range from 'Junior' and 'Executive' to …

  • Nordic Natura

    North Iceland

    Three brand-new cute-as-a-button cottages share fabulous views over the canyon at Ásbyrgi. A charming local family has built them on their farm on the…

  • Fosshotel Hellnar

    Snæfellsnes Peninsula

    Fosshotel Hellnar, with its sun-filled, comfortable rooms, is the area’s choice sleeping option (and thus often booked solid). Even if you’re not…

  • Þakgil

    The South

    The simple, idyllic campsite at Þakgil, a green bowl among stark mountains and dramatic rock formations, makes a convenient base for exploring the…

  • Magma Hotel

    Southeast Iceland

    Winning hearts with its beautiful design, peaceful surrounds and friendly staff, this intimate new hotel is a gem. It's just a few kilometres south of…

  • Hótel Fljótshlíð

    The South

    This attractive white farmhouse with a blue-tin roof has smart hotel-style rooms, guesthouse rooms (with shared facilities), four- to six-person…

  • Hafaldan Old Hospital Hostel

    Seyðisfjörður

    Seyðisfjörður’s first-class HI budget digs are housed in two locations: the Harbour Hostel is a little out of town, and this is the more central option …

  • Efstidalur II

    The Golden Circle

    Located 12km northeast of Laugarvatn on a working dairy farm, Efstidalur offers wonderfully welcoming digs, tasty meals and amazing ice cream. Adorable…

  • Halllandsnes

    North Iceland

    There's an unexpected touch of the Mediterranean at this outstanding property 6km east of Akureyri along Rte 1. Its whitewashed buildings and delightful…

  • Melanes Camping

    The Westfjords

    Melanes is one of the Westfjords most spectacularly sited campsites – sitting as it does right beside sweeping Rauðasandur cove. The grassy site has new…

  • Tungulending

    North Iceland

    Soak up the tranquil seafront ambience at this unique, well-hidden guesthouse. The turn-off is about 11km northeast of Húsavík; you then travel 2.5km…

  • Hótel Rangá

    The South

    Just south of the Ring Road, 8km east of Hella, Hótel Rangá, with its stuffed polar bear in the lobby, looks like a log cabin but caters to Iceland’s high…

  • Stóra-Mörk III

    The South

    About 5km along Rte 249 beyond the cluster of traffic at Seljalandsfoss falls, a dirt track leads to the historic Stóra-Mörk III farmhouse (mentioned, of…

  • Silfurberg

    East Iceland

    Silfurberg is a stunning boutique guesthouse on a secluded rural property about 50km south of Egilsstaðir (30km from Breiðdalsvík). Style, humour and…

  • Grand Guesthouse Garðakot

    The South

    Set on a pastoral sheep farm, this small, tidy house is rented out as a whole. It holds four beautiful rooms, two with private bathrooms and two that…

  • Grásteinn Guesthouse

    North Iceland

    Get away from it all at these boutique cottages on a remote sheep farm 14km southwest of Þórshöfn. Farmers Siggi and Hildur have kitted out the rooms in…

  • Hótel Egilsen

    Snæfellsnes Peninsula

    One of our favourite little inns in Iceland, this boutique hotel fills a lovingly restored timber house that creaks in the most charming way when winds…

  • Skógar Guesthouse

    The South

    This charming white farmhouse is tucked in a strand of trees, beyond the Hótel Edda, almost to the cliff face. A friendly family offers quaint, impeccably…

  • Julia's Guesthouse

    The South

    Friendly Julia from Switzerland runs this charming guesthouse in the countryside to perfection. A menagerie including birds, cats and a bunny fill this…

  • Langahlið

    Seyðisfjörður

    Book very early for these three-bedroom cottages, sleeping up to six in a whole lot of comfort, including a kitchen, lounge, and barbecue and hot-pot on…

More destinations you need to see