Hotels in Iceland

[fedupandnogin]

Any recommendations for hotels in Reykjavik? I'm looking at doing a short break there with my teenage son and wondered if anyone had stayed and would recommend any particular hotels. Thanks.

We’ve stayed at the Island Apartments, which were just off Laugavegur. Not sure if they have any which aren’t just double beds, and self catering (but just round the corner from a Bonus supermarket). Nice style and quality and decently priced when we went.

I can recommend self catering apartments.

Icelandair Marina is fantastic

OK thanks. I'll have a look at these suggestions. Are they well-placed for sight-seeing - we'll probably take some excursions while we are there?

Of you want cheap and cheerful try The Cabin.
Rooms are tiny but clean and functional.
Ask for a view of the harbour.
Very convenient too

I agree with The Cabin Hotel, lovely staff, very easy to walk to the shops, plus their food is (for Iceland) very cheap.

Flights get in early so I'd have first full day in the city. Then I want to do a couple of excursions out. Would you recommend three or four nights to stay?

Reykjavik city centre itself is small and walkable.

If you are at all confident enough, I would highly recommend hiring a car - it works out massively cheaper than coach trips and gives you much more flexibility.

We stayed at reykavik lights. fantastic breakfast, comfy beds. 20 minutes walk from city but excursions pick up from most hotels.

@EduCated I think if I was going with another adult I'd hire a car but don't think I'm confident enough to do it on my own. As it's just the two of us I'll just accept that I'm paying more for the excursions. By the way can anyone recommend excursion companies and which excursions are the ones to do?

We did the golden circle tour, the in to the glacier tour and the blue lagoon.

I wish we had stayed an extra day so we could have done more.
The Icelandair Marina hotel is fabulous and on the marina - there are lots of restaurants and bars just outside.

@Pieceofpurplesky can I ask who you did your tours with and if you booked before you went?

We stayed in the Grand Hotel (not as grand as it sounds, but really nice and did a good deal). DH hired a car (bloody terrifying at times) but I am sure that hotel did tours. It was ceratinly a stop off point. The city centre is walking distance (just) along the seafront.

It's be a good hotel for teens as it does a decent buffet breakfast!

Just a quick helpful tip, don't bother with the blue lagoon, it's expensive and often crowded.

If you stay in The Cabin Hotel there's a great swimming pool / geo-thermal pool 10 minutes walk away called Laugardalslaug. The locals all go, it's much cheaper than the blue lagoon, just 980 kr per adult, which works out at about £6.20ish compared to £45 for the Blue Lagoon. It has an indoor swimming pool, outside pool, slides and 6 natural thermal pools outside which have different temperatures.

I agree with the Cabin. You can also buy dinner there which, while basic, can work out a lot cheaper than restaurants. It is also a block from the harbour front (good walking along the front) and about 20 mins walk from town centre. It's also on all the major tour stops. Do be prepared for small rooms, but it is all clean, cheerful and functional.

When we went we went with the IcelandAir package and booked tours beforehand, but it's also easy to do it there as well (via the hotel if needed).

If you have the time, I highly recommend finding a tour that goes along the south coast to the diamond beach. One of the most amazing places I have ever been to. Jet black sand with crystal clear mini icebergs just sitting on the beach, having been washed up there after breaking off of the glacier. We're talking ice blocks bigger than cars.

It's usually a 2 day tour as it's about a 4/5 hour drive from Reykjavik and you stop at other places on the way to/from the diamond beach. Most hotels in Reykjavik are used to this kind of thing and will happily store your luggage so you just take an overnight bag on the trip.

Second PP who said don't bother with the Blue Lagoon. It's crippling expensive, for basically an outdoor pool and a face mask. When we went it was full of lairy Russians.

Reykjavik has a big public outdoor pool with hot tubs and slides, which is easier to get to and about a tenth of the price.

I LOVED The Blue Lagoon!

I stayed at one of the Centre Hotels - Arnarhvoll. It was a few years ago but I really liked it - chic and unfussy. My room had really lovely sea views including the Imagine Peace Tower and (fond memory) there was a pancake station at breakfast.

@fedupandnogin the glacier tour was by into the glacier. The others were through the hotel.

When we went last year we used

Grayline

For our tours, which we booked in advance because they do fill up.

Hate the blue Lagoon too. We go to the secret lagoon, but far off the golden circle. Heaven.

Highly recommend Gateway To Iceland tours - minibuses, not coaches so far more personal.

I've used grayline too. They are great if you need to phone them for anything while you are there.

Diamond beach is amazing. You can do in one day with the tours but it is a loooong day! Hours couldn't get back to Reykjavik because of road closures (in Feb due to bad weather) so it turned into a 27 hour trip! Totally worth it. Golden circle is an absolute must as you cram in a lot. I also loved blue lagoon. Yes it is expensive and touristy but you are surrounded by lava rock and can swim right up to the bar for a slushy or wine. Fab experience!

Also if you are ok with no frills accommodation then look at the many hostels. Loads of private rooms, usually a couple of rooms will share a bathroom, much cheaper than the hotels although much more basic. I need to go plan my next trip to Iceland....

YY to skipping the Blue Lagoon and going to the local public swimming places instead. Cleaner, friendlier, more authentic and a fraction of the price!

We stayed in an Airbnb in Reykjavik.

In your boat, I don't think I would hire a car. Driving can be quite dangerous if the weather is poor.