Tröllaskagi
The real draws at the town’s primary accommodation are the fabulous lakeshore log cabins (varying sizes, sleeping up to seven), with hot tubs built into…
Must-see hotels in Iceland
The South
A series of cosy renovated farm buildings house rooms with private and shared bathrooms, plus a kitchen. The family rooms (sleeping up to five) have…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
When the folks behind one of Iceland's best bakeries open a hotel, you know it's going to be great. At Sandhotel art deco echoes meet Nordic design and…
Seyðisfjörður
Two kilometres northeast of the supermarket, this unassuming guesthouse enjoys splendid views from its waterfront position and is home to 13 good-value…
Mývatn Region
Bought by Icelandair and renovated in 2018, Hotel Reynihlíð, the grand dame of Mývatn hotels, is now a smartly dressed 50-room affair. Sleek guestrooms…
Reykjavík
Reykjavík’s original hostel is a large, ecofriendly complex with a fun backpacker vibe. Two kilometres east of the city centre in Laugardalur, it abuts…
Mývatn Region
Sprawling, well-run Hlíð is 300m uphill from the church and offers a full spectrum of accommodation: camping, sleeping-bag dorms and rooms with kitchen…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Modern, self-contained apartments are satisfyingly central and commendably quiet. More personal than a hotel, they still come with room service: fresh…
Ísafjörður
In the five cosy rooms set above the buzzing Húsið cafe-bar, old-style furnishings are teamed with a kitchen and all the mod cons. Bathrooms are shared…
The Westfjords
Malarhorn's peaceful row of crisp pine cabins feel thoroughly modern yet remarkably cosy; there's a smart four-bedroom cottage as well. Breakfast, served…
Reykjanes Peninsula
The only hotel actually at the airport, Hotel Aurora Star is about 100m from the terminal and offers a tower of solid business-style rooms with flat…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
A glossy hotel on the waterfront, 100-room Arnarhvoll offers unimpeded views of the bay and Mt Esja. Cool, Scandinavian-designed rooms with clean lines…
The South
Opposite the Hekla Centre, this modern hotel block and large farmstead next door are some of the last outposts before you hit volcanoes and highland,…
The South
On a hill 10km west of Vík, this 88-room hotel has gorgeous views and is popular with tour groups. Large rooms with basic mod cons sprout off three wings…
The South
This building was originally meant to be a women’s prison, but it never became one and now it's a welcoming guesthouse with 17 clean, simple rooms – some…
East Iceland
In 2018, new owners took on this guesthouse by the water and freshened it up, and have even opened a small Thai restaurant downstairs. Good-value,…
Reykjavík
These 17 fully kitted-out apartments fill several black towers just back from the waterfront. The reception can organise cleaning service, laundry and…
Reykjavík
This 320-room behemoth is one of the new breed of high-rise hotels, especially centred around the Tün neighbourhood east of the city centre. Modern rooms…
Southeast Iceland
The Þórbergssetur museum acts as reception and restaurant for this smart (pricey) option, the closest hotel to Jökulsárlón (and one of a cluster of places…
The South
Just 7km west of Vík and tucked back off the Ring Road at the foot of lush cliffs creased by a waterfall and dotted with grazing horses, this small farm…
Reykjavík
Bright, modern furnishings, smart kitchens and a quiet setting make these one- to three-bedroom suites an appealing deal. Some have tiny balconies. It's…
North Iceland
Welcoming Grímstunga, 28km south of Dettifoss near the junction with the Ring Road, offers basic cosy rooms with shared bathrooms and a guest kitchen. The…
Reykjavík
It doesn't get much more exclusive than this – the 20th floor of a waterfront skyscraper accessed by private lift and frequented (apparently) by Hollywood…
Inland
This stylish, friendly, business-standard hotel is kitted out with the expected bells and whistles, and appealing splashes of colour. The restaurant …
The South
The campsite sits under a grassy ridge at the eastern end of town, just beyond the Icelandair Hótel Vík. An octagonal building houses cooking facilities,…
Southeast Iceland
Ducks and horses, plus 11 cute, compact self-catering cottages (sleeping four to five and ideal for families with small kids), are scattered about this…
The South
Located at the start/end of the trail to Landmannalaugar, Langidalur is the most rustic accommodation option of the four in Þórsmörk, but it is well…
The Golden Circle
A few kilometres south of the falls, Hótel Gullfoss is a stylish bungalow hotel. Its clean en suite rooms overlook the moors (get one facing the valley)…
Akureyri
Branding itself as a 'boutique guesthouse', central Hrafninn (the Raven) feels like an elegant manor house without being pretentious or stuffy. Over three…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Glorying in one of the best locations in Reykjavík, Hótel Leifur Eiríksson is set at the end of arty Skólavörðustígur just in front of Hallgrímskirkja –…
The Westfjords
The odd hurricane lamp, stack of old books and vintage typewriter help reinforce this historic guesthouse's traditional feel. Light, painted walls and…
The Westfjords
Choose from camping, a sleeping-bag bed (no electricity) or a small cottage that sleeps five. There's also a 20m geothermal pool and hot-pot. The hut is…
East Iceland
Operated by Strengir, a Reykjavík-based company that brings anglers to the region's salmon-rich waters, this high-end, year-round accommodation option is…
The Westfjords
Hótel Flókalundur, a recently updated bungalow-style hotel, features small, tidy wood-panelled rooms with renovated bathrooms. Its solid restaurant has…
Reykjanes Peninsula
This homey guesthouse overlooking a little inlet harbour has common spaces with charming touches, and modern rooms with flat-screen TVs and original…
Akureyri
This huge site, 1.5km south of town in a leafy setting in Kjarnaskógur woods, has newer facilities than the city campsite, and mountain views. There's a…
The South
At the start of Rte 214, 5.5km east of Vík, Hótel Katla – Höfðabrekka is a large country hotel with 72 comfy rooms with en suite bathrooms in annexes of…
Ísafjörður
Bright, cheerful and well kept, this excellent guesthouse has simple but comfortable rooms with plenty of cosy touches. The bathrooms are shared, but each…
The South
This simple sheltered campground has water and toilets and a children's play area. The blessing is its grand setting in the broad lava fields and river…
West Iceland
A friendly family has taken over this cluster of cottages just 6km north of Hvalfjörður. Tidy, well-kitted-out apartments sleep from two to six, cottages…
