Reykjavik is a city always on the rise, combining a unique, laid-back vibe with a love of partying and a very sharp sense of style – which shines through in its trendy, design-forward hotels. From quirky boutiques to Insta-worthy stays, here are my favorite spots in town…
1. Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel
This is a romantic boutique gem! Inside, I found exceptional decor which blended Nordic minimalism with Balinese-inspired deco featuring reclaimed wood, retro-modern furniture and eco-friendly touches and I instantly felt a cozy and very ‘hygge’ vibe!
My guest room (a standard sized double) was compact but it was beautifully decorated with a gorgeous four-poster bed, wooden floors, Guldmeden’s very own organic toiletries, and stunning views of Esja mountain.
There was also on-site restaurant which served up local and organic (and plenty of veggie and vegan) options, a friendly bar, a modern fitness centre and bicycle hire.
I also really liked the location which in one of the most vibrant central neighborhoods of the city – just a block away from Laugavegur, the main shopping street which I found was lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions.
My favorite highlights…
- All the attentive details such as complimentary coffee and a range of herbal teas being available in the lobby all day (with various plant-based milk options too).
Address: Brautarholt 10, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland
This designer spot is located in the downtown area near the old harbor, close to the vibrant city life at Laugavegur Street and the Harpa Concert and Conference Center.
The design draws inspiration from the country’s moniker “Land of Fire and Ice,” with the glass exteriors creating an iceberg effect and floors of volcanic basalt and flamelike lighting framing the jewel-like interiors.
The rooms with a soft palette of earth tones, wool fabrics, and wood accents highlight the natural beauty and products of the land. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning views of the harbor, Mt. Esja, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier, and some rooms have private terraces.
I love that it is also a destination in itself, and the Tides restaurant by Gunnar Karl Gíslason, Iceland’s first Michelin-star Chef, is famous for its modern Icelandic cuisine. The Rooftop lounge and bar, the TÖLT bar, and the lobby bar all serve carefully crafted cocktails and snacks, while the Tides Cafe has coffee, baked items, and to-go meals.
3. CenterHotel Thingholt
I loved this sleek and sexy design hotel! Located right in the center of the city amongst some great bars and restaurants, the trendy boutique was originally a printing factory dating from the 1940s.
In the present day, this hip joint makes the perfect base for shopping and sightseeing, as well as offering great amenities such as an upscale restaurant, a cool bar, a fitness center, and a spa.
The decor mixes the style and sophistication of the 1940s with a contemporary Icelandic design to form a really unique and stylish look. Deluxe rooms feature beds laden with cream and white chunky fabrics, stark white walls, and art gallery prints on the walls, as well as mod cons such as free WiFi and flat-screen TVs.
Black and white hide rugs and reclaimed wood furnishings give the Hotel a striking look that perfectly fits with the city’s fondness for the creative! The staff was very welcoming, and a bonus is that breakfast was included in the room rate.
One of the newest boutiques in town it offers 52 rooms furnished with the gorgeous Guldsmeden’s signature design. The focus is sustainability with local and organic products.
Hotel Von has a similar sense of style to its big sister hotel – the Eyja Guldsmeden, just around the corner.
These hotels are in the perfect location for a shopping trip, as Laugavegur is the most popular street in the city. The Sofar Sun Voyager and the Hallgrimskirkja Church are also around the corner.
5. Grandi by Center Hotels
A cheerful version of industrial chic defines the style at Grandi by Center Hotel, located near the old harbour. The fish processing plants and shipyards of the neighbourhood have been replaced with museums, artisans’ workshops, boutiques and hip restaurants, with plenty of outdoor art and murals.
The Hotel’s quirky design touches and clean, simple lines are entirely in keeping with the neighbourhood’s feel. Rooms overlook streets with colorful houses, for which the area is famous, or the wide sweep of the surrounding water.
Within, you’ll find all the necessary comforts, including wood paneling, comfy chairs and bathtubs. The restaurant Héðinn Kitchen & Bar is a favorite with travelers and residents alike, and the daily breakfast buffet is highly popular.
6. Center Hotels Laugavegur
Center Hotels Laugavegur is located in the city center on the main street. All the major attractions, shopping, and restaurants are just out the front door, and the harbor is a short walk away.
Combining contemporary style with style, the lobby has high ceilings, large windows that look out on the busy street, comfortable seating, and a fireplace.
The light-filled rooms have simple, modern lines and decor in calm neutrals with touches of bright color, and the deluxe rooms have private balconies with views over the city and the mountains beyond.
There are several options for onsite dining, including the Lóa Restaurant with a varied Icelandic and international menu and the Street Food Station with international street foods. Breakfast is served every morning, and if you need an early start, they’ll pack some for you to take along.
Located in the downtown harbor district (nestled into the marina and only an 11-minute walk from the Harpa concert hall), the 4-star exceptionally rated spot is one of the capital’s trendiest hotels.
The café, bar, and cool industrial-style restaurant are the hubs of this fun abode. With cuddle-up cozy seating, tasteful quirky features, and roaring log fires all overlooking the surrounding sea and mountains.
The hotel owners have scoured antique shops to find a collection of very interesting pieces and have created their unusual style by pairing bright flower wallpaper and vintage prints with bright seats and low lighting.
Bedrooms follow this cool type of retro Nordic style but also add a nod to the maritime history for good measure.
Other fabulous features are the balconies offering sea views, showers powered with geothermal hot water, a fitness room, and even the occasional live entertainment.
8. Oddsson Hotel
In Iceland, everything is a little surprising and unexpected, and the highly-rated spot is no different – this is a place that really dances to its tune.
With the motto of Joie de Vivre, it’s a space that brings a diverse group of minds together to experience the off-beat Icelandic culture but still with lashings of style.
Located in the harbor just a 10-minute walk from all the craziness of downtown, is this gorgeous, reasonably priced budget boutique.
This place has a great history- the historic building has been refurbished from its original purpose as a 1940s warehouse. It is known for its patronage of the arts and music.
Bike tours are available for guests to explore the city, and you’ll also benefit from stunning views over Faxafloi Bay – a fabulously hip spot to fully immerse yourself in the quirky Icelandic culture without breaking the bank!
9. 101 Hotel
Once named the ‘Leading Boutique Hotel in the World’ in a prestigious travel award, this is a beautiful, intimate and ultra-hip boutique. Located in a central location only an 11-minute walk from the harbourfront, it boasts its own on-site art gallery, gym, well-regarded restaurant, and a fabulous spa complete with a hot tub and a steam room.
The cool decor at the 4-star, highly rated 101 Hotel is sophisticated and immaculate, and guest rooms feature a silver-clawed freestanding bath, blanched-oak floors, rows of crisp white warmed towels, Aveda toiletries, books, a BOSE iPod sound-dock, and to keep you toasty in the cool Icelandic temperatures – underfloor heating.
If you can bear to tear yourself away, there’s also a sleek and modern bar and a restaurant to relax and dine downstairs.
Also, expect plenty of arty features, including high ceilings, large walls of glass that give the place an open feel and bespoke handmade pieces like tables made of tree trunks fittingly nestled by a roaring log fire – wonderful!
- To book, check prices or availability for 101 Hotel
10. Exeter Hotel by Keahotels
Staying at the Exeter Hotel by Keahotels provides a modern hotel experience in a place with lots of history. The main building is a house originally built in 1904 for storage!
Now, it is connected to more modern buildings and has 106 hotel rooms with a contemporary yet industrial style.
It’s situated just 550 yards from Harpa’s concert hall, which is ideal if you’re attending an event. But it’s also in the Old Harbour area, which is very beautiful and has several excellent restaurants.
The Exeter also helps you book day tours, so you can travel directly from there to go sightseeing or visit the Blue Lagoon.
11. Tower Suites
The Tower Suites is a new, private upscale hotel in the city centre that is a little different from the standard. It comprises only eight rooms on one floor. However, all eight chic rooms are high-design penthouse suites on the 20th floor, offering stunning, panoramic city views.
The experience is like no other. You’re greeted with a glass of bubbly and then taken to your suite, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city through your telescope.
The floor-to-ceiling windows help you soak in the scenery, and in some rooms, even the bathtubs face these windows for you to bathe with a view.
Luxury runs throughout the Hotel with a top-of-the-range fitness suite, wellness spa, and suites equipped with Apple TVs, iPads, Nespresso coffee machines, a complimentary minibar, and walk-in wardrobes.
12. Canopy by Hilton City Centre
This spot is in the heart of downtown, a sleek lifestyle hotel that mixes impeccable style with comfort. You can walk or ride a free bike to the restaurants and bars and shop on Laugavegur Street.
From the inviting lobby to the rooms in natural colours inspired by the ocean and volcanic basalt, the Hotel is anchored in the sense of place, with local artwork, music and a library of Icelandic literature.
The rooms and suites have exclusive bedding, mini-fridges, filtered water for eco-conscious travellers, and large windows that look out over the neighbourhood, the ocean, and, if you’re lucky, the aurora borealis.
In the evenings, you can catch a wine tasting or enjoy dinner at the sophisticated Geiri Smart Restaurant, where you can enjoy local seafood, meat, and produce accompanied by cold-climate wines.
The Canopy Central Bistro & Bar serves a fantastic morning breakfast and regional beers, spirits, and snacks all day and night.
13. Kvosin Downtown Hotel
The 4-star, exceptionally rated Kvosin Downtown Hotel is housed in a historic early 1900s building in the city centre. It boasts neighbours like the parliament building and the Old Downtown Church.
With culture and tradition oozing from every corner of this boutique, which was established at the turn of the 19th century, it now beautifully services the needs of the modern traveller.
Spacious studio to two-bedroom apartments offers free WiFi, kitchenettes, Nespresso machines, smart TVs, and a cool Scandi décor.
Upgraded rooms offer rooftop views and balconies too. Can it get any better? Yes! There’s also an on-site industrial-chic wine bar featuring ambient lighting, street views, and an award-winning concierge team to help you make the most of your time in Iceland.
14. OK Hotel
Don’t be put off by the name; the highly-rated OK Hotel is much more than just OK. The funky, eco-friendly Hotel’s mini apartments have kitchen facilities, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docking stations. Some apartments even offer a balcony and acoustic guitar – very cool!
All rooms at this hipster-friendly accommodation are uniquely designed with cool art plastering the walls and bright colors splashed across the interior, which gives the Hotel an eclectic and retro vibe.
Located in a central location along Laugavegur, the city’s main street, other fab facilities include a variety of tasty Korean dishes served up at the K-bar (where guests can enjoy discounted prices), barbeque facilities, bike hire and a concierge who is only too happy to help you organize trips.
- To book, check prices or availability of OK Hotel
15. Kex Hostel
When you enter the doors of this much-loved and highly-rated unique Iceland abode, you are immediately transported into a wonderfully retro and eclectic world.
Unsurprisingly, this kitsch hostel has quickly become an institution in the city. It also boasts a superb central location with Atlantic sea views, only an 11-minute walk from Harpa concert hall (and only a 3-minute walk from a bus stop). Kex—the Icelandic word for biscuit—is a social hostel built in a former biscuit factory, and like any biscuit barrel, you’ll find a variety of flavors, shapes, and tastes!
Sharing a building with artists’ studios, it has a very trendy industrial feel. The designers have beautifully combined reclaimed vintage decor with modern touches to create a style you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.
Kex Hostel offers dormitory beds and private rooms. The cafe serves home-baked biscuits, and there’s a guest kitchen if you fancy trying your hand at a few Icelandic dishes.
With a heated outdoor patio, WiFi, on-site vintage-style hairdressers and barbers (complete with a 1933 barber’s chair), and an old-school gym (with retro boxing gloves), you’ll have to find a seriously good reason to leave! Also, don’t miss their regular music, comedy, karaoke, and open-mic events.
- To book, check prices or availability for Kex Hostel
