Last Updated on July 23, 2023 by Katrina
Whether you are coming to Iceland to see the northern lights, float in the thermal pools or just soak up the culture, Reykjavik offers a distinctive home base. Staying in the capital city also offers excellent nightlife, unique museums, and landmarks such as Hallgrímskirkja church, as well as shopping for Nordic sweaters and jewelry along the city’s classic main street Laugavegur. The best hotels in Reykjavik offer plenty of unique ambience, too. Some are housed in sleek modern buildings, while others are brimming with history. Here are the best hotels in Reykjavik offering a classic experience.
Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton (Hafnarstraeti 17-19; 354-514-6800) City Centre
Enjoy both history and colorful Icelandic design at this 50-room hotel housed in a 1900s department store building. You’ll find the original exposed-stone walls, but also contemporary décor, a sauna, and a whirlpool. The Telegraph calls it “dapper” and “lively” and rooms are “comfortable and sleekly designed.” One Tripadvisor says “the spa is a MUST. Great location in the city center—you don’t need the car! They give a complimentary drink at the bar, which is so nice to have.” Bonus: the hotel is next door to popular Icelandic hot dogs of Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dogs and walking distance to the shops of Laugavegur. >> Book this hotel for less
The Reykjavik EDITION (Austurbakki 2; 354-582-0000) City Centre
This 253-room branch of the Edition brand—designed by Marriott and Ian Schrager—is “a breath of fresh air in a city which lives and breathes style and creativity,” writes Condé Nast Traveler. The magazine likes the “warm and inviting rooms” and the “splashes of Nordic creativity in the décor …and floor-to-ceiling windows that either frame the fjord and Mt. Esja or views of downtown Reykjavik.” A Google reviewer likes the “great location, and every single person was so nice. We even saw the Northern Lights from the rooftop bar.”
Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre (Smiðjustígur 4; 354-528-7000) City Centre
“This self-billed lifestyle hotel offers a brilliantly central location”—close to both the National Gallery and Laugavegur — along with “well-appointed rooms and chic public areas,” writes The Telegraph. A Tripadvisor user describes the decor as “an industrial vibe, with bold colors… Loved that our room had a porch area, which we really needed to hang/dry all of our snow-covered shoes after walking around for the day. The heated floor in the bathroom was pure luxury too.” >> Book this hotel for less
Hotel Borg by Keahotels (Pósthússtræti 11; 354-551-1440) City Centre
This hotel on Austurvöllur Square dates back to the 1920s, when it was built by Icelandic wrestler Johannes Josefsson. “It still exudes an atmosphere of old-world sophistication,” writes Afar. “The rooms combine comfortable leather chairs, polished parquet floors, and vintage photos of Reykjavik.” A Tripadvisor user likes the “authentic Art Deco décor” and the proximity to “great restaurants, bars and cafes nearby. The main shopping and eating neighborhood is a short, two-block walk.” >> Book this hotel for less
Kvosin Downtown Hotel (Kirkjutorg 4; 354-415-2400) City Centre
Thanks to kitchenettes and extra beds, these “fantastic apartment suites check all the boxes for an extended stay,” writes Condé Nast Traveler. The magazine calls the hotel, housed in a 1900 building near the old cathedral and the Parliament building, “charismatic.” A Google reviewer who brought their family of five enjoyed the “unique, clean rooms, all with small kitchenettes. Couches pulled out into comfortable beds, which they made up for us for the kids. If church bells wake you up at night, ask for a room not on the front of the hotel.” >> Book this hotel for less
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