Budget Lodging.
 

Hello. I am in the early stages of planning a trip to Iceland. We would like to spend 10-14 days traveling the ring road and Snaefellsnes peninsula. My thought is to rent a camper van and stay in campgrounds. However, we would like to break that up by sleeping in a hotel or guesthouse or cabin periodically. I am thinking 3 or 4 of the nights we would NOT want to sleep in the camper van and would prefer a private room to get a good night sleep. We are looking for budget accommodation - not high end but do require it to be very clean, safe, and conveniently located (not far off the ring road). I know this is an open ended question but I was just looking for a couple suggestions for budget accomodations (I was hoping to find something around 150 USD but could go higher if that number is unreasonable) along the ring road so we don't have to sleep in the camper every single night. I have seen several posts telling people they were too late to get any budget reservations, so I am trying to plan early. How far in advance would I need to reserve? Thanks so much for any help!!

When are you going? As you are considering a camper van, I assume a summer trip, this year? Or next year?
If this year, go ahead and book now (at least this is what the locals on the TA site are advising everybody) - you have the camper van, so you have some flexibility. Availability will decide for you.

Hello, thanks for the response. I was actually planning for next summer. I understand campgrounds close in mid September so was thinking of going for two weeks either: the last week of August/first week of September, or the first 2 weeks of September. I know I am starting to plan early but I like to plan ahead and this way I can be sure to reserve rooms when the time is right.

To clarify - by "next summer" I mean 2017.

For summer of 2017, you have plenty of options. Just read posts and trip reports (the trip advisor board is a lot more active than this one), figure out what sites look interesting, and come up with an itinerary.

They say you need at least 10 days to do the ring road, although it can be done faster. We are going this July, and spending 2 weeks in the South and West areas. Plenty to keep us very busy. We booked last summer, and in 2 places we did not get our first choice.

Here are some sites to get you started:
http://www.farmholidays.is/travel-gu...-accommodation
http://accommodation.is/accommodation-iceland-map/
http://www.visiticeland.com/
http://www.west.is/en
http://www.south.is/
http://www.east.is/
http://www.northiceland.is/en

I'll have a trip report when we come back.

Great information! Thank you xyz... I would love to see your itinerary if you are willing to share it. If not, I will look forward to a trip report after July!

db, here it is:
Day 1 - land in Reykjavik, domestic flight to Hofn, ice lagoon
Day 2 - Ingolfshofdi tractor tour, Skaftafell NP
Day 3 - Laki tour
Day 4 - Kirkjugólf, Eldhraun, Vik, Reynisfjara Beach, Dyrhólaey
Day 5 - Snowmobile Tour with Arcanum, Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrafoss
Day 6 - Westman Islands
Day 7 - Thingvellir, Gulfoss, Geyser, Bruarfoss
Day 8 - Dog sledding + drive to Helnar with multiple stops
Day 9 - Laki Tours Boat + Western Snaefellsnes peninsula
Day 10 - Hellnar to Arnastrapi hike, Kirkjufell, Stykkisholmur
Day 11 - Ferry to Brjanslaekur, Látrabjarg bird cliff
Day 12 - Dynjandi, drive to Isafjordur
Day 13 - Isafjordur, Sudavik, flight back to Reykjavik
Day 14 - Into the volcano tour
Day 15 - Landmannalaugar tour
Day 16 - Thorsmork tour
Day 17 - flight back home