27 Best Hotels in Reykjavík, Iceland

With a sauna, gym, bakery, and restaurant, there's a lot to love about the Exeter Hotel. The design skews industrial, but not without the token warmth that's essential to Scandinavian design.

Guest rooms here are separated into categories from budget to business class, and the more expensive are naturally more spacious (most are neutral in terms of decor). There's also Wi–Fi and a business center. Room rates include breakfast and complimentary shuttle service to town every morning. Junior suites have perks like free entry to the spa and breakfast delivered via room service. The on-site Restaurant Brasserie Grand serves organic Icelandic cuisine.

In contrast to the ultramodern glass-and-chrome architecture around Reykjavík, the city's oldest hotel is pure 1930s Art Deco—from the black marble statues in the entryway to the brass-and-wood railing on the stairs to the square little coffee cups in the rooms. Period black-and-white bathrooms are well appointed, with Philippe Starck fittings and heated marble floors; some rooms have whirlpool baths. All rooms have fluffy down comforters, black-and-white prints (some antique), and coffee machines. Perhaps the most enticing aspect of the Borg is its location: right in the heart of the city, overlooking Austurvöllur Square and close to Alþingishús (Parliament House) and various restaurants. The in-house Borg restaurant offers a good selection of Icelandic food in a glamorous setting.

This quietly elegant member of the prestigious World Hotels group has impeccable service and free Wi-Fi throughout, making it a favorite among business travelers. Though the rooms are small by modern standards, all are decorated with works by leading Icelandic artists—the hotel owners have the largest privately owned art collection in Iceland. There is a fitness room in the hotel, and all guests get free access to the largest gym and swimming pool in Iceland (a 7-minute cab ride away).

From the moment you step into this hotel, you'll know you're somewhere special: the staff is friendly and alert, the on-site spa is worth a visit, and the rooms showcase the best of Scandinavian design taste. The room rate is steep, but it's the kind of place you want to stay for the most special occasions. Plus, the hotel's location near the harbor sets the scene for great pre-bedtime walks.

Located right in the center of Reykjavík, the Sand is one of the more luxurious hotels in the city. Art deco details set the scene, and supersoft beds seal the deal. Next door you'll find Sandholt, known as one of the best bakeries in the country. Don't miss their breakfast: It's the perfect way to start the day.

At this five-story hotel designed by owner Ingibjörg Pálmadóttir, contemporary works by renowned local artists adorn the walls (the hotel also hosts exhibitions), and large, open-plan rooms are well appointed, with big, comfortable beds, American oak floors, and (in some) freestanding baths. The restaurant-bar serves great European and Asian food and killer cocktails beneath a dramatic glass ceiling. The cozy lounge and library area boasts leather sofas and an open fireplace. Massages can be arranged in your room, and in the basement you'll find a sauna, Jacuzzi, and small plunge pool.

At this lovely hotel in the trendy Lighthouse Village area of downtown Reykjavík, guest rooms are decorated in a typical Scandinavian-chic style, with a combination of rich, earthy tones contrasted with fresh, crisp whites and the occasional splash of vibrant color. There’s a tidy collection of amenities, including a hot tub, a gym, and a stylish dining area with an old record player and a selection of vinyl records. The atmosphere is thoroughly social in the comfortable lobby area, where a confectionery sells exquisite Icelandic chocolates and the aptly named Barber Bar serves cold beer with your haircut.

The Art Deco architecture here adds some serious curb appeal to this hotel. The rooms may be minimal, but past guests have applauded its proximity to the city's best sights.

If being centrally located is your main priority, this hotel is a good option. Just remember this means the area is full of bars and nightclubs, which can get noisy on the weekends.

Located right in the center of the buzziest street in downtown Reykjavik, this hotel comes with some serious value. Much less expensive than its competitors, it still boasts some of the same amenities like an on-site bar and restaurant, close attention to the interior design, and spacious community areas.

Found right off of Laugavegur, next door to foodhall Hlemmur Mathöll, the location of this hotel could not be better. Views of Mt. Esya will lull you to sleep and the best bars are steps away from when you want to put off bedtime for a bit.

This mammoth hotel in the business district of Reykjavík has spectacular views and huge common areas. Inside its austere exterior there are 320 large rooms (odd-numbered rooms have ocean views) and a few suites, all furnished with those dark muted tones of Scandinavian chic and enlivened by crisp whites and shiny surfaces. Guests can dine at the beautifully decorated restaurant, hang out at the steampunk-style Beer Garden, shop at a small souvenir store, and make use of the gym. There are great facilities to accommodate wheelchairs and plenty of rooms with walk-in showers.

From the bar to the rooms, guests are surrounded by moody, cozy vibes at this hotel. A 24-hour concierge, room service, and wheelchair-accessible spaces will take your stay to the next level. Plus, they offer a northern lights wake-up call during the winter months.

Hilton's first hotel in Iceland is geared primarily toward business travelers, though families are given priority for larger standard rooms. The hotel offers a choice between guest rooms, suites, and Executive rooms; Hilton Guest Rooms Plus offer spectacular sea and mountain views. All rooms are bright and spacious, with modern furnishings and wooden floors, and guests have access to the gym, which is open 24/7. Guests on the Executive floor have complimentary access to the award-winning Hilton Reykjavík Spa as well as the Executive Lounge, which has a panoramic view over the city. The VOX Brasserie and Bar is also popular.

Across the street from the hilltop church of Hallgrímskirkja, this hotel is a short walk from most of Reykjavík's major attractions. Some guest rooms have balconies. Interiors are cozy, with hints of Scandinavian design here and there, and give off the vibe that you're staying with a good friend instead of at a nondescript hotel.

Five buildings in a calm corner of an older part of town make up this hotel with cheery and efficient guest rooms, some with nice views over Reykjavík's colorful rooftops. Its many regular guests choose it for its intimacy and convenience to the Old Town. The hotel's restaurant, Snaps, serves fish and steak from a bistro-type menu.

Situated downtown, this hotel has rooms decorated in pastel colors, and common areas with lots of natural light thanks to the glass ceiling over the lobby. In the basement, there is a museum built around the remains of a Viking longhouse from the 9th century that was found during the construction of the hotel.

Located right next to Lake Tjörnin on one of the city's main streets, this hotel features intimate, design-forward rooms and plenty of communal spaces. The hotel's gym and spa are available for guests, as well as two roof terraces, an outdoor patio, and a glass atrium.

Minimal and cozy, the rooms at Hótel VON ride the line between boutique experience and local homestay. There may not be an on-site restaurant, but you're steps away from some of the city's best eats.

Attention to service, detail, and atmosphere define this harborside hotel, which—thanks to its legendary cocktail bar and bistro—also serves as a popular dining and nightlife hot spot for locals. Seeking to engage its guests at every opportunity, the hotel presents a curious collection of vintage knickknacks throughout the lobby, the lounge, and beyond. Guest rooms are crisp, clean, and efficiently designed. Each has its own little quirks, but homage to the fishing industry is a recurring theme. Views from the even-numbered rooms are impressive and stretch right across the bay. Look out for sweet little messages and inspiring quotes here and there.

Accommodations at this lively airport-side hotel come in a variety of themed rooms, each with its own sentimental dedication to a famous Icelandic artist, poet, or natural wonder. With all its great amenities—including a library, a gift shop, the Soley Natura Spa, the supercozy Satt restaurant, and countless conference rooms and halls—this hotel generates a compelling microculture. On Thursday night, guests are treated to a complimentary bedtime story read by an Icelandic actor: just bring your pajamas, and they'll provide the blankets and mugs of delicious hot chocolate.

The rooms at Midgardur are minimalist and basic, but the service is A+ and won't leave you wanting. There's also a spa and a restaurant on-site, but the best part is an outdoor hot tub in the garden, free for guests to use.

Located downtown in one of Reykjavík's oldest and most famous buildings, this hotel's exterior is reminiscent of 1919 (the year the building was constructed) but the interior is very sleek and modern, and great attention has been paid to everything from the light fixtures in the foyer to the artwork in the rooms. There are flat-screen TVs with video on demand in every room. The downstairs lounge and 1919 Restaurant, which serves modern and international cuisine, are very popular.

Past guests have praised the beyond attentive staff and central location of this hotel. If you have an early morning, the staff will even prepare a breakfast bag for you to take on your adventure.

With a number of self-catering apartments in the center of town, this place is for those who prefer to cook their own meals and would like extra space. All apartments have access to a Jacuzzi, and there's a sauna available too. The very friendly staff can assist you in planning the rest of your trip. There are also individual rooms you can book.

If you're after the best views in the city, Tower Suites and its eight accommodations will deliver. These luxury stays are more like homes, allowing you to really sink into life as the luckiest local.