33 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 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. 

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. 

The Ion City Hotel is the urban counterpart to the original Ion Hotel, near Þingvellir National Park, and the vibe here is certainly luxurious, with a focus on local designers and art throughout. The rooms are comfortably appointed, with pops of color, and the suites are equipped with private saunas for an extra bit of pampering in the hearth of Reykjavík. Popular local restaurant Sumac occupies the first floor.

The interior of this hotel would look right at home in a Wes Anderson movie; there's a wide range of room styles to fit groups of different sizes—family suites even include private kitchenettes. If a cute, design-forward hotel is what you're after, check out Oddsson.

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. Rates may surpass those of nearby hotels, but this is Reykjavík's sole five-star hotel, and it shows in the level of service and quality of amenities. Its location near the harbor welcomes after-dinner strolls or early morning meanders.

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. This modern boutique hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet, as well as a gym and a bar. Next door you'll find Sandholt, known as one of the best bakeries in the country.

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 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 along Laugavegur, 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 and a gym. 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 that lends this hotel's exterior its curb appeal carries into the guest rooms. Though small, the rooms here are comfortable and keep you within close proximity to everything Reykjavík has to offer.

Attention to service, detail, and atmosphere define this harborside hotel, which—thanks to its cocktail bar and bistro—also serves as a popular dining and nightlife 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.

Accommodations at this hotel nestled between the verdant Öskjuhlíð hill and Reykjavík's domestic airport, a stone's throw from Reykjavík's geothermal beach, are comfortable and modern. With all its great amenities—including a library, a gift shop, a spa, the solid Satt restaurant, and countless conference rooms and halls—this hotel generates a compelling microculture. 

If being centrally located is your main priority, this hotel is a good option. It's also packed full of local art and other creative touches to infuse character around every turn. 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 Reykjavík, 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.

A short walk off the main drag of Laugavegur will deliver you to this 65-room hotel with views over Esjan. It's close to everything while still being away from the noise of partygoers. The rooms are bright and modest, but comfortable.

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 Haust Restaurant, which serves a great weekend brunch or hang out at the steampunk-style Beer Garden. There is also a small souvenir store onsite, as well as a 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 and a spa all year-round.

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 offers 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 location in the charming Þingholt neighborhood. The hotel's restaurant, Snaps, serves fish and steak from a bistro-type menu, while Bodega bar across the square is a popular spot for a happy-hour drink or to languidly sip spritzes in the sun.

Situated downtown, this hotel has rooms decorated in calm neutral tones 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, handsomely appointed rooms and numerous 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.

Sleek and cozy, the rooms at Hótel VON feel like a boutique hotel experience while still maintaining a touch of hominess. On-site restaurant BON is open for breakfast, and then returns in the late afternoon with a menu of French fare and an exhaustive wine list.

This sleek, design-forward hotel is located right on Austurvöllur Square, overlooking Alþingishús, Iceland's parliament building. Each room features modern amenities, including TVs, espresso machines, and mini-refrigerators. Guests can dine at Hjá Jóni restaurant, which offers a fusion of local and international flavors or relax at Telebar, known for its cocktails and live jazz.

This popular hostel in an old biscuit factory ("kex" is Icelandic for biscuit) offers a range of accommodation options, from private and family rooms to shared dorms with bunk beds. The popular venue spaces have recently been nixed to make way for more beds, dampening the social aspect of the hostel.

This boutique hotel is located in the historic Kirkjuhvoll building, which was built in 1900; its warmly decorated rooms echo the historic ambience of the location, without skimping on comfort or modern amenities—including kitchen facilities in most rooms. A concierge is on-site to assist with tours and travel arrangements, and breakfast is served daily.

A hostel with private rooms and dorms available, Loft is located right off Reykjavík's main shopping streets. The top-floor bar and lounge space hosts a busy rotation of events and activities, while the rooftop patio provides a sun-drenched perch from which you can people-watch from on high. This accommodation is not ideal for families, but it's great for solo travelers.

The rooms at Miðgarður are minimalist and basic, but the service is truly excellent. There's also a spa and a restaurant on-site, but the best part is an outdoor hot tub in the garden, which is free for guests to use. The once traffic-heavy intersection on which the hotel sits is in the midst of being revitalized into a bright and open pedestrian space that is sure to add to the hotel's tranquillity.

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 sleek interiors, accented with touches of Nordic design, are undeniably modern. Rooms are calm, with warm wood floors, comfortable bedding, and televisions. The in-house restaurant Brút is excellent, while the on-site coffeehouse, Kaffi Ó-le, is a popular spot to sit with a warm drink and a pastry.