26 Best Hotels in North Iceland, Iceland

This sleek, minimalist boutique hotel has put Blönduós on the map as a culinary destination, as its owners are also authors of the fabulous Icelandic cookbook Into the North. The hotel also hosts workshops on Iceland’s food history and intimate dinners by a supersize window that frames epic sunsets during the summer and regular displays of northern lights in the darker months. Each of the rooms has a distinctive character presenting a refreshing mix of both new and old.

Your first impression of this hotel will be one of lofty sophistication, as among the modern, stylish design features in the lobby and lounge are giant felted balls that hang from the ceiling. Given its location in the whale capital of the north, the interior designers also left room for a bit of whale-theme fun: while you let your companion deal with check-in, you can enjoy some great complimentary coffee and play spot the whale. The guest rooms are contemporary and comfortable.

For a little rural respite in a remote location—with sea views—head to this guesthouse, where you can combine the thrill of the great outdoors with a stylish, boutique design and all the creature comforts you need.

Perched on a hilltop above the town center, this collection of cabins is beautifully decorated, and has all the amenities you need for a self-catering holiday. The delightful couple running Hestasport Cottages go above and beyond to make guests staying in their little village of adorable timber cabins happy. There’s also a lovely large stone communal hot tub in the center. Note that the cottages are in a different location to the Hestasport reception, where you check in.

Modern, minimalist, and trying its best to blend into the landscape with turf grass rooftops, Laxá has a focus on sustainability and low-impact design. Visually stunning on the inside, too, the hotel generates a natural impression where the decor and furniture have been curated to reflect those vibrant, moss greens, and other countryside colors.

There’s a touch of class, but not a trace of pretension at Sigló Hótel, which is named after the endearing title given to the town by its locals. Beautifully decorated with a timeless, traditional design, the hotel is warm and welcoming and staffed with genuinely lovely people. Rooms are immaculate with luxury linens, but to tempt you there’s a cozy lounge and an excellent restaurant, plus a bar serving tasty cocktails.

Located in a lovely old house next to the airport, Básar is a clean and comfortable no-frills guesthouse with helpful and friendly hosts. There are shared guest kitchen facilities and complimentary tea and coffee.

The area's leading hotel is where the cast and crew of Game of Thrones stayed when they filmed in this region; it's still on the fancy end of the spectrum, with a signature design of modern Nordic-chic, combined with upcycled vintage wares and local art. Be sure to visit the on-site eatery, Mylla Restaurant, a destination in its own right. 

They might have hostel prices, but the accommodation options here are far superior and full of local character. There are seven rooms in a lovely house named Gimli, three cottages, and a delightful historic farmhouse (Gamli Bærinn) decorated with vintage furnishing dating back to the early 1900s. The cottages and old farm house have access to a garden sauna and hot pot.

This friendly lodge, which used to be a horse farm, offers homey accommodations in a beautiful location. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and you'll be greeted by stunning views of the countryside as you sip your morning coffee. 

Set in an old renovated town house by the harbor, this no-frills guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation just a stone's throw from the best restaurant in town.

The “Golden Sun” guesthouse is conveniently located right next to the harbor with fresh, modest rooms and a shared guest kitchen. There’s a coffee shop downstairs and a gallery selling local handicrafts, hand-knitted sweaters, hats, mittens, and souvenirs.

Endowed with great views of the town and surrounding mountains, plus a lovely garden, this guesthouse has four modern and stylish rooms with shared facilities and a cozy garden cottage.

This coastal hotel, originally built in 1900, oozes vintage charm with old maps, claw-foot bathtubs, and refurbished warm wood accents that'll make you feel like a time-traveler in an Iceland gone by. The rooms themselves are simple yet modern and the breakfast filling. Grab the suite, set in a renovated church, for a truly unique experience. 

This lodging option retains the exterior of the 1970s school it used to be, but the inside has been completely remodeled, and no expense was spared in the design. Rooms are clean and bright with a natural theme, from the moss and mineral tones of the decor to the lush designer carpets inspired by the color palette of local natural wonder Borgarvirki. Conveniently located between North and South Iceland, it provides a great base to explore the region.

The best accommodation option in the area, this hotel has clean, warm, and comfortable rooms, with a basic no-frills design; the lounge and dining area with a bar and sea-view terrace are a step up from the rooms, which have a dormitory feel to them, as the building was initially constructed to accommodate people working in the fishing industry. Breakfast is an additional cost.

Located in an old 1934 building that once housed the town’s first hotel, this guesthouse has a number of well-appointed rooms with wall art and vintage furnishings. Apart from the famous hospitality, this place is also known for its restaurant run by award-winning Moroccan chef Jaouad Hbib.

Occupying a lovely old Norwegian timber house from 1884 with exposed beams and low ceilings, Hotel Tindastóll (named after the town's mountain) generates a cozy, yesteryear atmosphere, warmed throughout with a palette of mustard, peach, cherry, and apple green. Breakfast is served in an elegant dining room, with a romantic open fire while feel-good music by old-time Icelandic musicians plays in the background. Rooms feature beautiful Icelandic blankets and towels folded into swans and elephants.

Conveniently located just off the main road in the town center, this family-run hotel is an excellent base for exploring the region. Rooms are clean and bright, with modern soft furnishings and fabrics adding a splash of color to the slightly more dated standard hotel furniture. The hotel has an excellent restaurant and is a three-minute walk from the local swimming pool.

This homey hotel features a large library in the dining room and a quirky theme, which journeys between astronauts and the Eurovision Song Contest—two of Húsavík's claims to fame, though breakfast costs extra. The guest rooms are warm and comfortable; the ground-floor rooms with parquet flooring are more stylish than the carpeted rooms upstairs. While the design won’t be leaving any lasting impressions, their special Eurovision Song Contest exhibition will. 

Right next to the Hvítserkur sea stacks, this spot on Route 711 is an old converted farmhouse surrounded by lovely countryside views. It’s an excellent base for not only nature enthusiasts, but also literature lovers: a famous local story was researched here by Australian author Hannah Kent for her debut novel, Burial Rites. Shared and private rooms are available, with sleeping-bag options and made-up beds on offer. The enchanting misty mornings and soundtrack of chattering ravens come free.

It might not be winning any accolades for design, but this is a great base for exploring the Mývatn area, and it's got comfortable rooms; it’s located right next to the extraordinary Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters, one of the region’s main attractions. All rooms have private bathrooms, some with bathtubs and heated flooring.

The attractive country-style log cabin look here is super-cozy, but not the most soundproof; thankfully most of the clientele at this rural resort are nature-loving tourists, who, after a long day of hiking and exploring, tend to be good at sleeping.

This modern hotel has eight single rooms and 29 double rooms as well as a delightful dining area with large windows providing stunning, panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. The restaurant holds up to 250 guests and has an à la carte menu.

This popular hotel has pastel-color rooms, and staff members who provide helpful general information about surrounding attractions. Myllan (The Mill) restaurant ($$) serves entrées such as local Arctic char, and rhubarb pie for dessert. Another on-site though separate eatery, Gamli Bærinn, changes from a friendly daytime café to a congenial pub at night.