Where to stay and what to do in Reykjavik
Reykjavik is flooded with a magical light in autumn and its streets are largely free of tourists. Fluctuating (read: unpredictable) weather means you can enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, from exploring the city’s many galleries and museums and dipping into a local hot pool while watching the Northern Lights, to attending annual events like the Nordic Music Days (Sept 29-Oct 1) and Airwaves (Nov 2-6) festivals. Below is my pick of hotels that offer good value for money at this time of year.
Stay
CenterHotel Thingholt
Reykjavik, Iceland
8Telegraph expert rating
The most stylish of CenterHotels’ six Reykjavik sites, the Thingholt occupies a former Forties printing factory, and has an interior designed by Icelandic architect Gulla Jonsdottir, who has experience in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. Her playful, chic vision includes a distinctive wood-heavy reception, sculpture installations and black leather walls. Facilities include a decent bar and restaurant, downstairs spa area with steam room, hot tub and services such as massage and beauty treatments. The breakfast buffet offers a reasonable array of hot and cold food. The adjacent bar has a very good list of cocktails, wines and beers. Read expert review From £173per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hlemmur Square Hotel and Hostel
Reykjavik, Iceland
9Telegraph expert rating
European hotelier Klaus Ortlieb is the design mind who’s transformed the interior of this five-storey Thirties block into an upmarket hostel and boutique hotel with a mix of neutral furnishings, pops of colour and cool art around the property. Hostel rooms and dorms are on a separate floor to the hotel rooms, but you’ll find a social vibe for all at the bar. The 17 hotel rooms are cool and contemporary, with ridiculously comfortable beds. Most rooms have private balconies, a real treat with those ocean and mountain views. Read expert review From £25per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura
Reykjavik, Iceland
8Telegraph expert rating
The hotel’s 220 rooms are smart and comfortable, equipped with parquet flooring, modern furnishings and great views. Rooms named Poet, Art and Flora come complete with poetic quotes, individual artworks and botanical elements. There’s plenty on site to keep you occupied, not least the Soley Natura Spa. There’s also a cosy, armchair-filled library that holds regular film screenings and weekly bedtime stories (for adults and children). Cycling and walking routes abound, and, best of all, it’s still only a 20-minute walk to the city centre. Read expert review From £103per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Kex Hostel
Reykjavik, Iceland
8Telegraph expert rating
Nestled along the harbour-front, Kex offers great views of Mount Esja across the water and decent proximity to shops, nightlife, restaurants and cultural attractions. Housing the Living Art Museum as well as several art, dance and fashion studios, the hostel has blended the building’s industrial heritage with a knowing retro aesthetic by peppering it with vintage furniture. As well as spacious, comfortable dorms for between eight and 16 people (mixed as well as women-only, availability permitting), the hostel has private rooms for singles, couples and families. A decent breakfast buffet spread is served in the dining room, which doubles as a bona-fide gastropub throughout the day and evening. Read expert review From £40per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hotel Odinsve
Reykjavik, Iceland
8Telegraph expert rating
Situated in a charming residential area, the hotel is steps away from cultural attractions like the National Theatre and the National Gallery of Iceland. There’s a refreshing lack of pretension about the interior design here: think stylish comfort rather than hip design. Furnishings are comfortable, and tasteful artworks decorate the walls. The 43 rooms, eight of which are suites, are neatly attired with hardwood floors, comfortable beds, and white-tiled bathrooms. Read expert review From £115per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Do
One of Iceland’s finest art venues, the National Gallery inhabits a former factory in Reykjavik’s picturesque harbour area. Its prestigious collection is centred on 19th and 20th-century Icelandic art – classic works by national legends like Asgrimur Jonsson as well as more avant-garde pieces – plus international art from the likes of Pablo Picasso and Richard Serra.
Drink
Reykjavik is renowned for its boisterous drinking culture, but there are plenty of sophisticated places to enjoy a decent drink and a more intimate tete-a-tete. One such spot is the fairly new Skúli Craft Bar which, as the name suggests, offers a fine selection of craft beers, including 12 on tap, from an array of local and global micro-breweries. Choose from IPAs, wheat beers and frothy lagers and settle into the welcoming, wood-heavy interior. Tasting menus are also available.
Eat
Reykjavik offers pretty much every kind of dining experience, from budget burgers to haute cuisine that costs an arm and a couple of legs; but for a classy all-rounder look no further than Snaps. The venue’s upbeat ambience and friendly service have made it popular with locals as well as tourists, as has the broad but satisfying menu of international classics – Danish-style open sandwiches, moules frites, a local catch of the day – and decent wine and cocktail lists. The weekend brunch is worth arriving early for, and its location close to the National Theatre, Icelandic Opera and excellent bars make it an ideal meeting point for early-evening drinks as well as dinner.
