The best places to stay in Iceland (including an inflatable igloo)
Jan 9, 2024 鈥 6 min read
Whether you want to watch wildlife, or the northern lights, here are some of the best stays in Iceland @ Anton Petrus / Getty Images
Looking for a special place to stay in Iceland?
Read on for Iceland鈥檚 best country retreats, boutique hotels, next-level camping and unique stays. Some can only be reached in summer but others can be enjoyed in all seasons. All prices listed here are during the peak season.
Best country retreats in Iceland
Icelanders love their 蝉耻尘补谤产煤蝉迟补冒颈谤, or 鈥渟ummer houses,鈥 which can be found in forests and other sheltered areas around the country. However, these are often owned by families or labor unions and not available for tourists. Luckily there are other options which offer tranquility and closeness to nature for visitors to stay.
Heydalur
From US$193 per double room per night
In one of the narrowest of the Westfjords, Mj贸ifj枚r冒ur, between H贸lmav铆k and 脥safj枚r冒ur, lies Heydalur, a farm turned adventure land for tourists. Choose between en suite bedrooms, studio apartments, summer houses of various sizes and a campsite. The beds are comfortable, the food hearty and homemade, and the surrounding nature a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can take walks, go horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, wildlife watching or northern lights hunting 鈥 and after a day packed with activities, relax in one of the pools, hot tubs, or natural hot springs.
厂别濒谩 Retreat
From US$139 per double room per night
About 30 minutes north of Akureyri in North Iceland is . The old farmhouse and stable have been beautifully renovated and turned into one- or two-person bedrooms with access to kitchens, bathrooms and washing machines. Guests can also take advantage of the meditation loft, fireside lounge and workshop area in the old barn. There鈥檚 a hot tub, too, perfect for enjoying long summer nights or stargazing in winter. A short walk will take you to the hamlet of Hauganes with whale-watching tours and beachside hot tubs and from neighboring town 脕rsk贸gssandur you can take the ferry to Hr铆sey island. Dalv铆k with its superb ski resort is a 10-minute drive away.
惭箩贸别测谤颈
From US$214 per double room per night.
Outside the East Fjords town of Eskifj枚r冒ur are little red cottages with comfy accommodation for small groups or families and a wonderful view of the fjord. There鈥檚 also a cozy guesthouse in a renovated house from 1895 with single and double rooms and access to a bathroom. Guests have access to a hot tub in an old boat, sauna, showers and laundry room. It鈥檚 also possible to book guided walks and other tours. Nearby is Helgusta冒an谩ma, an Iceland spar mine now under protection, and Oddsskar冒 ski resort. 搁补苍诲耻濒蹿蹿蝉-蝉箩贸丑煤蝉 is a museum and seafood restaurant in an old Norwegian herring station, open in summer.
Checking In - Reykjavik Marina Hotel
Best boutique hotels in Iceland
While Iceland鈥檚 boutique hotels are often located in urban areas 鈥 and highly fashionable 鈥 there are a few smaller and less flashy establishments with a special and intimate experience.
Hotel Akureyri
From US$248 per double room per night
A micro-hotel highlighting sustainability, family-run in the oldest part of the North Iceland town offers compact comfort. The hotel operates the in an old box factory, growing herbs year-round. The crops are sold at the hotel鈥檚 store and used by the chefs at , the little sister of Michelin-starred Dill in Reykjav铆k.
H贸tel Kr铆unes
From US$390 per double room per night
Offering the best of both worlds, is a family-run countryside hotel by the lake Elli冒avatn on the outskirts of Iceland鈥檚 capital 鈥 a 15-minute drive from Reykjav铆k city center. Enjoy the lake view from your beautifully designed room, and access to a hot tub and sauna. The hotel is right on the edge of Hei冒m枚rk, a vast forested area popular for outdoor recreation. Light pollution is minimal: look out for stars and the northern lights.
叠谤颈尘蝉濒贸冒
From US$217 per double room per night
By the beach in Bl枚ndu贸s, a North Iceland town few stop to explore, is a secret sanctuary. 叠谤颈尘蝉濒贸冒 Atelier is run by an artistic couple who are passionate about serving delicious local food and creating a sense of community in their guesthouse. There are no TVs, only a 鈥渟low TV鈥 (a huge window to watch the surf and the mountains). Sometimes whales appear and the northern lights come out.
Best next-level camping in Iceland
Iceland has many fantastic conventional campsites, and to sleep in a simple tent is an intimate and powerful way of experiencing Icelandic nature. But why not take camping to the next level and book a glamping accommodation where everything you need is provided?
Glamping in H煤sadalur
Fom US$207 per glamping tent per night
Volcano Huts are based in 脼贸rsm枚rk Nature Reserve, a forested paradise in the southern highlands with adventurous hiking trails and breathtaking glacial views. In addition to regular camping and rustic lodges, you can rent stately glamping tents with made-up beds for two or three, heating and optional treats. It is open in summer only.
Buubble
From US$392 per igloo per night
Why settle for five stars when you can have five million? In a forested area near Selfoss 鈥 close to the most popular tourist attractions in South Iceland 鈥 you can sleep in inflatable, see-through igloos. They are heated and have made-up beds and are particularly romantic in winter when you can look up at the stars from your bed and hope for a glimpse of the northern lights.
贵辞蝉蝉补迟煤苍 camping pods
From US$85 per pod per night
In Borgarfj枚r冒ur in West Iceland lies 贵辞蝉蝉补迟煤苍, a self-proclaimed troll infested area. The trolls are friendly, though, and quite the attraction for adventurous children. There are regular cottages and wooden pods, which look a bit like hobbit houses, snug and cozy for families and couples.
Best unique stays in Iceland
Across the country you鈥檒l also find unique guesthouses, closely connected with Icelandic heritage and culture. While sleeping in one, you can almost breathe in the history of the place.
碍颈谤办箩耻产忙谤
From US$39 per bunk per night
In the fishing village of St枚冒varfj枚r冒ur in the East Fjords, you can sleep in a deconsecrated church from 1925. 碍颈谤办箩耻产忙谤 hostel offers 鈥渟leeping bag accommodation鈥 (BYO) or made-up beds 鈥 with access to a bathroom and kitchen facilities 鈥 all with good spirits.
Checking In: Hotel Viking
脱产测驳驳冒补蝉别迟谤颈冒
From US$222 per double room per night
At the innermost farm in Flj贸tsdalur in East Iceland, you鈥檒l find an old-fashioned farmhouse from 1940, renovated as a guesthouse, museum and base for wilderness tours in all seasons. At the Wilderness Center guests sleep in a dorm, bed closet or private bedroom.
M枚冒rudalur 谩 Fj枚llum
From US$322 per double room per night
In the northeastern highlands, at Iceland鈥檚 highest-located farm, you can sleep in a turf house as Icelanders did for centuries, albeit with modern conveniences. It is run by 贵箩补濒濒补诲媒谤冒, which in addition offers a range of highland tours. There鈥檚 also a campground and a hostel.
Airbnb policy
Private persons are permitted to rent out rooms or apartments for a maximum of in Iceland, provided they have a license from the appropriate authorities. Locals are generally positive towards Airbnb businesses, but there have been some complaints of disturbances and overcrowding, especially in central Reykjav铆k.
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