The Ultimate Iceland Ring Road trip for your 7-day self drive
Epic landscapes and vast views - explore the land of fire and ice
Reykjavik may be one of Europe’s smallest capital cities (hey, that’s because Iceland is one of Europe’s smallest countries) but it packs a punch and is an awesome base for day trips around this otherworldly Nordic island. While you’re exploring the sublime surrounding waterfalls and just the ethereal nature that Iceland has to offer, staying in style and comfort never has been so plushier in Reykjavik. Just only a decade ago there wasn’t much to Iceland’s hotel scene, but in recent years the boom has matched the love that travellers have for this bite-size city. Our team at Live the World have been fortunate enough to check out different hotels in Reykjavik over many trips, from luxurious 5-stars to lavish spas. So for your upcoming trip to Iceland, we’ve hand-picked our absolute favourite hotels that will make your stay that extra special.
Also in between your adventures in Reykjavik, be sure to check out our favourite activities to do in Iceland’s capital:
1. Tower Suites Reykjavík
- Includes a complimentary minibar and Nespresso coffee maker
- Rooms also include a telescope and an iPad
- Travel Sustainable property
I got to stay at the Tower Suites Reykjavík back during my first-ever trip to Reykjavik. In one word: phenomenal. Since the whole hotel is all the way up on the 20th floor of a contemporary glass tower, which is one of the tallest buildings in the whole country, you get these surreal panoramic views of the capital city as well as the surrounding sea. Depending on the season, you can also see the Northern lights easily from the hotel. Breakfast is brought up right into your suite, so there were many mornings when I just rolled out of bed in my bathrobe and ate in front of the best 180 views you can ever possibly have in Iceland. All of the little details are thoughtfully taken care of: from the luxurious oval bathtub that overlooks the city, to the way the room’s different lighting and sound system can be changed to your preference by your own personable iPad.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Tower Suites Reykjavík.
2. Reykjavik Domes
- Includes a wood-burning fireplace
- Barbecue is available for guests to use at the luxury tent.
- Suites include a hot tub
Sometimes you get to stay at a property that leaves you absolutely speechless at just how perfect and wondrous they are. One of these times is the absolute pleasure of getting to check into the Reykjavik Domes - a private accommodation that elevates the traditional Airbnb stay, but with no hassle or cleaning service charge. You’ll get to stay in a cosy dome that reminisces of a modern igloo, where glass triangular panels look out into Icelandic nature. Each dome comes with its own hot tub - so no matter what season or what’s the weather, you can slink into a relaxing night dip and then hop right into your dome to cosy up by the fire. I would say this is one of my top favourite accommodations on this list, especially since a stay at Reykjavik Domes gives you the child-like sense of “wow, I can’t believe I’m here”.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Reykjavik Domes.
3. Hotel Kriunes
- Relaxation options include a sauna and hot tub.
- Unwind on the furnished terrace or in the fireplace lounge
- A travel sustainable property
Welcome to your true getaway - after all, you flew all the way to this little Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic ocean to really feel and experience a complete change in scenery right? Well at the Hotel Kriunes, a stay here heightens that sense of freedom and curiosity. This is a place where even though is not in the city centre of Reykjavik - far from it actually, you get to be one with the Icelandic nature that makes this part of the world so unique. The hotel is right by the lake, so rooms will look out into this peaceful huge body of water. Adding to the lakeside vantage, the hotel offers kayaks, canoes, and boat rentals for you to go out and explore the lake. But if you want to just luxuriate and not step off the property, there’s a hand-crafted wooden hot tub and sauna that is open for guests. But I really want to give a shout-out to the on-site restaurant, since it features what I love about this country so much - homemade Icelandic dishes that focus on seasonality and local produce. Welcome to paradise.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Hotel Kriunes.
3. Hotel Borg by Keahotels
- The in-house spa and gym feature a hot tub, sauna and steam room
- Feature quality beds and Philippe Starck fittings
- Staff can help with bookings of tours and assist with car rental
If the Great Gatsby had set place in Reykjavík instead of East Egg, then it surely would be at this exquisite Art Deco-style Hotel Borg by Keahotels. This hotel blends the simplicity of Scandinavian minimalist effortlessly with 1920s art deco design so well - from various furniture pieces to the elegance of the building itself. It’s right in the heart of Iceland’s capital city, which makes it even more attractive for walking everywhere and seeing all the sites within easy reach. I loved staying here during my trips to Reykjavík since everything is simply taken care of - right down to booking massages easily with the in-house spa. This hotel makes it feel like you’re on a true getaway.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Hotel Borg by Keahotels.
4. Reykjavik Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
- All rooms include either city or marina views
- You can relax beside the fireplace in the lobby area
- Icelandic films can be watched at Slipp Cinema
Since Reykjavik Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels is located right on the capital city’s famed waterfront, if you book a room with a balcony you can see different ships come in and go as well as the calm waters stretching out into the horizon from your suite. The hotel itself is has a fun design that makes you feel playful with a sense of wanderlust as you check in - between the 70s vibe of the lobby fireplace to the colourful chairs of the in-house Slipp Cinema, the hotel’s movie theatre for guests. There’s also a cosy library area where you can slink into the comfy plush couches with a book - or a cocktail from the bar, or, well I prefer both. If you’re ready to explore outside the hotel, you won’t even have to go far since places like the Reykjavik Art Museum is less than a 5-minute’s walk or the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre is also within reach.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Reykjavik Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels.
5. Exeter Hotel
- There’s an in-house restaurant and a bakery
- A sauna and fitness room are available to use for guests
- Every room has a smart TV, refrigerator and Nespresso coffee machine
Reykjavík's Old Harbour area is one of my favourite areas of the city - and Exeter Hotel is smack middle of it all. The Old Harbour was actually built back in 1913, which isn’t that long ago but to this day it really gives you a good sense of what Icelandic culture is. Wandering around this area during the day, you’ll see the stunning yellow Ingólfsgarður Lighthouse, as well as colourful wooden buildings that have always been a huge part of the country’s fishing industry. Now you can pop into one of the brightly painted sheds and check out different cafe scenes, artisanal goods and galleries. Having the hotel be amongst this scene fits with its industrial East-Berlin-type design, while the interior is so well crafted with its sleek modern decor.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Exeter Hotel.
6. The Reykjavik EDITION
- You can use the spa and wellness centre with a fitness centre, sauna, and hot tub, as well as a terrace
- Offers one of the country’s top concierge services
- Free toiletries included with your stay
The Reykjavík EDITION knows how to do luxury and knows how to do it well - with top-of-the-line high-quality decor, exceptional care from friendly hotel staff and even ambient lighting throughout the whole property. This hotel is a one-stop five-star property for any type of holiday you’re on the jet set for - whether it be a spa getaway, a business trip, a romantic weekend or a much-needed wind-down. Your needs here are met with the utmost attentive care, especially if you have any questions for the concierge. My absolute favourite part of the hotel is that is quite unique for Iceland? As soon as you step into the lobby, there’s a simulation of the Aurora Borealis floating and dancing all around you - which just automatically whisk you away into what makes the land of fire and ice so well known.
Check out more photos and book your stay at The Reykjavík EDITION.
7. Vintage Hotel
- Some units have a dining area and/or balcony
- All units include a kitchenette fitted with an oven and microwave
- Includes luggage storage and a tour desk
If you ever want to get a more home experience during your trip in Reykjavik and Iceland, then Vintage Hotel offers the perfect mixture of being a hotel with all of its services like speedy check in and spotless cleaning, while giving you the choices of fully equipped studios. The studios are Vintage Hotel’s version of a bigger suite, so you can feel like you’re actually living amongst the locals and a resident of Reyjkavik yourself instead of a mere tourist. This is also best fit for larger groups who are travelling together - like a friends group or a family, since the studios come with a kitchenette that you can cook anything you like, and plush big beds as well as a “living room” area. This is all of course, on top of being located right in the heart of the capital city. Upon check-in, you can arrive at any time that’s convenient for you since you’ll receive a unique code for entering.
Check out more photos and book your stay at the Vintage Hotel.
8. Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel
- The on-site restaurant offers local and organic options.
- See the city by bike, bicycle hire is available
- Fitness centre and bar included
When you take inspiration from the tropics and transport it to the Nordic - you’ll get Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel. With its Balinese-style decorum that makes you feel warm and somewhere far-flung, the hotel truly sets a vibe as soon as you check into its grand doors. After all, isn’t that partially why we love travelling? The sense of wonder and the unexpectedness of new and fascinating things to experience. Being right off of the main street and one of the oldest of Reykjavik, Laugavegur, everything is within proper reach. You have fun bars, great restaurants and shops up and down the strip. It makes the hotel a great place to go out and explore the city, but then slink back into the 4-poster beds once you want to unwind and see the view of the sea, mountains or city from your room’s window. A friend of mine loves cycling, and since the area is great for biking he always hires a bicycle whenever he stays here and tours the city at his own pace on wheels.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel.
9. Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre
- Amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre and a bar
- A buffet breakfast is available every morning
- Travel Sustainable property
Effortlessly chic and spotless, the Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre should come as no surprise as a reliable, comforting stay. This hotel is like that one friend that you always call up when you’re in town - because you know they’ll always be there for you and is available to hang out like good old times. From the friendly service, pressed-to-perfection sheets, spacious bathrooms and of course, open at all times of the day fitness centre and bar, no matter what you want during your stay in Reykjavik, the Canopy has it covered. The suites themselves are gorgeously designed - with spacious and airy rooms giving you guaranteed a view of either the vibrant city or the fantastic nature that surrounds it. That’s my challenge of checking in here - that even though you’re footsteps away from great sites of Reykjavik, you’re also so snuggly and cosy in the hotel that it makes it hard to divide time evenly!
Check out more photos and book your stay at Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre.
10. Reykjavik Residence Apartment Hotel
- Wake-up service is available, as well as concierge and luggage service
- Airport shuttle is available
- Travel Sustainable property
Whenever I’m travelling for a long period of time - and in this case, getting ready to embark on a full Icelandic expedition or closing the trip from a country-wide adventure, I just want to be able to feel like I’m at home, away from home. While there are plenty of Airbnbs and places in Reykjavik that is like this, Reykjavik Residence Apartment Hotel truly offers that - honey, I’m home, feeling without having to worry about cleaning service charge, cancellation policies, and all that hassle. It’s just ready for me to bring my luggage in and viola, I’m plopping onto its plush bed. This place has everything that one looks for when you want hotel services but with self-catering style accommodation; down to having laundry facilities available on site. On top of that, the Scandinavian style with simple wooden pieces, monochromatic colours, and clean lines, really gives you a relaxing interior feel.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Reykjavik Residence Apartment Hotel.
11. Room With a View Hotel
- Heated floors in the bathroom
- Daily housekeeping
- Rooftop hot tub
Whenever you hear someone refer to “Reykjavík 101 district” - 101 isn’t an emergency code, rather, that’s the postal code that makes up the downtown core of Iceland’s capital city. Iceland may be small in size, but it’s packed in density - even though in the countryside there’s plenty of room for those grazing sheep, the 101 district is compact with cosmopolitan energy, cool concept cuisine and artistic creations. That’s why staying at the directly named, Room With a View Hotel is so great - you’re truly on the main artery where all the action happens not only in the city but the country itself. Also, a nice touch is, in an ever-changing hospitality climate, the hotel still has daily housekeeping while a lot of hotels are changing to housekeeping only once during your stay. If you’re lucky, you can also catch the Northern lights from your room’s balcony during the right season.
Check out more photos and book your stay at Room With a View Hotel.
Need some ideas on where to go beyond Reykjavik?
Reykjavik may be a striking city that’s loaded with enriching creatives and a yummy culinary scene. But Iceland’s capital city is a primer, a mere tip of the iceberg when it comes to what this small yet capricious country has to offer. If you want to explore more beyond Reykjavik, we made a completely editable itinerary that takes you all around Iceland’s different regions which is the perfect inspiration for your upcoming Icelandic trip.
