Berjaya Hotel Mývatn, Lake Mývatn

Pros

• The hotel has a prime location near the shores of Lake Mývatn, just a short drive from natural attractions like the Mývatn Nature Baths and Dimmuborgir.
• Rooms are compact but inviting, with cool Scandi-style design features accented by cheerful pinks, teals, and yellows.
• You'll find two outdoor hot tubs on the terrace, where you can soak with views of the Mývatn landscape or the night sky.
• Modern Icelandic cuisine is served in the on-site Mylla restaurant, and there's a cute neighboring tavern for casual pub-style fare.
• You can sign up for a northern lights wake-up call service to make sure you don't miss any aurora appearances during the night. 

Cons

• The most basic rooms are on the small side; if space is a priority, upgrade to the larger King Superior options for scenic views and more square footage.
• Make sure to ask about the northern lights wake-up call service, as it's not always advertised. 

Authenticity

Berjaya Hotel Mývatn opened in 2019, built atop the site of one of the region's original hotels. Random items salvaged from its precursor, the humble Hótel Reynihlíð, were used in the redesign to add quirky character to interiors conceptualized by the Swedish visual artist Michael Johansson. Think vintage black-and-white photos of the area alongside bold abstract art, and textures like distressed concrete and reclaimed timber offset by cheery tiled floors and funky mid-century furniture. The adjoining restaurant serves modern Icelandic dishes with an emphasis on regional flavors, and the cozy bar is an inviting spot to settle in by the fireplace while you wait for the northern lights to put in an appearance. 

Location

Located directly on Lake Mývatn (the shore is just a short stroll away), the hotel sits just to the north of the tiny village of Reykjahlíð. You'll be perfectly placed for exploring the natural wonders of the area; it's a 5-minute drive to the Mývatn Nature Baths and 10 minutes to lava fields and caves of Dimmuborgir. You can also hike to the Hverfjall crater in about 1.5 hours or drive there in 10 minutes. As part of the Diamond Circle route, you'll have easy access to popular destinations like the Goðafoss waterfall and the town of Húsavík, both about 40 minutes away. There's free parking on-site, as well as an EV charging station. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 59 rooms continue the cool, boutique aesthetic, with minimalist Scandi features like cool grey walls and pale wood panels and floors splashed with bold pops of saturated pinks, teals, and yellows. The standard Queen and Twin options can feel on the small side; upgrade to the King Superior rooms for more space and better views, or nab the King Junior Suite to add a separate living area and a deep bathtub. Bathrooms are sleek and modern with  playful geometric tile floors, glass-enclosed rain-style showers, and eco-friendly toiletry dispensers. 

Amenities

You'll find several welcoming seating areas off the lobby, as well as the Mylla restaurant, which serves modern Icelandic cuisine throughout the day (including an optional breakfast buffet). There's also a cozy bar area with a roaring fireplace, and just next door, the small Gamli Bærinn serves simple, pub-style meals in retro tavern-like setting. Outside, a sheltered patio area hosts two hot tubs, perfect for northern lights watching and warming up after a day exploring. The hotel also provides a thoughtful northern lights wake-up call service, which you can sign up for ahead of time. 

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at Berjaya Hotel Mývatn. Family rooms feature an extra sofa bed that sleeps two kids comfortably, and you'll find a kid-friendly offerings in the on-site restaurant, as well as a selection of puzzles and board games to borrow.