Fosshotel Hellnar, Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Pros

• You'll find yourself perfectly placed to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, just a short drive from the fishing village of Arnarstapi and Snæfellsjökull National Park.
• A variety of comfortable room options are available, including those with ocean or glacier views.
• You can access the scenic point-to-point Hellnar to Arnarstapi hiking trail just steps from the hotel. 
• An on-site restaurant serves elevated Icelandic fare with ocean views.
• The helpful staff are known for their friendliness.

Cons

• The Economy and Standard rooms are quite small; the larger Superior options are recommended for longer stays.
• Guests have reported that WiFi can be weak in some rooms, with the strongest signal near the main building and lobby.
• The hotel is closed for the winter months between November and April. 

Authenticity

Fosshotel Hellnar's remarkable setting at the foot of the Snæfellsjökull glacier—famed for its role in Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth"—would be enough to recommend it, but the simple but cozy common areas and rooms make for a pleasant retreat in their own right. The hotel's traditional painted wooden buildings blend in seamlessly with their surroundings, and upon arrival, you'll be greeted with a roaring fire and ocean views from the relaxed lobby area. Seasonal Icelandic fare is served in the adjoining dining room, where you can keep an eye on the coast to spot whales and orcas.

Location

The hotel's location makes it a perfect base for exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. A 5-minute drive (or a scenic 1.6 mi/2.5 km hike) north takes you to the popular fishing village of Arnarstapi, home to the Gatklettur sea arch and a convenient selection of restaurants, shops, and tour operators. Ten minutes west and you'll enter into Snæfellsjökull National Park, where beauty spots like the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs, the Vatnshellir cave, the windswept Malarrif Lighthouse, and the black-sand Djúpalónssandur beach await. There's plentiful free parking at the hotel, as well as EV charging stations.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 39 rooms at Fosshotel Hellnar are decorated with a color palette of calming neutrals and painted woodwork to give the interiors a simple, Nordic feel. Options range from fairly spartan Economy rooms to spacious Superiors, complete with ocean views, extra sofa beds, and terraces. Bathrooms are clean and up-to-date, most with standing showers, and all rooms feature WiFi, though past guests have noticed that the best signal is found in the rooms nearest the central lobby.

Amenities

You'll find a complimentary continental buffet laid out for breakfast each morning, while for dinner, the hotel's on-site restaurant focuses on seasonal Icelandic produce and seafood. Diners are treated to exceptional ocean views from the wainscoted dining room with a fireplace, and there's a small adjacent bar for predinner cocktails or a glass of wine. 

Family-Friendliness

Fosshotel Hellnar welcomes families. Children over the age of six are charged as adults, extra cribs/cots are available at request, and there are several room configurations that can sleep larger groups comfortably (such as the Triple Room with three singles). The hotel restaurant also offers a children's menu.