Fosshótel Reykholt, Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Pros

• The hotel sits in the small village of  Reykholt, an area rich in history and surrounded by dramatic West Iceland landscapes.
• You'll find an inviting bar area with leather sofas, artistic light installations, and a fireplace.
• Rooms are spacious and bright, featuring minimalist Scandi decor, large windows, and pale wood floors.
• The spa facilities include outdoor hot and cold tubs, a sauna, and a steam bath.
• You can enjoy a modern take on classic Icelandic flavors at the on-site restaurant, which sources its ingredients from local suppliers.

Cons

• Access to the spa facilities requires an additional entrance fee, which gives you full access to the gym, sauna, and outdoor hot tubs.

Authenticity

Fosshotel Reykholt doesn't look like much from the outside, with an austere concrete facade that typifies the standard Iceland roadside hotel. Step inside the lobby though, and you'll find warm, contemporary interiors decked out with leather sofas under artistic light installations. This is one of the country's 18 Íslandshótel properties, known for their contemporary, boutique-style stays and sustainable credentials. The main draw here is the setting; the village of Reykholt is steeped in ancient lore (most famous as the home of legendary medieval writer and historian Snorri Sturluson) and surrounded by sweeping West Iceland vistas that you can enjoy from the hotel's outdoor wooden hot tubs.

Location

Situated in the historic village of Reykholt in Borgarfjörður, the hotel makes a convenient stop along the famed Golden Circle route. Reykjavík and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula are both about a 1.5-hour drive away, and nearby attractions include the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls and Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring. The village itself is a sleepy place, but the surroundings are rich in historical and natural sites; you can stroll to both a tiny 19th-century church and the nearby Snorrastofa museum, devoted to the legendary 12th-century Icelandic writer.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 80+ rooms are modern and bright, with a stripped-down Scandi aesthetic that includes light wood floors, large windows, and fluffy individual duvets. Most room types are surprisingly spacious, particularly the Superior options, and there are plenty of configurations for larger groups, from extra sofa beds to adjoining family rooms. Bathrooms are simple and up-to-date with rainfall showers, and some include bathtubs. Suites offer plentiful space to spread out, plus a living room area with a sofa bed, a large bathtub with a picture window, and a private outdoor terrace with a hot tub. 

Amenities

The hotel's small but attractive ground-floor spa facilities include outdoor hot and cold tubs, a sauna, a steam bath, and a relaxation room complete with hanging basket chairs and plush sofas surrounding a cozy statement fire feature. Upstairs, the on-site restaurant serves modern Icelandic cuisine (with an emphasis on local flavors and organic produce) in a bright, modern space with large windows. You'll find an optional breakfast buffet here each morning, and there's an inviting bar area off the lobby where you can grab a drink and a board game to enjoy around the fireplace.

Family-Friendliness

Fosshotel Reykholt welcomes families. Children over six are charged as adults, and the plentiful room options, including the Family adjoining rooms with bunk beds, are a great fit for larger groups. The on-site restaurant offers a kids' menu and the breakfast buffet features plenty of kid-friendly items.