Hotel Laugarbakki, Laugarbakki

Pros

• If you're looping around the country or looking to check out the lesser-frequented regions of Northwest Iceland, you'll find Hotel Laugarbakki, a convenient base just off the Ring Road.
• Rooms are modern, with central heating for those colder month visits, and with tasteful but minimalist furnishings.
• Past travelers have praised the breakfast buffet (included in the room rate) served at the on-site Bakki restaurant.
• After a day of exploring, you'll warm up to the core in one of three outdoor hot tubs.
• There's a swing set and a small basketball court for the kiddos to burn some energy and wild horses have been spotted on the property.

Cons

• Laugarbakki is quite isolated from major attractions, so it's key to plan any day trips prudently.
• Like many Icelandic properties, the exterior's industrial appearance belies the modern, cozier interiors, though the colorful roof certainly adds some character. 

Authenticity

Hotel Laugarbakki has taken up residence in a 1970s building, once a boarding school in the winter months but always a hotel when school was let out. While the exterior may still reflect its past, the interior has been modernized in a typical Icelandic minimalist aesthetic of muted colors (green and gray), wood floors, and simple furnishings. The property also resides in a geothermal area (its waters heat up houses and neighboring communities) on historical grounds, echoing tales of outlaws and historical battles, such as the Battle of Flói in 1244. 

Location

Sitting remotely, 2 minutes south of the quiet hamlet of Laugarbakki and a 3-minute drive from the Ring Road, you'll find the red-roofed hotel. It's tucked between farmland and Miðfjarðará, one of Iceland's best salmon rivers, with Hvammstangi, a larger village and gateway to the Vatnsnes peninsula, 12 minutes away (you'll find the seal center, restaurants, a wool shop, and Gallerí Bardúsa Handicraft & Museum here). Capital city, Reykjavík, and capital of the north, Akureyri, are each about 2.5 hours away in opposite directions, while sites like the Kolugjúfur gorge and Kolufossar waterfalls, Borgarvirki, and popular Hvítserkur, are 20-40 minutes away. The area is ideal for those looking to explore nature, and there are opportunities for salmon fishing, horseback riding, and seal watching nearby.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are divided into six categories from cozy Singles to more spacious Junior Suites and Family Rooms, accommodating 4-5 guests. All are newly furnished with modern, but simple furniture, featuring hardwood floors, central heating, and private bathrooms with rainfall showerheads, bathrobes, and toiletries. Large windows bring the outdoors in.

Amenities

Guests can soak in one of three outdoor hot tubs heated by natural springs, dine at Bakki for a continental breakfast (starting at 7 am), lunch, and dinner with locally sourced ingredients. The hotel also offers a northern lights wake-up call, a gym, and conference rooms for business travelers. The property is wheelchair accessible, and an outdoor playground with a basketball court and a swing set is available for the kids in the family.

Family-Friendliness

Hotel Laugarbakki is stroller-friendly, with room options like Family Rooms and Junior Suites catering to larger groups. Cots (free) and additional beds are available upon request, and the basketball court and swing set are bonuses. While the restaurant may not have an extensive menu for kids, the friendly staff can assist in finding suitable options.

Wildlife

As the surrounding countryside is home to Icelandic horses and ponies, past kimkim guests have noted them to roam the property.