Hotel Vík í Mýrdal, Vík

Pros

• You'll be surrounded by spectacular natural landscapes, with the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier nearby, accessed via the nearby Ring Road.
• It's only a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the black sand beaches of the South Coast.
• Contemporary rooms offer views of the ocean, distant sea stacks, or sandstone hills of the Reynisfjall range.
• You don't have to go far to enjoy an Icelandic dinner made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients at on-site Berg Restaurant.
• Outside of May and June (when the birds nest), you can see resident puffins on nearby Dyrhólaey or even from the Reynisfjara beach.

Cons

• Not all views are equal, Standard Room options on the ground floor, for example, have limited views. And even rooms looking out to the basalt sea stacks have to also look out over the parking lot and other Vík buildings.
• The hotel, particularly bathrooms, may seem a bit dated compared to newer properties.

Authenticity

Hótel Vík í Mýrdal, established in 1994, captures the essence of Icelandic design with its nature-inspired decor and color palette and architecture. Its contemporary style designed by Icelandic architect Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir, incorporates concrete, basalt, wood, and glass elements inspired by the property's natural surroundings. Rooms follow the Nordic aesthetic, with plenty of wood features, gray and moss green textiles, and minimalist furniture, as well as house natural and organic skincare products made from local wild herbs; a nice touch.

Location

Nestled in picturesque Vík in front of the sandstone hills of the Reynisfjall mountain range and just north of the Ring Road (Route 1), you'll have easy access to neighboring landmarks and natural wonders, including the ocean and black-sand beaches, a 10-minute walk away. Reynisdrangar and the basalt cliffs of the Hálsanefshellir cave are a 14-minute drive, while the Dyrhólaey peninsula is 20 and the Myrdalsjokull glacier is about 30. It's a 2-minute drive to the town center with a couple of restaurants and a museum, or a 10-minute walk to a pizzeria, brewery, and grocery store.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are contemporary, over half of which have been designed by notable Icelandic architect, Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir, incorporating elements that reflect the hotel's natural surroundings, and many of which boast wall-to-wall windows. They come in six various configurations, including Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Triple, and two types of Family options, all offering blackout curtains and Nespresso coffee (excluding Standard options). Bathrooms are spacious, offering walk-in tiled showers and Icelandic-made natural skincare products. Those that have sensitive allergies can ask for feather-free pillows and duvets. 

Amenities

Enjoy a first-rate dinner experience at in-house Berg Restaurant, with creative Icelandic fusion dishes that incorporate fresh, local ingredients, like Icelandic scallops, Arctic char, and lamb, as well as vegetarian options (butternut squash steak!). Start the day with a workout in the modest fitness room and end it with a drink from the bar by the lobby's fireplace (happy hour runs from 4 pm to 6 pm). 

Family-Friendliness

Hótel Vík í Mýrdal offers two types of bi-level accommodation options geared toward families: Standard Family and Family (larger by 86 sq ft/8 sq m) . Both are outfitted with a double bed on the lower floor and two twin beds in the sleeping loft, and a separate TV area. Families of three can book the Superior room and request either a crib or a rollaway bed.