Stracta Hotel, Hella

4.1 (17 reviews) · Comfort
Family-owned modern hotel with bright rooms, saunas, hot tubs, dining, and spectacular views of Icelandic nature

Overview

Family-owned Stracta Hotel, on Iceland's scenic south coast near Hella, is a large 148-room property surrounded by stunning natural wonders, including the Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla volcanoes, with easy access to Golden Circle attractions, just an hour's drive from Reykjavík. Guests can choose from five contemporary accommodation options, including rooms with shared or private bathrooms, studio or two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes, and Deluxe suites featuring private hot tubs. Amenities include a sauna, hot tubs, and a souvenir shop, alongside dining options like the Garður buffet restaurant with volcano views and the a la carte Stracta Bistro on the ground floor.

Kimkim's Take

Pros
  • You'll be conveniently situated along the Golden Circle between Reykjavík and Vík, an excellent base for attractions like Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir National Park (though all an hour drive away).
  • Rooms are bright and spacious, with some offering private hot tubs.
  • Past guests have observed the northern lights from Stracta Hotel's unique glassed wall and roof tunnel.
  • Perks of the property include two large public hot tubs and saunas, so if you don't have a room with a personal hot tub, you can still partake in a soak.
  • The hotel has two on-site dining options: Garður, a breakfast and dinner buffet restaurant with panoramic views from the second floor, and Bistro, which serves lunch and dinner.
  • The location provides easy access to a range of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking (the coast is a 20-minute drive south).
Cons
  • Typical of many Icelandic properties, Stracta Hotel's exterior isn't much to look at; it's made of corrugated metal, and some previous guests have found the property to be a bit sterile in appearance.
  • Given its size and location, you'll share common spaces with large bus tour groups.
  • Private hot tubs cannot be accessed through your room; you have to make your way outside through the hotel.

Authenticity

Stracta Hotel is a family-owned property that doesn't have much in the way of a historical background yet embraces Iceland's natural beauty, ensuring visitors can enjoy views of the surrounding nature, like Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla, for example, from common spaces that include the Garður restaurant, or the northern lights, as seen from the unique glassed wall and roofed tunnel. And while menu items are mostly international (burgers, fish and chips, beef Wellington, etc.), ingredients are primarily locally sourced, some even grown from the property's greenhouse. You will find dessert more traditional, though (Skyr cake). Rooms are simple, with plenty of blonde wood featured, channeling that Scandinavian vibe you'd expect, not to mention the property's shared hot tubs and saunas.

Location

Situated on the outskirts of Hella, Stracta Hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring Iceland's south coast attractions. It's just under a 1.5-hour drive from Reykjavík, placing you within reach of iconic sites like Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir National Park, or the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and Vík in the other direction. The hotel's setting is quiet, offering views of the Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla volcanoes and a great jumping-off point for activities like horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms offer a mix of comfort and functionality, with options ranging from Standard Rooms to Deluxe Suites with private hot tubs (though not all entirely secluded). While some rooms (Standard) may feel a bit tight, others are spacious and bright, featuring modern, though sparse, decor that gives those Scandi vibes. Studios and Two Bedroom Apartments provide kitchenettes for self-catering, making them ideal for longer stays or families—the latter accommodates up to six guests and includes a personal hot tub. Bathrooms are clean and outfitted with basic toiletries, although some guests have noted they're on the smaller side.

Amenities

One of the hotel's highlights is its outdoor garden area with shared hot tubs and saunas. On-site Bistro serves a variety of dishes, including boxed lunches, and the second-floor Garður restaurant offers views of the surrounding Icelandic landscape, including distant Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla, while you dine (breakfast and dinner buffet, or make a reservation for a three-course dinner experience). Stracta Hotel also provides wake-up calls for the northern lights, ensuring you don't miss the natural phenomenon. A fitness center, accessible rooms, and laundry services are also provided, though items may return damp.

Family-Friendliness

The hotel accommodates families with spacious room options, including Studios (sleeping 1-4 guests) and Two Bedroom Apartments (sleeping 1-6 guests) that also have cooking facilities. Complimentary cribs and infant beds are available upon request, and Bistro's menu has kid-friendly offerings, and the majority of the property is stroller-friendly.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +354 5318010
Hotel address icon Rangárflatir 4

Traveler Reviews

17 total ratings, 10 with reviews
4.1
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.1
Location
4.4
Staff
4.8
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.3
Amanda
Amanda H.
Walnut Creek, CA | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2024
This is a large hotel in a very small town. It's where buses seem to pickup and drop-off for trips away from Reykjavik. I was surprised by the size when we got there. It looks a little like a self-storage center from the outside because it's all correlated metal but our room was really nice and very large. We had our own hot tub (although it wasn't really private and we had to go out the front door and around to get to it). Very nice, though!! The hot tub was super clean and warm. The room... Read more

This is a large hotel in a very small town. It's where buses seem to pickup and drop-off for trips away from Reykjavik. I was surprised by the size when we got there.

It looks a little like a self-storage center from the outside because it's all correlated metal but our room was really nice and very large. We had our own hot tub (although it wasn't really private and we had to go out the front door and around to get to it). Very nice, though!! The hot tub was super clean and warm. The room was really clean and bright too.

The hotel also has two large public hot tubs and saunas and other facilities. The dining room is bright with lots of windows and the food was very good.

The staff was super helpful. They also do laundry overnight for you (I think it was about $20/load). That really helped us and we didn't have to waste a few hours doing it ourselves (which almost cost as much when we did it in Bergen).

My only complaint is the design just seemed a little sterile inside and out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2024
Kristin
Kristin T.
Wake Forest, NC | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2024
Lovely hotel with nice amenities, including restaurant and bar. Good breakfast with lots of options. Read more

Lovely hotel with nice amenities, including restaurant and bar. Good breakfast with lots of options.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2024
Kara
Kara D.
Madison, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 13, 2023
A charming hotel. Our rooms required us to walk outside so it felt more like a motel. Our TV wasn't working but the front desk person came immediately and fixed it. We're awaiting resolution on a room discrepancy. Read more

A charming hotel. Our rooms required us to walk outside so it felt more like a motel. Our TV wasn't working but the front desk person came immediately and fixed it. We're awaiting resolution on a room discrepancy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
A single room is quite tight. It was too small for 4 people.
Stayed in November 2023
Janice
Janice R.
Pueblo, CO | Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023
Very comfortable, staff were great & helpful, cozy & clean Read more

Very comfortable, staff were great & helpful, cozy & clean

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
L
Lisa K.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2023
The restaurant in the hotel was okay. Food took a while to arrive. Rooms were very spacious and beautiful. Read more

The restaurant in the hotel was okay. Food took a while to arrive. Rooms were very spacious and beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2023
Anthony
Anthony L.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2023
The rooms were small, and the hot tubs were very busy. The restaurant and other facilities were adequate. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Read more

The rooms were small, and the hot tubs were very busy. The restaurant and other facilities were adequate. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2023
C
Christy L.
Indian Trail, NC | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2023
Room was perfect for our family. We had 20 year old girl and 18 year old boy. There were beds for everyone. We have to eat gluten free and there was a frig and a stove there where we could make things. They do not accommodate gluten free with their breakfast, so eating in your room might be a better choice. Also, this was right in the middle of our trip. When we asked for laundry facilities they actually had us pack all our laundry in a bag and they washed our clothes overnight. It was... Read more

Room was perfect for our family. We had 20 year old girl and 18 year old boy. There were beds for everyone. We have to eat gluten free and there was a frig and a stove there where we could make things. They do not accommodate gluten free with their breakfast, so eating in your room might be a better choice. Also, this was right in the middle of our trip. When we asked for laundry facilities they actually had us pack all our laundry in a bag and they washed our clothes overnight. It was handed back to us damp and unfolded (just heads up) but it was fine. We were happy to have clean clothes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2023
T
Tom B.
Northglenn, CO | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2023
Helpful staff Read more

Helpful staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
lol
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
Amy
Amy C.
Canada | Reviewed on May 22, 2023
Cozy plesant accomidations. The food was fantastic! We learned the have a greenhouse where the chefs puck their herbs. The hot tubbs and sauna were a welcome bonus. Read more

Cozy plesant accomidations. The food was fantastic! We learned the have a greenhouse where the chefs puck their herbs. The hot tubbs and sauna were a welcome bonus.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful inside.
Location
It was easy to get to.
Staff
So helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cozy, clean, welcoming
Stayed in May 2023
Jason
Jason B.
Catalina Foothills, AZ | Reviewed on Mar 19, 2023
We enjoyed the drinks & dinner each night! The hot tub & sauna were awesome on our second night. As it was very cold & during the week, we have these two our small group. We got to see the Northern Lights one the first night & the awesome glassed wall & roof tunnel with easy access doors, made this all the more spectacular. We loved the radiator geothermal heaters & it was nice to have a refrigerator. Vlad was very helpful, responsive & accommodating of our requests. The breakfast was huge &... Read more

We enjoyed the drinks & dinner each night! The hot tub & sauna were awesome on our second night. As it was very cold & during the week, we have these two our small group. We got to see the Northern Lights one the first night & the awesome glassed wall & roof tunnel with easy access doors, made this all the more spectacular. We loved the radiator geothermal heaters & it was nice to have a refrigerator. Vlad was very helpful, responsive & accommodating of our requests. The breakfast was huge & diverse with something for everyone. Even filter coffee! We enjoyed our stay here!

Authenticity & Character
Glassed wall/roof tunnel were excellent! We enjoyed the hot tub & sauna. Easy access to Aurora Borealis which was an amazing sight to experience.
Location
We had a tour guide & this place was located nicely for our adventures along the way.
Staff
Vlad was awesome!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2023

Like what you see?

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +354 5318010
Hotel address icon Rangárflatir 4