Iceland Accommodations – Information + 12 Suggestions and Reviews

Wondering where to stay in Iceland?  Check out the following information about the various options you could enjoy. And after that I introduce 12 Iceland Accommodations I have experienced and that you could consider. 

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Where to stay in Iceland

Here is a reminder of my map of the different regions in Iceland with the main towns. 
For each region you visit you can opt to stay in one of the towns where you will find restaurants and shops or you can opt for farms and guesthouses out in Nature to wake up to beautiful views and feel closer with the Earth. 
The main Iceland Accommodation hubs are

• Reykjavik, Keflavik (near the airport) and Selfoss in the South West - check accommodations in the region
• Vik and Höfn on the South Coast - check accommodations in the region
• Egilstadir for the East Fjords - check accommodations in the region
• Lake Myvatn and Akureyri for North Iceland - check accommodations in the region
• Isafjordur for the West fjords - check accommodations in the region
• Grundarfordur for the Snaefellsnes peninsula - check accommodations in the region

If you want a bit more guidance and specific ideas of places to stay, I will present accommodation options for several of these regions further in the article.

Accommodations Options

Iceland Hotels, B&Bs and Guesthouses

• Hotels are like everywhere else... a classic option for Iceland accommodation.
• B&Bs and Guesthouses are a great way to stay in Iceland. Set up in private homes, they offer personalized service and great exchanges with locals
• I personally use Booking for all my accommodations when traveling. I find a huge choice, great rates, useful reviews and great reactivity on the rare occasions I had issues - Check out accommodations on Booking

Icelandic Farm Holidays

• Farm holidays are similar to B&Bs but in Farmhouses often off the beaten track.
• I allows you to connect more with the culture and traditions of Iceland

Rentals in Iceland

• If you want a place were you can feel at home, cook and have a base for your travels, renting is a great option
• Airbnb which has more than 300 rooms and houses listed in Iceland. 

Camping in Iceland

• Iceland has many campsites around the country offering you cheaper accommodation (over 170) - if you stay quite a while, consider the Camping Card giving you access to a network of campsites.
• Since 2013, the law has changed and conditions to wild camp are complicated. You must understand ownership of lands. Better to use campsites.
• If you are interested in Camping, check out the advices by BeMyTravelMuse about Camping the Iceland Ring Road or Aga's Iceland on the budget Guide

And before booking your trip, you might consider reading my article about the best time to go to Iceland depending on what you want to see and experience.

NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS

• I paid for all my Iceland accommodations entirely. 
• Opinions are my own. Reviews are based on my stay in September 2014
• Some photos are not my own as I strangely did not take many pictures of my Iceland Accommodations but I selected photos I found representative of my stay.
• Booking.com is what I use myself for booking. 

Reykjavik Accommodations

Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland. This is where you find the highest number of Iceland accommodations from luxury hotels to small guesthouses. You can stay one night or stay your whole trip and do day tours from there.

OPTION 1 - Reykjavik Accommodation Suggestion:

If you want to stay centrally located, discover the Reykjavik Treasure B&B. I had only one night there but wish I had stayed more. It was very welcoming, with charm and a great location. 

OPTION 2 - Reykjavik Accommodation Suggestion:

Another option I experienced in Reykjavik is the hotel of Reykjavik Lights. Great facilities, the location is more for those ready to hit the road.

Other great accommodation options in Reykjavik

• HOSTEL - The Reykjavik City Hostel has a good rating inside Reykjavik

• CHEAPER - the other option is to stay slightly outside, for example in the Farm Akurhot Guesthouse - Check for availabity and price
• DESIGN - If you like modern design, have a look at the 41- Townhouse hotel!
• APARTMENT - An apartment if you want to stay several days and cook. For example check Availability and prices for Odinsvé Hotel Apartments
• FAMILY - Have a look at the Old Charm Reykavik Apartments. They have 2 and 3 bedrooms apartments and a decor with a lot of character. Check availability and latest prices.
• LUXURY - Head downtown in large smart apartments at the Black Pearl - Check availability an Prices 
• LUXURY - or get slightly out of the tourist way at Embassy House, a full house superbly decorated that can host up to 10 people - Check Availability and price
• or the Choose among the Best Rated Accommodations in Reykjavik

Golden Circle Accommodation

The Golden Circle Iceland is a great road North of Reykjavik, which includes some of the top attractions in Iceland such as the  Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the Haukadalur geothermal area with geysers.

Golden Circle Accommodation Suggestion:

I had a really great stay at the Geysir Cottages (part of Hotel Geysir). The location was perfect to go check out the eruption of the Strokkur geyser when no big tourist busses were around.

Other options

For options, check out the
Best Rated accommodations on the Golden Circle across all budgets

Vik Accommodations

Option 1 - In Vik town

As you drive on the Ring Road around Iceland, Vik is one of the bigger town on the South Coast. Famous fro its black sand beaches, cliffs and lupin in June, this is a great place to stay 

A first option right in Vik is Hotel Edda Vik with a modern section and old huts.

Option 2 - Further from the town

If you want to stay close to Vik but more into nature the Hotel Katla Hofdabrekka is a great choice. I really enjoyed walking around in the morning following the river. There were some great reflections.

Other options

For options, check out the
Best Rated accommodations in Vik across all budgets

Jokulsarlon Accommodations

As you continue along the Ring Road on the South Coast of Iceland, the next big town is Hofn. Highlights of the area include the Jokulsarlon lagoon and Verstrahorn.

Jokulsarlon Accommodation Suggestion:

Between Jokulsarlon and Hofn, I stayed at Hotel Smyrlabjörg.

Other options

If you want to stay even closer to Jokulsarlon to get there at night if the aurora activity is high, the closest accommodations on Booking.com with great ratings are Hali Country Hotel and Skyrhusid Guesthouse. The drive to the lagoon is only 10 minutes.

Snaefellsnes Accommodations

The Snaefellsnes peninsula is often considered a mini Iceland with fjords, glacier, lava fields and craters to admire. Its main attraction is the mountain of Kirkjufell and its waterfall.

OPTION 1 - Hotel

With my photography group with stayed at Framnes in Grundarfjörður. The location was great not far from the famous Kirkjufellsfoss allowing us to get there at sunset and sunrise. In the morning we were even greater by a beautiful rainbow over Kirkjufell.

Option 2 - Guesthouse

When I went back to the Snaefellsnes peninsula on my own I opted for the cheaper accommodation of The Old Post Office Guesthouse with shared bathroom.

Other options

For other options, check out the
Best Rated accommodations in Grundarfjordur for all budgets

Godafoss Accommodation

Godafoss is a beautiful horseshoe shape waterfall in North Iceland, just 30 min drive from Akureyri. There is not much around but a petrol station and a Guesthouse which also has a small campsite.

Godafoss Accommodation Suggestion:

I wanted to photograph Godafoss at sunset, so I decided to book one night at the Fossholl Guesthouse before heading to Myvatn.

Myvatn Accommodation

Myvatn is one of my favorite areas in Iceland - craters, lakes, huge lava formations, geothermal areas, fuming lava fields... There are many accommodations around the lake. This Guesthouse is very close to the famous area of Dimmuborgir.

Myvatn Accommodation Suggestion:

I selected the Dimmuborgir Guesthouse for its good rating and great location. I was not disappointed. The surroundings are amazing with lava rocks, lake and Hverfjall behind. And the view for the breakfast area mesmerizing. One of my favorite iceland accommodations.

Other options

For options, check out the
Best Rated accommodations around lake Myvatn across all budgets

Keflavik Accommodation

Keflavik is where the international airport is located. 

Keflavik Accommodation Suggestion:

Considering I had an early flight I stayed at the Nupan Deux Keflavik for a short commute to the airport.

Other options

For options, check out the
Best Rated accommodations in Keflavik across all budgets

Thorsmork Accommodation

For the more adventurous, you can hike or take a 4WD to the Thorsmork area, the Iceland Hiking hub with volcanic and greener scenery.

Thorsmork Accommodation Suggestion:

There is not much choice out there in the wild... I stayed in one of the Volcano Huts. As it is very isolated it is a great place to seen the northern lights when the conditions are good.

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