Best for: living space and location
Kvosin Downtown Hotel has many charms. In terms of location, it’s extremely central: rubbing shoulders with the likes of City Hall, Austurvöllur park, Reykjavik Cathedral and Icelandic Parliament and tottering distance from all the most vibey bars and concert venues, must-experience restaurants, museums and shops – or just five minutes from whale- and puffin-watching tours from the port. It’s also extremely attractive, both from the outside with its 1900-built, imposing architecture (it was one of Reykjavik’s first multi-family apartment blocks – and the first to have central heating – with other past lives including a library, fur shop and soft-drinks factory), and on the inside, with its high ceilings and 24 contemporary Nordic-style rooms. Marble-topped kitchenettes and lounges allow guests to self-cater – the hotel even offers to stock the fridge ahead of your arrival – although Aldamót bar is always on hand for drinks and appetisers.
Address: Kvosin Downtown Hotel, Kirkjutorg, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Price: From approx £463 per night
Konsúlat
Best for: sauna lovers
MORE history? Of course – you can’t escape it here. This impressive hotel is set inside a former posh department store. It features an original wall from the store that runs throughout some of the rooms (shop fittings removed), and the communal areas, such as the beautiful library, have photographs of Ditlev Thomsen, the department store’s owner, and eponymous Consul.
Talking of the public spaces, they are a very elegant mid-century modern with fun pops of colour for an injection of personality, and the elegance even carries through to the small but perfectly formed gym, with chevron wood flooring and brown leather accents. Next to the gym is a small hot pool and, of course, a sauna.
The generously sized bedrooms are an echo of the public spaces, only with a more subdued palette. There are blackout curtains (very important in high summer) and spacious bathrooms with Essential Elements products. When you’re hungry, there’s a buffet breakfast, and the Wine Room, which builds its menu of bites and small dishes around an extensive wine list.
