In a city where rooms are small & expensive, we point you to the 10 best options for families.
Iceland. Whether it’s because of the free stopover offered by Icelandair, the desire to ride an Icelandic horse or the need to see with your own eyes where Game of Thrones White Walkers plodded across the countryside “north of the Wall,” Iceland continues to draw families to its awe-inspiring shores. And while there are certainly more hotel options on this island nation than a decade ago, you’ll soon discover two things: 1) like the rest of Europe, finding a single room that will accommodate a family of four or more is a challenge, and 2) lodging in Iceland – even in family-friendly youth hostels – isn’t cheap!
KidTripster Tip: Rooms – especially those that fit a family – book very quickly. You’ll want to reserve at least six months in advance.
After an extensive amount of research and visiting myself, I’ll go on the record as saying that I believe a family’s most cost effective option is to rent an apartment or house via a website like Airbnb – or do something more unique like a farm stay outside of Reykjavík. However, if for some reason that isn’t possible, I’ve compiled a list of hotels in Reykjavík that offer the best accommodations for families. The sample prices that I’m listing are for the start of high season (summer).
Why Reykjavík? While I strongly suggest you spend the bulk of your time in Iceland outside of the capital city, you’ll likely be here for a day or two at the beginning or end of your journey.
Note: We tacked a free stopover in Iceland onto a trip to Ireland. We booked the tickets on Icelandair through a KidTripster partner called AirTreks. Each ticket was $450 cheaper than booking directly through the airline! If you book through this link, KidTripster gets some coffee money from AirTreks at no additional cost to you. Thanks in advance for your support!
1. Reykjavík Loft HI Hostel
Bankastræti 7
Well-located just a 10-minute walk from iconic Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavík Loft Hostel is part of the Hostelling International network. This hostel draws a young, lively, backpacker crowd, but families still are welcome. It offers a private room for four with two bunkbeds and en suite bathroom. I’d say that it’s most ideal for families with older teens. The hostel is home to a cafe, game room, and bar which often hosts live music. Yes, noise can be an issue, but for the price, you may be willing to put up with it.
The high season rate starts around $264/night. If you expected a hostel to be considerable cheaper, welcome to Reykjavík!
2. Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Natura
Nauthólsvegur 52
Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Natura is a clean, modern hotel that offers simple and spacious rooms for families. The King Deluxe Room has a double bed plus a sofa banquette that can sleep two small children. The biggest downside is its location which is a bit outside of central Reykjavík; however it’s still only a 20-minute walk to Hallgrimskirkja. It’s just a 5-minute walk to Perlan – Wonders of Iceland, a museum which makes for a good first stop in Reykjavík.
The high season rate starts around $267/night.
KidTripster Tip: If you look at this hotel on Google Maps, don’t be confused. It sits near Reykjavík Airport, but this is not the airport that you’ll be flying in and out of – that’s Keflavík International Airport, which is a very inconvenient 45-minute drive from downtown.
3. Fosshotel Reykjavík
Þórunnartún 1
Sleek and stylish, the 16-story Fosshotel Reykjavík is just a 10-minute walk from Hallgrimskirkja. Here you can book the designated Family Room that accommodates four people with a double bed and sofa bed. The hotel has excellent customer service, and if you ask nicely, they’ll put you in a north-facing room with a superb sea view.
The high season rate starts around $275/night.
KidTripster Tip: Look online for special deals.
4. Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Marina
Mýrargata 2
Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Marina embodies modern Icelandic design. Fun, funky, and colorful, you’ll find this hotel incredibly welcoming to families. While it’s a good 20-minute walk to Hallgrimskirkja, I like the vibe of the wharf area of town. The waterfront hotel is an especially good choice for larger families. Brilliantly designed, Studio 6 accommodates four adults and two children with a king-sized bunkbed plus a sofa bed. A warning about the bunk beds: they are really high off the ground. The adults may want to sleep up top and the kids down below. You can also opt for the lovely Adalbjorg Suite which is a two-floor townhouse with two double beds.
The high season rate for Studio 6 starts around $346/night. The high season rate for Adalbjorg Suite starts around $816/night.
5. Hotel Klettur
Mjoelnisholti 12-14
If you’re looking for a basic, clean hotel without the frills, consider to Hotel Klettur. A 15-minute walk from Hallgrimskirkja, it offers large Family Rooms equipped with a double bed or two twins along with a sleeper sofa. An extra bed can be added to accommodate a family of five. The stay includes a breakfast buffet.
The high season rate starts around $376/night.
We’re not done yet, five more great hotel options are still ahead. Please keep reading.
