Exceptional design hotels · Capital Region · Iceland
We reviewed 38 design-forward hotels in Reykjavik and selected the 38 that define the city's unique aesthetic.
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City-center comfort
Reykjavik
A central Reykjavik hotel with a welcoming bar, helpful staff, and easy access to the harbor and tours.
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Central & well-rated
Reykjavik
A central Reykjavik hotel with a highly rated location, a great breakfast buffet, and helpful staff — a 15-minute walk to Laugavegur.
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Wellness & convenience
Reykjavik
A reliable 4-star base with a standout breakfast, free parking, and a wellness centre, just a short ride from central Reykjavik.
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City-Centre Classic
Reykjavik
A classic art-deco stay on Reykjavik's main square, with a spa, fitness centre and an unbeatable location.
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Central & Stylish
Reykjavik
A stylish 4-star in Reykjavik 101 with harbour views and a breakfast that guests rave about.
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Central & Comfy
Reykjavik
In the heart of Reykjavik, steps from the old town's bars and restaurants, with a breakfast that earns high marks from guests.
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Spa & city center
Reykjavik
A central Reykjavik hotel with a spa, hot tub, and restaurant, just steps from the main shopping street.
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Central Choice
Reykjavik
A central Reykjavik hotel with a solid breakfast and parking, right on the main shopping street.
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Central & cozy
Reykjavik
A 4-star stay on Laugavegur with a rooftop hot tub and breakfast that guests return for.
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Central with parking
Reykjavik
Solid 3-star stay with free parking, a praised breakfast, and a central Reykjavik address.
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Central & Practical
Reykjavik
A dependable 3-star base a short walk from Laugavegur, with a tour desk and quiet rooms.
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Breakfast favorite
Reykjavik
Guests rave about the breakfast buffet and the mountain views at this 3-star hotel, set a 25-minute walk from Hallgrimskirkja.
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Central Reykjavik design stay
Reykjavik
Design-led rooms in central Reykjavik, close to the main shopping street and a short walk from Old Iceland.
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Harbor views
Reykjavik
Harbor-side hotel with a spa and a breakfast buffet that guests rave about, a short walk from Reykjavik's main shopping street.
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Central & Modern
Reykjavik
A stylish base in Reykjavik with a top-rated location, modern rooms, and breakfast that earns consistent praise.
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Central & Stylish
Reykjavik
Walkable to the harbour and city sights, with a standout breakfast and friendly service.
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Spa retreat
Reykjavik
A well-priced spa hotel with a standout breakfast, friendly staff, and a location that puts you minutes from Laugardalur and the botanical garden.
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Spa & nature
Reykjavik
A well-rated hotel near nature, with a spa, indoor pool, and a breakfast that guests praise.
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Central & Historic
Reykjavik
A central Reykjavik stay with a standout breakfast and a basement longhouse museum — great for walkers and history buffs.
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Central & Friendly
Reykjavik
A well-located Reykjavik base with a standout breakfast and staff who go out of their way to help.
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Central design stay
Reykjavik
A designer hotel on Laugavegur with a breakfast guests rave about, steps from Hallgrimskirkja.
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Harbor-side and stylish
Reykjavik
A harbor-front hotel with quirky design, sea views, and a buzzing bar – ideal for walkers and nightlife lovers.
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Central Boutique
Reykjavik
A short stroll from Hallgrimskirkja, this 50-room boutique hotel pairs a central location with soundproofed rooms and a bar-lounge area.
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Central & Well-Rated
Reykjavik
Central Reykjavik stay with high location score and praised breakfast.
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Central & practical
Reykjavik
Centrally located 3-star with a 9/10 location rating and easy access to Reykjavik's main street.
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Design-led central stay
Reykjavik
A stylish, central Reykjavik hotel with a loyal following for its design, breakfast, and staff.
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Art hotel
Reykjavik
Art-filled stays in central Reykjavik with a celebrated restaurant and free parking.
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Central & comfortable
Reykjavik
In the heart of Reykjavik's shopping street, with helpful staff and a good breakfast.
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Central & Boutique
Reykjavik
Perfectly placed in Reykjavik 101, this boutique hotel wins on location and attentive staff.
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Central & Apartment-Style
Reykjavik
Apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes in the heart of Reykjavik 101, steps from Harpa Concert Hall.
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Good value
Reykjavik
A clean, welcoming hotel with a central-yet-quiet location and staff that go out of their way to help.
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Great value
Reykjavik
A clean, modern stay with free parking and friendly staff, minutes from Kringlan Mall.
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Central & Contemporary
Reykjavik
Modern, well-rated hotel steps from Reykjavik's main streets, with comfortable beds and breakfast favorites.
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Central & simple
Reykjavik
Steps from Hallgrimskirkja and a short walk to Laugavegur, this smoke-free 3-star offers clean rooms and a helpful front desk.
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9.2 Guest Rating
Reykjavik
A well-rated Reykjavik hotel with ocean views, in-room breakfast, and massage services, a 10-minute walk from Klambratun Park.
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Homey & central
Reykjavik
An easygoing Reykjavik base with homemade cakes each afternoon, free Wi-Fi and on-site parking.
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Small & Personal
Reykjavik
A quiet, personal 9-room hotel on Laugavegur with spotless rooms and genuinely helpful owners.
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Central & self-catering
Reykjavik
Self-catering studios on Reykjavik's main shopping street, steps from Hallgrimskirkja.
Map & live prices by our partner
Reykjavik's design hotels are spread across its compact center and a few notable neighborhoods. The busiest cluster hugs Laugavegur, the main shopping street, with properties like Alda Hotel and Sand Hotel offering immediate access to boutiques and bars. The old harbor area is home to stylish converts like Reykjavik Marina and Center Hotels Arnarhvoll, which trade central bustle for sea views. North of the center, Reykjavik Lights and Hotel Island offer a quieter base near the Laugardalur valley, often at more accessible prices. Choosing is less about which area has hotels and more about whether you want to step out into the action or retreat from it.
If soaking under the northern sky is on your list, Alda Hotel Reykjavik offers a rooftop hot tub, a rarity in the city center. Another popular choice is Hotel Borg, though its wellness is indoors; for an outdoor soak with a view, the Sky Lagoon is a short drive away. Keep in mind that rooftop hot tubs are more common than rooftop pools, and these are the standouts for that experience.
Several design properties sit within easy walking distance of Hallgrimskirkja, the iconic church at the top of Skólavörðustígur. Sand Hotel is just steps away, while Reykjavik Lights is a 25-minute stroll downhill. Hotel Odinsve, a small boutique, is a 5-minute walk. These give you a central base with the city's most famous landmark and the surrounding art galleries on your doorstep.
Laugavegur is the heart of Reykjavik's shopping and dining scene, and several design hotels are essentially on it. Alda Hotel and Sand Hotel both have direct frontage on the street, while Midgardur By Center Hotels is just steps away. These options mean you can wander out in the morning and be among the city's cafes and boutiques immediately, with the harbor a short walk in the other direction.
Design and budget aren't mutually exclusive in Reykjavik. At the lower end, Hotel Fron offers a 3-star stay on Laugavegur from around 20,539 ISK, and Fosshotel Rauthara is a central budget pick from 10,946 ISK. If you're willing to look slightly outside the very center, Reykjavik Marina and Hotel Odinsve both offer unique design at surprisingly low entry prices (from 15,866 ISK and 13,037 ISK respectively). For the most typical price point of around 31,116 ISK, you can often find a well-located place like Fosshotel Reykjavik.
Breakfast is a key part of the stay for many guests, and these hotels tend to excel at it. Exeter Hotel and Canopy By Hilton both feature breakfasts that guests consistently rave about, while Sand Hotel, Alda Hotel, and Reykjavik Lights are also frequent shout-outs. For a classic spread with a view, Center Hotels Arnarhvoll doesn't disappoint. Prices for rooms with breakfast vary, but it's a feature worth prioritizing when choosing between similar properties.
The old harbor area is a hub for whale watching, puffin tours, and the Harpa concert hall. Reykjavik Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels is right on the waterfront, offering quirky design and sea views. Center Hotels Arnarhvoll also overlooks the harbor, with a spa and easy access to the city's main shopping street. For a more intimate base, Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel is a short walk from the water and the tour operators.
Our top-rated design hotels, based on guest reviews, are Canopy By Hilton with a score of 8.9, and Exeter Hotel and Hotel Reykjavik Centrum both at 8.8. These three stand out for a combination of style, location, and service. While Alda Hotel and Reykjavik Marina score slightly lower at 8.7 and 8.6, they offer some of the most unique design concepts in the city. For a highly rated option that doesn't break the bank, Fosshotel Reykjavik (8.6) and Midgardur By Center Hotels (8.6) are also strong contenders.
For a more intimate stay, Hotel Odinsve is a true boutique with 50 rooms, a bar-lounge, and a central location near Hallgrimskirkja. Exeter Hotel offers a stylish, and slightly larger, boutique feel in the 101 area with harbor views. For an art-filled experience, Hotel Holt - The Art Hotel is a classic choice, boasting a celebrated restaurant and a private collection of Icelandic art.
The majority of Reykjavik's design-focused hotels fall into the 4-star category, with 23 of the properties on this page. These range from the modern amenities and wellness centers of Hilton Reykjavik Nordica and Reykjavik Natura to the central, stylish comfort of Exeter Hotel and Canopy By Hilton. Expect a high standard of comfort, often including spa facilities or standout breakfasts, and prices that reflect their central positions and amenities.
For a first visit, stay in the city center (Reykjavik 101). This is where you'll find Laugavegur, Hallgrimskirkja, the harbor, and most of the design hotels. You'll never need a car, and you can walk everywhere. Consider the harbor area if you plan on doing tours from the old harbor.
Based on the hotels on this page, a typical price is around 31,116 ISK per night. However, you can find budget design stays from as low as 7,502 ISK, and premium options can exceed 148,000 ISK. Prices are generally higher during the summer and around the holidays.
Keflavik Airport is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. The easiest way to reach the central hotels is the Flybus, which drops you at the BSÍ bus terminal, a short walk or taxi from many properties. Several hotels also offer shuttle services or are on the airport bus route.
Given the limited number of hotel rooms in Reykjavik and the city's popularity, booking several months in advance is wise, especially for the summer (June-August) and during the Christmas season. For the best selection and prices, book 3-6 months ahead for peak season.
Reykjavik's design hotels are as much about atmosphere as they are about a bed for the night. You'll find them clustered around the old city center, from the art-deco elegance of Austurvöllur square to the harborside warehouses turned boutique hotels along the old marina. These properties often blend Icelandic materials—lava stone, timber, and wool—with a distinctly Nordic sense of minimalism and light, offering more than just a place to sleep.
The price spectrum is wide, from budget-conscious stays starting at around 7,502 ISK to premium design experiences exceeding 148,000 ISK. However, the most typical price lands near 31,116 ISK, which in Reykjavik secures a stylish, centrally located base. Whether you prioritize a rooftop hot tub, an art collection, or a waterfront view, the common thread is a considered aesthetic that reflects Iceland's capital.
This collection of design-forward hotels is perfect for travelers who appreciate thoughtful interiors, unique aesthetics, and a strong sense of place. It suits couples, solo travelers, and anyone who wants their accommodation to be more than just a place to crash – a part of the Icelandic experience itself. If your priority is the lowest possible price regardless of style, you might be better served by our budget hotel list. For travelers who simply want a central, no-frills base or are looking for a family-friendly setup with more predictable amenities, our general Reykjavik hotel guides might offer more suitable options.