1 Northern Lights Road, Norðurljósavegur 1, just before the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik, Iceland | (618) 248-8274
Close to Blue Lagoon, with stunning views of lava fields
Quaint rooms with geo-thermal heating, flat-screen TVs, and kettles
Nordic restaurant and self-serve, honesty bar
Free shuttle to and from the Blue Lagoon and discounted airport taxi service
Free perks inlcude hotel-wide Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking
Outdoor patio with some seating
Meeting room and a public computer
Lounge with board games
Wellness spa and fitness center
Not much to do or see in the area
Sulphur smells due to geothermal plant next door
Some complaints of bothersome noise from other rooms
The Northern Light Inn is a mid-range property that sits among fields of lava between the towns of Grindavik and Keflavik. The 42 rooms are simple and homey, but well maintained, and have light and airy decor plus flat-screen TVs and kettles. Free Wi-Fi is also provided. There’s a breakfast buffet included in the rates, an on-site Nordic restaurant, spa, and an honesty bar. This quiet, intimate retreat in the countryside attracts tourists and couples looking for easy access to the Blue Lagoon; the hotel provides a free shuttle there and back. There aren't many other hotels nearby, but the Geo Hotel Grindavik, which has on-site hot tubs, provides a good alternative.
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Scene
Modern hotel with a homey vibe, popular with vacationing couples
The Northern Light Inn has a contemporary style with a few antiques and other charming touches that make it feel homey.
Parts of the building -- such as the lobby -- feel sparse, with tiled floors and little
to no decoration beyond a few photographs of the Northern Lights. However, the vibe changes to cozy and relaxing in the lounge, which has
plush comfy couches and chairs (many of which are worn), a fireplace, and
plenty of light from floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the lava
fields. The honesty bar has a similar atmosphere with leather sofas and plaid
chairs. Max’s Restaurant, by contrast, has a more contemporary vibe, with wooden
floors, white tablecloth-covered tables with contemporary white chairs and panoramic
views from large windows. Still, it’s the small things -- such as offering a service
to wake guests up in the middle of the night to see the beautiful Northern Lights -- that makes this place truly inviting. The hotel mainly attracts tourists, mostly couples, who
stay here due to its proximity to the Blue Lagoon. Note that the hotel is right next to
a large geothermal plant, causing a sulphur smell to permeate the area.
Location
Secluded location near the Blue Lagoon and a geothermal plant
Northern Light Inn has a countryside location amid fields of lava, just off of Highway 43, near a huge geothermal plant. The hotel provides a free shuttle to and from the Blue Lagoon, a four-minute drive or a 28-minute walk, as well as discoutned taxi service to the Keflavik International Airport (a 20-minute drive). Beyond those two destinations, guests need a car to explore the area, as there are no restaurants, shopping, or attractions nearby. The town of Grindavik is a six-minute drive away. Attractions like Thingvellir or Geysir and the city of Reykjavik, can be reached within 45 minutes to an hour by car.
Rooms
Cozy rooms with kettles, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi
The guest rooms at the Northern Light Inn are cozy, modern, and individually decorated with light, bright decor, wooden floors, white linens, dated plush armchairs, and bold accent walls with floral wallpaper that varies among the rooms. All rooms have kettles, geothermal heating, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms are modern, and most have gray-and-white tiling, sinks with limited counter space, and walk-in rainfall showers with half-glass doors. Hairdryers are provided, but toiletries are limited to soap dispensers by the sinks and in the showers. Guests staying in newer Deluxe Rooms, added after our visit, receive perks like complimentary L'Occitaine toiletries and free admission to the wellness center, and two of these rooms are accessible. All rooms have views of lava fields and some have views of the geothermal plant. Be aware that there have been some complaints about bothersome noise from early risers heading to the airport.
Features
Free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking, plus restaurant, honesty bar, outdoor patio, and meeting room
For a small mid-range property, this hotel has a nice number of features. The Northern Lights Wellness Spa, added after our visit, provides a fitness center (free for all guests), three different saunas, and several relaxation areas (including a unique tranquility room). There is a free breakfast buffet that sometimes has homemade biscuits or waffles, and it opens early for guests with morning flights. The on-site Max’s Restaurant serves Nordic cuisine at lunch and dinner, plus afternoon coffee and cakes. There’s a small honesty bar with some leather chairs and couches. The outdoor patio has a few tables and chairs, though not many. A meeting room can be rented. The lobby also has a public computer. There’s a lounge with comfy sofas near a fireplace plus tables and chairs, and there are board games and a few books for guests to borrow. Coffee and tea are served in the lobby all day, and both Wi-Fi and parking are free.
