CenterHotel Thingholt

Designed by an Icelandic architect, the CenterHotel Thingholt's interiors are filled with leather, polished stone, rough concrete, and slick lighting inspired by the deep caves, lava flows, and waterfalls of Iceland's landscape. From the entrance, a flight of stairs leads down to the lobby along a black lava wall decorated with black glass face masks -- it's an eye-catching statement that adds an artful touch to the hotel's Nordic-inspired look. The stone tiles near the front desk give way to leather floor tiles throughout the rest of the lobby, with black leather couches around rich wood tables, accented by cow hide and salmon leather. The on-site restaurant, Isafold, gets rave reviews, though mostly attracts tourists -- it's a sleek space a that blends well with the hotel's overall aesthetic. The hip design of these trendy interiors attracts young couples and leisure tourists, though rates can be higher than other hotels in the area.

CenterHotel Thingholt is located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, around the corner from the city's major shopping thoroughfare, Laugavegur Street. Guests can walk to plenty of downtown sights from the hotel, along with trendy cafes and bars. The Hallgrimskirkja church is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, the National Museum of Iceland is 14 minutes away, and the famous Sun Voyager Sculpture on the waterfront is 18 minutes away on foot. The Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall takes eight minutes to reach on foot -- it's a stunning building with harbor views that puts on live events throughout the year. Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon is a 45-minute drive outside of Reykjavik, while Landmannalaugar's highlands are nearly four hours away by road. Keflavik International Airport is a 45-minute drive from the hotel.

Chic industrial decor with concrete walls and minimalist furniture dominates the hotel's 52 rooms and suites. Like the common areas, they're designed to reflect the nature of Iceland, with a gray-and-black color scheme accented by deep blues and hints of natural wood. Leather floor tiles and cowhide chairs lend organic flair to the look. Some guests have complained of a lack of pragmatic lighting, with a reliance on accent and mood lights that may not appeal to guests using the small desks for work. But depending on the season, the windows let in plenty of sunlight, and the decor is sexy. Contemporary bathrooms have large and luxurious walk-in rainfall showers and sharp modern hardware, with an abundance of glazed concrete and wood. Deluxe Rooms add either sitting areas with white leather sofas or bedside soaking tubs, while Junior Suites have both. There are also large bi-level Loft Suites. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles for tea or coffee, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms at the front of the hotel may pick up a bit of street noise. 

With a design concept that evokes an Icelandic cave, the hotel's spa has a dark central room with a large hot tub made to look like its been chiseled from stone, where guests can have shoulder massages while they soak. The spa also has a sauna, rainfall shower, and a couple of treatment rooms. There is a fee for entry (the one-time fee for guests covers their entire stay), but the small fitness room with limited cardio and free weights is available free of charge. The fine-dining Isafold restaurant serves seasonal, local cuisine with a bar that has a nice selection of whisky, beer, and wine. A breakfast buffet is included in the rates; it features continental and hot options plus a waffle station. Business travelers are catered to with meeting facilities, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. Airport transfers are available and the hotel can assist with booking tours and excursions -- the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day as well.