Nordurey Hotel Reykjavík Road

Hotel Hafnarfjordur is a pleasant property outside of Reykjavik with apartment-style lodging that mainly draws groups and families, though business travelers are common guests as well. The exterior is quite noticeable as a four-story block of it is painted red, while the rest of the two-story building is made up of reflective tiles. Some parts of the property have a chain hotel feel about them, such as the lobby with its beige tile floors and bland leather couches near a flat-screen TV. However, abstract art pieces add a pop of color, while the lobby's spiral staircase and a few ethnic decorative items give the space a bit of character. The buffet room, by contrast, has a minimalist style with tile floors, light wooden tables with dark chairs, and colorful art on the walls. 

One of the drawbacks of Hotel Hafnarfjordur is its location -- it’s about a 15-minute drive (or 20-minute bus ride) to downtown Reykjavik and popular attractions like Hallgrimskirkja or the National Museum of Iceland. Reykjavik Airport is only slightly closer at a 10-minute drive away, while Keflavik International Airport takes 45 minutes to reach. The area around the hotel is not particularly lively, though there are a few restaurants, fast food joints, and shops within walking distance. It's a seven-minute drive to Golfklúbburinn Setberg, a golf club. The Blue Lagoon is a 35-minute drive, while Gulfoss Waterfalls can be reached in just under two hours by car. 

The hotel's 71 rooms have a minimalist style and spare feel, with dashes of orange or red brightening up a color palette that’s mostly whites and beiges. One or two hanging art pieces liven things up in some of the rooms. The rooms range from Single to Family Studios, with some double beds made of two singles pushed together. They're equipped with desks, small wardrobes, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, plus most have kitchenettes (Single and some Double/Twin Rooms do not) with mini-fridges, microwaves, sinks, two-burner stoves, and kettles, though no coffee or tea is provided. Triple Rooms and Family Studio Apartments have sofa beds. Rooms do not have air-conditioning, but that’s common among hotels in Iceland. Bathrooms are mostly small, but clean and functional, with small showers and toiletries in packets or in wall-mounted dispensers. The Family Studio Apartments have an additional tub. Hairdryers aren’t provided in rooms, but can be borrowed from the front desk. Though the hotel offers daily housecleaning, complaints have been made about issues with towel changes.

Hotel Hafnardjordur offers a few freebies, including Wi-Fi, parking, and a buffet breakfast -- although there's no full restaurant providing other meals. The hotel does have a lobby bar that serves various drinks, but some guests find the tea and coffee to be overpriced. There's also a relaxing game room with comfy sofas, a flat-screen TV, pool table, and ping-pong. Business guests can make use of two meeting rooms and a public laptop in the lobby. There’s no gym on-site, but the hotel provides access to a nearby fitness center for a discount. Reception stays open 24/7 and can book trips or excursions. The reception desk has safe-deposit boxes for valuables as well.