Myrargata 2, Reykjavik, Iceland | +354 444 4000
Upscale, moderately priced hotel on the bustling harbor
Nautical-themed rooms with views of the harbor and city
Restaurant and bar with Scandinavian cuisine and live music
Lobby with bakery, fire pit, and library
Small fitness center with climbing wall
Computer station and stylish, windowed meeting room
Movies for kids on the weekends in screening room
Free parking and airport transfers for a fee
24-hour front desk with concierge service and luggage storage
Free Wi-Fi
Small bathrooms with frosted-glass doors, which compromise privacy
No coffee- or tea-making facilities in rooms
Guests must register for free Wi-Fi every day
No pets allowed (pro for some)
The four-pearl Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina is on the old harbor, within walking distance of the city center. Contemporary in style, the 147-room property is moderately priced, with nautical-themed rooms and views that include the water, marina, and city streets. Its lobby, whimsically decorated with Eames-like chairs covered in fake fur, felt-covered walls, and sculpture and paintings by local artists, has a lava gravel firepit, a bakery, and library. The Slippbarinn, the hotel's restaurant and bar, serves modern Scandinavian cuisine and often hosts live music, which draws locals on the weekends. And the hotel's small gym includes a climbing wall. Travelers looking for a downtown location and a more romantic, historic atmosphere might prefer the upscale Hotel Borg.
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Scene
Whimsical interiors and bustling vibe set inside a landmark building
Guests at the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina -- mainly couples and families, many from the United Kingdom -- never seem to tire of commenting on the coziness and whimsy of the large lobby. The quirky decor, the use of vibrant color, the mix of Scandinavian contemporary- and farmhouse-style furniture, and the various nooks with books, folk art, a cafe, and a fire pit all meld together to bring a mega dose of warmth and personality to an otherwise large public space. The hotel draws a local crowd with its live music at Slippbarinn, the on-site restaurant and bar, which has an extensive artisanal cocktail menu and views of the harbor. (Note that the bar can get a bit rowdy on weekends.) The hotel opened in 2012, fashioned out of the "arc building," a landmark on the old harbor, and it retains an industrial ambience with high ceilings, exposed ductwork, and lots of glass. The overall atmosphere is high on hipness but low on attitude, and guests of all ages mingle easily.
Location
On the harbor, within walking distance of many Reykjavik attractions
The Marina Hotel, overlooking a working harbor in Reykjavik, is in a prime location for seeing much of the city on foot. For guests planning excursions, such as whale watching, tour operators will come to the hotel for pick up and drop off. One of the most popular sights, the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center, is an eight-minute walk from the hotel. The National Museum of Iceland is about 13 minutes away on foot. The Solar Sun Voyager Sculpture is a 15-minute walk away, as is the Hallgrimskirkja, an elegant church. Golf Union of Iceland is an eight-minute drive from the hotel. Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa on a lava field, is a 45-minute car trip. Reykjavik International Airport is 45 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Nautical-themed rooms with interesting views but some small bathrooms
The 147 rooms at the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina are small, and reflect nautical design features, such as a ship berth. Wallpaper might feature illustrations of nautical knots, and furniture is compact and functional, reminiscent of IKEA in style and color. Some rooms have scalloped headboards covered in traditional plaid fabric. In smaller rooms, a compact club chair fits into a tight corner near a wall-mounted counter desk. Some rooms have balconies. Hypoallergenic bed linens are available. Rooms come with mini-fridges and flat-screen LCD TVs, and are individually climate controlled. There are no safes, coffee- or tea-making facilities, and no irons, but some of these items are available on request. Wi-Fi is free, but guests must register for it each day online. Bathrooms are small, a fact the hotel flaunts with a cheeky sign stating that the limited space will encourage guests to leave their rooms. Frosted glass doors separate the bedroom from the bathroom, and guests are divided on whether its transparency curbs privacy or adds openness to the room. Larger rooms have separate seating and dining areas, and their bathrooms are sometimes tiled in vibrant red, with natural stone sinks and porcelain tubs. Soley organic toiletries are provided in all bathrooms. The Icelandair chain also offers residences at this hotel.
Features
A vibrant restaurant, climbing wall, screening room, fire pit, and bakery
This Icelandair hotel has an eclectic mix of amenities, including a bustling restaurant and bar, Slippbarinn, with live music events, all- day dining and artisanal cocktails, and a fire pit and bakery cafe in the lobby. There's also a library and several nooks with leather sofas and plush armchairs where guests can sit and read. Some packages include invitations to happy hour at the bar, with free drinks. During various holidays, guests might receive small gifts, such as chocolates. The 24-hour gym, known as the Boiler Room, has its own climbing wall as well as treadmills and yoga mats in a small, rectangular space. The hotel has a screening room with seats in candy-colored hues and a schedule that includes kids' movies on the weekends. There's a computer station and a meeting room with a big casement windows and felt-covered walls. Laundry and ironing services are provided for a fee. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, and provides concierge services and airport transfers. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but guests must register for it daily online.
