Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik

The Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel's building originally housed a shipping company during the early 1900s, and some charming original details remain. The green marble staircase in the middle of the hotel is especially grand, with its beautiful Art Deco banister still intact. Beyond the portholes in its nautical front doors, the lobby is thoroughly modernized, with trendy accent lighting, deep black leather couches, and silver human figurines arranged across the walls. The hotel's restaurant is a simple, laid-back space with a touch of class added by gray velvet textiles and hardwood, though it lacks the personality of other hotel restaurants in the area. This upscale hotel draws plenty of business travelers, though couples on holiday and families pass through as well.

The hotel is located on a protected corner property in central Reykjavik, a short two-minute walk to the city's scenic waterfront. It's surrounded by popular bars and eateries, as well as other hotels, while shopping on Laugavegur Street is only five minutes away on foot. There are plenty of sights within a short walk as well, including the National Museum of Iceland and Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, both of which are 13 minutes away on foot. The famous Sun Voyager Sculpture is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, while Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall -- a striking piece of architecture that hosts regular live events -- is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon takes about 45 minutes to reach by car. Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is also within a 45-minute drive.

The hotel's 88 rooms feature modern decor with wood floors, cream walls, and sharp black furnishings -- a number of rooms still have the shipping company's original crown molding. The look is mostly straightforward, and lacks the sleek minimalist aesthetic of other upscale hotels in the area, though oversized dark wood headboards and framed abstract prints give rooms a touch of personality. Standard Rooms are on the small side -- they only offer 16 square meters, or 172 square feet, of space -- with just enough room for work desks and bedside tables, while their tiled bathrooms are small and have old walk-in showers that could use updating (grout looked a bit dingy when we visited). Deluxe Rooms have surprisingly large bathrooms with options for shower/tub combos. Flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and minibars come standard with all rooms, while the far more opulent Business Class Rooms and Suites add Nespresso machines. Higher-tier rooms also have a mix of original architectural details, including vaulted ceilings. 

The appropriately named 1919 Restaurant wraps around the ground floor of the building with views of the street from dining tables and tufted benches. It serves seasonal fare and locally sourced ingredients. The accompanying 1919 Lounge, decked out in leather chairs and cowhide stools, serves wine, cocktails, and light meals throughout the day. A breakfast buffet is included with the pricier rooms and suites, but not in standard rates. This business-friendly hotel also has three modern meeting rooms, a 24-hour business center, and a fitness room with a pair of cardio machines and plenty of floor space for its weight-training equipment. Wi-Fi is free throughout.