The best places to stay in Iceland (including an inflatable igloo)

10.01.2024 - 11:17 / lonelyplanet.com

Looking for a special place to stay in Iceland? 

Read on for Iceland’s best country retreats, boutique hotels, next-level camping and unique stays. Some can only be reached in summer but others can be enjoyed in all seasons. All prices listed here are during the peak season. 

Icelanders love their sumarbústaðir, or “summer houses,” which can be found in forests and other sheltered areas around the country. However, these are often owned by families or labor unions and not available for tourists. Luckily there are other options which offer tranquility and closeness to nature for visitors to stay. 

Heydalur

From US$193 per double room per night

In one of the narrowest of the Westfjords, Mjóifjörður, between Hólmavík and Ísafjörður, lies Heydalur, a farm turned adventure land for tourists. Choose between en suite bedrooms, studio apartments, summer houses of various sizes and a campsite. The beds are comfortable, the food hearty and homemade, and the surrounding nature a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can take walks, go horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, wildlife watching or northern lights hunting – and after a day packed with activities, relax in one of the pools, hot tubs, or natural hot springs.

Selá Retreat

From US$139 per double room per night

About 30 minutes north of Akureyri in North Iceland is Selá. The old farmhouse and stable have been beautifully renovated and turned into one- or two-person bedrooms with access to kitchens, bathrooms and washing machines. Guests can also take advantage of the meditation loft, fireside lounge and workshop area in the old barn. There’s a hot tub, too, perfect for enjoying long summer nights or stargazing in winter. A short walk will take you to the hamlet of Hauganes with whale-watching tours and beachside hot tubs and from neighboring town Árskógssandur you can take the ferry to Hrísey island. Dalvík with its superb ski resort is a 10-minute drive away.

Mjóeyri

From US$214 per double room per night.

Outside the East Fjords town of Eskifjörður are little red cottages with comfy accommodation for small groups or families and a wonderful view of the fjord. There’s also a cozy guesthouse in a renovated house from 1895 with single and double rooms and access to a bathroom. Guests have access to a hot tub in an old boat, sauna, showers and laundry room. It’s also possible to book guided walks and other tours. Nearby is Helgustaðanáma, an Iceland spar mine now under protection, and Oddsskarð ski resort. Randulffs-sjóhús is a museum and seafood restaurant in an old Norwegian herring station, open in summer.

While Iceland’s boutique hotels are often located in urban areas – and highly fashionable – there are a few smaller and less flashy establishments with