The small Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik has had an explosion of the hotels in recent years. One that’s both stylish and comfortable, and good for the planet, is Eyja Guldsmeden.
Located on the east end of the city, around the block from the Hlemmur food hall and just a 15-minute walk to the famous Hallgrimskirkja (church), it’s perfectly situated for exploring the city on foot and makes for an easy day trip to landmarks like the Pridrangar Lighthouse, while being slightly away from the bars of downtown, which can get quite loud on weekends
The hotel is part of a small chain of Guldsmeden Hotels with locations in Copenhagen, Berlin, Oslo, Côte d’Azur, and Bali. There are 65 rooms, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a fitness center. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was the beautiful design. A small sitting room serves as a lobby gathering spot, with local art, comfortable tufted leather couches, and large windows that let in plenty of light. It’s cool without trying too hard, classy without feeling uptight.
Rooms come in single, double, and triple varieties; I stayed in a Deluxe Double Superior room, with a wood floor, King four-poster bed, small sitting area, closet with drawers and safe, blackout shades, TV, coffee maker, luggage rack, work desk, and plush bedding. Described as Balinese-inspired, the decor has an airy feel that’s effortlessly chic, and the light colored wood and white bedding make the room feel large and bright.
I found the bed very comfortable and my husband and I had plenty or space to move around and store our two large suitcases.
The bathroom in my room had a tiled walk-in shower and I Love Eco Essentials (also sold in the lobby) shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion. The products, which are in larger multi-use containers to cut down waste, meet ECOCERT standards for sustainability. The bottles are made from recyclable collected waste plastic, and the ingredients are 100% natural and organic and free of any microplastic
That eco-friendly sensibility is carried throughout the hotel. The hotel is the only one in Iceland to be awarded Green Globe Certified. Breakfast is made from all organic ingredients. Bedding is made from natural, fairtrade, certified, non-toxic materials. Showers are Orbital-Systems showers that reduce water use by 50-90% without compromising water pressure. Towels are GOTS-certified, fairtrade organic and made of cotton cotton. And all appliances are energy-saving.
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In addition to the small lobby living room, the main gathering space is the restaurant and bar. Breakfast is served each morning for 3590 ISK (about $25), there’s coffee and tea available all day, and in the evening guests gather for drinks and a small selection of gastro-pub dishes. While I didn’t spend too much time at the hotel when I wasn’t sleeping, I enjoyed a few evenings chatting with staff and other guests, enjoying a cocktail or a glass of wine at happy hour when prices were discounted.
With a great location close to the heart of Reykjavik, beautifully designed rooms, a lovely breakfast and bar, and reasonable prices, the Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel is a gem among the many options in the city. Add in the incredible care and thought that has gone into being a sustainable and eco-friendly hotel, and it’s a place you can feel great about staying.
If you go: Room rates start at around $180 per night, and there are often discounts for longer stays (for example, stay three nights and save 10%). There is some free parking out front, and wifi is free. Breakfast costs $25 per person. You can also check rates and book your stay at Booking.com, Agoda, or your favorite hotel booking site.
See other Iceland hotel reviews on Hotel Scoop.
