Set in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, the Room with a View apartments are a stylish choice for a large group or a couple looking for a bit more space.
Unlike an Airbnb or other private apartments, these are luxury serviced apartments, so they’re ideal for people who want more space and access to a kitchen, but don’t require all the amenities of a full-service hotel. There’s an onsite reception area and (limited) free parking, lobby computer for guest access, discounted airport transfers, and a hot tub and steam bath that all guests have access to, but other than that, services are limited.
Rooms come in various sizes but all feature a flat screen TV, CD player, stereo, hairdryer, iron, and free wireless internet access. Beyond that, each room’s style and amenities varies a bit, but all are bright, clean, modern, and comfortable.
I stayed in a three-bedroom apartment, room 301, which had one room with two twin beds and two rooms with one queen and one twin bed each. Each room had a window that looked over the city (with blackout shades for summer nights) and a small closet for storage. While the apartment can sleep up to eight people, for a group of five people it was plenty of space to spread out.
In addition to the three bedrooms, there was a large kitchen fully stocked with an array of glasses and plates, silverware, cooking utensils, and sparkling clean pots and pans. There was a coffee maker and tea kettle, stovetop, microwave, full-size fridge, and dishwasher so we had everything we needed to store, cook, serve (and clean up from) a meal for the whole family.
The kitchen connected to a large dining room with seating for eight and a sizable living area with an L-shaped leather couch, coffee table, leather chair, flat-screen TV, and closet with additional storage space. With mahogany-colored hardwood floors, bright red lacquered cabinetry, supple dark leather, and large windows that let in tons of light, it was a beautiful, welcoming space for the family to gather.
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There were two bathrooms, one on either side of the apartment, each with a tub and tiled shower, hairdryer, and enough storage cabinets and cubbies for all five of us to store our toiletries.
Aside from the three-bedroom apartment I stayed in, there are studios, which come in budget, standard, and luxury (budget rooms have private bathrooms located in the hallway, while luxury rooms have a private balcony) and one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments.
Though the apartments don’t have the same level of service as a hotel, they’re a comfortable, stylish, and affordable option for those who need more space, either as a couple or a larger group. Located on Laugavegur street in the heart of bustling downtown Reykjavik, it couldn’t have a better location (unless you’re a light sleeper, in which case ask for a room in the back to avoid the noise of weekend partiers) and with high-end finishes, it’s a great place to come home to after a day of sightseeing.
If you go: Check in is 2pm, check out is 12pm. Studios start at around $200 per night. Three-bedrooms apartments start at around $400 per night.
