Hotel Ísland – Spa & Wellness Hotel

This hotel is highly regarded for its exceptional staff service, which consistently receives praise for its warmth, helpfulness, and attentiveness, making guests feel welcomed and cared for. Its wellness facilities, particularly the spa, are a significant draw, offering a relaxing retreat after a day of exploration. The hotel is an excellent fit for couples seeking a tranquil escape and sightseers who appreciate a comfortable base with good transport links, especially if they have a car. Families also find the spacious rooms accommodating. While the location is slightly outside the city center, it offers convenient access to tours and free parking. To enhance your stay, consider confirming spa access and hours upon booking, and be prepared for potential early morning construction noise by bringing earplugs.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a notable spa and gym, which are frequently highlighted by guests. The spa is generally described as clean, relaxing, and well-maintained, offering a normal and infrared sauna, a hot tub, a cold tub, and a mini pool. Many guests enjoyed massages, praising the therapists' skills. However, some found the spa to be too small for the hotel's capacity, with limited seating, and noted that it often closes early, particularly on Sundays and New Year's Day. Access to the spa and gym is sometimes an additional cost, which surprised some visitors. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi that is reported to be fast and reliable. Guests also appreciate the convenience of a mini-fridge in their rooms and wireless phone chargers on the nightstands.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Rooms are largely described as spacious and clean, with many guests finding them spotless and well-maintained. The beds receive mixed feedback, with many finding them comfortable and praising the quality bedding, while some found them hard or the pillows too soft. Most guests appreciate the effective blackout curtains for a restful sleep. The bathrooms are a point of varied opinion; while some found them clean and adequately sized, many noted they appear outdated or small, with some mentioning high tubs that are difficult to access or issues with water pressure and color. Noise levels are a significant concern for some, with reports of thin walls and disturbances from other guests or, more frequently, construction noise from nearby works starting early in the morning. Rooms can also be very warm, with no air conditioning, requiring windows to be opened for temperature control.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast consistently receives high praise from guests, described as excellent, delicious, and offering a wide variety of options. The buffet includes hot items like bacon, eggs, and sausages, along with fresh fruit, pastries, cheeses, and various beverages, providing a substantial start to the day. While some guests found the breakfast to be on the expensive side, they acknowledged this is typical for the region. The on-site restaurant, Hekla, is also highly regarded for its delicious food and high quality, with specific dishes like lamb and seafood receiving commendation. Guests appreciate the attentive service from the restaurant staff. Some guests noted that the hot food at breakfast could be warmer, and there were occasional comments about staff being overly eager to clear plates.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is frequently discussed, being situated a bit outside the city center, typically a 30 to 45-minute walk. While some guests found this distance inconvenient, especially in bad weather or if they struggled with walking, many appreciated the quieter surroundings. The hotel offers free parking, which is a significant advantage for guests who rent a car, with ample spaces available. Public transportation, including bus stops and hop-on-hop-off bus services, is easily accessible within a short walk, providing convenient links to downtown. The hotel is also a common pick-up and drop-off point for tours and airport shuttles, adding to its accessibility. Several local shops and restaurants, including a supermarket, are within walking distance, offering additional dining and shopping options.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, described as incredibly friendly, helpful, attentive, and professional. Guests frequently highlight their willingness to go above and beyond, assisting with tour bookings, providing local recommendations, and promptly resolving any issues. The check-in and check-out processes are generally smooth and efficient. While most experiences with housekeeping are positive, some guests noted occasional inconsistencies in daily cleaning standards. The restaurant and spa staff are also commended for their welcoming demeanor and excellent service. Despite a few isolated instances of perceived unfriendliness or communication issues, the overall sentiment is that the staff significantly contributes to a positive guest experience, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that spa access is often not included in standard room rates and may require an additional fee, which can be a surprise for some. A recurring issue mentioned by guests is the presence of construction noise from nearby building works, which can start as early as 6 AM and continue throughout the day, potentially disturbing sleep. While the hotel sometimes provides earplugs, this remains a significant point of contention. Rooms can become very warm, as there is no air conditioning, and guests often rely on opening windows to regulate the temperature. Some guests noted that the towels provided were thin or threadbare, and there were occasional comments about the quality of in-room amenities like coffee creamer.