Hotels on multi-day tours - part two
The hotels on our multi-day tours are included in the price, and we strive to select the best ones available. This blog is part one of three of what we book for our guests on our travels all around the country. What we look for is proximity to attractions, cleanliness, and, above all, great food. Proximity to attractions means that when the tour is, for example, around the country, we try to minimize driving when we select the hotels. The cleanliness and service with friendly and professional staff are also necessary and are one of the things we look for. The main thing we look for, though, is an exceptional gourmet dinner, and if we can't get that at a booked hotel, we go for dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Because our tours are mainly private, we only book the hotels when we have a booking from our guests. We don't do like the big companies when they book dozens of rooms a year in advance in the hope of selling out their tours. This can, of course, be bad for us when we get a booking with very short notice. It is, therefore, best for both us and our guests to book a long time ahead.
Here below are some of the hotels we try to book when traveling in the east towards the north. The next blog from me will be about hotels in the West.
When coming from the east, Fjalladýrð (which translates to "Mountain Glory") is a good place to stay when visiting many attractions in the area or at a relaxed pace. The restaurant offers, among other things, Fjallagrasasúpa (which translates to "mountain grass soup"), which they call "moss soup." It is probably one of the most healthy things to have. My mother used to cook this for me and my siblings when we had a cold. The hotel is farther away from the ocean than any other hotel in Iceland and is by the doorstep of the Highlands.
Church in Möðruvellir Reindeer Möðruvellir Church Fjalladýrð café Fjalladýrð Fjalladýrð Goat in Iceland Fjalladýrð café Mt. Herðubreið Wild flower in the wall Fjallagrasasúpa, moss soup Goat in Möðruvellir
When staying by Lake Mývatn, we first try the small family-owned Vogafjós county hotel. The rooms are a few minutes' walk from the reception and the restaurant. The exceptional food they offer is from the area. Lamb, Arctic char freshly caught from the lake, and beef. While having dinner, you have a wonderful view over the area and the cows in the barn through a window.
Other options we have in the area are Hótel Laxá, Berjaya, and Fosshótel Mývatn. All are very good and have great restaurants but are rather big and not as intimate.
Northern Lights by Mývatn lake By Mývatn lake Vogafjós By Lake Mývatn Vogafjós cows Vogafjós restaurant Icelandic drinks Fresh cow milk Vogafjós restaurant and reception Vogafjós restaurant Northern Lights By Lake Mývatn
Leaving the Mývatn Lake area, the next hotel would be Hotel KEA in Akureyri town. It is an old hotel but quite well maintained. They have a great restaurant, but there are also other great restaurants within a short walking distance we can choose from.
Bautinn restaurant Hotel KEA Akureyri pedestrian street Dinner at Hotel KEA Hof Akureyri Grýla the troll Dinner at Hotel KEA Akureyri church Akureyri downtown 103 steps to the church Grýla and Leppalúði trolls Akureyri church and the steps
When our tour goes around the Troll Peninsula, we have two options in Siglufjörður town. Hotel Sigló and Hotel Siglunes. The Sigló Hótel is very stylish and new with a hot tub and is on the water. The food is very good, and it has a beautiful living room and a bar. Siglunes Hotel offers a great fusion of Icelandic and Moroccan dishes in their restaurant, and they have very comfortable rooms. Drive a bit further to Lónkot, which is a great option for families that can share a bathroom. The food there is exceptional.
Artwork in Siglufjörður Dinner at Lónkot Dinner at Sigló Hótel Wooden sculpture Hótel Sigló by the bay Wooden artwork Desert Saving people art Cake Main course Coffee house Main course Wooden artwork Creamy soup The bar Hot tub by Sigló hótel A double room at Sigló hótel Siglufjörður harbor The incredible snowman Main course Coffee house Main course Hótel Sigló
In Skagafjörður our favorite option is Country Hotel Hofsstaðir. The rooms face north, where you can enjoy seeing the midnight sun set and come back up again. In my opinion the restaurant offers, among other things, the best horse steak in the country.
Dinner party at the restaurant at Hofsstaðir The view to the north Northern lights from Hofsstaðir Arctic char The Hofsstaðir restaurant Northern lights from Hofsstaðir Hofsstaðir Elfs at Hofsstaðir Storage Hotel Hofsstaðir View from Hofsstaðir Hotel Hofsstaðir Service at Hofsstaðir Iceland flag at Hofsstaðir Enjoying the view at Hofsstaðir
The West is next!
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