Sandhotel

Opened in June 2018, the modern Sandhotel is one of Reykjavik’s newest properties and boasts a central location on the hip Laugavegar street.

• The rooftop Sand Suite features a spacious living room, luxe marble bathroom and views of both Reykjavik’s landmarks and surrounding countryside
• Guðsteins Haberdashery next door is the oldest tailor in Iceland and a great place to check out local men’s fashion (it’s where the hotel uniforms were designed, too)
• The site of the hotel, built on historical protected houses including one of the few Art-Deco homes in Reykjavik

One of Reykjavik’s most recent hotel openings takes inspiration from the city's historic surroundings. When you walk out of the hotel, to your left, you’ll find a men’s clothing store that originally opened as a tailor in 1918; to your right, you’ll come across the scent of sweet pastries baking at Sandholt, a bakery run by the same family for five generations. And let’s not forget the bones of the property itself—a series of Art-Deco townhouses, one of which was once home to Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness. In an effort to immerse guests in Reykjavik’s history, the hotel’s artwork is all connected to either the tailor, the baker or the author.

The interior design of the 77 rooms is calming and cozy—a modern retreat reflective of the city’s rising design scene. Accommodations feature cool blues and grays, plush velvet headboards, hardwood floors, granite-lined bathrooms and contemporary Icelandic art pieces. In a nod to the neighboring tailor, throw pillows utilize fabric sourced from trouser offcuts.

Rooms can be quite petite, so we recommend booking the Superior Room category or higher. Families or anyone looking for a bit more space to spread out should book the generously proportioned Sand Suite, on the top floor, as it offers a separate bedroom and living room with kitchenette, not to mention panoramic views over Reykjavik and beyond.

Breakfast—which typically includes baked goods fresh out of Sandholt’s oven downstairs—can be enjoyed in your room or at the hotel’s Sandbar & Bistro. In the evening, it turns into a relaxed gathering spot serving burgers and biodynamic wine.

Who For

With its snug rooms and Laugavegar street locale, adjacent to many eccentric boutiques and raucous bars, Sandhotel is ideal for young couples seeking a home base from which to explore Iceland’s capital city. Given the hotel’s central location, street noise can be a concern, so it’s best to request a room in the back for a quiet stay.