Núpar Cottages

The setting is beautiful, and we loved relaxing in the private hot tub and meeting the adorable queen Snotra, their dog. They made clear that they’d call her back right away if we didn’t want her around, which was nice. Cottage #1 needs attention, though. The bathroom floor felt rotten, like it was about to give way, and the tub display read 60 degrees instead of the intended 45. It was far too hot when we got in, so we switched it off and waited about an hour for it to cool before trying again. We enjoyed our stay, and this could be a fantastic place if they repair the cottage before things get worse.

The location is lovely and close to Hveragerði, and we liked having a suite-style layout and hot tub in Cottage 1. Check-in was a problem for us, and other reviews mention it too: the number provided was for Hotel Kvika, which owns the cottages. The cottage also lacked some things you might find at other guesthouses, like soap and shampoo. The shower is cramped and the water pressure weak. Fine for one night, but not much more.

We booked two nights at the end of our Iceland trip hoping for a cozy stay, but the cottage felt cold and unwelcoming. The whirlpool wasn’t usable, and because of pipeline work there was no hot water and the heaters barely worked. We were left in temperatures that felt below freezing without heat. Reception offered to bring an electric heater, but nobody arrived. When I called the next day, the woman laughed and said she’d forgotten. Incredible. The phone number on Hotels.com didn’t work, and we spent the day trying to reach the cottage about check-in. We only got a number after arriving and asking around the neighborhood. These things can happen, but guests should be told so they can decide whether to come. All in all, a really bad experience.

This was our favorite place to stay in Iceland. The cottages have character and gave us an authentic Iceland experience, with a stunning view and lovely surroundings. They’re nicely spaced apart, so we had privacy instead of feeling packed in with other rentals. We also got to enjoy the midnight sun from our own deck. Lovely place!