KEX Hotel and Hostel Reykjavik

The live music and the back courtyard were the highlights for me. Those events make it easy for tourists and Icelanders to chat and mix. Kex was one of the best parts of my week in Iceland, where I spent all but one night here. It's a quirky, fun hostel in a fantastic spot, within walking distance of downtown pubs and restaurants. The building is old, but that's part of the charm. It has a feel somewhere between a Chicago speakeasy, a Berlin style nightclub, and a Serbian dorm room. Breakfast is filling, and the beer selection is decent.

A heads-up, towels cost extra. I stayed four nights in a shared room with six women on the fourth floor. It was comfortable and convenient, close to restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. The staff were kind and attentive, the kitchen on our floor was clean, and there were plenty of bathrooms, cleaned daily. 👏💗

On day one I bought a pizza before realizing there was no oven 😅. The person at reception spotted the problem and kindly showed me another way to sort it out, so I didn't feel awkward or disappointed. That small gesture stuck with me. The place has great people, atmosphere, and energy. You meet lots of like-minded solo travellers, and somehow you're never solo by the end.

The seafront location puts you right in the city centre, though stepping outside can be extremely windy. The view makes up for it. We booked a double room, but got a free upgrade, and both rooms had great TVs. I accidentally booked a day late, and the receptionist quickly helped fix it. Even though we arrived about four hours before check-in, they let us into our room. Amazing place to stay in Reykjavik. Thanks to KEX for the hospitality!