Smyrlabjorg Hotel

We slept well in the comfortable beds, and the hotel was quiet and very clean. From our windows we had an amazing view of the mountains. The decor felt funky, interesting, and idyllic, and the WiFi and TV both worked. The restaurant was good and reasonably priced for Iceland. I especially appreciated that the hotel doesn't use heavily scented cleaning products, reed diffusers, or air fresheners. That was great for us, with migraines, asthma, autoimmune issues, and allergies, and for anyone traveling with children. The place was clean and smelled like fresh air.

The worst part was the pillows. They were dreadfully lumpy and really need replacing. Breakfast was a good buffet with something for everyone, and the few staff members we met were friendly and helpful. Our room was a pretty good size, with nice toiletries, though the hand soap pump was basically broken and almost useless. I couldn't find a way to control the room climate, although some of the flooring seemed heated. Keep in mind this place is really in the middle of nowhere: there's little to do nearby and nowhere else around to eat besides the hotel restaurant.

It's a clean, cozy, family-owned hotel near the glaciers. We didn't get lucky with the northern lights because it was too cloudy that night, but the property is pretty secluded, so they'd be easy to see on another night.

The restaurant was a highlight for me. I had a delicious lamb burger made with local ingredients. With Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach nearby, Hotel Smyrlabjörg was a convenient, pleasant base for exploring southeastern Iceland. It's near Vatnajökull National Park, surrounded by mountains and wide open fields, so the atmosphere is peaceful and quiet. Our room was spacious enough for a comfortable stay and kept very clean.