Hotel Katla by Keahotels

The only letdown for me was the hot tub. We tried several on our trip, and this one was the least warm, more lukewarm than hot. That didn't take away from how much I loved Hotel Katla. The setting felt peaceful and gorgeous, with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, just a few minutes past Vik. I'd driven past some of the better-reviewed hotels in town and was glad we stayed here instead, since they seemed to have limited views over parking lots and industrial buildings. Our room was beautiful, with stunning scenery, a comfortable bed, a nice shower, and a TV where we could stream our favorite shows at night. The front desk clerk was kind and helpful, arranging a discounted upgrade and early check-in. Breakfast buffet was included and delicious, and we also had a wonderful dinner buffet one night.

The breakfast spread was superb, the best we had during our Iceland visit. Inside, the room was pleasantly modern and spacious, even though the building looks dated from outside. There are nice views of the surrounding nature.

The value just isn't there, and I wouldn't stay again. We booked a Plus room, which was reasonably modern and clean inside but had cheap fixtures, no bed baseboard, and felt chilly. The bathroom smelled musty and flooded as soon as we used the shower. The hand soap was apparently also the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. There was no mini fridge or phone, though the WiFi worked well. The outside looked like an unfinished base camp. At check-in we waited over 30 minutes in line, and the lone staff member didn't seem very sympathetic to everyone waiting; nobody came to help him.

The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the rooms were clean with what we needed. At night you can see the Northern Lights, which makes the location the best part. This was one of the best hotels of our trip, and a great place to stay in Vik.