Background
Boutique offering Ion City Hotel is one of two Design Hotels members in the Icelandic capital, the other being 101 Hotel next to the Icelandic Opera House. A stylish bolthole in the heart of Reykjavik featuring gunmetal greys and grained woods, it was designed by the Santa Monica-based, Icelandic-run architectural studio Minarc.
Where is it?
Situated amid the restaurants, cafes, outdoor stores and Viking-themed giftshops on Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping drag, off Bankastraeti. It’s a 45-minute transfer from Keflavik airport on the Flybus coach (£32 single/£58 return). Catching a cab will set you back around ISK14,500-17,400 (£86-103) each way.
What’s it like?
Hidden behind an unassuming entrance, the hotel exudes creative minimalism. The lobby sets the scene with a hanging seat padded with a fluffy pelt, a dystopian painting starring David Bowie and an asymmetric white counter flanked by a custom-designed light that resembles a bird’s nest. I was offered a glass of Prosecco on arrival.
I’d left my luggage prior to check-in time and reception staff emailed me once the room was ready, so I could check in early at 2.30pm (standard check-in is 3pm).
Rooms
The hotel has 18 rooms, including three suites: a City suite, Panoramic suite and Junior suite. I stayed in the City suite, which is located on the fifth floor, with the lift opening out straight onto the room. The suite offers a splendid view of the city’s iconic landmark, Hallgrímskirkja Church, from the French balcony. Completed in 1937, the 74.5-metre structure is a cool example of Gothic Revivalist architecture, with the sloping sides of the concrete structure echoing the basalt lava flows of Iceland’s natural landscape.
Best of all, there’s a private sauna in the bathroom from Tylö: all you have to do is switch it on and off at a control panel on the wall and fill up the water tank prior to stepping in. I savoured my relaxing solo steam after a busy coach trip to the Golden Circle.
Other bathroom highlights included a feature wall crafted from Icelandic lava stone in the toilet cubicle, while next to the sauna there’s a separate shower room where you can dive in for a cold shower once you’ve reached your limit of dry heat, with refillable shower gel, shampoo and conditioner from Soley Organics.
At 46 sqm, there was plenty of space, and I enjoyed having a separate living room, which featured a black two-seater leather sofa, a dining table with three chairs and a Samsung flatscreen TV with a B&O Bluetooth speaker. The living area was separated from the bedroom by a thick wooden door, which provided an apartment-like feel.
There was a Nespresso coffee machine and complimentary minibar in the living area stocked with sparkling water (it’s rare to find bottled water in Icelandic hotels as they encourage guests to drink from the tap) plus local lager and soft drinks. I particularly enjoyed the Snorri beer, a cloudy ale brewed from Icelandic barley and organic thyme. As the strongest beer you can purchase in Iceland’s shops is 2.25 per cent, finding a 5.3 per cent ale in the fridge was certainly appreciated. I was a bit surprised that there were no USB ports, which was a little frustrating as I’d lost my standard phone plug and only had Apple chargers so couldn’t charge my phone or power bank.
Food and drink
The hotel is home to a buzzy, popular restaurant, Sumac, which serves Middle Eastern food; its signature dishes include grilled lamb ribs with lentils, grapes and almonds (ISK7,290/£42.50), and roasted cauliflower with pomegranate, almonds and tahina yoghurt (ISK3,390/£19.80). For breakfast, reception directed me a few doors down to local bakery Sandholt, where the menu includes everything from overnight oats with chia seeds to smoked salmon sandwiches with pickled cucumber and capers. It can get busy, so be prepared to queue, or get there early (it’s open from 7.30am-6pm).
Meetings
None.
Leisure
There is a fitness centre on the ground floor.
Verdict
This stylishly presented space is located in the heart of the city, with the best of Reykjavik’s restaurants and nightlife right on the doorstep.
FACT BOX
- Best for Design-conscious travellers who will appreciate the decor and stylish furniture
- Don’t miss Sweating it out in your own private sauna and enjoying the views out to Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in February start from £356 for the City suite (£222 for entry-level)
- Contact Laugavegur 28, 101 Reykjavik; +354 578 3730; ioniceland.is
Words: Helen Dalley
