Iceland's Hidden Gem: Hotel Hvolsvollur - Unbelievable Views & Luxury Await!
Iceland's Hidden Gem: Hotel Hvolsvollur - Oh. My. God. Views! (And Is This Real Life?) A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash on you the unvarnished truth about Hotel Hvolsvollur in Iceland. Forget the perfectly curated travel blogs – this is the real deal, complete with caffeine jitters and existential pondering about the sheer, unfathomable beauty of this place.
(First things first: Accessibility. Let's talk about it)
I'm thrilled to report Hvolsvollur actually seems to care about accommodating everyone! Wheelchair accessible? Big tick. They've got facilities for disabled guests, and an elevator (praise be!), which is crucial in a place with views this good. Plus, the whole place felt… accessible. Not just in a "we ticked the box" kind of way, but in a "we want you to enjoy this" sort of way. They really thought about it.
(The View. THE VIEW. Let's Get to It!)
Seriously. From the moment you pull up, the views are absolutely unbelievable. Like, jaw-dropping, makes-you-rethink-your-life-choices kind of views. The hotel is perched up high, overlooking… everything. Mountains that look like they were painted by God himself, vast plains that stretch to infinity… and the sky. Oh, the Icelandic sky! I spent a solid hour just staring out the window, my brain slowly melting into a puddle of pure, unadulterated awe. I swear, the pool with a view? Forget about it. You'll be content just breathing.
(Luxury and Relaxation: Are We Really Doing This?)
Okay, so the Spa/sauna situation is… epic. Complete with steamroom. I’m not a huge spa person, mostly because I’m a clutz and awkward. But here? I kinda melted. The massage was divine – I actually fell asleep! (Okay, maybe more than once… no judgment). They have a fitness center too, and I went once. Because, you know, balance. The body scrub was a bit intense, but worth it. I felt like a brand new person… or at least polished to a near-gleaming sheen. They even have a foot bath. Come on guys, you're killing me with luxury.
The bedrooms are where it got REALLY good. The views again, I'm just saying. You can practically dive into the scenery! The bathrobes and slippers situation is crucial. The complimentary tea and coffee is always appreciated, especially while staring at the world outside your window that opens letting the clean air in. Loved the blackout curtains for those long summer days.
(The Food: Fueling the Wanderlust)
Alright, food. This is where things get interesting. The breakfast [buffet] was your classic, good quality fare. The International cuisine for dinner in the restaurant was actually really good, and I’m a bit of a food snob, so that's saying something! I really enjoyed the salad in the restaurant. they had vegetarian restaurant also. The coffee/tea in the restaurant was perfect. I'll admit, I was a sucker for the desserts in restaurant.
Things to Note, Food Edition:
- Breakfast takeaway service really helped on my early morning excursions.
- I couldn't resist the Poolside bar, not that it was a good idea.
- The Coffee shop was a godsend during the day
- They were very accommodating of my dietary needs.
- The meals had options, including Asian cuisine in restaurant, which I thought was neat.
(Cleanliness and Safety: Because, you know, COVID)
I was genuinely impressed by their commitment to safety. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Double-check. The fact that they offer room sanitization opt-out available shows they are willing to be flexible. They had hand sanitizer everywhere. It felt… safe. Comforting, even. They used cashless payment service for a convenience. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were appreciated.
(The Nitty Gritty: Services and Conveniences)
Alright, let's get practical. They had pretty much everything you could need. Air conditioning in public areas (thank GOD). Concierge was super helpful with planning day trips. Convenient things like a convenience store and currency exchange are a plus. Then, there's the Daily housekeeping which did a fantastic job. Laundry was available using the Laundry service. They have a gift/souvenir shop, but I had to fight myself from buying every Icelandic sweater. I couldn't recommend the Car park [free of charge] enough!
(Stuff To Do That Didn't Fit Elsewhere)
- Things to do: They offered a ton of activities, but honestly… I spent most of my time just being. Hiking, exploring waterfalls, chasing the Northern Lights (if you get lucky!).
- Room service [24-hour]: I ordered breakfast in bed more than I'd like to admit. Don't judge me.
(The Not-So-Perfect Moments (Because Nobody's Perfect)):
Okay, full disclosure: The internet. Wi-Fi [free] they promised? Mostly true, but the connection was a bit spotty in my room. And, in typical hotel fashion, a fuse blew in my room one night. The quick response was appreciated. BUT, for the most part, it was smooth sailing! The real beauty of the hotel is in its imperfection and the beautiful country its located in.
(The Verdict: Book This Damn Hotel!)
Look, I'm not one for hyperbole. But Hotel Hvolsvollur is something special. It's a place where you can truly disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with… well, everything. The views alone are worth the trip. The service is impeccable. It's clean. It's safe. And it's just… magical.
So, here's my (potentially slightly hysterical) pitch to you:
ARE YOU TIRED OF EXISTING? Do you dream of wide open spaces, epic sunsets, and a level of relaxation that borders on the spiritual? Then BOOK. THIS. HOTEL. NOW. Seriously. Stop reading. Click the button. Go! You will thank me later. Your soul will thank you. Your Instagram feed will thank you (because, let's be real, the photos are going to be insane).
Special Offer! (Because I want you to go!)
Book your stay at Hotel Hvolsvollur within the next 7 days and receive:
- A complimentary bottle of Icelandic schnapps (to warm you from the inside out!)
- A free upgrade to a room with the best view (subject to availability – but trust me, you'll want it!)
- A personalized itinerary of recommended local experiences (because, let's face it, I'm the guide now!)
- Extra incentive: Free Northern Lights wake-up calls (if available during your stay – OMG!)
Don't wait. The mountains are calling. And Hotel Hvolsvollur is answering.
Le Mars Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express!
Okay, buckle up, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… me in Iceland. And it’s gonna be a ride. We’re talking Hotel Hvolsvöllur, smack-dab in the middle of glorious, windswept nowhere. Let's just pray the WiFi can handle this…
Icelandic Mayhem: A Semi-Coherent Adventure (Hvolsvollur & Beyond)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (in a Good Way, Mostly)
Morning (ish): Arrive at Keflavik Airport. You know, the usual: jet lag, existential questions about the validity of your life choices, and the sudden, crushing realization you forgot your charger. Okay, I forgot my charger. Which is a disaster because I'm relying on this phone to document everything. Pray for me.
- Anecdote: Found the Flybus. It's basically a metal tube of weary travelers clinging to life after a flight, and it delivers you to the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik. It kinda felt like the beginning of a Mad Max movie, except with more sensible shoes.
- Quirky Observation: Icelandic people are ridiculously good-looking. Like, the air itself is probably infused with some sort of glowing beauty serum. I'm already feeling a little defeated in the genetic lottery.
Afternoon: Bus to Hvolsvöllur. This is the point where the landscape explodes into that epic, postcard-perfect Iceland everyone raves about. Mountains! Waterfalls! Moss! Just… breathtaking.
- Imperfection: I’m taking a lot of pictures, but I am terrible at it. Every single shot is slightly off-kilter, and the light is never quite right. But still… pretty!
- Emotional Reaction: A wave of pure, unadulterated joy washed over me. Like, genuine, happy-to-be-alive joy. I think I might actually cry. (And I did get misty-eyed at the first waterfall.)
Evening: Hotel Hvolsvöllur – Dinner and the Dreaded Realization
- Dinner: Decent, if a little… beige. I'm talking the kind of food that's reliable and predictable, and exactly what I needed after a long day of traveling.
- Realization: Okay, real talk. I'm here alone. It’s a solo trip. And as the evening settles in, this little detail starts to loom a little larger. I was kind of thinking I'd meet someone wonderful on this trip, and maybe… but then again, maybe not. Which is fine. I can do this. I'm a strong, independent woman. I think. sniffs back tears.
Day 2: The Golden Circle… and My Existential Crisis Deepens
Morning: Golden Circle tour. Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir National Park. The Big Three. Everyone does this. It's tourist central, and I'm the tourist.
- Opinionated Language: Gullfoss is… seriously impressive. Like, I almost needed a spare pair of underpants impressive. No doubt.
- Anecdote: At Geysir, a geyser erupted and everyone started clapping. It was ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. But I clapped too. Because, well… everyone was clapping. And secretly it was pretty cool.
- Imperfection: I keep losing my gloves. Seriously, where do they go? I'm convinced they're developing a secret life of their own and plotting my downfall.
Afternoon: Þingvellir. The rift valley, the history, the sheer scale of it all. It's actually breathtaking. I spent way longer here than I had planned, just wandering around in a daze.
- Messier Structure: Honestly, that was the best part of the day. I just sat there and did nothing. Which is something I need to get better at. I love being busy, but sometimes it's just too much, you know?
- Emotional Reaction: It was here, at Þingvellir, that the existential crisis went into overdrive. Standing between two tectonic plates, feeling the vastness of time and the insignificance of… well, me. It was a lot. A good kind of a lot. I felt really human.
Evening: Back at Hvolsvöllur. Soup and reading. I kind of just want to sit, stare at a wall, and think. Which is a very, very dangerous thing for me.
- Quirky Observation: The Icelandic horses are cute. Like, really cute. And fluffy. I'm tempted to steal one, but I'm not sure how I'd explain that to customs.
Day 3: The South Coast – Waterfall Overload!
Morning: Driving/Touring the South Coast. Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. Prepare to get soaked.
- Double Down on an Experience: Okay, let's talk about Seljalandsfoss. The thing about Seljalandsfoss is that you can walk behind it. And that's exactly what I did. And it was… insane. The mist! The roar of the water! The sheer, unadulterated power! I actually felt the force of the waterfall on my chest.
- Imperfection: My camera lens is now permanently smeared with water. But I don't care. It was worth it. Just… wow.
- Opinionated Language: Skógafoss waterfall is also amazing. But Seljalandsfoss really gets you. It just does.
Afternoon: Vík í Mýrdal. Black sand beach, Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Wind. Lots of wind.
- Anecdote: Almost got blown away on the black sand beach. Seriously, I think I levitated for a second. Good job I was wearing sensible shoes as usual.
- Emotional Reaction: Standing on that beach, the wind whipping around me, facing the immense power of the ocean… it was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. I'm pretty sure I accidentally screamed. But in a good way.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel, once again. Trying to stay awake. (The jet lag catches up, folks). Reflecting on the day and the trip.
- Stronger emotional reactions: I want to stay here forever. But at the same time, I really miss my dog and my cat.
- Messy Structure: I have written this in a mess, on the laptop in the hotel room late at night. The windows are steamed, and the rain falls. Tomorrow, I move on.
- Quirky Observation: I ate some Skyr (the Icelandic yogurt) and it was better than yogurt, and I should probably eat more Skyr.
Day 4: Departure – A Sad Goodbye
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, then head back towards Reykjavik and the airport.
- Emotional Reaction: Leaving this place is going to be tough. This trip to Iceland has been something I'll never forget. I learned a lot about myself.
- Closing remarks: I'm tired, emotionally drained, my clothes smell of rain and the air, and the memory card on my camera is full of slightly blurry photos. But I'm also full of joy. I'm feeling a bit less inadequate than when I arrived, and I really want to come back. Maybe next time, with a friend. Or maybe, I should do it all over again. I don't know yet. I do know that I'm incredibly grateful to have had this experience. I guess I should go, now. Bye.
Okay, seriously, what IS "Hidden Gem" about Hotel Hvolsvöllur? Is it just marketing fluff?
Luxury? Don't they all say that? What's the *actual* luxury like? Is it, like, gold-plated toilet seats?
The views... Everyone says that. Are they *really* that good? And, are there any cons about being "in the middle of nowhere"?
Tell me about the food! I need to know if it's worth it.
About that "unbelievable" experience? Do you have a story to tell?
So, what's the catch? Anything you *didn't* like?
Would you *actually* go back? Would recommend it?
I'm a total newbie to Iceland. Is this a good base for a trip?
