Reykjavik Downtown Hostel

Reykjavik Downtown Hostel is an excellent place to stay in downtown Reykjavik, and actually feels more like a four-star hotel by European standards. Since it just opened in April 2009, the facilities are brand new, clean, and very affordable. Hostel staff were extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about local attractions. Overall, it's a fantastic, comfortable place with great staff, an ideal location, and facilities suitable for both individuals and families.

The Location

This hostel is centrally located on a quiet, cobblestone street in Downtown Reykjavik. It is actually located in one of Reykjavik's most historic neighbourhoods, and only a very short walk (five minutes) from the old harbour and in the heart of the old village. It is also surrounded by some of Reykjavik's best coffee shops and restaurants -- Cafe Paris and Tapas Barinn are down the road. All of the city's major attractions are easily accessible by foot, including museums, galleries, shopping, restaurants, pubs, and music venues. The Tourist Information Centre is located down the street.

Guests arriving from the airport via FlyBus will have no difficulty finding the place, as they will be dropped off at the closest street corner to the hostel (one-minute walk). Since the hostel is located in the centre of Reykjavik, it is not very conducive to cars -- while metered street parking is available in front of the hostel, it is very limited and not recommended.

Rooms and Bathrooms

Guests will be welcomed to rooms equipped with duvets, comfortable beds, and hot showers. The hostel has a range of rooms to choose from -- spacious dorms with eight to ten beds, dorms with four beds, family rooms, and double rooms with shared or private facilities. With the morning rush, the shower water can sometimes be a bit lukewarm. Guests should remember that the faint smell of sulphur from the water supply is normal, since Iceland uses a geothermic heating system.

The Common Spaces

Upon entry to the hostel, guests will be greeted with a cozy lounge area with a cafe, TV, and candles and flowers on every table. In the morning, the lounge becomes the breakfast area for guests. Although the hostel advertises a full kitchen for cooking, it is actually reserved for the use of staff and the cafe. However, hostel staff are happy to put some food in the fridge for guests, if requested. There is free wireless internet for guests, but bring a laptop because there are no computers for guest use. Unfortunately, there are no laundry or game facilities available in this building. This is a very small, quiet hostel, so guests looking to party should expect to visit the local bars instead.

Summary

Overall, this is an excellent hostel for an amazing price -- ideal for travelers looking get a good night's sleep in the centre of downtown Reykjavik without busting the bank. It won't be long before this newly-opened hostel is listed all in the travel guides!

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
June 2009