If you’re staying in Reykjavik, Iceland, there are many hotels to choose from including Hotel Borg. During my recent stay in Iceland, I toured a few hotels, including the Hotel Borg. The hotel describes itself as combining “old time elegance with modern style” in the centre of Reykjavik, Icelands capital. The four star Hotel Borg is a showcase of sophistication. Hotel Borg, which has become one of Reykjavik’s landmarks, is centrally and conveniently located within walking distance of variety of restaurants, businesses, souvenir shops, art galleries and specialty shops.
The second you enter Hotel Borg, you sense that you have entered a different time period. The hotel was originally built for Jóhannes Jósefsson, a famous strong-man and adventurer. He competed in the London Olympics in 1908 and then traveled the world, ending up in America with Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth.
Jósefsson returned to Iceland in 1927 after amassing great wealth from his circus work. His dream was to build a luxury hotel in Iceland upon his return home. Hotel began construction in 1928 and was completed in 1930. The hotel was fit for foreign heads of state as it stands near the Parliament (Althingi) and the old cathedral. The hotel has been renovated to reflect its original Art Deco styling as they once were with the hotel’s 1930 opening. The Silfur restaurant in Hotel Borg, offers exquisite world-class Icelandic cuisine served in beautiful and stylish surroundings, along with a café and bar.
The hotel’s 56 rooms and suites, with Art Deco style throughout, are elegantly appointed yet offer an extensive array of modern amenities. The hotel offers a variety of rooms from single rooms to double rooms to suites, each with its own unique style.
Hotel Borg overlooks Austurvöllur square, in the heart of Reykjavík, across from Althingi, the Icelandic parliament and the cathedral. The square was originally part of the hay fields of the city’s first settler, Ingólfur Arnarson. In the center of the square is the statue of Jón Sigurdsson, the Icelandic nationalist who led the country to independence from Denmark (gained in 1944). This picture is looking toward the square from inside the Hotel Borg. Here is a link to a live webcam feed from the square looking toward the hotel. Looks like there is snow on the ground in Iceland!
I absolutely loved seeing the room keys hanging behind the front desk just like what you might see in an old movie. In this day and age of high tech everything, key cards, iPads, apps, texting, and the like, how refreshing is it to slow down and reminisce about days gone by? You can take the elevator up to your room or climb the staircase up to second level and down the hall to what feels like a different time and then relax, unwind, and enjoy your stay in Iceland.
If you appreciate Art Deco styling, smaller hotels with a more intimate feel, and a picturesque central location, then I would say Hotel Borg is the hotel for you. After a day of sightseeing in Reykjavik, you can return to the hotel and enjoy all of its amenities or sit out in Austurvöllur square and sunbathe or maybe catch a protest. Room rates vary depending on when you’ll be visiting, but I saw rates as low as 146 EUR up to 399 EUR for a suite. Plan your stay in advance and you might end up with a great rate at a great hotel like the Hotel Borg!
Hotel Borg
Posthusstraeti
101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Tel: +354-551 1440
Fax: +354-5511420
Email: hotelborg@hotelborg.is
What a gorgeous and classy looking place!
Thanks Andi! My husband read my blog yesterday and said this is where he would want to stay when he goes to Iceland. Sounds like that’s a promise of a future trip for me there!