Why book? Getting away is easy in Iceland, but a stay at Sigló feels like living in a fairy tale with a next-level hot tub.

Set the scene: Located right on the harbor with a waterside hot tub, walking into the moss-colored Sigló Hotel feels like entering the home of your most country-chic friend. Straight ahead, a fireplace surrounded by velvet lounge chairs invites guests to take a seat. A bar flanks one wall of the massive lobby —it’s generally pretty quiet, and a great spot for a happy hour cocktail or a nightcap. The interiors favor gray and slate blue, with touches of texture draped across furniture and on the wallpaper. The types of travelers vary here, as there aren’t a ton of places to stay in town: Icelanders looking for a long weekend away, families on a Ring Road journey, honeymooners, and groups of skiers with Siglufjörður as their home base. The dress code is elevated casual, but the vibe is far from stuffy.

The backstory: Siglö Hotel opened in 2015 and currently lives under the Keahotels umbrella, a grouping of 10 properties sprinkled across the country. Before it was a part of Keahotels, the property was operated by Raudka, a company focused on bringing more jobs to the small town as tourism began to boom throughout the country.

The rooms: The rooms all have a daydreamy feel, but it could just be the moody filter that veils the entire town. Most have window seats, offering spectacular views of the marina or neighboring mountains. Bathrooms are spacious, and some are covered in marble, and the beds are deliriously comfortable after a day in the ever-changing Icelandic weather. This is what you wish you were treated to every time you visit your in-laws’ home.

Food and drink: The aforementioned bar in the lobby serves up the usual cocktail menu as well as hot drinks. Sunna Restaurant is the hotel’s only dining spot, and the view over the marina and landing pier makes for a wonderfully unconventional appetizer. For the main course, go for the baked cod with a side of seafood soup.

The neighborhood/area: Siglufjördur is not entirely easy to come by. Sure, it’s easy enough to point your GPS in the right direction but the route very much depends on the weather. The town is located on the east side of a fjord in northern Iceland, connected to the rest of civilization by a set of tunnels. Called Héðinsfjarðargöng, the tunnels were built in 2010 to help make it easier to get to the town when winter storms hit. Previously, Siglufjördur could be cut off for months until the snow and ice began to thaw. The area has deep ties to herring fishing, which you could (and should!) learn all about at the Herring Era Museum across the street from the hotel. The small community draws artists, many of which flock to the Herhúsið (a local creative residency program). The Folk Music Center is another great stop as it provides a bit of insight into the country’s unique sounds. For most, Siglufjördur is a stop on a larger road trip, where it’s easy to relax and lose yourself in the misty harbor and its surrounding hiking trails for a little bit.

The service: The staff is hands-off until you need them. Your greeting will always be warm at the front desk, where they’re quick to make a dinner reservation or help you plan your day around town (and beyond).

For families: The rooms are plenty big for a family, even if you have to fit in some work while you’re on the road (the rooms have great desks). Kids will love the hot tub that overlooks the marina and a vintage boat that’s permanently docked next to the hotel. The proximity to the Herring Era Museum—another one that’s sure to be high on tiny travelers’ list of favorite things—is another huger perk.

Eco effort: Among the brand’s sustainability initiatives are minimizing resource consumption and a reduction in paper usage. Each room has proper recycling bins and provides mugs for morning coffee and tea.

Accessibility: The hotel is fully accessible, with an elevator to the guest rooms and some accommodations that offer adaptive bathrooms. Overall, the hotel feels very spaced out and easily navigable for all mobility devices.

Anything left to mention? Don’t sleep on the breakfast spread. Get up early to watch the fisherman prep their boats for the day from your table.