Words by Christopher Roser
Iceland has, for many years, been a popular destination as much for its unique landscapes of mountains, glaciers and volcanos as for its buzzing capital Reykjavík. The Icelandic capital draws travellers from far and wide for its quirky character, homely Nordic architecture and vibrant food and drink scene. The city is the base from which to explore this extraordinary country, whether you are heading to the nearby Blue Lagoon; the dramatic south coast with its majestic waterfalls and one of the world’s most spectacular beach’s, Reynisdrangar, and the breath-taking glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón; or to the Highlands of the north.
Hotel
The hotel has become a chic destination for discerning locals and visitors since opening in 2023
In the past Reykjavík had only a handful of bespoke luxury hotels but that has changed over the last decade with some very impressive and seriously stylish new openings. The Iceland Parliament Hotel is one of them. Located in the very heart of the city, next to Austurvöllur Square which is home to Icelandic parliament (The world’s oldest), the Iceland Parliament hotel has become a chic destination for discerning locals and visitors alike since opening in 2023.
Room
Accommodation includes the deluxe king room which combines a cool aesthetic with a distinctive touch of warmth
The 163 bedrooms are spread across seven buildings accessed from the impressive, art infused marble lobby designed by Italian architect Paolo Gianfrancesco. After a prompt check-in on a cold December’s day with the pleasant and immaculately presented front desk staff, we headed to one of two lifts that brought us to the third floor, and passed down a long atmospherically lit wooden panelled corridor to our deluxe king room.
The large, minimalist room had a cool aesthetic, but a with a distinctive touch of warmth. Beautifully furnished with custom made furniture unique to each room, the 333 square feet of space boasted an extremely comfortable king size bed with 400 thread count sheets and cosy woollen throws alongside lounge chairs with ottomans. The room’s amenities include a 55-inch high definition television, Nespresso machine, a full complimentary minibar, numerous USB ports and a safe.
The spacious bathroom had a roomy walk-in rain shower and deluxe Aspinal of London toiletries. The hotel’s exclusive 914-square foot Parliament Suite is spacious and elegant, and features a separate living room, dining room, two bathrooms, and two bedrooms with king size beds. The suite boasts magnificent 360-degree view of the city.
Food and drink
The lively Telebar is located in the large, open-plan lobby and boasts an extensive cocktail menu
The lively Telebar is located in the large, open-plan lobby area and draws its name from its location on the site of the old offices of Iceland Telecom. The Telebar has an extensive cocktail menu as well as a robust bar menu – their grilled beef tenderloin with mild mushrooms and a creamy béarnaise sauce was outstanding. The bar also serves classic afternoon teas.
The Hjá Jóni Restaurant, named after Icelandic independence founding father, Jón Sigurdsson, is next door and very popular with locals as well as guests. The hearty menu sources local produce for mouth-watering dishes including Icelandic fillet of lamb marinated in Arctic thyme, mushroom purée and white beech mushrooms; and Arctic monkfish with creamy barley and herbs. Breakfast is an extensive and delicious continental buffet affair.
Spa and wellness
The stunning basement spa features an indoor pool, geothermal hot tubs and sauna steam baths
The hotel has a stunning basement spa decked out in dark marble and offers a gorgeous place to unwind after being outside in the cold winter weather. There is a long indoor pool, geothermal hot tubs, sauna steam baths and a cold mist room. The spa offers extensive massage and wellness treatments, while the gym is open 24 hours to all guests. The post-treatment lounge featuring several private snugs was a delightful space to unwind. We left feeling fresh, calm and rejuvenated.
In a nutshell
The hotel is within walking distance of some of Reykjavík’s most famous sights. Image credit: Pixabay/nextvoyage
The Iceland Parliament Hotel is a fresh new face in the Icelandic capital. Featuring a popular restaurant and an outstanding spa, the hotel is chic and very welcoming with comfortable, stylish, well-appointed rooms. It has a perfect location in a quiet corner of the city centre within a short walking distance of some of Reykjavík’s famous sights. These include the beautiful cathedral, the eclectic Harpa concert hall, and the busy city harbour with its dramatic mountain and Atlantic ocean vistas that provide an unforgettable backdrop for the elusive Northern Lights when they appear.
Factbox
Rooms start from £250pn and are bookable via the Iceland Parliament Hotel’s website.
Address: Thorvaldsenstraeti 2-6, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: 00354 513 3000
Website: hilton.com
Hotel photography courtesy of Iceland Parliament Hotel.