Eco focused urban hotel with Balinese design in downtown Reykjavik
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel / Reykjavik / Iceland
The Guldsmeden hotels have carved out a niche for themselves on the market with their Bali design inspired urban hotels and their strong eco profile. They started their first hotel in the Danish second city, Aarhus, and have now spread beyond the Danish border, all the way to Reykjavik where you’ll find this outpost of the chain, Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel.
The Eyja Guldsmeden is owned by local couple Linda Jóhannsdottir and Ellert Finnbogason and they are running their hotel in close collaboration with Guldsmeden hotels in Denmark. It is sitting right on the edge of downtown, on a quiet residential street which is a good thing in a city that likes to party. From the rooms you have great views of the bay and Mount Esja on the other side of the water.
There are 65 rooms in total and the design has that typical Guldsmeden signature look with hardwood parquet floors, cream colored walls, bespoke lamps. You’ll find Chesterfield leather sofas and plenty of Balinese furniture and design elements like the massive wooden figurines. What sets the design apart at this one from other Guldsmeden hotels I have stayed at is that there are sheepskin here and there to bring some Icelandic design into the mix. But two things you can always count on (and you also find here) is the gold standard Guldsmeden breakfast with plenty of vegetarian/vegan options and the four poster beds that makes you feel and sleep like a royal.
Welcome to Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, right on the edge of downtown of Reykjavik.
The reception/lobby area with the atypical (for Guldsmeden) Chesterfield leather sofas and Balinese interior elements.
Our room with the classic Guldsmeden fourposter bed.
Leather sofa in our room with locally sourced sheep skin.
One thing that always score high in my book are hotels that offer complimentary coffee, which is the case at Eyja Guldsmeden.
A well stocked hotel shop.
The Balinese demon queen Rangda who represents evil (while her counterpart Barong represent good) is standing next to the entrance.
There is a great little gym at Eyja Guldsmeden. My friend Tanja stretching her body after a long day in the car.
The breakfast at Guldsmeden should not be missed.
Umbrellas to bring with you which is always a good idea considering the moody Icelandic weather.
Right down the road from the hotel you’ll find Reykjavik Roasters. They know how to make a mean cappuccino.
A little further, but still within walking distance is one of the outposts of local bakery, Brau∂ & CO.
The buns of Brau∂ & CO are unreal. So tasty!
And talking about tasty. Down the road from the hotel you’ll find Hlemmur Mathöll. This used to be a bus station but is now a food court with excellent food options. So good that we came here two nights in a row.
One of the best places on the island for a dip in hot thermal water is Reykjadalur Hot Springs. To get there you first drive along a bumpy dirt road before you have to walk a couple of k’s to get to the baths.
Me enjoying a long, hot soak together with friends Jack and Tanja.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are looking for a centrally located hotel, right at the edge of downtown of the Icelandic capital with a relaxed atmosphere and strong sustainability profile.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the eco-ambition of all Guldsmeden hotels, and this one is no different. This chain is a trail blazer in the industry.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to visit Hlemmur Mathöll. This is an old bus station turned excellent food court, a short 5 min walk from the hotel. The enticing selection of places to buy food from made it almost impossible to chose what to get. That’s why we went here two evenings in a row.
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