Best Remote Hotels in Iceland— Biggest Selection & Lowest Prices Guaranteed

Escape the crowds and discover Iceland’s best remote stays, set in quiet natural surroundings across the country. From unique hotels and accommodations in Iceland to countryside retreats, you can experience peaceful landscapes, fewer tourists, and closer access to untouched areas in regions like the Westfjords and East Iceland. 

Since most of these locations are far from major towns, planning ahead with a car rental in Iceland makes it much easier to explore at your own pace. With stays in these areas, you can also enjoy northern lights tours, hiking trails, and outdoor activities right from your doorstep.

What to Expect from Remote Hotels in Iceland

Remote hotels in Iceland offer a very different experience from staying in Reykjavik or a larger town. Here is what to keep in mind before you book.

• Limited nearby services. Most remote hotels in Iceland are far from supermarkets, petrol stations, and restaurants. Stock up on food, fuel, and any supplies you need before you leave the nearest town. Some hotels have an on-site restaurant or a small shop, but it’s best to check upon booking to be sure.

• Fewer amenities than city hotels. Remote hotels tend to be simpler. You may not have a gym, room service, or a 24-hour reception. What you get instead is space, quiet, and landscapes that city hotels cannot offer.

• Weather can affect your journey. Roads to remote areas, especially in the Westfjords and East Iceland, can become difficult or impassable in bad weather. Always check Iceland’s road conditions before you set off, particularly in winter and early spring.

• Some properties close in winter. Not all remote hotels in Iceland operate year-round. Properties in the Eastfjords and the Westfjords in particular may close between October and April when winter conditions become too harsh. 

• Mobile signal and Wi-Fi can be limited. In very remote areas, connectivity is not guaranteed. Download offline maps and any information you need before you leave town.

• The tradeoff is worth it. Fewer crowds, darker skies for northern lights viewing, and direct access to hiking trails and untouched nature make remote hotels some of the most rewarding places to stay in Iceland.

Where To Stay for Remote Hotels in Iceland

Remote hotels in Iceland are spread across specific regions where distance, landscape, and access define the experience. Choosing the right area depends on how remote you want to be and what kind of activities you plan to do.

Remote Hotels in the Westfjords

Biggest town: Isafjordur

The Westfjords are the most remote part of Iceland, best suited for travelers willing to drive longer distances for complete isolation. 

Staying in Westfjords hotels, you will enjoy deep fjords and minimal traffic. Areas around Patreksfjordur and the Strandir Coast are far from the Ring Road, with long stretches of quiet coastal driving and very few towns.

The region offers access to Westfjords tours, including hiking in the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, along with bird cliffs such as Latrabjarg and frequent wildlife sightings.

KEX Thingeyri

A stylish hotel in the coastal village of Thingeyri, set in a historic building that once housed the Dyrafjordur Trading Company, with sea and fjord views and an on-site restaurant and bar.

• Distance from Isafjordur: 30.3 miles (48.8 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attraction: Sandafell Mountain Trail, Dynjandi Waterfall, Arctic Fox Center in Sudavik

• On-site facilities: Restaurant, breakfast included, summer weekend gourmet dinners, bar and lounge, free Wi-Fi, free parking

Hotel Flokalundur

Hotel Flokalundur is a cozy, family-run hotel nestled in the Vatnsfjordur Fjord on the south coast of the Westfjords. 

• Distance from Isafjordur: 54 miles (88 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attraction: Hellulaug Hot Spring, Dynjandi Waterfall

• On-site facilities: Restaurant open 7:30 to 23:00, free Wi-Fi, free parking

Remote Hotels in East Iceland

Biggest town: Egilsstadir

East Iceland offers remote coastal stays from which Ring Road tours are still accessible. Towns like Seydisfjordur, Borgarfjordur Eystri, and Breiddalsvik are set between steep mountains and quiet fjords, with far fewer visitors than the South Coast.

This region is known for coastal drives, hiking trails like Studlagil Canyon, and wildlife spotting, especially in more isolated areas like Borgarfjordur Eystri.

Wilderness Center

A remote wilderness lodge at the foot of Snaefell Mountain in East Iceland, offering its own guided tours including horseback rides, super jeep trips, and waterfall hikes departing directly from the property. It is one of the most immersive adventure stays in the country.

• Distance from Egilsstadir: Approx. 37 miles (60 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Partially unpaved, check conditions before visiting

• 4WD required: Recommended

• Nearest attractions: Snaefell Mountain, Lagarfljot Lake, Hallormstadaskogar Forest

• On-site facilities: Geothermal hot tub, sauna, breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner menu, summer museum, on-site guided tours, free Wi-Fi

Hotel Eskifjordur

A small, comfortable hotel in the old fishing village of Eskifjordur, just a 15-minute detour off the Ring Road, with views of the surrounding mountains and fjord.

• Distance from Egilsstadir: Approx. 30 miles (48 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attraction: East Iceland Maritime Museum

• On-site facilities: Continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, luggage storage, laundry service

Alfheimar Country Hotel

A cozy 32-room country hotel in Borgarfjordur Eystri on the east coast, right in the heart of one of Iceland's best puffin watching areas, and a short distance from some of the most dramatic hiking terrain in the Eastfjords.

• Distance from Egilsstadir: Approx. 43 miles (70 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Partially unpaved, check conditions before visiting

• 4WD required: Recommended

• Nearest attraction: Kjarvalsstofa Art Museum; Storurd Natural Formation; Dyrfjoll Mountains hiking areas

• On-site facilities: Restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, free parking

Remote Hotels in South Iceland

Biggest towns: Vik, Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Beyond Vik and the main stops, South Iceland’s hotels offer a quieter stay without going far off route. Areas around Kirkjubaejarklaustur and inland farm stays between Vik and Hofn offer more privacy while still being close to the Ring Road.

You can stay near glaciers, lava fields, and waterfalls while avoiding the busiest overnight hubs.

Magma Hotel 

A small, design-forward 12-room hotel set in the Eldrhraun Lava Fields near Kirkjubaejarklaustur, with private patios facing Vatnajokull Glacier and a cozy bistro serving locally sourced dinners. Every room has a view over the moss-covered lava fields and the glacier in the background.

• Distance from Kirkjubaejarklaustur: Less than 2 miles (3 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attractions: Skaftafell Nature Reserve, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

• On-site facilities: Bistro, breakfast buffet, dinner service, free coffee and tea throughout the day, free Wi-Fi, free parking

Hotel Burfell 

A 20-room farmstay hotel on the South Coast, about 15 minutes west of Vik, with clean and comfortable rooms, hot tubs available on site, and a location that puts some of the best scenery on the Ring Road within easy reach in both directions.

• Distance from Vik: 9 miles (15 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attractions: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Dyrholaey Rock Arch

• On-site facilities: Hot tubs (additional cost), free Wi-Fi, free parking

Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Biggest town: Stykisholmur

Snaefellsnes is a good option if you want a remote feel without committing to long detours, as it is relatively close to Reykjavik and accessible via well-maintained roads. Places like Hellissandur, Rif, and Arnarstapi are about 90 to 120 miles (145 to 200 kilometers) from Reykjavik but feel much quieter than the capital region.

Most towns in the region offer access to Snaefellsjokull Volcano, lava fields, cliffs, and coastal hiking routes within short driving distances.

Stundarfridur Hotel 

A quiet, seven-room hotel on the north shore of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The outdoor patio is a good spot for watching northern lights in winter.

• Distance from Stykkisholmur: 7 miles (12 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attractions: Mount Kirkjufell, Ytri Tunga Seal Beach, Snaefellsjokull National Park

• On-site facilities: Restaurant, breakfast included, communal indoor and outdoor spaces, free Wi-Fi, free parking

Hotel Budir 

A romantic countryside hotel set in a lava field on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with views of Snaefellsjokull Glacier, the Budir Estuary, and Faxafloi Bay from the rooms. 

• Distance from Stykkisholmur: Approx. 24 miles (39 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attractions: Budakirkja Black Church, Snaefellsjokull National Park, Londrangar Basalt Cliffs

• On-site facilities: Restaurant, shared lounge, garden area, free Wi-Fi, free parking, pets allowed on request

North Iceland

Biggest town: Akureyri

North Iceland provides a balance between remote landscapes and practical travel routes, making it a good option for travelers who want quieter surroundings without being too far from key services.

Areas like Siglufjordur and Olafsfjordur are more remote than Akureyri but still accessible by paved roads. You can combine quieter stays with whale watching in Husavik, hiking around Myvatn, and exploring geothermal landscapes.

Hotel Skulagardur 

A comfortable 17-room hotel on both the Diamond Circle and Arctic Coast Way driving routes in Northeast Iceland, with lake views from private patios and a seasonal restaurant serving locally sourced dishes from June to September.

• Distance from Husavik: 18 miles (29 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attractions: Asbyrgi Canyon, Husavik, Lake Myvatn

• On-site facilities: Restaurant (opem from June to September), bar, breakfast included, free Wi-Fi, free parking

Hotel Natur 

A family-run hotel near Akureyri with stunning views over Eyjafjordur and the mountains of North Iceland, with indoor and outdoor hot tubs and jacuzzis and easy access to the Diamond Circle attractions.

• Distance from Akureyri: 9 miles (15 kilometers)

• Road conditions: Paved

• 4WD required: No

• Nearest attractions: Akureyri Botanical Garden, Akureyri Museum, Eyjafjordur Fjord

• On-site facilities: Restaurant, breakfast included, indoor and outdoor hot tubs and jacuzzis, billiards, golf, table tennis, hiking activities, free Wi-Fi, free parking

Iceland's remote hotels are some of the most rewarding places to stay in the country. They take more planning to reach, but the tradeoff is space, quiet, and landscapes that busier destinations cannot offer. Staying in a remote property puts you closer to the Iceland that most visitors never get to see.