Von Guldsmeden Hotel

Reykjavik's centrally-located Von Guldsmeden Hotel – Hotel Von for short – is a newly-built boutique hotel whose design and facilities feel far more hip than some pricier hotels. Discerning travelers who dig design and have an eco-edge should give the Von a closer look.

Location & Nearby

The Von Guldsmeden Hotel is conveniently located on the upper end of Reykjavik's main street, Laugavegur, a block or two east of more bustling blocks of shops and nightlife. But this is no sleepy hood – several shops and restaurants share the same stretch of Iceland's liveliest street, ensuring guests still very much feel in the heart of the action. Reykjavik's main square, Austurvollur, is 850 metres west.

The hotel is just five minute's walk from the tallest building in Reykjavik, the 244-foot (74.5-meter) tall Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran church, and some rooms frame postcard-perfect views of the iconic landmark. Nautholsvík Geothermal Beach, Solfar Sun Voyager, Icelandic Phallological Museum, the Icelandic Punk Museum, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, and the Old Harbour all sit in close vicinity to the hotel. Fancy an Icelandic wool sweater? The Handknitting Association of Iceland is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel and has a plethora of handicraft, design, and boutique shopping options in all directions.

There's also no shortage of noodles shops, burger joints, cafes, bakeries, and local cuisine surrounding the hotel; Dill, the first restaurant in Iceland to obtain Michelin-star status, is literally next door. Beer connoisseurs can rejoice, too: Reykjavik's best craft beer bars are a bottle cap's toss away, including hophead favorite Skuli Craft Bar. In short, travelers who opt for the Von won't be bored.

The local domestic airport, Reykjavik Airport, is also conveniently located just 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) away.

Facilities & Amenities

The 52-room Hotel Von, which follows the same sustainability and organic ethics as its sister hotel, the Eyja Guldsmeden, offers single, double/twin and triple rooms divided among standard, superior and deluxe categories (higher categories offer more square footage and sofa beds in addition to the principle bed) over six floors. Newly opened in a new building in 2019, the Von's design-forward wealth of hardwoods (flooring, four-poster beds, sink cabinetry) combined with black leather and charcoal granite accents, stone bathroom sinks, and industrial subway tiled showers to give a distinct boutique feel. Desks, flat-screen TVs (with satellite channels), private bathrooms, bed linen and towels, safety deposit boxes, kettles, hairdryers, and eco-friendly toiletries top the list of standard amenities.

Public spaces include a 24-hour reception, a hip bar, and a shared lounge and garden, all of which feature liberal use of plants and greenery. A tour desk and ticket service catering to guests is in operation as well. Parking could be worse at around 26 USD per day.

Why Choose Von Guldsmeden Hotel?

Discerning travelers with an eye for Nordic design will settle in nicely at this boutique hotel perfectly-located on Iceland's most esteemed commercial street. All visitors to Iceland's capital who appreciate idling near the fulcrum of entertainment, shopping, and nightlife should make a reservation soon.