Hotel Borg by Keahotels

The Best Hotels in Iceland, From Rural Lodges to Reykjavik Boutiques

"The Hotel Borg was Reykjavik's first luxury hotel—and it’s still the most beloved. Jóhannes Jósefsson, a native Icelander who worked in the United States as a circus strongman, returned to his native country with dreams of building Iceland’s first four-star property. The elegant hotel, which opened in 1930, hews to a black, white, and silver palette, an Art Deco gem in the very center of the city. It’s still the hotel of choice for Iceland’s celebrities and elites, whom you’re likely to chat with over warm brown bread and strong coffee at the Borg’s guests-only breakfast. And because this is Scandinavia, don’t look for over-the-top glitz: here, the glamor is in the details, like the sleek silver door handles and the dainty chime the elevator makes instead of a beep."

The Best Hotels in Iceland, From Rural Lodges to Reykjavik Boutiques

"Although Reykjavik is currently in the middle of a hotel boom, the Hotel Borg was the city’s first luxury hotel—and it’s still the most beloved. Jóhannes Jósefsson, a native Icelander who worked in the United States as a circus strongman, returned to his native country with dreams of building Iceland’s first four-star property. The elegant hotel, which opened in 1930, hews to a black, white, and silver palette, an Art Deco gem in the very center of the city. It’s still the hotel of choice for Iceland’s celebrities and elites, whom you’re likely to chat with over warm brown bread and strong coffee at the Borg’s guests-only breakfast. And because this is Scandinavia, don’t look for over-the-top glitz: here, the glamour is in the details, like the sleek silver door handles and the dainty chime the elevator makes instead of a beep." - James Taylor

How DILL Put Iceland’s Cuisine on the Culinary Map

"Hotel Borg, the city’s original luxury hotel, offers opulence with Hästens mattresses and Nespresso machines, as well as the elaborate Borg Spa." - Ali Wunderman

Hotel Borg

"Although Reykjavik is currently in the middle of a hotel boom, the Hotel Borg was the city’s first luxury hotel—and it’s still the most beloved. Jóhannes Jósefsson, a native Icelander who worked in the United States as a circus strongman, returned to his native country with dreams of building Iceland’s first four-star property. The elegant hotel, which opened in 1930, hews to a black, white, and silver palette, an Art Deco gem in the very center of the city. It’s still the hotel of choice for Iceland’s celebrities and elites, whom you’re likely to chat with over warm brown bread and strong coffee at the Borg’s guests-only breakfast. And because this is Scandinavia, don’t look for over-the-top glitz: here, the glamour is in the details, like the sleek silver door handles and the dainty chime the elevator makes instead of a beep."

"Commissioned and built by Icelandic wrestler Johannes Josefsson in the 1920s, Hotel Borg was one of Iceland ’s first high-end hotels. Almost a century on—and despite a thoroughly modern refurbishment—it still exudes an atmosphere of old-world sophistication, with impeccably mannered staff and stately Art Deco touches such as globe lamps and brass-and-wood railings. The rooms combine comfortable leather chairs, polished parquet floors, and vintage photos of Reykjavik with modern conveniences such as Philippe Stark fittings in the marble bathrooms and Samsung smart TVs in the suites and superior rooms. The location is unbeatable: right next to the Icelandic parliament on pretty Austurvöllur Square, with ample opportunities to explore the city’s culture or world-famous nightlife."