Driving Iceland’s Ring Road was one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life. The open landscapes, glacier-tipped mountains, black sand beaches, and steaming geothermal fields made every mile breathtaking. But equally unforgettable were the accommodations I stayed in along the way—each with its own charm, comfort, and unique Icelandic hospitality.
In this article, I want to share with you the places I personally stayed during my road trip around Iceland. If you’re planning a similar journey, this will help you find cozy, practical, and scenic places to rest after long days of exploring.
1. Start in Reykjavík: Hotel Frón
📍 Location: Laugavegur 22A, Reykjavík
💰 Price: €120–150 per night (standard double room)
🛏️ Room Type: Standard double with private bathroom
🍽️ Breakfast: Included
📱 Booking Tip: Available through popular travel booking apps
Before hitting the road, I spent my first night at Hotel Frón. Located right on Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main street, it was perfect for a quick walk to restaurants and cafés. The room was compact but modern, with a very comfortable bed and heated floors—something I definitely appreciated.
What really stood out was the friendly front desk staff. They gave me excellent advice on where to pick up supplies before heading out and even helped me print my car rental voucher. Breakfast was served buffet-style with fresh bread, eggs, fruit, and the best skyr I had during the trip.
2. South Coast Stop: Hotel Vík í Mýrdal
📍 Location: Klettsvegur 1, Vík
💰 Price: €140–180 per night
🛏️ Room Type: Superior room with view of Reynisdrangar cliffs
🍽️ Breakfast: Included
📱 Booking Tip: Easily booked via major hotel platforms
Vík is a popular stop on the south coast, and I couldn’t have picked a better place than Hotel Vík í Mýrdal. The room had floor-to-ceiling windows facing the dramatic cliffs and Reynisfjara beach. Waking up to that view was pure magic.
The room was spacious, ultra-clean, and decorated in soothing neutral tones. The hotel has a bar and lounge area that felt cozy and inviting. I ended my evening sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace while reading about the next day’s journey.
The breakfast buffet offered traditional Icelandic fare—smoked fish, fresh cheese, and plenty of pastries. Parking was free and plentiful, and the hotel was just a few minutes from the town’s petrol station and supermarket.
3. East Fjords Charm: Hótel Aldan, Seyðisfjörður
📍 Location: Norðurgata 2, Seyðisfjörður
💰 Price: €130–170 per night
🛏️ Room Type: Deluxe double in the historic bank building
🍽️ Breakfast: Included (in a nearby converted schoolhouse)
📱 Booking Tip: Available on multiple booking platforms
Nestled in the remote beauty of the East Fjords, Seyðisfjörður is a tiny, artsy town that looks like something out of a storybook. I stayed at Hótel Aldan, a cluster of restored buildings that include an old bank, post office, and even a former school.
My room was in the old bank building and had the perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort. Think vintage furniture, wooden floors, and thick duvets you can sink into after a long day. The restaurant downstairs served locally caught fish and reindeer steak, which was a surprising highlight.
Breakfast was served in a school-turned-dining-hall a short walk away, and it was delightful. From homemade bread to fresh jam and strong Icelandic coffee, it gave me the energy I needed for another long day of driving.
4. North Iceland Haven: Hotel Norðurland, Akureyri
📍 Location: Geislagata 7, Akureyri
💰 Price: €110–150 per night
🛏️ Room Type: Cozy double room with city view
🍽️ Breakfast: Included
📱 Booking Tip: Found on top hotel search engines
Akureyri, often dubbed the “Capital of the North,” was my favorite city stop along the Ring Road. Hotel Norðurland was perfectly situated right in the town center, within walking distance of restaurants, cafés, and the iconic Akureyri Church.
The room wasn’t overly fancy, but it was warm and spotless. There was fast Wi-Fi, a desk for journaling, and blackout curtains that helped me sleep like a rock. The front desk staff gave great recommendations for dinner and even directed me to a local swimming pool, a typical Icelandic experience that I highly recommend.
Their breakfast included warm oatmeal, meats, cheeses, and pastries. It wasn’t extravagant but it was filling and delicious.
5. Mid-North Tranquility: Skútustaðir Guesthouse, Mývatn Area
📍 Location: Near Lake Mývatn, off Route 1
💰 Price: €100–130 per night
🛏️ Room Type: Country-style double with shared bathroom
🍽️ Breakfast: Optional, €15
📱 Booking Tip: Listed on trusted travel accommodation platforms
For a true countryside experience, I booked a night at Skútustaðir Guesthouse near Lake Mývatn. The setting was serene—no city lights, just stars and silence. The guesthouse is part of a family farm, and I could see sheep wandering near the property as I checked in.
The room was simple but very comfortable. I opted for a shared bathroom to save money, and everything was spotlessly clean. The host family was welcoming and even offered homemade cake when I arrived.
I chose to include breakfast, which featured farm-fresh eggs, rye bread, and homemade rhubarb jam. It felt like staying with relatives in the countryside.
6. West Coast Retreat: Hrauneyjar Highland Center
📍 Location: On F26, near Þjórsárdalur Valley
💰 Price: €120–140 per night
🛏️ Room Type: Basic twin room with private bath
🍽️ Breakfast and dinner: Available at extra cost
📱 Booking Tip: Found on major booking platforms
Located in a remote area surrounded by lava fields, Hrauneyjar Highland Center was a peaceful and practical stop between the Golden Circle and the highlands. It’s not luxury accommodation, but it’s ideal for adventurous travelers.
The rooms were functional with good heating and private bathrooms. There’s an on-site restaurant that serves hearty Icelandic meals like lamb stew and Arctic char, which was exactly what I needed after a long hike in the area.
Staff here were especially helpful in giving weather and road condition updates. This was crucial, as driving in remote Iceland requires good planning.
7. Golden Circle Gem: Hotel Geysir
📍 Location: Directly across from the Geysir geothermal area
💰 Price: €180–220 per night
🛏️ Room Type: Premium double with geothermal view
🍽️ Breakfast: Included
📱 Booking Tip: Can be reserved via all major booking apps
Staying at Hotel Geysir felt like a reward near the end of my journey. The modern architecture and interior design were striking, but the location was the true star. My room overlooked the geothermal field—yes, I could actually see the geysers erupting from my window!
The rooms were elegant, with plush bedding, huge windows, and thoughtful Icelandic design. The hotel also had a fine-dining restaurant where I splurged on a tasting menu inspired by Icelandic nature.
Breakfast here was excellent: smoked salmon, fresh fruit, strong coffee, and views of steaming earth just outside.
8. Final Night: Frost and Fire Hotel, Hveragerði
📍 Location: Hverhamar, Hveragerði
💰 Price: €160–200 per night
🛏️ Room Type: Deluxe double with hot tub access
🍽️ Breakfast: Included
📱 Booking Tip: Available on hotel aggregation platforms
As I neared Reykjavík again, I decided to treat myself to one last special night at Frost and Fire. Nestled along a hot river, the hotel features outdoor hot tubs with views of nearby mountains and steam vents.
My room was elegant and minimalist, with direct access to the geothermal tubs. I arrived early enough to soak in the warm water under the open sky—it was the perfect way to reflect on the trip.
The in-house restaurant served seasonal Icelandic dishes, and breakfast included homemade granola, local cheeses, and organic eggs from nearby farms.
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road is not just about what you see out your car window—though the views are beyond spectacular. It’s about the rhythm of the road: the quiet hum of tires on the asphalt, the ever-changing landscape outside, and the sense of complete freedom as you curve around glaciers, fjords, and volcanoes. But just as important as the scenery are the places where you choose to stop, rest, and restore your energy each night. These accommodations become part of the journey itself—they’re not just places to sleep, but places to feel, to connect, and to reflect.
The places I stayed along the way weren’t all five-star hotels, nor did they need to be. In fact, what made them special was how authentic and grounded they were. One night, I soaked in a geothermal hot tub under the open sky, surrounded by rising steam and the distant hush of a mountain stream. Another evening, I sat by a wood stove in a converted bank building in the East Fjords, sipping locally made herbal tea and reading about the village’s quirky artistic past.
I still remember waking up to the sound of wind outside a cozy farmhouse near Lake Mývatn and being greeted with fresh eggs, warm rye bread, and homemade jam prepared by the host family. Every guesthouse, every hotel, had its own personality—some rustic and quiet, others sleek and modern, but all infused with that special Icelandic sense of space, solitude, and sincerity.
These moments—small, slow, and deeply personal—became just as meaningful as standing before a roaring waterfall or watching the Northern Lights. They grounded me in the experience of being in Iceland, not just passing through it.
I hope these recommendations help you design a journey that’s not just scenic, but soulful—one that offers not only stunning landscapes, but a sense of home in the most unexpected places. Safe travels, drive mindfully, and always check the road conditions before setting out. Iceland rewards those who come prepared—and those who pause to truly feel it.
