Iceland is high on my travel list—and I’m not alone.
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The country is rich in natural wonders, from its famous lagoons to its stunning northern lights displays and even its black-sand beaches.
In terms of culture, it also packs an oddly medieval punch, from its dishes to its language to its folklore. That’s doubly true during the holidays when the country celebrates events like the Winter Lights Festival, Þorrablót (pronounced thor-a-blot), and the Viking Festival.
With snowy weather almost guaranteed and a strong possibility of seeing the Northern Lights weave through the stars, it’s almost an unbeatable pick for families looking for a familiar-but-unique Christmas and New Year’s experience.
The only catch is that you won’t have too much daylight. (Seriously, I recommend thinking twice about booking a trip to Iceland during winter unless you’re a friend of the darkness, like me.) The closer you visit to the Winter Solstice (December 21), the less light you’ll have.
Looking for the best hotels in Reykjavik for families this holiday season? I recommend staying at the options below. They have added amenities for kids, a few extra features for parents, and fantastic ratings from holiday-seekers.
Best hotels in Reykyavik for families: short list
- Best for longer stays: Reykjavik Residence Hotel
- Best central location: Sand Hotel
- Best luxury pick: Tower Suites Reykjavik
- Best family-friendly service: Storm Hotel by Keahotels
- Best rooms for families: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik or Hilton Reykjavik Nordica
- Coolest stay for older kids: CityHub Reykjavik
- Best BnB pick: Reykjavik Treasure B&B
Best hotels in Reykyavik for families
Best for longer stays: Reykjavik Residence Hotel
The Reykjavik Residence Hotel is spread across multiple historical buildings with a reception available 24 hours. The flexibility in room types makes this a popular choice for families, as the hotel offers units with living rooms and kitchenettes.
Breakfast baskets are also delivered every morning, making it easy for parents to start the day. Toss in a central location and the Residence Hotel has all the trappings for a comfortable and longer-term stay.
Best central location: Sand Hotel
Located smack in the middle of Reykjavik’s most popular streets, it doesn’t get better than the Sand Hotel for any families who want to be close to the action.
From restaurants and bars to museums and shops, families can leave the grounds and immediately find something to do. Just keep in mind that this hotel might be a little noisier than others thanks to its prime location.
Best luxury pick: Tower Suites Reykjavik
Want to kick back with your family in the lap of luxury? I’ve found one of the coolest options for families heading to Reykjavik.
The Tower Suites offer the highest viewpoint in the capital city, making it easy to marvel at Iceland’s natural wonders from the 20th floor.
On top of that, families are treated to luxurious services like delivered breakfast platters and all types of personalized care, from birthday cakes to chilled champagne. While expensive, the rave reviews justify the price—especially for families with kids who love skyscrapers.
Best family-friendly service: Storm Hotel by Keahotels
This modern hotel is both stylish and comfortable. It’s also one of the largest in the city, meaning you can find a room and setup that works for your family.
They offer connected rooms along with apart-style rentals. Plus, it’s centrally located like the Sand Hotel, letting you easily explore the local park, zoo, and some of Iceland’s largest pools. I imagine that’s top of the list for families, especially during the holiday season.
But the top feature here that families will enjoy is the quality of service. Guests have raved about staff friendliness, especially when it comes to arranging plans for families and helping them find things to do.
Best rooms for families: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik or Hilton Reykjavik Nordica
Both Hilton projects offer dynamic room options that will suit just about any type of family. For example, the Canopy lets you rent apart-hotel-style rooms in its small home-style units that make it comfortable for a larger family to stay a few days.
The Nordica, by contrast, is a much larger hotel that includes a sauna, pool, and connected rooms that will work for most families.
Coolest stay for older kids: CityHub Reykjavik
This is an oddball pick—but I wanted to include it for families with older kids, as this hotel has my inner child very intrigued. That’s because this highly unique and retro-style, modular hotel isn’t like anything I’ve seen before.
While it doesn’t look suitable for a stay longer than a few days, I’m sure it will be a memorable experience for older kids with an adventurous and imaginative spirit.
Best BnB pick: Reykjavik Treasure B&B
This cozy and highly rated bed-and-breakfast has earned top reviews for families thanks to its welcoming atmosphere. (That’s why I love a good BnB… there’s nothing like knowing you have a relaxing space to return to after a long day.)
Like any quality boutique stay, there are plenty of common areas to hang out—and the Reykjavik Treasure goes above and beyond to make sure families feel welcome. It also has a small garden for any tots that need a little morning run.
