Hotel of the Week: Exeter Hotel, Reykjavík

An industrial-chic bolthole with a cool, minimalist aesthetic and a cosy, lived-in charm, the Exeter Hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring the best bits and hidden corners of Reykjavík. Expect great food and exceptionally comfy beds.

First Impressions

As we escape the cold and into the toasty warmth of the hotel, further enriched by the comforting scent of freshly baked goods from the on-site Deig bakery, the Exeter hums with energy. The quirky on-site restaurant and bar, Le Kock, is abuzz with travellers chatting about their Icelandic adventures over a locally-brewed beer, as well as locals dropping by for the great burgers. In true Icelandic fashion, the front desk staff warm up the icy temperatures with easygoing, friendly service and smiles as she tells us we've got a lovely harbour view from our room. 

Location: 9/10

You’re never far from anything in pocket-sized Reykjavík, but the Exeter is in a particularly good spot. It’s under a 5-minute walk to the main downtown drag and a 15-minute walk from the cathedral. There are closer hotels to the city centre buzz (well, as much ‘buzz’ as you can get in laidback Reykjavík), but we loved that the Exeter is a stone’s throw from the pretty Old Harbour. The Nordic-style, panelled restaurants, museums, shops, and bars aren’t even the main draw here – the harbour is the point of departure for whale and puffin watching tours.

There are several designated tour pick-up bus stops throughout the city. The closest bus stop to the Exeter is just across the street – a one- to two-minute walk – and is usually the first stop. Extremely handy for excursions. 

Facilities and Services: 7/10

In a city like Reykjavík, you can expect chic boltholes ideal for resting after a day of zipping around through the Golden Circle or scaling glaciers. The Exeter delivers that in spades, and while there are few facilities – a small gym, a sauna, cold bucket showers, and a courtyard – it’s certainly not lacking. 

The excellent front desk staff know the city and the region like the back of their hand, and are happy to recommend bars, restaurants, tours, and more. Every interaction is warm, friendly, and professional. There’s also a car park below the hotel, but they’re happy to show you to the free car park, just a few minutes away on foot.

Room service is available for Deluxe rooms and Suites. 

Rooms: 7/10

Stylishly put together with soft mood lighting, dark wood, concrete walls, and leather headboards, the Exeter’s rooms are industrial-cool. They’re on the small side – unless you splash out for a Deluxe or a Suite – but the space-savers, like hanging rails in place of wardrobes, keep them cosy over claustrophobic. The in-room facilities were appreciated, too – pod coffee machines, thick dressing gowns, and an ironing board are always a good touch. The bathrooms come with a walk-in, rainfall shower, and full-sized, spa-like toiletries by an Icelandic brand. The beds are incredibly comfortable, too.

Food & Drink: 9/10

The Exeter packs a lot of excellent food and drink into its fairly small size. Most notable is the brilliant Deig bakery, where you can pick up NYC-rivalling filled bagels for on-the-go lunches, or breakfasts if you miss the free buffet breakfast. The bakery also makes the sourdough served at breakfast, and you can expect all the frills of a hotel buffet spread, along with Scandi faves, like gravadlax. The on-site restaurant, Le Kock, is a hit with locals who aren’t even guests at the hotel – always a great sign – and is known for its wide selection of local-brewed beers and juicy burgers.

There’s also a superb, cosy ramen spot next door, Momo – the absolute perfect antidote to blustery cold days. There’s another Momo in the city centre – we tried both and concluded that this one was better.

Value: 8/10

Price range from £225 per night in peak season (June to August) and from £130 in the off-peak season. This is the average price for hotels in Reykjavík, a city not known for budget-friendly travel. Breakfast is included. 

Is The Exeter Hotel family-friendly?

Yes, the Exeter can be family-friendly – cots provided at no extra cost. However, standard rooms are too small to accommodate cots, so a Deluxe or Suite is needed. There are connecting rooms suitable for families, too. However, we saw more couples than kids.

Is the Exeter Hotel accessible?

10 of the 106 rooms have specially adapted bathrooms and all rooms are wheelchair accessible. The on-site parking is below the ground floor and has a lift to all floors.

Is the Exeter Hotel dog-friendly?

No, only service animals are permitted at the Exeter Hotel.