The Reykjavik EDITION is the most polished place to stay in Iceland's capital and the best choice for couples who want a stylish city base between road trips. It sits on the Old Harbor right beside Harpa, the glass concert hall, with views across the water to Mount Esja and the restaurants, bars and pools of downtown a short walk away.
The hotel has 253 rooms and suites in the calm, pared-back EDITION style: pale wood, soft lighting, good beds and large windows. Downstairs and upstairs there is plenty to keep you in on a cold evening: Tides for seafood, a lobby bar, a cocktail bar called Tölt, a rooftop bar for long summer sunsets and a social spa.
For a honeymoon, Reykjavik works best as the first and last stop of an Iceland trip, with nights in the countryside in between. The EDITION makes those city nights feel like a treat. It suits couples who like design, good cocktails and walking to dinner. Couples who want remote landscapes outside the window should spend most of their nights elsewhere.
Highlights at a glance
- Waterfront location beside Harpa
- Views across the harbor to Mount Esja
- 253 rooms and suites in calm EDITION style
- Tides restaurant and Tölt cocktail bar
- A social spa and a rooftop bar
Why Couples Love The Reykjavik EDITION
Location comes first. You can walk out of the lobby to Harpa, the harbor's whale-watching boats and the restaurants along the Old Harbor in minutes. Laugavegur, the main shopping street and Hallgrímskirkja church are an easy stroll uphill.
The views are the second reason. Rooms facing the water look across the bay to Mount Esja, which changes color with the light. In winter, when the sky clears, the northern lights can sometimes be seen even from the city.
The atmosphere is the third. After days of wind and waterfalls, the hotel's warm lighting, soft interiors and lively bars feel like a reward. Couples say it is where they recharged between road trips.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Rooms are calm and comfortable, with neutral colors, natural materials and large windows. The decision is mostly about view.
Ask for a harbor or Esja view. Seeing the mountain across the water from bed, especially at sunrise in winter or in the glow of a summer night, makes a big difference. City-view rooms are quieter and cheaper but less memorable.
Suites add a separate living area, which is welcome if you plan a few slow mornings or a long winter evening in. The sixth-floor penthouse is for a big splurge. Whatever you book, confirm the blackout curtains work well if you travel in June or July, when it barely gets dark at all.
Restaurants, Bars and the Spa
The EDITION is a social hotel and its bars are part of the draw for locals too.
- Tides is the seafood-focused restaurant, a good place to try Icelandic fish and lamb without leaving the building.
- Tides Café, beside it, is casual for breakfast and coffee.
- The Lobby Bar is lively in the evening.
- Tölt is the intimate cocktail bar for a nightcap.
- The rooftop bar is the place for summer sunsets over the harbor.
The spa describes itself as a social spa, a first of its kind in Iceland, designed for relaxing together rather than in silence. After a day on the road in the cold, a spa visit is a good way to warm up.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
In the city, take in a concert at Harpa, walk up to Hallgrímskirkja and ride to the top of its tower, then browse the shops and cafés along Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur. Try the geothermal public pools, such as Sundhöllin, the way locals do and eat a hot dog from the famous stand near the harbor.
From the Old Harbor, boats leave for whale watching and, in winter, northern lights cruises. Day trips by car or tour cover the Golden Circle, with Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, or the south coast waterfalls and black sand beaches.
The Blue Lagoon is near the airport, so many couples book it on the way in or out. The Sky Lagoon, closer to the city, has an infinity edge over the ocean.
Getting There
Keflavík International (KEF) is about 45 minutes by car. The Flybus and other airport buses run to Reykjavik bus terminals, with connections to hotels, or you can book a private transfer or take a taxi, which is expensive. If you are renting a car, pick it up at the airport.
The hotel is in the heart of downtown, so you will not need a car while in the city. Parking is limited downtown; ask the hotel about options before you arrive.
Many couples spend one or two nights here at the start, then head around the Ring Road or along the south coast and return for a final night before their flight home.
Is It Worth It?
For a stylish, comfortable base in Reykjavik, yes. The EDITION offers better design, views and bars than most hotels in the city and its location beside Harpa and the harbor is hard to beat.
Iceland is expensive and rates here are high, especially in summer. You are paying for a city hotel, not a remote retreat, so do not spend all your nights here; Iceland's romance is in the landscapes. Pair one or two nights at the EDITION with countryside hotels such as The Retreat at Blue Lagoon or a lodge on the south coast.
Couples on a tighter budget will find good boutique hotels and apartments in the old streets west of the center for less.
Good to Know
Weather in Reykjavik changes quickly. Pack waterproof layers, a warm hat and good shoes for every season.
The northern lights season runs from roughly September to April and dark skies are needed; in summer, the midnight sun means there are no aurora sightings but very long days for road trips.
Restaurants and drinks are expensive, so a good hotel breakfast and lunch from a bakery help the budget. Book popular restaurants ahead on weekends. Downtown is safe and walkable at night. Bring your passport for check-in.
Insider tips
- Request a harbor or Esja view room.
- Book the Blue Lagoon on the way to or from Keflavík.
- Head to the rooftop bar at sunset in summer.
- Bookend your trip with a night here and spend the middle in the countryside.
