The family-run Hotel Kriunes is a unique luxury hotel that is often overlooked by visitors heading directly for Reykjavik, yet it offers a lovely alternative on the capital’s outskirts. Nestled on the shores of Lake Elliðavatn, popular with migratory birds as well as fishermen looking to catch char, trout and salmon, the hotel provides a more rural alternative to suburban Reykjavik.
The welcome
An unexpected hacienda-styled entrance greeted us on arrival – the owners, we later discovered, have a love of Mexico. Once inside, the Mexican décor continued and we were warmly welcomed by a gentleman on reception who hailed from Lithuania, and given the keys to our rooms which were downstairs.
The room
We stayed in Room 28 which is a Superior King suite on the corner of the building spanning 37 square metres and with a door leading out to a private patio beside the lake. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows afford guests exceptional panoramic views across the lake and to the mountains beyond.
The bedroom was ultra-comfortable with separate single duvets on the large double bed, something which seems quite commonplace in Iceland and surprisingly practical!
The suite has a separate seating area, some nested tables and a SmartTV with Netflix, Nespresso coffee machine and a tea maker.
There’s even an in-room bath (as well as a separate bathroom) with Ebony London toiletries – honey and mango shampoo, body wash and conditioner.
…and something I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered in a hotel room before, recycling facilities – a nod to Iceland’s eco-friendliness and respect for sustanability.
Our sons were in room 26, a similaly styled twin room, also with a view of the lake.
All rooms come with air conditioning, ample bedside sockets, SmartTV, free WiFi, mini bar, Nespresso machine, safe and suitcase rack.
The bathroom
Whilst we had a bath in our room, we also had a separate bathroom with shower, basin and WC. A feature wall depicted one of Iceland’s many iconic waterfalls – Svartifoss in Vatnajökull National Park, I think it was – cascading over basalt columns.
Gowns, slippers, fluffy towels, flannels and a hair dryer are all provided, as are Tranquillity™ hand soap and lotion, shampoo, shower gel and conditioner from The Comfort Zone, chosen because all their production is sustainable and in harmony with the environment.
Our sons’ bathroom was similar, depicting another of Iceland’s…
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