Hótel Egilsen, Snæfellsnes Peninsula

• The hotel sits at the center of the pretty fishing village of Stykkishólmur, just 500 feet from the harbor and within walking distance of restaurants, museums, and the public geothermal pool.
• You'll stay in an original village home built in 1867, with charming original features like a red board and batten facade and slanted ceilings.
• The cozy rooms are decorated with marine-inspired colors and local art, and include modern comforts like COCO-Mat mattresses, goose-down duvets, and iPads. 
• A welcoming ground-floor lounge area offers guests a nice spot to curl up with a drink from the bar or a book from the library.
• An optional homemade breakfast is served in the same space, with classic Icelandic options like fresh-baked bread, skyr yoghurt, and smoked salmon. 

• The rooms under the eaves on the top floor have sharply slanted ceilings and feel a bit cramped.
• All rooms are reached via stairs, so this isn't a suitable stay for anyone with limited mobility.

Authenticity

Hótel Egilsen's life as a boutique hotel began in 2012, but its history stretches back to 1867, when the traditional wooden home was built by village local Egill Egilsson. Today, the family-run property is filled with nods to the village's maritime heritage and decorated with a charming mix of mid-century antiques, hand-painted furniture, and locally inspired art. The cozy lounge/library area is inspired by Iceland's rich storytelling tradition (and its reputation as a nation of great readers and writers); guests can borrow from the lovingly curated selection of Icelandic folk tales, nonfiction titles, and holiday reads, and everyone is encouraged to share their own stories, which are collected and shared on the hotel's website.

Location

The hotel lies at the center of Stykkishólmur, a tiny fishing village on the northern coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, about 2.5 hours north of Reykjavík. Despite its small size (just under 1,100 residents), you'll find a good selection of restaurants and some small museums, as well as a public geothermal swimming pool and baths open to visitors for a small fee. Everything is within easy walking distance of the hotel—a 3-minute stroll takes you to the old harbor, where you can board whale watching cruises, hop a ferry to Flatey Island, or continue across the causeway to the offshore Sugandisey Island Lighthouse.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Ten rooms are spread across the hotel's three floors, each decorated in a nostalgic, homely style with painted wainscoting, mismatched antiques, and a marine-inspired palette of blues and greens. All units include iPads, COCO-Mat mattresses, goose-down duvets, and traditional wool blankets, and some offer views toward the harbor and bay. The smallest Standard rooms sit on the top floor under sloping eaves. Second-floor Superiors are larger, with one full or two twin beds and interconnecting options. Bathrooms are modern and compact, with power showers and Sóley Organics toiletries. 

Amenities

You'll find an inviting lobby/lounge area on the ground floor, with comfy armchairs and a library of board games and books. Breakfast is served in the same space each morning (it's not included in the rate, but it offers a nice selection of Icelandic options like muesli, skyr yoghurt, smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, fresh-baked bread with butter and jam, and homemade smoothies). Free coffee and tea are available throughout the day, and the small bar serves Icelandic beers and cocktails, which you can enjoy on the outdoor patio during warmer months. 

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at Hótel Egilsen. You won't find any kid-focused amenities, but the homely feel and walkable setting make this a comfortable stay for families. Two Superior rooms on the second floor are adjoining, and children under six stay free, with extra beds and baby cots available upon request for children under 12.