Hotel Rangá, Golden Circle

• The hotel has a picturesque setting overlooking the Rangá River, with easy access to the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Þórsmörk nature preserve.
• Room options include cozy Standards with wood floors and hand-painted murals, spacious Deluxe Superiors with river views and sofa beds, and a selection of luxurious "continent-themed" suites.
• The on-site restaurant is renowned for its modern Nordic fare and beautiful river-facing dining room.
• Northern lights seekers can arrange for a wake-up call when the aurora makes an appearance, or watch for them from the three outdoor hot tubs.
• Make the most of the clear, dark skies with a walk to the on-site observatory, with two high-powered telescopes and a roll-off roof. 

• The rural setting between Hella and Hvolsvöllur means you'll need to rent a car to make the most of your surroundings.
• The on-site restaurant is popular with locals, so you'll need to book ahead at busy times.

Authenticity

Hotel Rangá fits right in with its rugged Icelandic surroundings, built from Canadian cedar and nestled in a curve of the Rangá River. You'll be greeted at reception by Hrammur, a 10-foot (3 m) stuffed polar bear who's become a beloved fixture of the hotel, and the owner/manager Friðrik Pálsson is often on hand to share tips and recommendations for exploring the area. Warm timber-paneling, high ceilings, and antler chandeliers give a hunting lodge feel to the interiors, with lots of quirky, local touches throughout—from hand-painted murals depicting the Icelandic Sagas and local wildlife, to artisan-crafted furniture and blankets woven in the patterns of traditional Icelandic sweaters.

Location

The location puts you 1.5 hours southeast of Reykjavík, equidistant between the Ring Road towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur (both a 6-minute drive away). It's a convenient base for exploring the black-sand beaches of the South Coast (Vík is an hour southeast) or discovering the waterfalls and geysers of the Golden Circle (Sellfoss is 40 minutes northwest). You'll also be perfectly placed for adventures across the glacial valleys and braided rivers of the Þórsmörk nature preserve. You'll want a car if you plan on staying more than a day or two or striking out on your own, and there's plentiful free parking available on-site, including 10 EV charging stations.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 51 rooms and suites start with simple Standard options, with wood floors, hand-painted murals, and views toward the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Deluxe rooms add more space, sofa beds, and bathtubs, and some include private porches. Book a Deluxe Superior for river views and French doors that lead straight out to the hot tub deck. All rooms have modern, tiled bathrooms (with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos and eco-friendly toiletry dispensers), plus amenities like coffee makers, robes, and slippers. For something more luxurious (and unusual), splurge on one of the continent-themed suites—you'll find woven Tatami mats, an onsen-style bathroom, and a platform bed in "Asia," or Indigenous art, bear-skin rugs, and a freestanding copper tub in "North America."

Amenities

The on-site restaurant specializes in modern Nordic cuisine made with seasonal and regional Icelandic ingredients. It's an acclaimed spot, and popular with locals who drive from Reykjavík to dine overlooking the river through floor-to-ceiling windows. An included breakfast buffet is served here in the mornings, and there's a packed lunch option for those heading out on tours. The adjoining wood-panelled bar serves wine, beer, and spirits (including an extensive whisky collection). If you're visiting in the winter, sign up for the northern lights wakeup call to make sure you catch the celestial show; watch them from one of the three outdoor hot tubs or take a 5-minute stroll to the on-site observatory to try out one of the telescopes, set under a roll-off roof and accompanied by an on-staff astronomy expert.

Family-Friendliness