I'm happy to share some thoughts about our tr...
Iceland
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Jun 6 - Jun 13, 2026
I'm happy to share some thoughts about our trip. But first, you, Maria and Nick did a wonderful job in planning our trip and arranging all reservations. THANK YOU! I will recommend KimKim to my friends for sure. Your app was so informative and easy to use, too.
Favorite Activities - tied for 1st place was Puffins @ Borgarfjordur Estri and Inside The Volcano tour. Both were AMAZING and highly recommended! We also enjoyed the many waterfalls, especially Hengifoss, Seljalandsfoss (walk behind), Gljufrabui (nearby hidden one) and Gullfoss. We also enjoyed exploring REK very much, both on our arrival and departure days.
The Glacier Ice Cave tour and Kayaking the Glacier Lagoon trip were fun, but a bit overrated. Geysir was disappointing, especially for those of us who have visited Yellowstone. We did a self-tour of the Geothermal Exhibition, which was very interesting. But I wish the Exhibition would offer tour guides for small groups, as we would have gotten more out of it.
Favorite Restaurants - Messinn in REK, Hotel Alden Restaurant in Seydisfijoudur, Ylja Restaurant at the Laugaras Lagoon and of course Frioheimar. BTW - it looks like the Tomato Place recently opened a wine bar/bistro for walk-ins. On our last day, we stumbled upon Cafe Loki in REK (near Cathedral) and wish we had eaten there - highly rated with lots of very interesting traditional Icelandic food.
Hotels - Our favorite was Glacier Lagoon Hotel - incredible. Tied for second place was Vio Lonio Guesthouse (recently refurbished, owner very nice and love the town) and Exeter Hotel (great location, lockers for suitcases prior to check-in, tasty breakfast buffet. We didn't get harbor view rooms as promised, but did get to check in 1 hour early without charge.) Hotel Grimsborgir was ok, but did not seem like a 4-star hotel. Also, some of the nearby buildings are privately owned as we learned when a rager of a party woke of from a sound sleep at 12:30am. To their credit, the front desk person asked the partiers to quiet down, when we complained. Hotel Laekur was ok, good breakfast and friendly dog.
Miscellaneous:
- REK airport does not open check-in until 45 mins before a flight. So 2 hr advance arrival unnecessary.
- Europcar - nice, but we were surprised by the new tax of 7 cents per kilometer that just started in 2026.
- Gas pumps were very confusing. You need to tap your chip card (no pin requested) AND insert your card AND put in your pump number. All the instructions were in Icelandic, so thank goodness for helpful locals.
- Hopp app redirected us to Bolt scooter rentals. I'm glad you recommended we have hotels call taxis for us - that worked well.
- Parka app only worked at some locations. In remote spots, phones didn't connect and we had fumble for our credit cards. It was a bit confusing, but we managed.
Take good care! Edie
Hotel Reviews
Hótel Lækur was a small farm hotel that served its purpose well. Although we were there just to sleep and have breakfast, the casual atmosphere and friendly service were appreciated. It wasn't as fancy as other places, but it was just what we needed for the night.
Hótel Grímsborgir was a bit disappointing. We struggled to see why it was rated four-star. The amenities seemed lacking, and we faced discomfort due to the heat wave and a noisy private party nearby. However, the staff took action and addressed the situation, and the dining experience was pleasant.
Við Lónið Guesthouse provided a lovely stay with its newly renovated and clean facilities. We loved the charm of the small town and enjoyed our interactions with the friendly owner. Although a bit out of the way, it was well worth the stay for the scenic surroundings.
Exeter Hotel by Keahotels in Reykjavík was excellent. The convenience of having programmable lockers for early check-in was a lifesaver. The location was great for exploring, and the breakfast was delicious. Definitely a top pick for comfort and convenience.
Hótel Jökulsárlón by the Glacier Lagoon was simply breathtaking. Its remote location and beautiful design, surrounded by nature, made for a relaxing stay. The hot tubs and saunas offered stunning views, and even though we arrived too late for dinner, we had a splendid meal at the bar. Highly recommend it!
Activity Reviews
The Vök Baths offered a unique setting with its three large pools and the option to jump into the lake. It felt magical despite the lack of privacy. The experience was topped by a delightful bite at the café, where the chef made special treats and engaged with us.
The 'Inside the Volcano' tour was an unforgettable day. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and descending into the volcano was an awe-inspiring experience. The lamb stew served afterward was delicious, making the whole experience perfect.
The Glacier Ice Cave Experience was interesting and our guide was entertaining, but it felt a bit short and underwhelming. We only explored a couple of small cave areas and the journey there was long and rugged. While it was good to have done it, it wasn't a top highlight of the trip.
The kayaking excursion on the Glacier Lagoon was fun but shorter than expected. We only paddled around one iceberg before heading back, which left us wanting more time on the water. It was still a unique experience, but could have been more fulfilling.
The Sky Lagoon was a really nice experience with its seven-step ritual offering various wellness activities. The privacy aspect was appreciated, but showering in an open space might not be for everyone. Overall, it was a pleasant and enjoyable visit.
Visiting the estuary where the puffins were was an incredibly special experience. Being just a couple of feet away from them, watching them in their natural habitat was mesmerizing. We also saw the harvesting of eiderdown, which was fascinating to witness firsthand. Truly a highlight of the trip.
Thank you, Edie! I am so glad you got to see puffins and experience all the natural beauty of Iceland. It was a pleasure working with you and I hope you'll consider kimkim again in the future!