Hotels in Reykjavik with spas

I'm not sure about Laugavegur but I do know that Midgarder has a spa with an outdoor hot tub on the roof, which I plan on utilizing. It is an extra cost—you can either pay an extra fee when you book for complete access, or just buy a day pass to it when you are there.

There are also lagoons around where you can soak in the hot water. Sky Lagoon is probably the closest one to Reykjavik (about 5 miles from the city), but you could get a ride share or cab there. There is one near Selfoss called the Secret Lagoon, that is probably the least expensive lagoon, but obviously farther away. And there are a number of geothermal pools in downtown Reykjavik that are very low in cost (or at least less costly than the lagoons).

ETA: Here's a website with the list of downtown pools: https://visitreykjavik.is/see-and-do/activities/geothermal-pools-spas

CH Laugavegur does not have a spa. CHMidgardur does, but it is small and may not be exactly what you were thinking of. Definitely hit one of the local pools. We like Sundhollin which is about a two block walk or so from there they have an enormous hot tub as well as a couple hot tubs on the rooftop deck.

The Center Hotels website lists exactly which hotels have a spa and how much it costs to use them (approx. $35-50 US) https://www.centerhotels.com/en/spa-gym

You have mentioned several times you want to go to a lagoon, IMHO a hotel spa is not the same experience as that, other than they both have hot water. If you have not yet read mikeliz97's extensive report, it might help your decision process: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/iceland/iceland-lagoon-comparisons

thank you everyone for the information. A lot to absorb but I have lots of time

I think that I was hoping to find a hotel that had more like a Japanese Onsen in the hotel.

I need to look through all the information.

I do not think I am going to find what I want as far as pools and lagoons within the hotel. That is not going to stop me from booking a hotel. I might have to find the lagoons elsewhere outside of the hotel.

I might have to do an excursion to Sky or Secret or Blue Lagoon

CL thank you for the links.

Mikeliz97 is amazing ....

Mikeliz97

I think my best bet unless I want to make an excursion to Blue, Secret or Sky Lagoon is to hit the pools.

Mardee

Thanks for the link.

I like one of the hotels that you mentioned in another post. It was one of the Center hotel. I think the one that has an M in it

Midgarder that is the name. I am liking that hotel.

BP, just be aware of the prices. I know you have a strict budget. and some of them are very expensive. For example, Blue Lagoon prices started around $97 pp, and Sky Lagoon is even more expensive at $113 pp. Secret Lagoon, on the other hand, is around $27 (that is their senior price).

I realize this is early stages yet, but probably by next year, the prices will have increased anyway. Still, I'm all for splurging when you travel, so I'm not saying this to stop you from going to any one of them. Just go in with your eyes open and know what the cost is.

For what it's worth, I lived in Japan for a few years, many, many years ago, and went to some of the baths. It is a different experience. It's much quieter and more meditative, whereas the experience in Iceland, from everything I read and what I remember from my last trip, is much more social and fun. That said, it can really be whatever you want it to be, so keep that in mind. If you did want a quieter experience, I would probably go to some place like the Secret Lagoon or one of the other ones that are more in the outlying areas and possibly a bit quieter.

Thanks Mardee

I loved the Onsen in my hotel in Yokohama.

The prices that you gave me for the three lagoons were not bad but then I have to also get to them.

I have watched some videos on The Blue Lagoon and either the Secret or Sky Lagoon. They were beautiful but they were not meditative. They were definitely social.

Just doing some very early research.

Want to research the public swimming pools.

The new one opening in June is supposed to be high end and very relaxing, but it is over an hour away from Reykjavik.

Do read my thread that compares the lagoons. I think the best way to go about any of them is to not have any expectations and just see how you feel. Right now it seems like you are looking for a unicorn. No matter which lagoon you choose, I can’t imagine you not enjoying it.

mikliz97

I have read your thread comparing the lagoons. You do such a great job. But I am going to have to reread it again and keep up with it. It is a lot of information for a newbie.

I will probably love whatever lagoon I choose whether it be at one of the public swimming pools or one of the more expensive and upscale ones.

bostonphil--Yes, it is so easy to overthink it all in trying to find the perfect one. That's the great thing though, you can't go wrong with any of them. Truly, you could throw a dart at them on a map to choose and be very happy.

mikliz97

it seems that there are many really good hotels in Reykjavik.

I want to ask you about one of the Center Hotels that I have been looking at.

I have been looking at Center Hotels Arnarhvoll very close to the Harpa Concert Hall.

It is a bit outside of downtown or the center but I am liking what i read about it.

What is your opinion?

I have not been inside that one but it is in a great location. It is about a block or two from the heart of everything. If it is in your price range then I would seriously consider it.

Thank you mikliz97

I sent the hotel an email asking about the cost for using the spa and have not yet gotten an answer.

But then I also asked AI. AI tells ne that it is 20 euros to use the spa the entire visit. Twenty euros total but if I book a room with sea view then it is included.

The spa gets good reviews although I think it is just a hot tub and sauna. But a hot tub and sauna might feel very good after. a long flight as well as out and about.

And this hotel has live music on the roof on weekends. This is open to the public. I love live music and you have the view and it is right in my hotel. I go downstairs to my room after the show.

I was concerned about location but because you tell me it is all ok, I feel better.

I have fallen in love with the Harpa.Concert Hall as well as this Center hotel.

Have to wait until I am allowed to book to see what the cost will be.

BP, when I booked the Midgardur Hotel, it was €20 to add spa access. So your source sounds about right.

Thanks Mardee

Cost is reasonable. I think a hot tub / sauna will feel so good after. a long flight but also after a long day being out and about.

Truly, don't give the hotel location a second thought, it is good! The local pools have saunas and hot tubs, and only cost about $10, so you could do that. There are several right in Reykjavik, but the one we keep going back to is Sundhollin. They have a really long hot tub as well as rooftop hot tubs, plus all the other suana, cold plunge etc.

Mikliz97

I am going to look into Sundhollin.

I have looked into the information sent me but it was difficult to digest info on every single one.

I am glad for your recommendation.

it sounds so good to have a nice sauna and hot tub right in my hotel. but there is nothing that says I can not do both.

Added on: been looking over Sundhollin Great thing to do.

phil, I think you are a bit of a budget traveler, but I thought I should mention anyway that Blue Lagoon has an associated luxury hotel that may be above your budget. We did not stay there, and it's not a good base for daytrips from Reykjavik. But it is easy to move back to Reykjavik after a short stay. (Assuming they accept one-night bookings at Blue Lagoon.)

You don't plan to stay 2 hours away from Reykjavik, but I wonder if some other outdoor thermal pools have associated hotels.

Tim has a good idea there. My daughter and I are staying at the Hill Hotel in Flúðir, which is a 15-minute walk from the Secret Lagoon and in the Golden Circle region. The Secret Lagoon is one of the least expensive lagoons there is, and they have a senior rate, which is around $26. If you add the 15% discount that the Hill Hotel gives you, that brings it down to $22. And the hotel has hot tubs that are available for the guest at no extra charge. The hotel itself was no more expensive than the Midgardur hotel in Reykjavik.

So that could be a way to spend one of your nights if you are so inclined.

Thank you Tim and Mardee

I am aware that the Blue Lagoon is a resort or part of a resort. I know that a luxury hotel has a partnership with the Blue Lagoon.

Since I will be in Reykjavik only four nights at the most and maybe only three nights, I am wanting to spend all of my time in Reykjavik.

I am only going to have one or two full days of sightseeing from my arrival to departure. Not a lot of time when it is all said and done.

I have been looking at Center Hotels Arnarhvoll very close to the Harpa Concert Hall.
It is a bit outside of downtown or the center but I am liking what i read about it.
What is your opinion?

I just stayed at the Center Hotel Arnahvoll last week. It was a fine hotel. In a good location. It’s right across the street from the Harpa. Our room had an ocean view. Breakfast was included. There is a spa in the basement, but its nothing more than a hot tub and sauna. And it costs $30 extra, if you don’t book the most expensive room. I’d skip that in favor of one of the lagoons.

Our food tour started across the street from the Harpa, so it was a short walk.
It was also a short walk to the free walking tour at parliament square, and many restaurants are close by. . It’s an uphill walk on Rainbow street up to the church, but we walked it.

The hotel called a taxi for us to go to the cruise port, but I could have used the Hreyfill taxi app. The cost was 3400 ISK or just less than $30 USD. Don’t walk to cruise port- as you suggested you might do in another post. It’s a long distance, and you will have luggage, and what if it’s raining and windy?

Bus pickup spot #5 is across the street from the hotel. If you book a trip to Sky Lagoon through their own website. You can pay for a pickup at bus stop #5, where the shuttle bus takes you to the main Bus station and then you transfer to a bus to sky lagoon. It was easy. The return bus leaves sky lagoon on 30 minutes past the hour. We spent 2 hours there and that was more than enough.

we get off our cruise back in reykjavik on Monday. We are staying at the Hotel Fron, which is another good location to the shops on the pedestrian street.

Derek

Thank you for all the information

For some reason I have fallen in love with the Harpa Concert Hall by watching youtube videos

I hope that you will write a T R about your cruise and I will be interested in your experience at Hotel Fron

A friend in Austin went to the Blue Lagoon and he loved it. He said his skin never felt so good and that it lasted for about two days

Ok will not walk to the cruise port

But want to add that uphill might be a problem for me. I have some mobility issues and depending on the hill, uphill and down hill can be a problem. It is a depends.

Similar to what Derek says about Sky Lagoon, Hvammsvik has the same type of option for transportation. We used that in March when the weather was not good enough for us to drive and it worked out well. The prices surprise people as Sky is just a tad more expensive than Hvammsvik, even when factoring in the transfer cost. Hvammsvik comes in at $145 total and Sky comes in at $157, so not a big difference. Sky has the advantage of being close by so a super short transfer time where Hvammsvik takes longer.

Hvammsvik is really nice as it has 8 pools all of varying temperatures and they all look out over the fjord. The fjord is the cold plunge, although there is one pool right next to the water that is colder than the others. This is still our favorite one, FWIW. Plus they have a really good bistro on site, so you could do lunch or dinner there too with some scenery.

A friend in Austin went to the Blue Lagoon and he loved it. He said his skin never felt so good and that it lasted for about two days.

I will say that I did not expect to book the Blue Lagoon, but I wound up doing it because it was so convenient on our last day. It is very expensive, but it was worth it (to me). I loved my time there, and so did my daughter. We both had a great visit and spent several hours relaxing in the waters, which felt wonderful. I've read that the water was originally used to treat psoriasis, and that many people still consider it very helpful for that. All I know is it felt great to me, and the water was warmer than the Secret Lagoon.

Mardee

I went through a booking for Midgardur. For four nights with free cancellation, breakfast, spa and spa kit, it came to just over $2,000. Not in budget.

I will try again without spa. I will try other hotels both Center and others. I will cut down to three nights. Free cancellation and breakfast is a must.

I will book something next month but with free cancellation and will keep shopping around.

I think my friend even told me that his skin looked different . He was in awe when telling me how he felt after spending time at The Blue Lagoon.

bostonphil--That is an insane amount! We have never paid more than $250/night at the CH's, including breakfast. I usually book the free cancellation as well, but not always. I can only guess that the price quoted now is because it is so far out. I would honestly wait a bit since you have over a year. The good thing is next year there is no eclipse so hopefully everyone doesn't have Iceland on their radar. The prices this summer have jumped considerably for this month, even without the eclipse date. The CH's are not going to book up far in advance. Many small places do, but CH's are large with many rooms, and as you know, many locations. As much as I love the Midgardur, I don't think that or CH Laugavegur are the best locations for you. The one you have been looking at as well as CH Plaza would be better, IMO, due to your mobility. Those are both in the heart of everything.

Did you take a look at the pricing and locations for CH Klopp as well as CH Skjaldbreid? I put in 3 nights for random dates in September 2027 and both of these comes in at $900 for free cancellation and including breakfast. Klopp's room is tiny, but you could upgrade it just a bit which came in at $969. The same dates I checked CH Plaza which came to $1100, and the one you were looking at was $1200. Both of those prices are crazy, again, so I would wait. I would though seriously consider these other two as they are much less, but being part Center Hotels, I personally would have no qualms about booking them. Plus the locations are excellent for you.

mikiiz97

I have been doing research on booking.com and putting in my dates for September 2027, there are so many good hotels that my head is spinning.

I am giving up for now because I am getting tired.

I looked into Center Plaza. I am keeping that in mind.

Next month, I want to book something that I feels works well but keep shopping.

I have only looked at Center Plaza and Center Midgardur but I will look at the others that you suggested.

I do not mind a tiny room. When I cruise, my room is less than 100 square feet. I travel very light.

mikliz97

Went to booking.com and did a mock booking putting in May 2027 dates. Sept 2027 is too far into the future.

Looked at Center hotels. All were within budget including Midgardur which was less than $1,000 total for double room with spa access, breakfast and free cancellation.

As said, I am going to book something next month or maybe not until October and then continue to shop after I return from London.

Is that price with Booking. com or with the hotel itself, BP? If it's with Booking. com, I would strongly suggest that you check out the price with the hotel. I think we paid right around $300, and that was in mid-July, the height of the tourist season and with the spa added on.

Hi Mardee

The mock booking for May 2027 I think was through booking.com only

But I will try direct.

When you say $300, was that $300 per night for both of you or each of you?

Next Month, I want to have made a choice with free cancellation so that I have something locked in.

Then I can keep shopping.

When you say $300, was that $300 per night for both of you or each of you?

For both of us. Generally, you pay by the room, not the number of persons,

Mardee

So I went to Center Hotels Midgardur and if I did it all, right, my total amount was for $1,118. This was for four nights with free cancellation, breakfast and double room with spa. I also added on the spa kit. This is acceptable.

Of course this was a mock booking for May.

But my memory is that if I did it through booking, my total was less than $1,000. I got some nice discount through booking but I did not purchase the spa kit through booking. I did not get a drink or early check in.

What causes a higher amount either way is that I have to book a double room to get the spa access. There are single standard rooms but without spa access.

If I stay at the Midgardur, spa access is a must.

Bostonphil7:

I just saw the location of the Midgardur. It’s not easily walkable to the tourist sites. But since you say you don’t/can’t walk far, I guess you will be taking a taxi to the sites you want to see.

Taxi’s here are expensive. so budget for it. I would download and use the Hreyfill taxi app. Hreyfilll is one of the reputable taxi companies here. The app gives you a price to your destination, so you know in advance how much the fare is and the hreyfill taxis all take credit card and apple Pay.

IMHO, I think you should find a hotel that is west of the main thoroughfare of Snorrabrout street and more central, so you have less walking.

But I don’t know what your plan is for sightseeing, what you intend to see or how you intend to get there. If you give us more info about your sightseeing plans, we could offer a better hotel location.

Derek--That is what I suggested above as well. The Hreyfill taxis are the only ones that we will use there. They are reliable and reputable.

derek and mikliz97

I thought that Reykjavik was very compact and walkable.

derek, mikliz97 has suggested Center Plaza or Klopp or Skjaldbreid. She also said that Midgardur might not be the best location for me but I do not understand location in Reykjavik.

What area should I be looking for when I search hotels on booking.com. Should I look for hotels in Reykjavik 101.

I have mobility issues but can walk and I like walking although I am slow. I am planning on walking or taking buses. Taxis will not be in budget but to take a taxi to the port.

The description of Midgardur on booking.com seems to indicate that it is close to sites and very well located.

EDIT to ADD. so here is some of the description on booking.com of Midgardur

" Midgardur by Center Hotels is located on Reykjavik's main shopping street Laugavegur, and features an on-site bar, restaurant and free WiFi. Hallgrímskirkja Church is 2625 feet away.

Solo travelers in particular like the location – they rated it 9.1 for a one-person stay."

And reviews say that the location is great, perfect, close to everything etc.

EDIT to add. Thank you both for your input and suggestions.

derek

I think that sometimes I give people the wrong impression of my mobility issues. I have some serious issues but do walk quite a bit. I will have a cane with me because I do not know the terrain but at home, I go out to the greenbelt without my cane. And the greenbelt is rocky and grassy and there is a little up and a little down. And there are several stairs down to the greenbelt and up to where my complex is.

I walk around my apartment and my building without my cane.

When I go to a museum, I usually leave my cane on a bench or chair. Usually I do not need my cane in a museum, church or other sites. it will depend on the floor.

But I do have to sit. a lot but some museums offer a lot of seating. Obviously churches do.

Derek

I googled Snorrabrout street and got a aerial view of the street and hotels, etc.

I had never heard of Snorrabrout street until you mentioned it.

I see what you are saying.

I saw where Central Midgardur is and where Central Plaza is.

They are both on or close to Laugavegur Shopping Street but it seems to be a very long street.

I also googled Laugavegur.

Thank you for your suggestions.

bostonphil--Thats just it, that street is really long. We walk at a pretty good clip and it takes us about 18 minutes to get to the heart of things when we stay at either Midgardur or Laugavegur. One of the reasons that people think of either of these hotels having a great location is that there are bus stops right in front of them, so taking Flybus or taking tours, that is a real bonus. Plus it is walkable to everything, but in a much quieter area. The city is hilly too. Taxi's are not a good way to get around the heart of downtown honestly, so you will mostly see them at hotels for taking people longer distances like to the airport. We have never taken a bus there so can't speak to that.

mikliz97

I did a google search and It says that it is a 22 minute walk from the Midgardur to Center Plaza but I have to add on extra time for my slowness and need to maybe sit. It would probably be 30 miutes for me. I could walk but it would take me longer thn 22 minutes.

And if it takes you and husband 18 minutes to get to the sites, again it would take me more like going on 30 again.

I see from looking at the maps , that the "best" area for Reykjavik for visitors is northwest Reykjavik, where Center Plaza is. Is that area of Reykjavik considered to be downtown or central Reykjavik? Is it Reykjavik 101?

If I stayed at the Midgardur, I would probably have to take a local bus to some of the sites.

If I stayed at Center Plaza, I would probably treat myself to one of the lagoons.

I like the location of Center Plaza better than the Midgardur but I love the idea of a spa at my hotel.

I might consider the HoHo bus in Reykjavik. I did not realize that it is as big as it is and even spread out.

bostonphil--I don't think there is a "best" area of Reykjavik as long as you are within walking distance of the main plaza, where CH Plaza is. Since that would be a long walk for you, that is why I think the other places I suggested would be a better fit and be within your budget. I would not let the spa draw me in since you can do that with a local pool for less than $10. I personally like Sundhollin, and they have a second hot tub up on the roof.

But my memory is that if I did it through booking, my total was less than $1,000.

Did you add the taxes onto that? Midgardur prices include taxes. However, booking.com does not. They have a line in tiny print that says VAT and/or city taxes (15% or whatever it is) which could very well raise the price higher than the hotel’s booking.

milkiz97

so, what is the difference between Downtown Reykjavik and Central Reykjavik and Reykjavik 101?

And what is the plaza? Is it a square?

And are any of the streets very hilly such as in San Francisco. If so, I probably have to avoid them. I should avoid any hilly streets to be honest.

Mardee

I do not know about booking.com fees. I did not even know that booking adds on fees. I thought that it was the hotel or the city that added on fees. I will have to go back and check. But now I will be keeping this in mind when I book through booking.

so I have been doing research

and I discovered Ingólfstorg Square which I already love.

I guess Center Plaza is next to the square or close by.

It does seem that Center Plaza might work better for me than Center Midgardur

I am glad for the discussion that I have been having with forum. I know so much more about Reykjavik and I keep learning.

bostonphil--Yes, the DH Plaza is on that main square. The hills in town are nothing like San Francisco, but you will notice them. I do think being near the square would be a better fit for you from what I can gather.

mikliz97

I love squares and plazas. Europe is good with squares and plazas.

I love people watching and there are many activities in the Plaza.

I think you might be right that Central Plaza might be a better fit for me.

This Forum is invaluable. I have learned so much from forum,

I love squares and plazas. Europe is good with squares and plazas. I
love people watching and there are many activities in the Plaza. I
think you might be right that Central Plaza might be a better fit for
me.

I'll just note that the Ingólfstorg plaza is tiny (maybe a half block long on each side), it is not a huge plaza like you might see in other major cities. It is also a popular place for skateboarders and in the winter they put up a small ice rink.

I have stayed at Center Hotels Plaza and would stay there again. The nearest tourist bus stop is about four blocks away. The staff are used to people arriving on very early flights and will store your bags if you get to the hotel before you can check in (usually 2 or 3 p.m.). The breakfast was fine and exactly the same every day. It is a busy place because Icelandair uses it as one of their tour package hotels (which is why I stayed there).

Thank you CL

I am only going to be there three or four nights at the most so I will probably not get bored by the breakfast.

All I have for breakfast at home is a baked potato almost every morning so any other breakfast is usually a step up, I only eat a real breakfast when I travel because I like it to get going.

Thank you for your input.

Next month, I am going to look into booking but I always book with free cancellation so I do keep shopping.

Cost is going to be a factor. I am on a budget but I am aware that Iceland is expensive. I am finding the cost of the hotels very acceptable.