Apotek Hotel by Keahotels

The Apotek Hotel attracts a chic, well-heeled international crowd with its contemporary, understated atmosphere, and the hotel's sexy cocktail bar, which specializes in artisanal drinks, draws plenty of local residents too. The hotel's circa 1917 masonry and wood building, with an iconic square tower, was once a pharmacy, and there are touches of its former iteration at the bar, where a shelf-lined wall holds amber glass vials. Guests enter the hotel under a half-moon window through double doors that lead to a narrow corridor with high-backed, leather-tufted banquette seating on one side, and a counter for reading and computer browsing. There's also a pretty, curved staircase with a window and sculpture niche that leads to the rooms -- there's an elevator too. The reception desk sits underneath two massive drum pendant lights with a pair of tailored sofas in taupe near a linen-shaded window. The hotel's bar has chartreuse and aqua velour chairs and trendy uplighting, while the restaurant has leather-banquette seating in pewter and chairs in cobalt velvet. There are chrome and acorn-shaped glass pendant lights and square marble columns. Huge, arch-shaped windows with linen drapes look out on the street, providing a dramatic space for people-watching.

The Apotek Hotel is in the center of Reykjavik, within walking distance of many museums and monuments, as well as shops and restaurants. The hotel, which overlooks Austurvoller Square, is a four-minute walk to Reykjavik City Hall, and a six-minute walk to the National Gallery of Iceland. Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral and the National Museum of Iceland are about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Perlan, the revolving domed restaurant, is 11 minutes away by car. Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik's most famous geo-thermal bath, is a 45-minute drive. Gulfoss, with dramatic waterfalls, is almost a two-hour drive. Reykjavik International Airport is 45 minutes away by car. 

The 45 rooms at the Apotek Hotel, including a suite in the hotel's iconic tower and eight junior suites, have high ceilings and casement windows that look out on the city. Guests recommend the rooms that overlook Austurvoller Square, a well-tended green space. Rooms are spacious with sitting areas, parquet floors, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. (Blackout drapes can offer shade.) Walls are a soft gray with white trim, distinguished by uplighting, and beds have white linens with plum satin pillows and plum wool throws. Headboards are dark leather with reading lamps, similar to the task lighting at the desks. It's a tranquil setting, but guests have complained about the weekend noise from a nearby music venue, and the lack of storage space for suitcases and belongings. All rooms have LED flat-screen TVs with cable channels, safes, minibars, coffeemakers, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are covered top to bottom in white subway tile and have round, illuminated mirrors, with modern fixtures. Bathrobes and slippers are provided. The showers -- there are no tubs -- have glass doors and rainfall showerheads. Some bathrooms have arched, casement windows with city views, and others have wet-room-style showers. Hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and Keahotel toiletries are nice touches. 

There aren't many freebies at the Apotek Hotel, considering its cost, but guests who book online can use the gym and spa of a next-door property. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there's a computer, fax, and printer that guests can use for free. Breakfast, which is served in the hotel's chic restaurant, is not included in the room rate, and the restaurant, which also serves lunch and dinner, can be expensive, even by Reykjavik's pricey standards. The upscale bar specializes in artisanal cocktails, and draws a local crowd. Room service is available, but the hours are limited. Children younger than 12 who don't require additional beds can stay for free in their parents' room. Airport shuttle service is provided for a fee.