Pros
- In central Reykjavik, next to Iceland's Parliament building
- Walk to iconic Hallgrimskirkja church in 10 minutes
- Large apartments with kitchenettes and Nespresso machines
- Bathrooms have rainfall showerheads and premium toiletries
- Top-floor suite with massive terraces
- Stylish units include Nespresso machines and smart TVs
- Hip wine bar with a happy hour
- Free breakfast served at a nearby cafe
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
- No on-site facilities aside from wine bar
- No parking
- Breakfast offerings are a bit slim
Bottom Line
The mid-range Kvosin Downtown Hotel sits next to Iceland's Parliament, a short walk from some of Reykjavik's best shopping and dining. It's a boutique apartment hotel, ideal for tourists who value style over facilities, and families who will make use of the generous square footage in each of the 24 units. Even the smallest rooms have kitchenettes, with decor befitting a modern Scandinavian apartment. Free breakfast is offered at a cafe around the corner and the hotel has its own sharp wine bar, but few other amenities. The nearby Hotel Borg lacks an included breakfast, but has style to match the Kvosin plus a fitness center and spa at similar rates.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Internet
Scene
Historic apartment-style hotel with trendy design
The Kvosin Downtown Hotel opened in 2013 after this historic building was given a contemporary Scandinavian makeover. Its stately front door opens into a lobby that feels a bit like a cafe, or a trendy general store, with window seating and a rolling ladder that leans against shelves full of goods. Ornate floor tiles combine with wood molding painted in muted grays, with black accents under ceiling-mounted stage lights. There are charming touches, like a chalkboard showing the upcoming week's weather forecast. Guests are mainly couples and families, along with some groups of friends keen on taking advantage of the spacious, kitchenette-equipped apartments. Don't expect to spend all day at the hotel, though, as there are few facilities on-site. Guests do gather at the stylish Klaustur Downtown Bar for wines and cocktails in a Scandinavian-chic space with unfinished wood floors and furnishings, filament bulb lighting, and cozy, window-side seating with colorful velvet pillows.
Location
Prime location in downtown Reykjavik
Located in downtown Reykjavik, the hotel is across the street from Reykjavik Cathederal and Parliament, one block from Austurvollur square. It's surrounded by popular bars and eateries as well as other hotels. Laugavegur, Reykjavik's main shopping street, is a five-minute walk away. Guests can walk to plenty of attractions -- the stunning Harpa concert hall and conference center is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, the Hallgrimskirkja church is 10 minutes away on foot, and the famous Sun Voyager Sculpture is 15 minutes away. Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is about a 50-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Stylish apartments with hip design elements, modern touches, and kitchenettes
The hotel's 24 apartment-style rooms have keypad entry and an open-concept floor plan. Denoted by titles that range from Big to Biggest, with space for two to up to six guests, each has a parquet-floor living space with a kitchenette. Neutral tones and minimalist furniture are dressed up by colorful cabinets and partially exposed brick walls -- it's a hip look that feels like a slice of actual Icelandic living. Moody photographs of Icelandic landscapes add a extra dash of local flavor. The kitchenettes include electric ranges set in marble countertops, mini-fridges, Nespresso machines, and dishware. Larger apartments add dining tables or breakfast bars with stools. Some have small balconies with city views. Free Wi-Fi comes standard along with smart TVs and Tivoli audio systems. The black-and-white Escher-tile bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers stocked with Aveda products. There's also a top-floor apartment called The Mountain Suite, named in honor of the "Game of Thrones" character (the actor is an Iceland native), which has two huge terraces with views over the colorful rooftops of Reykjavik.
Features
Wine bar and free breakfast
Facilities are slim at the Kvosin Downtown Hotel, but it does have a 24-hour reception desk with tour booking assistance. Through the lobby, Klaustur Bar takes up most of the ground floor, with a chic bar and hip lounge seating by the windows. It has a wide selection of wine and beer, and has a daily happy hour, but doesn't serve food. Breakfast is included at a cafe around the corner called Bergsson Mathus. Offerings are quite simple and typically include fruit along with a hard boiled egg, homemade muesli in yogurt, and locally baked sourdough bread. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
Scene
Historic apartment-style hotel with trendy design
The Kvosin Downtown Hotel opened in 2013 after this historic building was given a contemporary Scandinavian makeover. Its stately front door opens into a lobby that feels a bit like a cafe, or a trendy general store, with window seating and a rolling ladder that leans against shelves full of goods. Ornate floor tiles combine with wood molding painted in muted grays, with black accents under ceiling-mounted stage lights. There are charming touches, like a chalkboard showing the upcoming week's weather forecast. Guests are mainly couples and families, along with some groups of friends keen on taking advantage of the spacious, kitchenette-equipped apartments. Don't expect to spend all day at the hotel, though, as there are few facilities on-site. Guests do gather at the stylish Klaustur Downtown Bar for wines and cocktails in a Scandinavian-chic space with unfinished wood floors and furnishings, filament bulb lighting, and cozy, window-side seating with colorful velvet pillows.
Location
Prime location in downtown Reykjavik
Located in downtown Reykjavik, the hotel is across the street from Reykjavik Cathederal and Parliament, one block from Austurvollur square. It's surrounded by popular bars and eateries as well as other hotels. Laugavegur, Reykjavik's main shopping street, is a five-minute walk away. Guests can walk to plenty of attractions -- the stunning Harpa concert hall and conference center is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, the Hallgrimskirkja church is 10 minutes away on foot, and the famous Sun Voyager Sculpture is 15 minutes away. Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is about a 50-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Stylish apartments with hip design elements, modern touches, and kitchenettes
The hotel's 24 apartment-style rooms have keypad entry and an open-concept floor plan. Denoted by titles that range from Big to Biggest, with space for two to up to six guests, each has a parquet-floor living space with a kitchenette. Neutral tones and minimalist furniture are dressed up by colorful cabinets and partially exposed brick walls -- it's a hip look that feels like a slice of actual Icelandic living. Moody photographs of Icelandic landscapes add a extra dash of local flavor. The kitchenettes include electric ranges set in marble countertops, mini-fridges, Nespresso machines, and dishware. Larger apartments add dining tables or breakfast bars with stools. Some have small balconies with city views. Free Wi-Fi comes standard along with smart TVs and Tivoli audio systems. The black-and-white Escher-tile bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers stocked with Aveda products. There's also a top-floor apartment called The Mountain Suite, named in honor of the "Game of Thrones" character (the actor is an Iceland native), which has two huge terraces with views over the colorful rooftops of Reykjavik.
Features
Wine bar and free breakfast
Facilities are slim at the Kvosin Downtown Hotel, but it does have a 24-hour reception desk with tour booking assistance. Through the lobby, Klaustur Bar takes up most of the ground floor, with a chic bar and hip lounge seating by the windows. It has a wide selection of wine and beer, and has a daily happy hour, but doesn't serve food. Breakfast is included at a cafe around the corner called Bergsson Mathus. Offerings are quite simple and typically include fruit along with a hard boiled egg, homemade muesli in yogurt, and locally baked sourdough bread. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
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Airport Transportation
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Balcony / Terrace / Patio
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Basic Television
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Cabanas
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Cable
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Concierge
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Cribs
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Dry Cleaning
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Free Breakfast
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Full Kitchen
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Internet
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Kids Allowed
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Laundry
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Room Service
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Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.