Most people spot 101 Hotel by the clean glass frontage and the cluster of bookshelves just inside – right on Hverfisgata, a block off Laugavegur and a few minutes’ walk from Hallgrímskirkja. The main entrance leads straight into a low-lit lobby, where the lounge lines one side: shelves filled with art books, a fireplace set into the wall, and a scatter of deep chairs that tend to fill up fast in the evenings. There’s usually a dog stretched out by the front desk, and the bar sits tucked just behind the main room – easy to miss unless you know to look for it.
Upstairs, rooms are larger than you’d expect for the city center. Some come with clawfoot tubs right in the bedroom – not hidden away, just out in the open – and most layouts separate the shower from the water closet. Beds are big, with thick bedding, and a sleep mask and electrical adapter usually wait on the nightstand, which comes in handy during summer when the light barely fades. Wi-Fi covers the whole building, and elevator access reaches every floor.
Toward the back, the spa area includes a small jacuzzi and steam room, kept tidy and usually quiet. There’s a gym as well, mostly used by guests in the mornings. On-site parking is available, though most people skip the car and walk – the hotel sits right by Bus Stop 6, making tours and airport transfers easy to catch.
Art and design run through the entire space, from the lobby to the rooms – a mix of local and international pieces, nothing flashy but hard to miss if you look up. The lounge stays open to guests all day, and most people end up there at some point, especially when the weather turns. The bar handles a solid range of drinks, and the restaurant sits just off the main lobby. Outside, it’s a quick walk to the main shopping streets, bars, and restaurants – close enough to hear some street noise on weekends, but most nights stay quiet. The setup is simple: modern, functional, and built for people who want to move around Reykjavik on foot.
