Look for the glass-fronted office tower on Katrínartún, about a 15-minute walk east from Reykjavik’s main square. The entrance runs through the building’s lobby – glass doors, then an elevator straight up to the 20th floor. The entire top floor is carved into a handful of suites, each wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass. Every suite faces out over the city, the harbor, or the mountains – no two views are quite the same, and on clear days ships move past the docks and weather rolls in from the sea.
Inside, the layout is direct: suites line a single corridor, each with its own entry. Rooms are large, with modern beds, a sitting area, and a telescope set by the window for anyone curious about the cityscape or the horizon. Bathrooms are spacious, most with deep tubs set near the glass. The design stays clean and minimalist, with just enough furniture to keep the focus on the views.
The common lounge sits at the center of the floor. Most guests use it for breakfast if traveling in a group, but breakfast can just as easily be delivered to a suite at whatever time is requested. The spread leans Nordic – eggs, breads, smoked fish, fruit – and changes a bit day to day. There’s an honesty bar in the lounge as well: wine, beer, and a few spirits, all self-serve. The space itself is quiet, set up for small groups to gather or just to take in the skyline.
Guests have access to a gym downstairs in the building, outfitted with a mix of weights and cardio machines. Parking is available in the building’s lot, though it’s not included with the stay. The neighborhood is mostly offices and newer apartment blocks, so it stays quiet at night. For most city sights or restaurants, expect a walk – about 20 minutes to the old harbor or Hallgrímskirkja, a little less to Laugavegur. Tour pickups often stop right outside, and buses run along the main road nearby.
Tower Suites doesn’t feel like a typical hotel – more like a set of private penthouses, set apart from the city but close enough to walk back after dinner. The building itself is modern, and the setup is built for privacy: just a handful of suites, no front desk crowd, and no lobby bustle. Most of the time, the only sound is the wind moving past the glass.
