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Kex HostelvsHotel Holt - The Art Hotel
Kex Hostel and Hotel Holt are both highly recommended by professional reviewers. On balance, Hotel Holt ranks significantly better than Kex Hostel. Hotel Holt has a TripExpert Score of 89 with accolades from 5 publications including Oyster, The Telegraph and Lonely Planet.
Kex Hostel
Condé Nast Traveler
Afar Magazine
The Telegraph
Independent
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
The Guardian
Skulagata 28, Reykjavik 101, Iceland
From $27/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Shuttle Bus
- Laundry Service
- Restaurant
- Breakfast buffet
Condé Nast Traveler "Kex, which is Icelandic for "biscuit," is an upscale hostel in, naturally, a former biscuit factory." Full review
Afar Magazine "Meet the KEX Hostel, possibly the hippest hostel you’ll come across in your travels—well, at least, in Iceland." Full review
The Telegraph8.0
"This chic and breezy hotel-hostel offers a variety of dorms and rooms, a great location and an impressive spread of amenities that span a café-bar, a lounge that hosts concerts by local bands, and a gym." Full review
Independent "Offers a range of stylish accommodation options, including private doubles with en-suite bathrooms and ocean views. Ample communal space – a guest kitchen, gym, barbershop and heated outdoor patio"
Frommer's "Decorated mostly with found and salvaged objects, the sparse, clean accommodations with polished concrete floors are divided between private rooms, some with an ocean view and private bathrooms" Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"An unofficial headquarters of backpackerdom and popular local gathering place, KEX is a mega-hostel with heaps of style (think retro Vaudeville meets rodeo) and sociability." Full review
The Guardian "A cheaper option is KEX Hostel (doubles from £125), in a former biscuit factory on the waterfront. There’s a bar on the main floor, where local musicians and DJs play."
Hotel Holt - The Art Hotel
Fodor's
Star Service The Telegraph
Oyster
U.S. News & World Report Frommer's Lonely Planet The Guardian
Bergstadastraeti 37, Reykjavik 101, Iceland
From $206/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Shuttle Bus
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
Fodor's "This quietly elegant member of the prestigious World Hotels group has impeccable service, an excellent restaurant (Gallery), and free Wi–Fi throughout the hotel." Full review
Star Service "This is a respected, classic hotel with a grand reputation, resting on a hilltop in a residential area in the old part of the city." Full review
The Telegraph8.0
"This upscale 4-star hotel enjoys a good location on a quiet street in downtown Reykjavik, a decent spread of facilities and one of the country’s largest privately-owned art collections." Full review
OysterUpper-middle-range
"Sits on a quiet street in central Reykjavik -- it’s a great location for exploring the city, as attractions like the Hallgrimskirkja Church and the
Harpa Concert Hall are within a 10-minute walk." Full review
U.S. News & World Report2.0
"A staple in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland for more than 50 years, the Hotel Holt cherishes and celebrates Icelandic culture in an unparalleled manner." Full review
Frommer's "The work of some of the country’s best-known artists, including Jóhannes S. Kjarval, adorn the rooms, lounges, library...rooms are rather classic, with leather chairs and dark wood furnishings." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Original paintings, drawings and sculptures adorn the rooms here (Holt houses the largest private art collection in Iceland), set off by warm-toned decor and rose-coloured carpets." Full review
The Guardian "It’s expensive, but it’s been around since the 1960s and filled with beautiful artwork by big names such as Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval"
