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Summary of reviewsHéradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse stands out as a favored choice for travelers exploring Iceland's Golden Circle, renowned for its prime location amidst breathtaking scenery and key landmarks such as Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss and Bruarfoss trekking trail. Situated next to Lake Laugarvatn and close to the Laugarvatn Fontana spa, the guesthouse offers enchanting views of the lake and mountains, cementing its appeal for those longing to immerse in Iceland's natural beauty. The historic charm of the building, once a school, adds an extra layer of character to the stay with its beautiful restoration seamlessly blending historical ambiance with modern amenities.
Guests consistently rave about the breakfast experience, which is praised for its variety, quality and delicious offerings. The breakfast buffet, filled with options like smoked salmon and warm bread, caters well to diverse dietary needs, including gluten-free choices and is often considered worth the cost despite minor critiques regarding variety and pricing.
The dining options at the guesthouse receive high commendation as well, particularly the local lamb dishes and pizzas, which are noted for their excellent taste and reasonable pricing. The restaurant's convenience, ambiance and affordable yet high-quality meals make for a delightful dining experience with vegan options available to cater to different preferences.
Rooms at Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse are appreciated for their cleanliness, comfort and unique charm, even though they may be simple and modestly equipped. The spaciousness of the rooms, historical furnishings and beautiful views contribute to a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. While some guests mention a desire for more storage space and better sound insulation, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, praising the guesthouse for its cleanliness, comfort and historical character.
The guesthouse's cleanliness is often highlighted with guests using terms like “super clean” and “exceptionally clean” to describe both rooms and shared bathrooms. Despite the occasional minor issue, the standard of hygiene is consistently high, enhancing the overall experience.
Staff at the guesthouse are frequently described as friendly, helpful and attentive, contributing significantly to the positive ambiance and enjoyment of the stay. Their clear communication, willingness to assist and warm hospitality receive strong commendations from guests, even going above and beyond to accommodate late check-ins.
The wifi service is largely praised for its speed and stability, providing a seamless online experience, though there are occasional mentions of weak signals in certain areas. Most guests find the connectivity to be reliable and satisfactory. Similarly, the parking facilities receive positive feedback for their ample, free spaces, ensuring a hassle-free experience for those traveling by car.
The comfort and quality of the beds are a standout feature with many guests highlighting the comfortable mattresses and well-maintained bedding, which significantly enhance the overall comfort of their stay.
In essence, Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse provides a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort, set against a stunning natural backdrop. It offers a memorable experience of Iceland’s Golden Circle with its excellent location, delightful breakfast, praised dining options, comfortable rooms, high cleanliness standards, friendly staff, reliable wifi and convenient parking. The guesthouse's blend of vintage decor and modern amenities makes it an ideal retreat for travelers seeking a unique and charming stay. Show more
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Categories
Boutique-style Hostel
Hostel with Parking
Accessible Hostel
Room Types
Family Room with Shared BathroomOverlooking Lake Laugarvatn, this brightly decorated room includes a seating area and work desk.
Double Room with Shared BathroomOverlooking Lake Laugarvatn or the Hekla Volcano, this brightly decorated room includes a seating area and work desk.
Standard Double RoomThis double room features a seating area and views of Lake Laugarvatn.
Triple Room with Shared BathroomThe triple room features a high chair for children, heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. Rooms on the upper floors are reachable by lift. The unit has 2 beds.
Single Room with Shared BathroomThe single room features a high chair for children, heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. Rooms on the upper floors are reachable by lift. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Twin Room with Shared BathroomThe twin room provides a high chair for children, heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. Rooms on the upper floors are reachable by lift. The unit offers 2 beds.
Three-Bedroom Apartment with Lake ViewThis spacious apartment features 1 living room, 3 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. In the well-equipped kitchen, guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven. The apartment features a private entrance, a coffee machine, a dining area, a TV, as well as lake views. The unit has 4 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.5
Very Good
Location
'Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse' enjoys a prime location amidst scenic beauty and notable landmarks, making it a favored choice for travelers visiting Iceland's Golden Circle. Positioned conveniently between Thingvellir National Park and Geysir, the guesthouse provides an ideal base for exploring these iconic sites and other attractions such as Gullfoss and Bruarfoss trekking trail.
The historic building, once a school, adds an extra layer of charm and character to the stay. Guests appreciate the beautiful lake and mountain views with the hotel sitting right next to Lake Laugarvatn. The proximity to the Laugarvatn Fontana spa, just steps away, is frequently highlighted, offering easy access to hot springs and providing an added touch of relaxation.
Surrounded by a stunning landscape and picturesque settings, the guesthouse's location makes it perfect for those looking to soak in the natural beauty of Iceland. Whether it's the beautiful sunrise overlooking the lake or the quiet serenity of the snowy mountain backdrop, the views here are truly enchanting.
In addition to its spectacular surroundings, the guesthouse is appreciated for its strategic positioning within the Golden Circle, allowing guests to comfortably reach key tourist spots from Reykjavik to various natural sites. The establishment itself is noted for its beautiful restoration and historical ambiance, providing a comfortable and charming stay with modern amenities.
Overall, 'Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse' is celebrated for its excellent location, historic charm and breathtaking surroundings, making it a standout choice for those exploring Iceland's renowned Golden Circle.
Breakfast
Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse offers a breakfast experience that is widely praised by its guests, showcasing a variety of offerings and high-quality food. Many reviews highlight the breakfast as delicious, exceptional and very varied with some even calling it the best they had during their travels. The breakfast buffet, in particular, receives accolades for its abundance and great selection, ensuring that there is something for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions like gluten-free options, which have been appreciated by guests.
Guests have noted the calm and cozy atmosphere in the breakfast area, making for a pleasant start to the day. The quality of the food, including options like smoked salmon and warm bread, is commonly mentioned as a highlight. Despite some mentions of the breakfast being a bit pricey and occasional comments about limited variety or specific items running out, the overall consensus is that the breakfast is very good and worth the additional cost.
There are some minor critiques such as the desire for more variety or specific items like eggs and a few guests found the breakfast to be just okay or somewhat overpriced. However, these are in the minority compared to the overwhelmingly positive feedback. In summary, Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse's breakfast is a delightful and hearty affair, contributing significantly to the charm and overall positive experience of staying at this historic guesthouse.
Dinner
The Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse offers a delightful dining experience that has earned high praise from guests. Visitors often highlight the restaurant's range of delicious meals with particular acclaim for the local lamb dishes, which many describe as excellent and flavorful. The pizzas are another standout, often mentioned as tasty and reasonably priced for Icelandic standards. In general, the food is considered very good or even fabulous, meeting or surpassing expectations.
Diners appreciate the fresh and plentiful evening meals and the availability of vegan options is a welcome feature. While there are mentions of basic or average dinner offerings, these are rare compared to the overwhelmingly positive comments about the food's quality.
The restaurant's convenience and affordability contribute to the overall satisfaction with many guests enjoying their meals without having to leave the premises. The ambiance of the dining area also adds to the experience, making it a pleasant place to enjoy both breakfast and dinner. Despite some remarks about the expense of dining on-site, most guests feel that the delicious meals and great service warrant the cost.
Overall, the dining options at Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse are well-received with many guests thoroughly enjoying their meals and recommending the restaurant for both its taste and convenience.
Rooms
The rooms at Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse are praised for their cleanliness, comfort and unique charm. Many guests appreciate the spaciousness of the rooms, describing them as large enough to comfortably accommodate two people and their luggage. The rooms are also highlighted for their tasteful decoration and warm, cozy atmosphere. Historical and antique furnishings add a touch of character to the accommodations, enhancing the overall experience of staying in a historic building.
While the rooms are described as simple and modestly equipped, they are consistently noted for being clean and comfortable. Beds receive mixed reviews with several mentions of comfort, though room 18’s pillows were specifically noted as poor. Communal bathrooms are frequently acknowledged for their cleanliness and sufficient number, though some guests would prefer more storage space and better sound insulation within the rooms.
Despite some rooms being small, particularly those set for three people or those with built-in beds in corners, many guests found them adequate and quiet, often with pleasant views. Rooms with private bathrooms are especially favored for their spaciousness and beautiful design. The public areas of the guesthouse are also appreciated for their beautiful common area, cozy atmosphere and quirky decor.
Overall, the guesthouse provides a mix of simple yet pleasant rooms that prioritize cleanliness and comfort. The historic charm, combined with unique decor and well-maintained facilities, tends to leave a positive impression on guests.
Beds
At Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse, guests consistently praise the comfort and quality of the beds, making it a standout feature of their stay. Many reviews highlight the comfortable and well-maintained bedding, clean sheets and pillows and overall coziness of the rooms. The words 'comfortable,' 'super comfortable,' and 'extremely comfortable' frequently appear when describing the beds. Guests also note the high quality of the mattresses with some describing them as incredible and unbelievable. Although a few comments mentioned less favorable experiences, such as poor pillows in specific rooms and instances of uncomfortable beds, the vast majority of feedback revolves around the delight and relaxation provided by the beds. The guesthouse’s attention to maintaining clean and plush bedding adds to the overall positive experience, contributing significantly to guests' comfort during their stay.
Cleanliness
Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse boasts impressive cleanliness, making for an inviting stay in a charming setting. Guests frequently praised the clean, comfortable rooms and well-maintained shared bathrooms. Many highlighted the establishment’s spotless upkeep with terms such as “super clean,” “exceptionally clean,” and “pristine.” The authenticity of the decor and architecture enhances the welcoming atmosphere and the shared spaces, including bathrooms and toilets, were consistently noted for their cleanliness and functionality.
Though older showers and occasional minor cleanliness issues were mentioned, they did not seem to greatly detract from the overall experience. The communal areas and the guesthouse as a whole received commendations for regular sanitation and housekeeping, keeping them in excellent condition. Visitors appreciated the effort put into maintaining the establishment’s historic charm while ensuring a high standard of hygiene.
Staff
The staff at Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse receive consistently high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight the team's welcoming nature and the warm hospitality experienced during their stay. The staff, described as kind, courteous and professional, often go above and beyond to accommodate guests, even waiting extra hours for late check-ins. Reviewers appreciate the clear and prompt communication and many note the staff's ability to provide excellent recommendations and historical insights about the building. The overall experience is enhanced by the extremely clean facilities and comfortable rooms, making the indoor environment inviting for both reading and resting. Despite a few isolated comments about unfriendliness, the overwhelming sentiment is one of satisfaction with the courteous and supportive staff, contributing significantly to the positive ambiance and enjoyment of the stay.
Wi-Fi
Guests at the Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse have largely praised the wifi, describing it as fast, high-speed and providing a seamless, buffer-free browsing experience. Although some reviews mentioned that the wifi signal is not very strong in certain areas of the building and occasionally weak, most found it to be consistent and stable with excellent overall connectivity. The high bandwidth internet and good access contributed to smooth, uninterrupted online experiences. Despite the occasional spots of weak signal, guests were generally satisfied with the good, solid wifi service provided throughout their stay.
Parking
The parking situation at Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse has garnered generally positive feedback from guests. Visitors appreciate the ample, free parking spaces conveniently located right in front of the hotel, which offers a comfortable and organized parking experience. With numerous parking spots available, guests have found the parking arrangements to be efficient and sufficient, allowing for a swift and hassle-free experience.
While some reviews pointed out that there may be a limited number of spaces during peak times, the majority noted that there was enough parking without complications. The well-allocated and properly organized parking facility was mentioned frequently as a highlight, ensuring guests have an adequate and stress-free place to park their vehicles.
Boutique-Style
Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse is a beautifully restored gem set in a lovely, quiet location. This former college/high school has been lovingly transformed into a boutique guesthouse, maintaining its historical charm while incorporating stylish and cozy elements. The decor is a tasteful blend of vintage furniture and modern comforts, creating an authentic and retro atmosphere that stays true to the building's roots.
The guesthouse's beautifully decorated interiors feature interesting decor, historical artifacts and themed common areas, giving guests a sense of stepping back in time. Each room and common space is adorned with old pictures and well-maintained vintage pieces, making for a unique and charming stay.
It's the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle, offering a cozy, well-organized environment amidst historic surroundings. The ambiance is further enhanced by the tranquil setting, which ensures a peaceful and quaint experience. For those who appreciate antiquity with a touch of modernity, Héradsskólinn provides an ideal retreat infused with historical deco and charm. The authentic feel and stylish comfort of this guesthouse make it a standout choice for travelers seeking something special.
No, Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse.
No, Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse.
No, Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse doesn't have a gym.