Sand Hotel

Sand Hotel sits right on Laugavegur, the main shopping and restaurant street of central Reykjavik, at number 34. It is part of Keahotels, an Icelandic group that runs ten hotels around the country, and with 78 rooms it is a mid-sized hotel with a more personal feel than the big hotels on the edge of the centre.

The hotel describes its style as ageless, and the rooms combine upscale furniture with contemporary artwork and a relaxed, residential atmosphere. Wifi is free, and there is a gym for guests. As in most central Reykjavik hotels, room sizes vary, so check the details of each room type when booking if you are travelling with a lot of luggage or need extra space.

Breakfast is a strong point and is included in the rate. The buffet features fresh bread and pastries, juices and small health shots, a good start before a day of sightseeing or an early tour pick-up. Because the hotel is on Laugavegur, you also have dozens of cafés, bakeries and restaurants within a few minutes' walk for the rest of the day.

Sand Hotel suits couples and solo travellers who want a stylish base in the busiest part of town without the price of the top luxury hotels. It is less suited to travellers who want a spa or extensive facilities, but the city's public geothermal pools are easy to reach by bus or on foot, and the shops of Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur are on the doorstep. Laugavegur is lively in the evenings, particularly at weekends, so light sleepers should ask for a quiet room when booking.

Travellers arriving early on a morning flight should ask about luggage storage or early check-in, which is common practice in Reykjavik hotels but depends on availability.

Hallgrímskirkja is a short walk uphill, and Harpa, the Old Harbour and Tjörnin can all be reached on foot in around ten to fifteen minutes. Book early for summer, when central hotels fill up quickly, and for the Christmas and New Year period, when the city fills with visitors for the fireworks and festivities. If you are joining a day tour, check which pick-up point serves the hotel, as large coaches cannot always stop on Laugavegur itself.