Hotel Odinsve in Reykjavik, Iceland

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Updated: April 20, 2021

Essentials
• Location: On the corner of Þórsgata and Tysgata.
• Hotel website: hotelodinsve.is
• Hotel phone: +354 511 6200
• Check prices on Booking.com

Hotel Odinsve – Minimalist comfort and style in an excellent downtown location.

Just steps from Skólavörðustígur, the diagonal thoroughfare that connects Laugavegur – downtown Reykjavik’s nightlife and shopping street – with Hallgrímskirkja church, this comfortable mid-range option puts many of the city’s main attractions right on your doorstep. It’s a blend of early nineteenth-century architecture and minimalist rooms in slate-greys and charcoals, each decorated with characterful black-and-white landscape photos of Iceland and colorful woolen throws. The hotel’s award-winning bistro, Snaps, serves French-inspired dishes, and the tiny bar mixes excellent cocktails. Service is unpretentious and warm.

See Also

• Best Hotels in Reykjavik
• Best Hotels for Families in Reykjavik
• Best Boutique Hotels in Reykjavik
• Best Budget Hotels in Reykjavik

Hótel Odinsve – Location

• Address: Þórsgata 1.
• Area: Just off the main Skólavörðustígur street that connects Reykjavik’s main pedestrianized shopping street, Laugavegur, with the famous Hallgrímskirkja up on the hill, the hotel is in a very central and convenient location. There are numerous shops and places to eat along Skólavörðustígur, with dozens more restaurants and bars on Laugavegur just 3 minutes’ walk (0.2 mile) away. Old Reykjavik, with its museums, bars, and restaurants is 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel, while the Old Harbour and its whale and puffin boat tours is a 14-minute walk (0.7 mile).
• How to Get There: Flybus offers convenient bus/shuttle transfers from Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport to your hotel (30 miles), with shuttle drop-off at most downtown locations. It costs 3,299kr (around US$26) one way. Alternatively, 4-seater taxis from the airport cost a set fee of 15,000kr (around US$126).
• Handy to: Hallgrímskirkja, National Gallery of Iceland, Einar Jónsson Museum.

Hotel Óðinsvé – The Basics

• Ages: Guests tend to be largely couples and solo travelers on a city break, along with families with older children.
• View: Most rooms have city views, while front-facing rooms higher up have views of the harbor.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: No private pools or jacuzzis.
• Laundry: In-room laundry service available at an extra charge.
• Parking: No parking.
• Extras: Rooftop terrace, meeting room, dedicated concierge service.
• When to Book: Reserve around 8 months in advance for the summer high season (mid-June to late August) as well Christmas/New Year. The rest of the year, it’s still a good idea to book several months in advance since Iceland is a year-round destination.
• How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
• Phone: +354 511 6200
• Email: odinsve@hotelodinsve.is
• Website: hotelodinsve.is

Hotel Odinsve – Amenities

• Pool: No pool.
• Spa: No spa.
• Fitness Center: No fitness center.
• For Disabled Guests: No accessible rooms available.
• For Families: No cots but extra beds are available at an extra charge.

Hotel Odinsve – Food and Drink

• Restaurant: Snaps Bistro is an unpretentious French bistro, open to non-guests and hugely popular with locals for its steak béarnaise with French fries and seafood bouillabaisse. Lunch specials are a bargain and the glassed-in porch is a top spot for brunch. Open 11.30 am to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and up to midnight Friday and Saturday. Book ahead for dinner. $$-$$$.
• Lounge/Bar: There’s a tiny bar attached to Snaps Bistro (open during restaurant hours) and it serves excellent original cocktails as well as classic ones.
• Breakfast: Not complimentary. Continental breakfast is served in Snaps from 7-10 am daily and costs 3,950kr.
• Room Service: No room service.

Hotel Odinsve – Rooms

• Room Types: Single Room • Twin Room • Double Room • Double Deluxe Room • Junior Suite • Family Suite • Luxury Apartment • List of all Rooms
• Smoking Rooms: Hotel Óðinsvé is 100% smoke-free.
• Best Room: While the Family Suite is the most spacious, the Junior Suites (some of them split-level) are the most popular, with sweeping views of the city from the upper floors, spacious living areas, and tubs as well as showers.
• For Families: The 2-bedroom Family Suite and the 2-bedroom Luxury Apartments comfortably accommodate families of 4.

Hotel Odinsve – Local Transport

• Walking: Most of Reykjavik’s attractions are within a 20-minute walking radius from the hotel, as are most restaurants and bars.
• Taxis, Uber: Taxis to the airport cost US$126. Taxi prices around town are high (around US$8.50 per km) and most visitors won’t use them much as the city is very walkable. Tipping is not required. It’s worth downloading the handy Hreyfill bæjarleiðir app if you’re going to use taxis. There’s no Uber in Iceland.
• Public Bus: A network of Stræto buses runs from the centrally located Hlemmur bus station (0.6 mile) to Reykjavik’s suburbs. Single fare is 480kr (around US$3.70) and you can buy tickets on the bus or online using the handy app (which also helps you plan your journey). If you buy the Reykjavik City Card online or from the tourist office, it includes unlimited bus travel in the Reykjavik area as well as free entry to various museums. While most of Reykjavik’s attractions are in the city center, you may use buses to get out to Reykjavik Zoo, Botanic Gardens, or the Ásmundarsaft branch of the Reykjavik Art Museum.

Hotel Odinsve – What’s Nearby?

Recommended Nearby Tours

• Northern Lights – During the winter months, most outdoor adventure companies in town offer evening jaunts into the countryside to try and spot the eerie ribbons of the aurora borealis unfurling across the sky. Trips last around 4 hours and depart at 9 or 10 pm. Start location: Hotel pickup.
• Horseback Riding – Ride sturdy little Icelandic horses through lava fields. Several stables near Reykjavik offer horseback riding jaunts for all levels of experience, ranging from 90-minute outings to multi-day trips through the countryside. Recommended operators include Laxnes, Islenski Hesturinn, and Reykjavik Riding Center. Start location: Hotel pickup available.
• Glacier Walking and Ice Climbing – Year-round adventures on the Sólheimajökull glacier. Icelandic Mountain Guides and Arctic Adventures run popular day trips to the most accessible part of the immense Mýrdalsjökull glacier. You can choose between walking on the glacier, exploring the ice cave under the Katla Volcano, or combining the two. Ice-climbing jaunts run from September to April and you need to be fit. Start location: Hotel pickup.
• Inside the Volcano – This adventure tour outfitter runs day trips inside the dormant Þríhnúkagígur volcano, a 3-hour ride from the city. Groups hike for an hour to the crater and then take the elevator 120m down into a 4,000-year-old magma chamber that once bubbled with lava. Over-12s only. Start location: Hotel pickup.
• Citywalk – Runs free history and culture walking tours that take in the city’s main sights, as well as pub crawls. Start location: Depends on the tour.
• Haunted Walk – Super-popular walking tours that delve into Icelandic folklore and take visitors ghost-spotting. Start location: Restaurant Reykjavik, on the corner of Aðalstræti and Vesturgata. (0.5 mile).
• Reykjavik City Library – Runs the fun 90-minute Dark Deeds tour that focuses on crime fiction set in Reykjavik. Start location: 0.6 mile.
• Whale-watching and Puffin-spotting – Departing from the old harbor, numerous boat companies run whale and puffin-watching tours year-round. There are more departures during the summer months when whale sightings are more common. Recommended companies include Reykjavik Sailors and Whale Safari. Alternatively, sail in the reconstructed Viking longboat, Gaukstad, with Reykjavik Viking Adventure. Start location: 0.8 mile.
• Blue Lagoon – Iceland’s most famous thermal springs. Incredibly popular, the steaming teal waters of Blue Lagoon fill up with visitors who paint themselves with the mineral-rich white mud. The hot springs are an easy day trip from Reykjavik, and you can even go for a soak just before catching your flight home since it’s right near the airport. Book your slot online well ahead; evenings and early mornings are least crowded. Several pickup locations around town. (30 miles).

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Krua Thai – Informal, busy Thai restaurant with upstairs dining area, serving up some authentic Thai heat in the form of curries, soups, and stir-fries. Popular with families and good value. (100m).
• Sumac – Icelandic seasonal ingredients meet Lebanese and Moroccan spices and cooking techniques at Sumac. Perch at the counter of the open kitchen and watch the chefs at work, or get assorted meze – harissa chicken wings, grilled eggplant with pomegranate, deep-fried cod cheeks with sumac aioli – for the whole table. (0.2 mile).
• Kol – Icelandic comfort food with an international twist, Kol does wonderful things with largely local ingredients. Standout dishes include lamb sirloin with honey-pickled rutabaga, Icelandic scallops with dill mayo, and beef tenderloin with black garlic. Splurge on the tasting menu and don’t miss the terrific cocktails. (0.2 mile).
• ROK – Right near the Hallgrímskirkja, this small timber house with a popular outdoor terrace specializes in high-concept small plates and sharing dishes (cured reindeer, Icelandic char, wild mushroom risotto, slow-cooked beef tacos), paired with local craft beer and a carefully chosen wine list. The tasting menus are worth the splurge and it has champagne happy hours from 4-7 pm daily. Buzzy and popular with groups, so book ahead. (0.2 mile).
• Austur-Indíafélagið – The world’s northernmost Indian restaurant combines Icelandic ingredients such as Arctic char with Indian cooking techniques – with spectacular results. Sultry décor, generous portions, and popular with families and groups. (0.3 mile).
• Icelandic Street Food – Tiny, casual eatery serving pancakes, fish stew, and lamb and shellfish soup in a bread bowl. You can take the food into Icelandic Craft Bar, the sister establishment next door. (0.3 mile).
• Grillmarkaðurinn – All volcanic rock, dark wood, and glass, the Grill Market particularly excels at meat and seafood dishes cooked over the coals of their custom-made grill. Most ingredients are sourced from local farmers and there are stellar cocktails to boot. (0.3 mile).
• Dill – Iceland’s sole Michelin-starred restaurant, Dill embraces ‘New Nordic’ cuisine and takes Icelandic ingredients to new heights. Dine on a 5 and 7-course tasting menu at the bar overlooking the open kitchen or at a candlelit table. Reservations essential. (0.4 mile).
• Fiskmarkaðurinn – At ‘Fish Market’, the menu is succinct and well-executed, from lumpfish roe with fermented potatoes and bitter-lemon-glazed Arctic char to elaborate sushi rolls and tempura. The creative desserts hit the spot, the setting is stylish yet understated, and the cocktails are terrific. (0.5 mile).

Best Nearby Cafes

• Kaffitár – This Icelandic coffee roaster has 5 branches around the city and is known for its ecological practices as well as specialty coffees from around the world. Freshly made cakes and pastries also. Great place to sit with a laptop. (0.2 mile).
• Sandholt – Arguably the most popular bakery/café in the city. Fresh croissants, pastries, baguettes, and sandwiches are all on offer here, as well as beautiful, elaborate cakes and good coffee. (0.2 mile).
• Reykjavik Roasters – This minimalist coffee shop near the Hallgrímskirkja imports its Fair Trade beans directly from Nicaragua and Colombia and roasts them on-site. Great pastries, too. (0.2 mile).

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Ölstofa – Friendly neighborhood pub and local fixture since 2002, with over 25 local and international beers to choose from, decent selection of whiskies, and a mellow atmosphere. You may even spot the odd Icelandic celeb here. No photography. (0.1 mile).
• Bar Ananas – This colorful, Hawaiian-themed beach bar in the heart of Reykjavik is all about tropical cocktails. There’s a tiny dance floor as well for those who want to shake it to reggae and dub beats. (0.1 mile).
• Lebowski Bar – Fun and grungy watering hole named after the iconic movie. Order a White Russian and check out the Americana adorning the walls. (0.2 mile).
• Kaffibarinn – Pass through the door decorated with a London Underground sign to enter one of the city’s hippest bars, part-owned by Damon from Blur. The candlelit interior, some of the longest happy hours in Reykjavik (3-8 pm), on-point DJs, and a great selection of beers, shots, and more makes this a good place for a drink anytime. (0.2 mile).
• Dillon Whiskey Bar – Atmospheric watering hole with over 170 whiskeys to choose from around the globe. There’s live music 3-4 nights a week (no cover charge) and a beloved local DJ on Saturdays. (0.2 mile).
• Port 9 – Wide selection of hand-picked wines from all over Europe and the Americas, a small-plate menu, cozy seating, and an intimate atmosphere. (0.3 mile).
• BrewDog Reykjavik – The Frakkastígur branch of the hugely popular Scottish craft beer empire that’s always experimenting and offering new creations. Their Punk AF IPA and Vagabond Pale are justifiably popular, or you can opt for their range of OverWorks Wild and Sour beers. (0.3 mile).
• Icelandic Craft Bar – This super-central bar focuses exclusively on Icelandic brews, with 6 on tap and 14 bottled beers from Börg, Einstök, Víking, and the rarer Austri from east Iceland. If you’re hungry, you can bring food here from Icelandic Street Food, its sister restaurant next door. Occasional live music in the basement. (0.3 mile).
• Aldamót – Inside Kvosin Downtown Hotel, this classy establishment takes the study of hops, wines, and spirits seriously. Particularly renowned for its craft martinis with fresh fruit and herbs, though there are also rotating Icelandic craft brews on tap as well as carefully selected wines. (0.4 mile).
• Kolabrautin – Apart from the stellar location overlooking the harbor from the top of the Harpa Concert Hall, multi-level Kolabrautin is particularly good for exotic cocktails. The attached restaurant is terrific as well, with a short but sweet menu of Icelandic-Italian fusion dishes. (0.5 mile).

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

• Smekkleysa – Legendary record store and infamous record label. “Bad Taste” is all about punk rock and other alternative music, and singer Björk is one of the label’s founders. Music aside, Smekkleysa sells poetry, novels, and offbeat greeting cards. (100m).
• Orrifinn – Unique, Icelandic-themed jewelry. Inspired by Iceland’s landscape and history, this jeweler specializes in delicate pendants and rings involving axes, keys, serpents, anchors, and more. (100m).
• Geysir – Icelandic woolen goodies and more. Come here for traditional Icelandic sweaters and blankets as well as more contemporary designs. Also sells men’s and women’s shoes and accessories. (0.1 mile).
• Ófeigur – Bespoke gold and silverwork. Master craftsman Björnsson designs unique silver and gold jewelry inset with lava and other natural materials. His wife is a dressmaker and you can find her creations and accessories here as well. (0.1 mile).
• Icewear – Locally designed outdoor gear and wool apparel, from handmade woolen sweaters to insulated waterproof jackets and Gore-tex hiking boots. (0.1 mile).
• Mál og Menning – Terrific independent bookshop. 3-story Icelandic institution, with an excellent selection of English-language books on Iceland’s history, nature, and culture. Also, international titles covering all major genres. (0.2 mile).
• Gullkúnst Helgu – Original jewelry by a local designer, incorporating lava into earrings, pendants, rings, and more. (0.2 mile).
• Tulipop – Characters from an Icelandic fantasy world appear here in the form of toys, collectibles, and other quirky and unique gift ideas. (0.2 mile).
• Rammagerdin – One of the city’s best souvenir shops. Plenty of woolen goods, T-shirts with unique designs made from recycled materials, Iceland-inspired lava jewelry, lava salt, and more. Several branches around the city. (0.2 mile).
• Aftur – Eco-aware local designer. Sleek, urban designer apparel for men and women, with an emphasis on recycling and upcycling. Current owner also handpicks clothing and accessories by labels that share her aesthetics. (0.3 mile).
• Epal Icelandic Design – Quirky Icelandic gifts. Apart from the obligatory collection of woolen sweaters, lava salt shakers, and mint candy that promises to “make you sing like Björk”, Epal stocks Icelandic black humor by local cartoonist Dagsson and various other unusual gifts. (0.4 mile).

Nearby Attractions

• Einar Jónsson Museum – Works by Iceland’s first sculptor. Drawing inspiration from Icelandic folklore, Jónsson was particularly renowned for his intense symbolist works, some of which are scattered around central Reykjavik. Look out for Outlaws, The Birth of Psyche, and Fate. Don’t miss the sculpture garden out back. (0.2 mile).
• Hallgrímskirkja – Reykjavik’s iconic church. Built between 1945 and 1986, this striking white-concrete church dominates the hilltop in central Reykjavik. Inside, this Lutheran church is rather austere but worth a peek for its impressive 5,275-pipe organ. Take the elevator up the 74.5m-high tower for fantastic panoramic views of the city. (0.2 mile).
• Culture House – This 1908 building hosts a terrific exhibition on Iceland’s cultural and artistic heritage, from early settlement to the present day. Look out for priceless 14th-century manuscripts and the skeleton of the now-extinct great auk. Changing contemporary art exhibitions, too. (0.3 mile).
• National Gallery of Iceland – The most comprehensive collection of Icelandic art. The bright marble galleries display some of the museum’s 10,000 pieces on rotation and there are frequent special exhibitions by the likes of Sigurjón Ólafsson, Jóhannes Kjarval, and other prominent Icelandic artists. (0.3 mile).
• Harpa Concert Hall – Award-winning music venue. With its many facets glistening on the waterfront, Harpa combines striking modern architecture with terrific acoustics. It is home to the Icelandic Opera and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and hosts numerous music festivals such as Dark Music Days, Reykjavik Jazz Festival, and Reykjavik Midsummer Music. Even if you don’t attend a concert, it’s well worth taking one of the daily guided tours of the building. (0.5 mile).
• Reykjavik Art Museum – Contemporary Icelandic art. Spread over 3 locations, this terrific museum presents the best of contemporary Icelandic talent, from installations and abstract sculptures to paintings, photos, and videos. The Hafnarhús – a soaring steel and concrete exhibition space – is the most central of the three. (0.5 mile).
• Sun Voyager – Head for the waterfront to check out the Sun Voyager, Reykjavik’s iconic sculpture, an almost ethereal Viking longboat by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. The artist’s intention was to convey the promise of undiscovered territory, freedom, and hope. It’s also a favorite spot for sunset-watching, with snow-capped mountains in the distance. (0.6 mile).
• Icelandic Phallological Museum – Huge collection of penises. This unique, educational museum is home to pickled and petrified manhoods representing all Icelandic land mammals as well as ones further afield – porpoises, polar bears, walruses, blue whales, etc. Look out for silver castings of all members of the Icelandic handball team. (0.6 mile).
• Reykjavik City Museum – Beautifully presented archaeological museum centered on a 10th-century Viking longhouse. Digital technology is used to bring the past to life and interactive multimedia tables put artifacts such as fish-oil lamps and iron axes into context. (1 mile).

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Bónus – Handy small supermarket along Laugavegur street. (0.4 mile).
• Kolaportid Flea Market – Enormous flea and food market. Held on weekends in a massive industrial building by the waterfront, this market has numerous stalls selling vintage clothing, old toys, and assorted bric-à-brac. The food stalls are a good place to sample such traditional delicacies as rúgbrauð (geothermally-baked rye bread) and hákarl (fermented shark). (0.5 mile).

Hótel Odinsve – The Hotel

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