Star Trek comes to Reykjavik

Advantages: Central location, superb use of technology, and not expensive either
Disadvantages: None that I can think of

...The Settlement Exhibition is a relatively new addition to the cultural landscape in Reykjavik, having only been opened to the public for a couple of years. It is situated on Aðalstræti in the centre of the oldest district of the city, and the remains of the Viking settlement that form the focus of the display were uncovered during construction work for a new hotel in 2003. Public interest in the discovery was so great that the government decided to preserve the integrity of the site and the archaeological research conducted there has provided a wealth of information about how the earliest settlers lived, all of which has been carefully preserved and beautifully presented in this fascinating museum. The centrepiece of the exhibition is the site of a Viking longhouse that was inhabited from the early 10th century, and to the north...

JVL 19.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of The Settlement Exhibition, Reykjavik

Reykjavik: Cold Weather and Hot Springs

Advantages: Beatiful, crowd-free, unspoiled
Disadvantages: Cold (just wrap up warm) and expensive

...Intro ~~~~ I have just returned from a family holiday in Reykjavik, the most northerly capital in the world. No one in our family is suited to the heat and we are not drawn by beach holidays. We were attracted by the reported beauty of the city and Iceland promised adventure with its volcanic landscape, geysers and waterfalls, puffins and whales. We were not disappointed and we left keen to return and explore more of this beautiful country. The City ~~~~~~~ Perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Reykjavik sits on the south west coast of Iceland, oh so many miles north of Scotland in the north Atlantic Ocean. It is rapidly increasing in size, mostly from people migrating here from other parts of the country. Iceland is very sparsely populated, two thirds of a total of only 300,000 Icelanders live in the Reykjavik area. This was...

sonic0209 03.11.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Reykjavik (Iceland)

A 21st Century hotel in historic Reykjavik

Advantages: In the heart of traditional Reykjavic
Disadvantages: none

...Reykjavik. The hotel also comprises of a bar/coffee lounge with soft sofas as well as the standard tables and chairs. This was a pleasant place to visit after a hard day of sight seeing. Overall we were extremely pleased and relieved to find this hotel was of a good standard because we could find very little independent information about it before our visit . We hope you enjoy it too....

millieanna 14.04.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Hotel Reykjavik Centrum, Reykjavik

Hotel Cabin, Reykjavik

Advantages: great location and value for money
Disadvantages: size of rooms

......

fijiclaire 15.07.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Hotel Cabin, Reykjavik

Reykjavik International Airport

Advantages: small therefore quick check in
Disadvantages: location of where the fly bus departs

......

olly374 23.04.2001 (20.04.2001) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Reykjavik - Keflavik International Airport (Iceland)

A Pearl on top of Ash Tree Hill

Advantages: Wonderful views. Interesting and informative mueum. Unique architecture.
Disadvantages: Limited goods and space to shops. Machine coffee.

...Oskjuhlid or Ash Tree Hill (translated) into English is a prominent hill to the west of Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland. Sitting on the summit of the hill is Reykjavik's latest attraction, The Pearl. The Pearl and Oskjuhlid dominate the skyline and form a notable landmark for the city visible from several miles away. Oskjuhlid has played an important part in Reykjavik's history for some time now. Plans were in place to build a grand structure on its summit from 1930. World War II was to disrupt these plans when the British Army used it as a military base. Some sixty years later, the plans were finally brought to fruition. The Pearl is magnificent piece of modern architecture combining utility, environmentalism, tourism, history, geology and art. Six massive aluminium tanks are linked together by a steel framework topped...

MAFARRIMOND 02.12.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of The Pearl (Perlan), Reykjavik

It's oh so quiet (sometimes) - sssh sssh

Advantages: Friendly service. Good sized rooms with comfortable bed.
Disadvantages: Brutalist architecture. Flat, small towels. Expensive sancks / drinks.

...Hotel Bjork is one of the five Kea Hotels in Iceland and our choice for accommodation on our recent holiday to Reykjavik. Why our choice? Well according to all the available brochures and web sites, "If you are looking for a centrally located hotel and would still prefer peace and privacy, Hotel Bjork is the right choice for you." Perfect! Just what we were looking for! So was Hotel Bjork the right choice? Well pretty much - apart from a few minor niggles, it suited our needs well with, in the main, a friendly and efficient service. ~~First Impressions~~ Similar to many other buildings in Reykjavik, Hotel Bjork is of a brutalist architectural design constructed of poured concrete. Like most brutalist buildings built in the 70s, the hotel's façade had somewhat discoloured to a pale grey in parts making it look a little tired...

MAFARRIMOND 19.01.2008 (20.01.2008) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Bjork Hotel, Reykjavik

Northern Exposure

Advantages: Cool, Cultured, Spectacular natural surroundings
Disadvantages: The National Museum has been closed all year, Very expensive

...Reykjavik is probably the coolest city in the world - and not just because of its position as the most northerly capital, either. The geographical isolation of the city has given it a virtual license to be different, creative, quirky and ground breaking in many areas, a strangeness that is mirrored perfectly in the surreal natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. But before I plunge onwards with my review, let me just make it clear where I am writing about, as there may be some confusion as to which of the islands of the north Atlantic the city is on. Reykjavik is on Iceland, smaller of the islands and mostly green in cover - it is often mixed up with Greenland, the larger of the two that is mostly covered in ice. I'm glad we got that sorted out. ;-) But why did I decide to go there of all places? Well, I think it is fair...

Collingwood21 12.09.2003 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Reykjavik (Iceland)

Brutalism meets German Expressionism

Advantages: Unusual architectural design. Fabulous views. Wonderful acustics.
Disadvantages: Concrete construction (a petrsonal hate). Icy cold winds on the viewing platform.

...Hallgrímskirkja sits high on a hilltop within Reykjavik's city centre. Its elevated location along with its towering height of two hundred and forty four feet renders the church a striking landmark to any visitors to the city. Striking not just from its height but from its unusual modernist architectural design and construction. The best description I can give is that Hallgrímskirkja is Brutalism meets German expressionism. I will deviate for just a brief moment to expand what I mean by the architectural forms. Brutalist Architecture originates from the French term béton brut (raw concrete), a material often used in its construction. Brutalist Architecture is generally considered unsightly and cold today. Buildings usually have striking repetitive geometric shapes. German expressive architecture views buildings as a work of art...

MAFARRIMOND 17.12.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Hallgrimur's Church (Hallgrimskirkja), Reykjavik

Expensive but spectacular

Advantages: nice looking, friendly people, cool as anything
Disadvantages: VERY expensive

...I went to Reykjavik for 5 nights in Autumn 1998 with my boyfriend and was well impressed. We had been inspired by seeing a programme about the making of Bjork's Homogenic album, which musically seems to sum up the atmosphere of Iceland. We got a package deal with flights and hotel (with breakfast) for about £500 each, which was fairly cheap. We stayed at Hotel Reykjavik (the smaller, second branch) which was clean, friendly, comfortable, nice big continental breakfast, and had useful information about local excursions. It was also centrally located, 5 minutes from the main shopping street. Not that we did much shopping. The fashion and music was all super-stylish and contemporary, but incredibly expensive - apparently the locals have at least 2 jobs to keep up with the cost! We only went out to the pub one of the nights(Damon Albarn...

faithbuck 21.08.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Reykjavik (Iceland)