What it is

A modernist, art-filled 38-room oasis in a 1930s building on the glimmering harbor.

What it isn't

Low tech. Sure, you’re in the middle of the Atlantic when you’re in Iceland, but here you’ll have a Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Speaker, free lightning fast WiFi, and underfloor heating in your bathroom with a walk-in shower.

What we think

You know a hotel appreciates the finer things in life when your toiletries are Aveda and your sheets are Quagliotti (i.e. Italian made). But what else would you expect from a member of Design Hotels? The loveliness at 101 Hotel doesn’t stop there. Rooms are as streamlined as you’d expect in a Nordic country—in a tuxedo-esque palette of black and white—yet fitted with cozy touches (a stocked mini bar; robes and slippers). The hotel’s many repeat guests love the marble-lined spa—because even in the land of the Blue Lagoon, occasionally you need a steam bath.

You're here because

You’ve become a bit of an art fanatic, and the hotel has curated an impressive horde of locally-made works, from painting to sculpture.

The Moment

When you spot locals beelining for 101 Hotel’s restaurant, you breathe a sigh of relief. It must be as delicious as it sounds. Only one thing’s more delicious: watching Gunnar and Einar and Hekla kick back cocktails—then ask you to join them.

Restaurants & Bars

Kitchen & Wine - Serves a combination of modern Icelandic and international cuisine

Red Room - A stylish and functional meeting lounge and bar

Location

The heart of central Reykjavik, a block from the honeycomb-shaped glass Harpa Concert Hall and a five minute walk from Pylsuhusio, the famed hot dog stand. Don’t miss Hallgrimskirkja, arguably the most photogenic modern cathedral in the world (built in 1986, but every bit a Deco darling).