Our one night outside of Reykjavik was spent at the Brunnhóll Guesthouse, which overlooks the Vatnajökull glacier. It is situated just 6 km from the Vatnajökull National Park entrance and 30 km from the fishing village of Hofn.
Brunnhóll is a family-operated farm and B&B that takes pride in its environmentally-friendly accommodations and hospitality. The guesthouse has 22 rooms available in single, double or family occupancy. Most rooms have a private bathroom and hair dryer, as did ours. The nightly rate was around $170, which is typical for the few guesthouses in this region.
We can certainly attest to the welcoming spirit at Brunnhóll. Thanks to our late start from Reykjavik, we weren’t able to check in until nearly midnight. The friendly married couple who operate the guesthouse patiently waited for our arrival. I would have understood had they been annoyed with us, but instead greeted us with warm smiles, gave us all the information we needed, and even served us late-night ice cream.
Late night ice cream
Their ice cream, Jöklaís, was founded at Brunnhóll Guesthouse in collaboration with Farmhouse Ice Cream. Apparently it is a sensation among the locals, and for good reason. Available in fanciful flavors like apricot and amaretto, this home-made ice cream is dense, creamy and bursting with all-natural flavors. We enjoyed the treats in the common room, where we could look out on the glacier to one side and the farm on the other.
Our double occupancy room offered a TV and Wi-Fi. The room wasn’t particularly large, but the beds were extremely comfortable and warm with their wool comforters.
Beds at Brunnholl
We were amused by the whale bones – ribs and vertebrae – that welcome guests outside the registration desk. They also sell locally-crafted wool items, so in the spirit I purchased a knit ear warmer that featured a small whale bone clasp.
Whale bones
Breakfast in the morning was a real treat. The buffet offered farm-fresh milk, yogurt, juices, eggs, jams and a variety of meats. Staples such as cereals, fresh-baked breads and homemade pancakes were also available. The delicious breakfast was complimented by the stunning view of Vatnajökull.
Vatnajokull
Breakfast with a view
For a comparable price to anything else in the region, Brunnhóll guesthouse offers stunning views, a convenient location and warm hospitality amid the chilly climate.
Have you stayed at Brunnholl or elsewhere on the southwest coast of Iceland? What did you think? Leave a comment!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate, meaning if you make a reservation through the link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As always, the recommendations and opinions in this blog are mine, and are an honest account of our experiences. Thank you for reading, and helping us make our travel dreams a reality!
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