Radisson SAS 1919 Rekyavik - worthy of a saga? (Radisson SAS 1919 Hotel (Rekyavic, Iceland))

Member Name: andyk910

Product:	Radisson SAS 1919 Hotel (Rekyavic, Iceland)
Date:	15/04/09 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good central location in Rekyavic

Disadvantages: But only as good as what is in Rekyavic

It was a surprise to me that Iceland is the same size as England - I had thought it was a rather smaller island. The population, around 320,000 people, is only in total the size of one of the medium cities in the UK. More than half, about 170,000 people, live in the capital Reykjavik, or in its immediate vicinity. This is in the relatively milder south-west of the island (the north is just about within the Arctic Circle). This is the most northerly Capital City in the world - and in September, it was already cold - more like a British November.

I enjoyed my visit and want to tell you about the Radisson SAS 1919 Hotel, where I stayed.

**Location and how to get there**

This hotel is in central down-town Reykjavik, just near the harbour. Most visitors arrive at Keflavik, Iceland's International Airport on a peninsula about 45 kms from the capital, and there is a regular Air Bus service that takes you between the two. At about £8 one way, this is much cheaper than a taxi, which will cost about £60. There is a small domestic airport right on the edge of Reykjavik proper (an ex-RAF station from WWII, I believe) and domestic transfers from Keflavik are possible. Some visitors will arrive as passengers on the local ferry services (including to/from Greenland) or on cruise ships.

**Accommodation**

The hotel is a substantial cubic city block size building on the corner of two roads, so it actually has doors to the outside on three sides. It was built in 1919 (hence the name, it has 1919 on a plaque at the roof level) and was originally the office building for a shipping line. I would judge that the building must have been gutted, as the interior looks new apart from the staircase. The hotel has 88 rooms over 6 floors. The rooms consist of 30 standard rooms, 40 deluxe rooms, 16 junior suites and two luxury suites - the more you pay, the more you get.

All rooms have heating and air con, en suite facilities, shower only in the smaller rooms, bath in others, toilet and basin. Complimentary soap, shampoo and body lotions are supplied in funky little pots (apple and fruit scented). The standard rooms all have a well-equipped but very expensive mini bar, room safe, TV with BBC, CNN etc, alarm call via phone, iron and ironing board and tea and coffee making facilities. The in-room information says that there are ice machines on every floor (there are not, but the staff in the Salt bar downstairs will give you some ice). Papers were not delivered although an English language news sheet was available in the dining room every morning. My flat-screen TV did not work, but the staff came and sorted it out for me.

My room was quiet and just about warm enough. It was not very large. The furniture and decoration is high-end IKEA, all white and black ash - even the tall, slim silver lamp stands with the white conical Fez-shape shades were IKEA style. The room was kept clean.

High speed internet access was available FOC from all rooms (if you had your own laptop).

**Cost**

Iceland is expensive by British standards anyway (pint of beer £5 - £6, bottle of wine £25 - £40 and upwards, basic meal dish e.g. chicken or fish £12 - £20). It is more expensive to stay and to eat in Reykjavik than it is in London, Paris or New York. The quoted rack rate on the Radisson SAS website for a stay in September worked out at about £130 a night for a standard room, £162 for a deluxe room (room only). In fact, I booked via the Air Miles website and paid less - you can either book and pay entirely with Air Miles or do a part-cash part-Miles booking.

Go here to see more http://www.radissonsas.com/cs/
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This is not the most expensive hotel in Reykjavik, which I am told is the Borg, but it is pricy enough for a short break!

You can earn 'Radisson goldpoints' reward points on a stay at this hotel, to use towards a stay elsewhere or indeed you could spend accumulated points on a stay here.

**Arrival and departure**

As standard, check in is a 2pm and check out at 12 noon. I arrived at about noon after a flight from the UK and after checking that the room was ready, I was allowed to check in immediately, which was good. There were a couple of staff on, no porters and everything is uber cool and laid back - Scandinavian boutique hotel. Actually the lobby where you arrive is big black and brass doors, huge square studded leather settees and mod lighting - my partner thought it looked like a bordello (but not a cheap one, at least).

**Activities and things to see and do around**

This falls into two main categories - within the hotel complex and outside it.

Within the complex, there is a gym in the basement (which was adequate) and the hotel has a bar and restaurant. These are both on the ground floor and there are floor to ceiling windows, so they provide a people watching spot. Other than meeting rooms, this is all the hotel has to offer.

Immediately outside the complex you step into the main shopping area of down-town Reykjavik, but this is not particularly thrilling. There are no more shops that you would get in a provincial English city and there are bars and restaurants, plus a few convenience shops. There are some museums and galleries to visit. There are various music and cultural events through the year. See http://www.visitreykjavik.is

You can swim in one of the swimming pools with geothermal heated water. The interesting Cathedral (great views from the top) is a 20 minute walk. There are also several companies offering a variety of trips and tours, the most popular of which seem to be:
* Whale and dolphin watching trips, some ½ day from Reykjavik harbour, some longer
* The Golden Circle, an 8 hour coach trip to the some natural wonders including a geyser and waterfall
* Tour of Reykjavik itself
* Trip to the famous Blue Lagoon swimming/spa

**Restaurant**

'Salt' offers international hotel food with some local variations and ingredients and is expensive. There are better value places to eat within 50 yards.

I was on a bed and breakfast package, so I did also have breakfast in the hotel which was at a good, although not great, standard. Although the standard in Iceland seems to be an inclusive Continental breakfast, I was able to have cooked food too, which was all good enough.

**And finally...**

Iceland is very different and another example of the amazing variety that we find in Europe. The people are speaking a pure form of the language (they were quite isolated for many years) and so more or less speak the language of the Viking raiders from 9th centaury. It is well worth a visit but consider what you want to visit for and time your visit accordingly - for example, you don't see the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) in the summer months and you don't see many whales and dolphins in the winter.



**Hints and Tips**

* Iceland is on GMT all the time. This means in the winter months, it is on the same time as the UK exactly, but in summer, Iceland is one hour behind whilst the UK is on summer time.
* 85% of Icelandic homes are heated by water heated with geothermal energy and they generate 99% of their electricity from renewable sources
* Most Icelanders speak good English and are very happy to do so
* Bathing in the mineral waters (like Blue Lagoon) is believed to be beneficial for a number of skin conditions including psoriasis.
* There is masses of building work in town. Outside my hotel was a large pit, which it seems is going to be another hotel and maybe a conference centre. Check with anywhere you are thinking of staying if they are in the middle of building it at present!


Address
Radisson SAS 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik
Posthusstraeti 2
Reykjavik, 101
Iceland

Telephone
+354 599 1000

Fax
+354 599 1001

E-mail
reservations.1919.reykjavik@radissonsas.com

Summary: A comfortable and reasonable base