The 88-bedroomed Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel is housed in a historic constructing in downtown Reykjavik and caters for each enterprise and leisure travellers. This charming landmark lodge occupies a re-developed workplace constructing that dates from – sure, you’ve guessed it – 1919. It is considered one of ReykjavÃk’s oldest buildings and opened its doorways as a lodge within the Summer of 2005.
The welcome
We arrived fairly late having travelled from past the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (a drive of greater than 5 hours), and brought in the aircraft wreck, Skógafoss, Seljavallalaug swimming pool and Seljalandsfoss alongside the route. We due to this fact welcomed the swift and environment friendly nature of the check-in course of within the lodge’s pristine, spacious foyer.
It’s right here within the lodge reception space that there’s additionally complimentary espresso and tea, water, fruits and power bars from 4am to 7am for anybody wanting ‘breakfast to go’.
The room
Our modern visitor room was compact however very snug, with every thing we wanted.
Equipped with a desk, sockets both facet of the mattress, a flatscreen TV mounted to the wall, and a kettle with tea, espresso and sugar, the room additionally had a cabinet with a secure, baggage rack, ironing board and iron, plus a facility to request laundry or dry cleansing companies.
English-speaking channels on our TV included CNN, BBC News, Sky News and Cartoon Network, while extra TV companies included a welcome, alarm clock, information, Web radio and YouTube, and you possibly can even choose a video of a fireside to offer your room that additional cosy really feel.
The lavatory
Our lavatory had a fantastic bathe space with considered one of Iceland‘s many waterfalls used as a backdrop, in addition to a basin, shaving mirror and WC.
Radisson’s own-branded toiletries have been additionally equipped.
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The amenities
The Brut Restaurant is a excessive finish informal seafood restaurant established within the Autumn of 2021 which we dined in a single lunchtime. Among the dishes we had was a deliciously tender octopus starter which got here with a barely smoky, wealthy salsa rojo and kohlrabi.
Also amongst our order have been whelks, candy in flavour and barely chewy however not overcooked, served with a garlic butter.
The broccoli with chilli, capers and Tindur cheese made for one more fascinating starter, not least as a result of we hadn’t tried (or heard of!) such a cheese earlier than. It seems it’s a pointy, tangy (but additionally tasty!) onerous Icelandic cheese.
And to spherical off our starters have been uncooked, marinated scallops with tomato and lemon juice. Who knew that scallops might style so candy and scrumptious in the event that they weren’t really cooked?!
Our mains have been a fantastic success additionally, from this ocean perch with olives, tomato and basil (a fantastic alternative for a gentle, sweet-tasting fish)…
…to the grilled courgette with yohurt and a lemon and salsa verde, excellent for the vegetarians.
But don’t overlook this can be a fish restaurant only a two-minute stroll from the harbour, so the fish is unquestionably value attempting. Possibly the perfect dish of all was the monkfish with a hen glaze, roasted hazelnuts and mushroom – an uncommon mixture you may assume however monkfish is a meaty fish which might deal with these extra flavours.
For one thing extra delicate, attempt the lemon sole with a sublime beurre blanc and samphire sauce.
A patisserie choice was wheeled out on a trolley that made desserts onerous to withstand. These delicacies are sourced from Gulli Arnar, a comparatively new bakery in Hafnarfjörður (simply exterior Reykjavik).
Their petit gâteau choice is comprised of the best elements and features a lemon tart with a butter-baked biscuit base, lemon cream and Italian meringues…
…plus this milk chocolate hazelnut mousse with apricot jelly.
Brut restaurant additionally doubles up for a buffet breakfast within the mornings.
A health flooring is positioned on flooring 0 and options an array of recent train gear together with complimentary water and towels. It is open 24/7.
And there are a selection of assembly rooms to be used by enterprise travellers, in addition to alternatives for personal eating.
Location
The Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel is in downtown Reykjavik in an space often called the 101 District (due to its 101 postcode). It is inside strolling distance of bars and eating places, and the primary buying streets akin to Laugavegur, in addition to close to the previous harbour, Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavik City Hall, Harpa Conference Centre and the National Museum of Iceland. The well-known HallgrÃmskirkja Church is lower than a kilometre away.
Street parking is obtainable instantly exterior the lodge and is free after 6pm, plus there’s multi-storey parking shut by in Hafnartorg. Immediately exterior the lodge is the new canine stand Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, owned by the identical household because it opened in 1937, made well-known after Bill Clinton visited in 2004.
Other good touches
Some complimentary sweets have been in our room on arrival and complimentary glowing and nonetheless water is obtainable for Radisson Rewards members (turning into a member is simple – you’ll be able to be part of on-line in a matter of minutes).
Cost
Standard rooms begin 23,000 ISK for Radisson Rewards Prepaid Members, on a room solely foundation.
The greatest bit
The greatest a part of our keep was lunch at Brut Restaurant. This was on a par with a few of our greatest meals in Iceland, with each the service and the meals being distinctive.
The last verdict
The Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik is a really snug life-style lodge with a superb restaurant. Its location in a modern a part of Reykjavik’s metropolis centre is ideal, with every thing you possibly can want for inside a brief stroll: the harbour, quite a few sights, buying, bars and eating places.
Planning a visit to Iceland your self? You can watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here:
Disclosure: This put up is sponsored by Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik. Our journey to Iceland was additionally sponsored by Helly Hansen.