101 Hotel

101 Hotel, Reykjavik: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

101 Hotel in Reykjavik, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely regarded as a superb boutique hotel that seamlessly blends high design with sophisticated minimalism in the heart of Iceland's vibrant capital. It's celebrated for its central location, distinctive style, and generally excellent service.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for 101 Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with a Michelin Guide Guest Score of 18.9 out of 20, indicating a very special stay. Guests frequently describe it as a stylish gem, a luxurious design hotel, and a great choice for comfort, character, and a prime location. The hotel consistently receives high ratings for its location (9.7/10), cleanliness (9.3/10), comfort (9.2/10), and staff (9.1/10) on various platforms.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud 101 Hotel for its:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel boasts a cool, unapologetic Nordic design, characterized by a calming monochromatic palette of black, white, and grey, sleek modern furniture, and contemporary artwork by local Icelandic artists displayed throughout. The lounge, with its glass roof and fireplace, and the lively restaurant are considered bona fide social scenes.
• Location: Its unbeatable central location is a recurring highlight, placing guests within effortless walking distance of Reykjavik's top attractions, shops, and dining establishments.
• Service: Attentive, friendly, and polished staff contribute significantly to the positive guest experience.
• Amenities: The hotel offers an excellent spa with a sauna, steam bath, and jacuzzi, along with a well-equipped gym. Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout.

3. Room Quality

The 38 rooms and 6 suites at 101 Hotel are designed with a minimalist aesthetic, featuring clean lines, wooden floors, and a black and white decor. Rooms are described as spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed, with underfloor heating, high-quality Quagliotti bed linens, and Bang & Olufsen Beoplay speakers. Each room also includes a mini-bar, safe, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi.

Bathrooms are a distinctive feature, often semi-open to the room, and include spacious walk-in showers. Some rooms offer luxurious claw-foot bathtubs. Balmain or Aveda amenities, bathrobes, and slippers are provided. Some higher floors boast balconies with city views.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's on-site restaurant and bar, Kastrup, serves modern Icelandic and international/Scandinavian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Hamburgers are noted as a popular menu item. The bar is a trendy spot, frequently visited by locals on weekends, offering an extensive wine list and cocktail selection.

Breakfast is available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. but is generally not included in the room price, costing approximately 3200 ISK per person. While the breakfast items are described as delicious, the selection is considered somewhat limited, particularly for those expecting a full hot breakfast with options like scrambled eggs and bacon. Hotel guests typically receive a 20% discount when dining at the on-site restaurant.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at 101 Hotel consistently receive high praise for being incredibly friendly, helpful, attentive, and polished without being overly formal. Guests appreciate their willingness to offer city tips and recommendations for local attractions and dining. A unique and often delightful aspect of the welcome is the presence of a friendly dog at the reception desk. However, a few guests have noted instances of the front desk being unstaffed.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located at Hverfisgata 10, 101 Hotel boasts an exceptional central location, placing it right in the heart of downtown Reykjavik. It's just around the corner from the main shopping street, Laugavegur, and within easy walking distance of major attractions such as the Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja church, and the "Rainbow Road". The hotel is also conveniently located near a bus stop (Bus Stop 6, a 1-minute walk away) for airport transfers and various city tours. It's important to note that the hotel is within a commercial traffic restricted zone, meaning tour companies pick up from designated bus stops nearby.

For those arriving by car, the hotel offers a limited number of complimentary, first-come-first-served parking spaces in a courtyard. Otherwise, paid on-street parking or nearby lots are available. An airport taxi costs approximately €70-95, while the Flybus offers a more economical option at around €9-12.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxurious design hotel and a Michelin Key Selected property, 101 Hotel offers a high-end experience. Nightly rates for a double room typically start from around $198-$236, with suites being more expensive. The Michelin Guide guests rated its value for money at 8.0 out of 10. While some find it to be a worthwhile splurge for the unique design and prime location, others might consider it on the pricier side, especially given that breakfast is an additional cost.

8. Common Complaints

Despite its many strengths, some recurring criticisms include:

• Noise: Due to its central location on a bustling street, some guests have reported noise, particularly on weekends and at night, which can impact light sleepers. Requesting a quieter room on the Harpa Concert Hall side of the building or bringing earplugs is often advised.
• Bathroom Design: The semi-open bathroom concept, with some rooms lacking a door, is not to everyone's preference.
• Storage & Amenities: Limited space for clothes storage and a lack of power outlets by the bedside have been mentioned.
• Breakfast: The breakfast, while tasty, is noted for its limited selection and the fact that it is not included in the room rate.
• Staff Availability: Infrequent unstaffed periods at the front desk have been reported by a few guests.

Sources

1. thehotelguru.com
2. michelin.com
3. michelin.com
4. cherylhoward.com
5. booking.com
6. booking.com
7. 101hotel.is
8. hotels.com
9. expedia.co.uk
10. living-it.no
11. mrglobetrotter.co.uk
12. upgradedpoints.com
13. hotels-reykjavik-is.com
14. guidetoiceland.is
15. traveloka.com
16. kayak.com
17. expedia.com
18. travelocity.com
19. designhotels.com
20. ginandbone.com
21. youtube.com
22. nicetravel.is
23. travelweekly.com
24. trip.com
25. reddit.com