Akureyri - Berjaya Iceland Hotels

Akureyri - Berjaya Iceland Hotels: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

Akureyri - Berjaya Iceland Hotels, a Michelin Key Selected property, is frequently praised as a comfortable and well-located base for exploring North Iceland. Guests generally report a positive experience, highlighting the hotel's friendly staff, cleanliness, and convenient access to local attractions and natural wonders.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The hotel enjoys a strong overall rating, with an average of 8.5 out of 10. Guests consistently express satisfaction with their stay, often describing it as a "very good" or "excellent" choice for those visiting Akureyri. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love several aspects of Akureyri - Berjaya Iceland Hotels:

• Service & Staff: The professional, friendly, and accommodating staff receive high praise for going "above and beyond" to ensure a pleasant stay. Guests appreciate the warm greetings and helpful suggestions for local activities and dining.
• Location: The hotel's prime and central location is a significant draw, offering easy walking access to Akureyri's city center, the famous church, botanical gardens, and shopping streets. It's also conveniently located across the street from the warm geothermal swimming pool.
• Cleanliness: The hotel and its rooms are consistently described as clean and well-maintained.
• Comfort: Many guests appreciate the comfortable beds and the overall cozy ambiance of the rooms.
• Amenities: Free parking and complimentary Wi-Fi are frequently mentioned as valued amenities. The hotel also offers an EV charging station.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Akureyri - Berjaya Iceland Hotels are described as bright, comfortable, and featuring a modern, Icelandic design, often characterized by Nordic clean lines and blonde wood. Many guests find the rooms spacious.

• Sizes and Views: Standard guest rooms (Twin, Queen, King) are typically 17 sqm. Superior rooms, located on the fifth floor, offer beautiful views over the town or fjord. King Deluxe rooms are more spacious at 28 sqm and boast magnificent mountain views. A larger King Suite (37 sqm) and Family Rooms (23 sqm) are also available, the latter accommodating up to four guests. Some rooms on higher floors provide excellent opportunities for watching the Northern Lights through large windows.
• Amenities: All rooms include en-suite bathrooms with showers and hairdryers, free Wi-Fi, satellite television, and tea/coffee making facilities. Some guests noted excellent pillows.
• Design: The interiors blend industrial touches with artwork, creating an attractive and thoughtfully laid-out space. Some rooms are in more historical structures with classic-style decor, and self-contained apartments are also available.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel features the Aurora Restaurant and the Aurora Bar.

• Restaurant: The Aurora Restaurant aims to use locally grown, fresh ingredients year-round and offers Scandinavian dishes in an ambient setting. Guests have described the dinner as "excellent" and "amazing".
• Breakfast: A buffet and continental breakfast are offered, with many guests praising its quality and variety. Some, however, have expressed dissatisfaction with the breakfast quality as part of a general critique of value for money. Breakfast may incur an additional charge if not included in the room rate (around 4050 ISK for adults). The hotel is also accommodating to dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free needs.
• Bar: The Aurora Bar is a warm and inviting lounge with a fireplace, offering a relaxing space for coffee, wine, or light meals. A daily happy hour runs from 16:00 to 18:00.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Akureyri - Berjaya Iceland Hotels receive consistently high marks, with a staff rating of 9.1 out of 10. Guests frequently highlight the professionalism, friendliness, and helpfulness of the team. Specific mentions include staff being "very friendly and accommodating" during check-in and going "above and beyond". There are accounts of quick responses to issues, such as replacing a non-working coffeemaker, and offering wake-up calls for Northern Lights sightings.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located at Thingvallastraeti 23, the hotel boasts an excellent location in Akureyri.

• Proximity to Attractions: It is within easy walking distance of the Akureyri Church, the world's northernmost botanical gardens, the harbor area, the Hof Cultural and Conference Centre, and the city's main shopping streets and restaurants. The public thermal pools are just across the street.
• Transport: The hotel offers free and plentiful on-site parking, which is a significant advantage for guests traveling by car. It is also about a 10-minute walk from the town center, though some note an uphill section. Akureyri Airport is approximately 5 km away. The hotel is described as an ideal base for exploring wider North Iceland, including sites like Lake Myvatn, Husavik (for whale watching), Asbyrgi canyon, and Dettifoss waterfall, all reachable within a day's drive.
• Northern Lights: Its location, with some rooms facing mountains with less light pollution, is considered good for viewing the Northern Lights.

7. Value & Pricing

The hotel generally offers good value for money, with a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Many guests believe it provides a "luxurious experience at an affordable price". While average room prices hover around $227, rates can start from as low as €71 or €83. It is considered a budget-friendly option without compromising quality and comfort.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Value for Money (Specifics): Some guests have expressed dissatisfaction with the overall value for money, specifically citing poor breakfast quality in certain cases or small room sizes.
• Room Layout: A few reviews mention awkward or "off" bathroom layouts, with the WC sometimes separated from the shower on opposite sides of the bed, or showers essentially open to the bedroom.
• Wi-Fi Issues: Occasionally, guests have reported slow or poor quality Wi-Fi.
• Dated Amenities: One guest mentioned a desire for a more modern TV in the room.
• Drafty Rooms: In some instances, large windows led to drafts, preventing the room from getting warm.
• Receptionist Experience: One guest noted a less than ideal experience with a receptionist regarding payment card requirements.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. kayak.ie
4. booking.com
5. icelandhotelcollectionbyberjaya.com
6. guidetoiceland.is
7. michelin.com
8. akureyri-hotels.com