UMI Hotel
One Michelin Key
Hotel Details
Location
UMI Hotel · Hvolsvöllur, Iceland
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Expert Review: UMI Hotel
UMI Hotel, Hvolsvöllur, Iceland: A Michelin One-Key Oasis on the South Coast
UMI Hotel in Hvolsvöllur, Iceland, proudly holds a One Michelin Key distinction, signifying a "very special stay" and an establishment that stands out for its style, service, and strong sense of place. This family-owned hotel, transformed from an abandoned farm, offers a stylish and intimate experience amidst Iceland's dramatic southern landscapes.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for UMI Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "dream" and a "special place". It consistently receives high guest scores, with one platform reporting a 9.4 rating based on 373 reviews. The sentiment leans towards appreciation for its beautiful design, exceptional service, and unparalleled connection to nature.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud UMI Hotel for several standout features:
- Design & Atmosphere: The hotel is praised for its "beautifully designed" modernist architecture and interior decor, which thoughtfully incorporates a utilitarian practicality typical of Icelandic design while remaining intimate and gorgeous. The atmosphere is described as cozy and serene, creating a peaceful retreat from the elements.
- Location & Views: Its secluded location offers "spectacular unspoiled nature surroundings" with magnificent views of the Westman Islands, the rugged southern coastline, and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Being nestled by a beautiful mountain range provides a strong connection to nature, allowing guests to experience the peace and quiet of the Icelandic countryside. The proximity to a nearby beach is also highlighted as a treat.
- Service & Hospitality: The "wonderful" and "incredibly helpful" staff are a recurring highlight, with many guests commending their friendliness. The presence of Breki, the family dog, who acts as a natural hotel host, adds to the unique and welcoming experience.
- Dining Experience: The on-site restaurant receives high praise for its quality and delicious food.
3. Room Quality
UMI Hotel offers 28 elegantly designed, soundproofed, and well-furnished rooms, accommodating two people. While described as "small but well appointed," they are considered "much more than comfortable enough". The design is guided by nature and comfort, featuring Scandinavian interiors and stylish decor. Rooms come with either mountain or ocean views, and some offer simply extraordinary vistas. All rooms include private bathrooms with showers and hair dryers, flat-screen televisions, and free WiFi. Superior Double Rooms offer slightly more space.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel boasts a "first class restaurant" and bar that complete the guest experience. The restaurant's beautiful design and its spectacular natural surroundings enhance the dining experience. It serves locally sourced fare, with an emphasis on seafood, and offers Nordic and Icelandic cuisine with a twist of Japanese influence. The menu is described as ever-changing and evolving with each season, utilizing fresh ingredients from across Iceland. Breakfast is complimentary and provided as a buffet each morning. Guests have described the evening restaurant food as "very impressive" and "most delicious".
5. Service & Staff
The service at UMI Hotel is consistently highlighted as a strong point. Guests have reported the staff to be "wonderful," "incredibly helpful," "friendly," and attentive. The personalized and intimate feel of the hotel, being a family-owned operation, contributes to the high level of hospitality.
6. Location & Accessibility
UMI Hotel is superbly located on Iceland's South Coast, approximately 140 km from Reykjavík and just 2 km off the Ring Road (Road Nr. 1). This "out of this world" location offers breathtaking views and a strong connection to nature. It serves as a brilliant base or pit stop for travelers exploring the region.
Key attractions nearby include:
- Skogafoss Waterfall: Approximately 15 minutes away.
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Around 20 minutes away.
- Solheimajokull glacier tongue: Roughly 25 minutes away.
- Vik village: 20 minutes further down the road, offering amenities like shops and restaurants, as well as natural attractions such as Reynisfjara black sand beach and Dyrholaey rock arch.
The hotel's remote setting also makes it ideal for Northern Lights viewing during winter. Free self-parking is available.
7. Value & Pricing
While specific price ranges are not explicitly detailed across all reviews, UMI Hotel is recognized as a 4-star property and a Michelin One-Key hotel, indicating a premium experience. Given its exceptional design, service, and location, it is generally perceived as offering good value for the cost, especially for those seeking a luxurious and authentic Icelandic experience. One guest did mention the price tag for using the sauna as "very expensive".
8. Common Complaints
While overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a singular complaint noted was the "very expensive" price for using the sauna, which deterred one guest from using it. Beyond this, recurring criticisms are not evident in the available reviews, with guests primarily expressing high satisfaction with their stays.
Sources
Google Reviews
380 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Florian Seimann
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ We recently stayed at UMI Hotel and overall had a very lovely experience. The hotel is beautifully located within short walking distance of the Black Beach and about a 20-minute drive from Vík. It’s also only around 10 minutes by car to Skógafoss, which makes it a great base for exploring the south coast. The hotel is run by Anna and her team and you really feel the family-run spirit — ...
E
The location is truly unique, in the middle of nowhere this is an oase. The hotel is stunning, the service is great and attentive, rooms are a bit small but very comfortable. Great place to stay to discover the Southern part of Iceland. restaurant is good - good service and good food. Breakfast is simple but you have a lot of Healthy options, only i would suggest to have a egg order a la carte to ...
Mari Casagrande
Based on the advertising and positioning of the hotel, we expected much more. While the property is comfortable, it ultimately left a lot to be desired. The restaurant was particularly disappointing. The food simply was not good. We were a group of three, and none of us enjoyed our meals. Considering the way the hotel promotes itself, especially with references to Michelin standards, the experien...
Zach Leblanc
Some people will just complain no matter where they are in life. I can’t believe I hesitated staying here after seeing some of the 3 star reviews. Glad I didn’t listen to them. The restaurant: unless you have the palate of a child, like Veronica (below); the food is amazing. The flavor profiles of each plate is phenomenal. Not the mention the artistry that goes into plating each dish. The hotel:...
veronica abbondandolo
Me and my husband spent one night at the hotel and we decided to have dinner at the hotel restaurant. The hotel is really nice but we didn’t get the chance to use the sauna due to lack of time. Breakfast was really good with lots of care and variety, we really appreciated it. Unfortunately, we didn't enjoy the dinner. Although the dishes were beautifully plated and showed great care, the flavors w...
Hannah Healey Hoffmann
This hotel was a beautiful way to end our ring road journey - the meals were incredible, probably the best dinners we had on our entire trip. The staff were incredibly kind and very helpful. The yoga room doubled as a massage space - the view was incredibly serene. This was the perfect hotel for a choice for those who want to be removed from the “hustle and bustle” and aren’t worried about driving...
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
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