The Reykjavik Edition: A Luxury Stay in Iceland

The Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland proudly peddles its Game of Thrones-esque nickname to prospective travelers as its glaciers glitter and volcanos roar. The island country’s newest hotel, The Reykjavik Edition, exemplifies this elemental amalgamation: a sleek glass expression—like an iceberg floating in the fjord—with warm design flourishes inside.

However, the 253-room property is very much a city stay, as the name suggests; it is the latest link in the chain of properties imagined by noted hotelier Ian Schrager. Generally, his Marriott-minted hotels are dwarfed by the metropolises they inhabit (think: New York, London, and Tokyo). In the world’s northernmost capital, however, The Edition stands prominently next to Harpa, the city’s futuristic concert hall on the harbor. Its presence creates a tectonic shift felt across town, moving Reykjavik’s center of gravity toward its working port and establishing the edge of the Arctic as an essential stop on every luxury traveler’s agenda.

In many ways, an Icelandic outpost enhances The Edition’s cool factor; not only is the striking facade inspired by Reykjavik’s surrounding wilderness, but the interiors also draw heavily from the Scandinavian essence: draped furs, blond wood, earth-toned ceramics, and floor-to-ceiling windows that dramatically change the ambiance according to the stark seasonality of the light outside.

A culinary delight awaits at Tides, the premier dining venue. Here, Icelandic staples shine, and the combination of “sheep and fish” is uttered just as frequently as “fire and ice.” Not to be missed is an elevated version of the barbacoa taco, featuring lamb tartare paired with local flatbread. Additionally, the not-so-secret speakeasy bar, Tölti (named for a unique trotting gait of the Icelandic horse), offers a more Scandi Mad Men design approach in a hidden location behind the main restaurant.

After a delightful meal, guests can retreat upstairs to sleep off their hangover. Experienced visitors often vie for rooms with harbor views on lines -10 to -17 or those with Harpa views on lines -20 to -28; the remaining rooms are in closer proximity to neighboring buildings. Guests can also revitalize at the on-site spa, which draws heavily from Icelandic bathing traditions, where sociability (and a bar!) is just as valuable as enjoying the mineral-rich waters sourced from thousands of feet below the earth’s weather-swept surface.

Currently, The Reykjavik Edition has opened only a third of its rooms to guests, with the full completion of the property—including its spa—anticipated in spring of 2022. Preview rates start at around $350 per night and are expected to rise to over $750 per night by summer of the following year.