Héradsskólinn Boutique Hostel

Héradsskólinn Boutique Hostel descritpion

Located within the famous Golden Circle sightseeing trail, Héradsskolinn Boutique Hostel overlooks Lake Laugarvatn, Hekla Volcano and the Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. A bistro, café, bar and tour desk are found on site. WiFi is free.
Set in a 1920s former school building, Héradsskolinn offers both private rooms and dorms. All rooms feature bright décor, lake- or mountain views and access to a shared kitchen and TV lounge. Guests can choose between rooms with private or shared bathrooms.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed at Héradsskolinn’s bistro. Guests can enjoy a drink in the bar or relax in the library. A children’s playroom is also found on site.
Thingvellir National Park and the famous Geysir Hot Spring are within 15.5 miles. Gullfoss Waterfall is 23.6 miles away. Laugarvatn Geothermal Bath is right next to the property.
Popular area activities include hiking in the Highlands and fishing in Lake Laugarvatn.

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Facilities of Héradsskólinn Boutique Hostel

Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace

Kitchen ：Shared Kitchen

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Services ：Tour Desk | Baggage Storage | Shared Lounge/TV Area | Meeting/Banquet Facilities | Souvenir/Gift Shop

Reviews for Héradsskólinn Boutique Hostel

Review 1：We stayed in one of the more expensive double rooms with their own bathroom. Whilst I'm glad we did and the room was perfectly clean and very spacious it still felt a little sparse and 'hostel like'. No real issue there (it is a hostel after all!) except these rooms are considerably more expensive than elsewhere in the hostel which means their competition and what they should be compared against are really hotel rooms. During our time in Iceland we stayed in better, more luxurious feeling rooms in independent hotels (Hotel Egilsen for example, also through booking.com) for less than we paid for this.

Review 2：A lovely concept. A good number of original features and furniture in the public spaces gives the place a unique vibe. The staff were welcoming and attentive.

Review 3：This was like stepping into someones home, it was so comfortable and friendly. The location was superb. The owner was extremely helpful giving us local information I would go back !!!

Review 4：- Wifi was not very strong but worked - Breakfast was quite expensive

Review 5：Loved everything: The staff The location The place - The hostel is of great condition, I was sceptical about shared bathroom at first but it was very clean and although rooms were not bad, it was nicely decorated. - The staff were helpful and friendly, the kitchen and lounge in the basement was perfect - The only place we had the chance to see Northern Lights - Lunch and dinner menu is of reasonable price

Review 6：This place was fantastic. We felt so at home, it was conveniently between Thingvellir and the Golden Circle sites, and the staff was great, albeit a little strange. All part of the charm, though!

Review 7：작은 마을이라 밤에는 할게 없음. 수건이랑 이불 돈내고 빌려야 함. The town is very small. so you stay in hostel only. Towel and bedding are no free.

Review 8：골든서클의 가운데 있어서, 관광하다가 쉬기 좋음. 깔끔하고, 휴식공간도 넓음. 와이파이 굿. It's good location to sightseeing Golden Circle. Clean room and toilet. Wi-Fi is so fast.

Review 9：The staff were very friendly, polite, and helpful in preparing us a meal when we'd accidentally missed dinner hours. A very warm, comfortable place to stay. The nearby (2 min walk) spa provided us with a lifetime memory of watching the Northern Lights from geothermal pools. Be warned, it can get VERY cold outside, your car doors are liable to freeze closed, and your windscreen ice up overnight, park where you will have morning sun on your car!

Review 10：Prices are on higher side. But its in general true for Iceland.

Review 11：Location is good. Its better to stay in this area than in Reykyavik if you rent car. Its a school building turned hotel/hostel. Beautiful location and nice building. I would recommend it.

Review 12：warm space, bedrooms were spacious and comfortable, bathrooms were also clean, the staff is very friendly, caring and super humour. fantastic place, don't miss it!

Review 13：Meals at the hostel were expensive.

Review 14：Staff was very welcoming and helpful. There is a small grocery store nearby this location, which is a great way to save a little money while in Iceland. There is a cute little dining area in the hostel and a nice lounge with a wall of books, a guitar, and some magazines. The bedrooms were small, but the beds were very comfortable. The bathrooms and bedrooms were very clean. When we woke in the morning, we were greeted by sheep outside the hostel-- a very Icelandic experience. Overall, we had an excellent time here!

Review 15：It was amazing. The staff were so pleasant and hospitable. I needed up enjoying a cozy night drinking a beer in the library by candlelight. It was truly a spectacular experience.

Review 16：it is a castle , very beautiful and historical building. Warm dinning room and a old school styled living room definitely good to stay!!! The host are so kind and nice!

Review 17：Our ONLY complaint was that the door jiggled the door frame if a neighbor slammed their door

Review 18：The food was excellent, the beds were very comfortable, the view was great peering out over the lake, cute shabby chic decor, very friendly and approachable staff, great alcoholic beverage selection (try the Ul Fur!), and overall great stay on the way from Reykjavik to Geysir/Gulfoss

Review 19：Nothing!

Review 20：Fantastic location and extremely relaxing! So close to the Fontana Spa, so you can walk there and also get a discount. We stayed in a private room which was spacious, had an amazing lake view and was so chilled. The breakfast room/lounge was lovely and peaceful.

Review 21：Hostel itself already an attraction. Excellent location near golden circle. Share kitchen and bathroom were clean. We have a comfortable stay here.

Review 22：A very unique, quirky hostel - warm and welcoming with a well equipped and clean shared kitchen and bathroom. We loved the cosy bar/lounge area which we happily spent an evening in playing games and chatting to other guests. Great location for exploring the golden circle area - would highly recommend.

Review 23：Nothing.

Review 24：The accomodation felt like home. When you enter the building you have to take off your shoes. The rooms are basic, but very cosy and clean. The quality of the personal was very good. The restaurant offers delicious dishes. The showers were very clean.

Review 25：Loved the beautiful common spaces with sofas, music and soft light at night. Moreover, the hotel is very close to Fontana Spa, which you can visit paying 10% less if you let them know you are staying at Héradsskólinn.

Review 26：Very noisy (we were near the toilets) One waitress in the restaurant was not rellay nice and made a mistake without apalogizing herself

Review 27：Nice place Really clean

Review 28：Some of the deco (like the doll in the pram on ) was a tad creepy. But still beautiful place.

Review 29：The staff at Heradskolinn hostel are very friendly and warm! Facilities are clean, and had all the basic necessities, and many power sockets! The hostel was also very well furnished in the common areas, with books and comfy chairs! The food at the hostel is also yummy :)

Review 30：The slightly precious 'love and peace' vibe they try to cultivate.

Review 31：The conversion from a school had been done really well and there was a friendly, helpful atmosphere from the staff.

Review 32：Bedroom was a bit too hot

Review 33：Staff were very friendly & helpful, and the atmosphere of hostel was very peaceful. The nearby Fontana spa was a real bonus as well.

Review 34：Staff not answering properly to the question about existing restaurants outside the hotel: we ate there but is was rather an expensive snack than a meal.

Review 35：Quietness, bed comfort

Review 36：Location is amazing. Situated in the middle of the Golden Circle. Perfect as a base when exploring this area. Right next to a geothermal pool, Laugarvatn Fontana.

Review 37：There was a peculiar smell from the sewage on our floor...that's all.

Review 38：Homey feeling. The ability to be close to the hot springs that we used every evening (open late). The cosy restaurant that were very welcoming when we arrived home at night.

Review 39：Good dinner options, but the portions were too small. We had to eat a pizza after we had soup and the lasagne because we were still hungry

Review 40：Very nice people, and an special atmosphere in the old building

Review 41：Very homely, friendly atmosphere in this historic building overlooking the lake. Located near Thingvellir and Geysir. Helpful staff. Superfast internet everywhere in the buidling, and great diversity of books to read in the old school library. The village swimmingpool ( 500 ISK) is only 2 minutes away, has 3 hotpools and a very well equiped gym (1000 ISK, incl pool). In the adjacent spa you can be pampered in style (isk 3400). The food is honest and very tasty, delicious skyr and homemade bread for breakfast. Budget travellers can use the seperate fully equiped guest kitchen to prepare their own meals.

Review 42：breakfast too expensive and there's not enough on the table for everyone so there is always something for what you are waiting. We were sleeping in a dorm and feel treated not as well as person sleeping in proper room. The kitchen could be better furnished, there staff missing and the things are too old.

Review 43：dorm for a fair price

Review 44：The behaviour of some hosts! If the local has an excelent free kitchen with tools, why not cleaning up everything for the next users? It is very simple, if you find it clean, the next person also likes to find it the same way.

Review 45：Wonderful location!

Review 46：Everything was nice and clean, but you should have a car

Review 47：Friendly person at the reception, very clean bathroom, nice commonroom, big and clean dorm, free wifi, i would stay there again!

Review 48：The room was very small and old, was the only one not being renewed. Smelt funny in it, like humidity.It had no toilet so it was not worthy paying 114€ for it.

Review 49：Downstairs, at the restaurant and bar area, there is a cozy space to relax and plan your next trip.

Review 50：we were on top floor, windows a little small. Also housekeeping forgot to put a sheet on our bed, whoops!

Review 51：This is a lovely space in a great location. The common area is by far the best we've seen in iceland. The hostel is right by the lake, 1 minute to Fontana Spa . Great hikes are right across the street. The owner is a wonderful guy, very attentive.

Review 52：A bit overpriced for shared bathroom, but all kinds of accommodtion are overpriced in Iceland, so it is relatively(!) ok.

Review 53：An extremely friendly management. The place has a specific atmosphere and spirit. Located close to all things which you wish to see there. Pristine clean even in shared facilities. Full of nice people. Very good breakfast. Kitchen and common rooms for your disposal. History (Laxness was staying and writing there).

Review 54：Liked everything

Review 55：Such a great first stop in Iceland. Friendly staff interesting building good location just loved it. Bring slippers....some are provided but no shoes inside.

Review 56：Minor criticism. Our private room was spacious. The empty space could use a small table and another chair or two.

Review 57：Location. Old school house was cool. Room with a view.

Review 58：Shared bathrooms, but no big deal.

Review 59：So clean- shoeless even! They were flexible and helpful about which bunks were free in which of the two forms. Nice views from one side. Gorgeous common spaces, white and bright and light and full of old Danish rule furniture.

Review 60：If self catering there was quite a trek to the kitchen which is in the basement. Lack of tin opener was a problem. Otherwise well equipped. The main block of the hostel is great, lots of curios to look at. They appear to be still renovating one side of the building which is where the first room was.

Review 61：The location and the room. Initially we think they put us in the wrong room which was very sparse and had a problem with the heater. The room we were then given (which I think is the one we booked) was lovely and had a wonderful lake view.

Review 62：Bathrooms were often being used - occasionally was difficult to get in for a shower

Review 63：No shoe policy, restaurant and bar, rooms, near hot springs and national park

Review 64：Friendly, welcoming and very helpful. There was a great social atmosphere to the whole place but especially downstairs in the kitchen/lounge area. Stunning views, a beautiful building with a unique history that has been embraced.

Review 65：This is such a beautiful and unique place to stay. National treasure school, with perfect vibes, interior design and super nice staff. They all were so nice, friendly, helpful, funny. They gave me excellent tips for trips. I honestly did not want to leave. And I will come back for sure.

Review 66：Don't bother paying extra for the breakfast, not worth the price.

Review 67：I loved the architecture and interesting history. The backdrop and countryside was profoundly peaceful.

Review 68：I liked that this place had some history. Near many sights; great place to stop if you want a break seeing the golden circle sights. Dinner and breakfast were great!

Review 69：It's just a great place to stay! It was modern & clean, yet had a sense of history. The staff were all lovely & welcoming throughout my stay. The room was as-advertised, and a comfortable place to both relax and to work for some hours using the wifi, at the desk provided in my room.

Review 70：Staff wasn't too welcoming. Wifi only in common areas.

Review 71：Great feel to this place! Good location on the golden circle, at least if you go by car. Felt like living in the countryside. Good breakfast, fantastic view. And loved the look and feel of the furniture/decoration!

Review 72：Good location in Golden Circle, got a free upgrade to a private room, very friendly staff, hairdryer available at front desk. Many power plugs in room and fast wifi

Review 73：It has several floors with mostly stair access - however there is a good handicap access elevator from the lowest level (kitchen/dorms) to main level and the private rooms level.

Review 74：This hostel is in an historic building. Extremely clean, good shared kitchen. Beautiful view from our room, close to Golden Circle two-thirds areas.

Review 75：A bit pricey for what is offered but still, a normal price for Iceland

Review 76：The location is amazing (perfect for the Northern lights) and the building is a great setting for a wonderful night: an adapted former school which keeps a lot of school stuff and a lot of charm. But the best was the owner - Sverrir - he's a superstar and gave us lots of tips on what to see in the area, none of which was less than impressive.

Review 77：Breakfast is very basic. Probably the cheekiest offering of paid-extra breakfast we received on our 10-day trip.

Review 78：Apart from the shared bathroom, this super-clean hostel felt like a hotel. So welcoming & chilled. Very relaxed & open public spaces & comfortable bedroom. Initially felt the staff were helpful, but little too 'cool', but when staying up late drinking in the library, the staff trusted us in keeping the beer fridges unlocked for us & just told us to just to note down what we took. Great attention paid to look of the place, stolen so many interior design ideas. Interesting history too - look at the pictures on the all & you will see....

Review 79：Shared bathroom not available on every floor, thus a little inconvenient. Also the way to the kitchen/bathrooms at the basement seems unmaintained.

Review 80：Stones throw away from Fontana spa, which is a great place to hang out. Very beautiful exterior. Rooms were huge and spacious. Reasonably priced, definitely good for those on budget as there is a wide range of room types available.

Review 81：the common rooms, especially the kitchen, stank a bit but overall, given the price and the style, it was fine

Review 82：the price was the lowest I have found in Iceland, and the showers are very nice!

Review 83：The bar and restaurant might be perceived as a bit pricey, but there's a fully equipped kitchen as an alternative.:)

Review 84：The hostel is so authentic and every detail is thought through, both when it comes to design and experience. Perfect for a relaxing couple of days outside civilization.:)

Review 85：So big that the toilets are 50m far :)

Review 86：Very nice building Nice location Good starting point to be at Geysir/Gullfoss before the Reykjavik buses !

Review 87：The hostel is great. People were very very friendly and the rooms were Clean. New bathrooms and showers.furniture very vintage but also great. 5 minutes to walk from beautiful therme fontana

Review 88：Nothing to do apart from those listed above

Review 89：Really nice staff, beautiful building, clean and comfortable with a relaxed vibe and lots of space to chill. Geysers, gullfoss waterfall and thermal baths are a must

Review 90：Shower wasn't great, too hot to stand in

Review 91：Breakfast was amazing, so tasty! Staff were so helpful we arrived at 2am and someone waited up to greet us!

Review 92：The hostel is a very beautiful building managed by very welcoming people. Inside there is a nice kitchen, a lounge, a restaurant and other useful facilities. Laugarvatn is a nice city to stop.

Review 93：Theres just one very little thing. The toilets are quite far from the dorm. But thats nothing compared to all the good things...

Review 94：The staff was very nice and helpful. We felt very welcome. The interiour if the hostel is beautiful and special.

Review 95：You would be really pushed to find fault with anything.

Review 96：This must be one of the best hostelling experiences to be had anywhere in Iceland: a beautifully restored building that is atmospherically furnished with a warm cosy ambience; friendly helpful staff and a location ideally suited for breaking a journey half-way round the Circle. Spotlessly clean, efficiently managed and outstanding value for money. I doubt if it gets better than this, anywhere.

Review 97：The meaning of the building and how it's furbished is amazing! There is a splendid living room downstairs and books in every room. The toilets and showers on the corridor have everything you need, very clean and very comfortable. We must give our best thanks to the staff who was very kind and helpful giving advice on our itinerary!

Review 98：That we only got to stay for 1 night, could happily spend a week here it is like a hotel!

Review 99：Everything, literally the best hostel I've used in the 15 years I've been using hostels and the staff are fantastic!

Review 100：Dinner was avilable extra, it was basic and a bit overprized, but breakfast was delicious. Kitchens are available for self catering.

Review 101：Friendly atmosphere, cozy interiors & character. The hostel is made from a refurbished old school. It is very clean. The staff is all local and there is a friendly community atmosphere. Manager was very helpful with tips for travel, weather care and northern lights. Would definitely hve loved to stay longer.

Review 102：It's a nice and warm place. Very clean and quiet. You can feel the peace and we were invited to assist a yoga class when we arrived. You can go outside anytime at night if you want looking for or enjoy the light north. We appreciated a lot all recommendations about what to see and enjoy in Iceland. Thanks a lot :)

Review 103：I guess it is becoz there are only two of us and just stuff that night, we feel a little bit creepy at night inside the enoumous house with the old school decoration(they had kept some school year book photos on wall).

Review 104：The building is otiginally a music school so it's pretty big and amazing.The food is yummy and the stuff are really enthusiastic to help.

Review 105：Bathrooms just on first and second floor. Compared to other places is a little bit expensive, almost when breakfast is not included.

Review 106：The location is perfect to visit Geysir and Gullfoss. Staff was really kind to us and helped to decide the next day activities.

Review 107：I loved this location and would recommend it to anyone visiting the area. However there were a couple of things that detracted from a sound sleep. -The building was flood lit overnight. I kept waking up thinking I had missed seeing sunrise over the lake. -The bedroom doors are very heavy and are very noisy when folk are coming and going. This is more noticeable at night when it is so still and quiet outside. -With it being an old building there is some noise/bounce from folk going up and down the stairs to the top floor.

Review 108：I loved this location. It's a beautiful old building over looking the lake. We had 2 rooms one with a lake view, the other with a mountain view. It's within half an hour of Gulfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir meaning that you can visit these locations out with the peak times for day trips from Reykjavik. It is walking distance from the Fontana spa and the Lindin Bistro both of which I would recommend.

Review 109：I loved the fact that it all looked exactly the same as in the pictures. The guesthouse was beautiful even romantic during the evening when they lit candels at the resterunt. The staff are very helpful. In each floor there's a kitchen with all the facilities so it's very comfortable to cook. We will definitly come back there.

Review 110：No elevator, rooms are pretty barren, internet stopped working at least once on us.

Review 111：Sverrir Stein Sverrison - coolest front desk guy/manager ever! He was seriously awesome, gave us great restaurant recommendations, and was very welcoming! Oh and the breakfast in the morning was delicious.

Review 112：Wet room style, so bath mat got very wet Could do with shelves or more hooks (see above) for towel and clothes Kitchen space space and when busy can be monopolised to detriment of others Wifi switched of from midnight till 8 am - very annoying! Lack of local amenities such as shop or bar. Local garage closed at 6pm and Selfoss 30km drive away.

Review 113：Newer bathrooms were excellent Great views from rear of hostel

Review 114：Nice hostel, clean and confortable. We had a double room with a nice view. Position is perfect too, just near the Fontana spa. We didn't try breakfast.

Review 115：nothing.

Review 116：very nice and clean - the library was extra cosy and the lightning in the dining room did something magical. old fashioned and comfortable. the staff were great (especially the dark-haired boy) and we got to choose between rooms. the breakfast was also very homie and nice.

Review 117：The place is completely newly renovated and is a converted historical school being there is like being in a museum. The location is outstanding as well.

Review 118：heaters noisy at night ...

Review 119：Location right next to Fontana baths real homey feeling excellent food for breakfast and diner Shared showers just refurbished

Review 120：Room was much smaller than I'd imagined from pictures shown. Doors were heavy and noisy - hardly got any sleep next to the toilets. Only decent showers were 2 floors away in the basement. Rather sparsely decorated and lacking vibe. Like staying in a hostel and paying hotel prices. Breakfast was pretty basic for the money.

Review 121：Beautiful building, nice food and lovely lakeside setting. Good wifi.

Review 122：We regretted not being able to use the pool in the morning.

Review 123：My family and I had a wonderful stay here thanks to the friendly staff, comfortable clean room and beautiful setting along our Golden Circle day adventure.

Review 124：Communal kitchen facilities small for the amount of people staying. Showers a bit far if you're staying on the top floor.

Review 125：Great location in old school close to everything in the golden circle. Staff helped finding northern light. Close to the lake and spa. Good beds and recently renovated rooms.

Review 126：Disappointed by breakfast considering the price of it. It seemed like a lot of rooms shared a limited number of bathrooms. Room was inaccurately described as brightly decorated and there was no work desk as it said. We didn't need it but it was in the booking.com room description.

Review 127：Location Decoration in common areas. Very clean (although this is to be expected since shoes must be removed on arrival.)

The Fine Print

If you expect to arrive outside check-in hours, please inform Héradsskolinn in advance.Duvets are not included. You can rent them on site or bring your own. Sleeping bags are allowed.Please inform Héradsskólinn Boutique Hostel of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details provided in your confirmation.