Reykjavík offers a good choice of hotels, from budget to deluxe. Elsewhere, the choice is more limited, with fewer luxury options. Hotels, however, have good standards of cleanliness and comfort.

Grading: Classification for all accommodation types in Iceland is voluntary and ranges from 5 star (luxurious) to 1 star (basic). It is managed by the Icelandic Tourist Board. Visitors should look for a blue and red sign near the entrance to a hotel/hostel/campsite for the current grading. For further details on accommodation contact the Icelandic Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses).

These are available in the larger towns. Rooms are also available in private houses with breakfast included in the cost.

Icelandic Farm Holidays is a chain of 150 farmhouses where farmers offer accommodation to travellers in their homes, guest houses, country hotels and cottages. The accommodation is diverse, some having shared or private bathrooms, some requiring sleeping bags and some offering recreational activities. Breakfast is always included, and there are self-catering facilities in the cottages. Reductions are available for children.

There are nearly 70 registered camping sites. Due to unpredictable weather conditions, camping grounds are normally open only between June and late August or mid September. The best-equipped camping grounds are to be found, predictably, close to the more touristy areas. In some places camping is restricted to certain specially marked areas. It is also possible to camp in national parks, supervised by the Nature Conservation Agency. Camping outside designated areas is not allowed.

There are 26 youth and family hostels throughout Iceland, offering accommodation in small dorms (2-6 beds), and ranging in style from a concrete modern building to a traditional Icelandic house with a turf roof. All have well-equipped kitchens and, with the exception of Fljótsdalur Hostel, also offer family rooms. Hostelling International (HI) Iceland offers packages, which consist of car hire or bus tickets and hostel overnight vouchers. Many countryside hostels provide overnight accommodation for travellers bringing their own sleeping bags or bedrolls for a fee.

In uninhabited areas there are a number of huts where travellers can stay overnight. They must observe regulations posted in the huts and bring their own sleeping bags and food. HI Iceland also offers a travel service to help with bookings, tours and travel arrangements.

Icelandic Farm Holidays
Sidumuli 2, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland 
Tel: 570 2700.
Website: www.farmholidays.is

Hostelling International Iceland
Sundlaugavegi 34, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland 
Tel: 553 8110.
Website: www.hostel.is