If you’re planning a weekend in Reykjavík and want somewhere central, well-designed, and genuinely enjoyable to stay, the Exeter Hotel deserves a serious look. We booked in for a night to see what it was actually like.
The hotel sits on Tryggvagata, the street that runs straight down to Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, which means you’re within easy walking distance of most things worth seeing in the city centre. It’s a useful address — close enough to feel connected, far enough from the loudest parts of the nightlife.
The building itself dates from 1904, when it served as a storage unit. The renovation has kept much of that industrial character — bare concrete walls, clean lines, a distinctly Scandinavian restraint in the interiors.
Exeter Hotel is part of the KEAHOTELS group, which also runs the Apotek Hotel and Hotel Borg among others in the city. That experience shows — things run smoothly and the staff know what they’re doing.
Exeter Hotel invited Guide to Iceland for an overnight stay, so we could give you a first-hand account of what to expect.
Here’s what we found.
Feasting at Deig Bakery, Drinking at Tail Bar
The first thing you notice when you arrive is Deig, the bakery that occupies the street-facing corner of the hotel.
The black-and-white signage and pop-art styling make it hard to walk past, and we didn’t. Trying something became the obvious first move.
Deig opens daily at 7:00 AM and serves doughnuts, bagels, artisanal breads, and — somewhat unexpectedly — pizza. The pizza runs from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays and until 10:00 PM on weekends.
The pizza menu takes a few liberties with Italian tradition. The “Boomer,” for instance, pairs fresh horseradish, maple syrup, and truffle oil. It sounds strange. It works.
We were treated to two of Deig’s signature doughnuts: a maple-glazed bacon one and a Crème brûlée version. Both were generous in size and genuinely good — the kind of thing that justifies a second visit before checkout.
Our hosts talked us through the logic of running a bakery attached to a hotel — comfort food, creative recipes, shaped in part by guest feedback. It made sense. Since guests pass the bakery on their way to the lobby, it functions as a natural lure, and it pulls people in from the street too.
From Deig, we moved to Tail Bar, where a complimentary beer was waiting. The bartender poured it using an upside-down pump — the glass fills from the bottom, through a sealed magnet in the base. It looks impressive.
As he handed it over, the bartender offered one piece of advice with a grin: “Just don’t fiddle with the bottom of the glass, okay?”
I immediately fiddled with the bottom of the glass. The magnet came loose. Cold Gull lager went everywhere — mostly on me.
The apology tour that followed was brief but heartfelt. The staff, to their credit, took it in good humour.
The Rooms, Gymnasium & The Sauna
Slightly damp, I was grateful when our hotel guide reappeared and suggested we look at the rooms. It was a good excuse to move on.
First up was the 51 m² Exeter Hotel suite — parquet floors, a writing desk, and a wrap-around balcony that looks out over Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja. Standing out there for a moment, it was easy to see why this room commands a premium.
From the suite, we moved on to the standard double rooms — smaller, but well thought through. Nothing felt cramped or cut-price.
The gym and sauna were next. Both were private-feeling and properly equipped — not the afterthought facilities you sometimes find bolted onto a city hotel. The changing area looks out onto the central garden terrace, which hosts events throughout the year.
Our own room — a Superior Room — came last. Modern art on the walls, a waterfront panorama through the window, and a solid list of amenities: en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, smart TV, Bluetooth speaker, mini-fridge, and a coffee and tea set. It was enough to make you consider staying an extra night.
Street Food at Le Kock Restaurant
Dinner was at Le Kock, the restaurant attached to the hotel.
The illustrated menu is worth a look in itself. I went for the “Offer of the Last Century” — a classic Le Kock cheeseburger, grilled beef with cheddar, and deep-fried baby potatoes with a secret sauce. My companion ordered the Buffalo fried wings: 12 pieces, celery, blue cheese sauce.
Both were solid. No complaints.
One thing you notice on the Le Kock menu is the commitment to potatoes. They appear everywhere — and not as an afterthought. The menu has an entire section dedicated to them: Greek Potatoes with feta, Chipotle Potatoes with guacamole and bacon, Parmesan Potatoes with pickled chili and garlic sauce. It’s a considered choice, not a gap-filler.
Deig leans the same way — much of the bread baked there incorporates potato. It runs through both kitchens as a kind of quiet signature ingredient.
A Good Night’s Sleep and the Breakfast Buffet
Back in the room after dinner, the walk-in shower did exactly what you want after a long day — powerful, spacious, good towels waiting afterward.
Sleep was genuinely excellent. The mattress was comfortable, the bed large enough that you never felt hemmed in. The setup is worth mentioning: two single mattresses that slide along the bed frame, so couples can adjust the arrangement to suit them. It’s a small detail, but a thoughtful one. In a sector where beds are often the last thing hotels invest in properly, this stood out.
The next morning I woke to sunlight coming through the curtains and took a minute at the window watching the city come to life below.
Breakfast was back at Le Kock — a buffet with cold meats, fresh fruit, bread, cereals, orange juice, tea, and coffee. I went back for seconds, then thirds. Traditional eggs, beans, and bacon weren’t on offer, but the spread was generous enough that their absence wasn’t really felt. The presence of beer-soaked ham at breakfast, though, is the kind of thing that makes you warm to a place. Hard to find fault with that.
By the time I checked out, I was already thinking about coming back.
For those interested in learning more about the pricing and availability at Exeter Hotel, click here.
Have you stayed at Exeter Hotel? If so, what were your impressions? Did you indulge at Le Kock or sample the delights of Deig? We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments below.
