A Review of Iceland Parliament Hotel | Hotels Above Par

"Right on Austurvöllur Square, directly across from Parliament and a short walk from Reykjavík Cathedral, the hotel blends into the block so well you could assume it’s been there for decades. I found it quietly part of the neighborhood despite being in Hilton’s Curio Collection; the property stitches together seven distinct buildings — one a girls’ school, another the old telecom offices — with the main Landsímahúsið retaining original stonework paired with modern glass additions that don’t clash. Inside, original architecture takes center stage and interiors favor natural materials — warm wood, polished stone, and dark metal — while an extensive private art collection fills stairwells, elevators, and entire hallways, actually shaping how you move through the space. Guest rooms feel considered and cozy: wood and soft fabrics, a gently curved headboard that wraps the bed, blackout curtains, a custom nook with an espresso machine, and a solid oak desk; from my window the square felt like a still frame as snow gathered on Jón Sigurðsson’s statue. The subterranean spa is the hotel’s standout — minimal, silent, and unexpectedly luxurious with a geothermal pool that feels almost fairy-tale — and the adjacent lounge and 24/7 gym (with big windows and solid Technogym equipment) round out a polished stay that still feels very much of the city." - Jordi Lippe-McGraw