Skálakot Hotel

This review is only relevant to the horse riding tour at the hotel. We did the 2 hour Eyjafjalla tour in the winter. So much fun! Our guide was super nice and allowed us to try out the tolt on the Icelandic horses. Super smooth gait! As an avid horse rider this was my first time riding this breed and I have to say I was impressed. I also fell in love with all of the horses here. Super sweet, fluffy, tiny mountain horses. Hoping to bring one home one day! We had a small group of 8 people total riding with us. Definitely an experience worth trying - even if it is super expensive. Especially if you love horses and want to try their unique gait! This stable was one of two that I could find that were open in the winter season. Summer is definitely the better season for horse adventures here.

We stayed at Skálakot for three nights, sandwiched between our Golden Circle and South Coast activities. The experience was very special, with only a few minor issues.||Pros:|Skálakot is charming and intimate, with just 14 rooms. The owner was hospitable and personable - he even came around to introduce himself.|The staff were friendly and attentive. Special shout-out to Hanka and Michael, who were absolute rock stars.||The beds were comfortable and the hot tub was wonderful. We were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights from our room, and the surrounding sky and landscape were absolutely gorgeous.||The food was consistently beautiful and very good -|especially the daily homemade bread. The art of napkin folding did not go unnoticed; the various creations elevated the dining experience and reflected Skálakot’s attention to detail.||Horseback riding was our primary reason for choosing Skálakot, and it did not disappoint. Miriam was a wonderful guide and made the experience truly memorable.||Cons:|Because the hotel is so isolated (which also adds to its charm, in my opinion), there are no dining options nearby unless you have a car. We did not, and when we looked into going to Vík, a local taxi quoted 40,000 ISK round-trip, plus 10,000 ISK per hour for waiting.||That part is on us, not Skálakot -|but it’s definitely something to consider when planning your stay.||There were two minor hotel-related drawbacks for me. First, the bathroom. I can only speak to our room, as each one is unique. We stayed in a second-floor room with two beds; the bedroom itself was charming and had great views of the farm. The bathroom, however, was very small, and the shower was impractical. There was little room to move or bend, and the shower floor was flush with the rest of the bathroom, so water tended to spread everywhere.||The second minor issue was a potpourri-like scent throughout the manor—possibly from candles. It wasn’t unpleasant, but not pleasant either, and it irritated my eyes.||Overall, the hotel is just shy of a five-star experience for me. I would still highly recommend it and would absolutely stay again—just with a car next time

We stayed in 6 different hotels all across the country and this was by far our favorite night in Iceland. The manor on a quiet road with a great waterfall right nearby. When we checked in we were escorted to our room and offered help with our bags. The staff was very hospitable. Our had an upgraded larger room. It was very spacious although not much of a view out of the back of the manor. The bathroom was very large and a huge bathtub/shower combo. We ate dinner at the manor. This was also our favorite meal of the trip. The flavors were well thought out and quite an extensive menu. After dinner we were able to take a nice walk and visit with some of the horses along the road. The following morning breakfast excelled too. Fresh made breads right out the oven and quality dishes were offered. This is a place we woud return to without hesitation.

My favorite place to stay in Iceland. The entire property is stunning. The interior has so many beautiful details. The beds are very comfortable and the environment is so peaceful. The animals on the property (we’ve encountered stunning horses and two lovely dogs) are all a true highlight. If you can sign up for a horse riding session you won’t regret it! Breakfast is truly amazing. Try the cinnamon latte-you won’t regret it. Every single member of the team has always been lovely and made us feel right at home. We had the pleasure of staying there for two of my birthdays over the past few years and I honestly am so excited to visit again!

My husband and I were at Skalakot Manor for a 3 night stay the last week of August and we had an amazing experience. The location was perfect for all our sightseeing adventures in South Iceland, close to Westman Islands (ferry), Golden Circle, waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches. The room was spacious, clean and quiet. It had a balcony and the view was incredible. The amenities in the room were all provided, ie., shampoo, shower gel, towels, hair dryer, everything one would need. The bed was comfortable and we got a good night's sleep each night. Breakfast in the morning was more than adequate, I liked the pastries, yogurt & granola, bacon; while my husband had the cheeses, meats, and eggs. There was a wide variety of breakfast foods set out in a buffet style. Dinner in the evening was fantastic. Menu had a lot of choices, portions were more than generous, and it was all so fresh and delicious. We did the 1 hour horseback ride and loved it! The horseback ride is a must while staying here. The staff were all so friendly and accommodating. We would highly recommend staying at Skalakot Manor during your visit to Iceland.

The location and facilities did not disappoint. The food in the restaurant was amazing. We opted to dine here twice for dinner during our stay. The complementary breakfast was excellent and fueled us for busy days exploring nearby. We took the 2 hour horseback riding tour up the mountain behind the manor, glorious views, wonderful guide, and outstanding Iceland horses. Also walked to the waterfall down the road and enjoyed the ambience to be seen in every direction.

You can’t get more Icelandic than this. Waking up to Icelandic horses grazing just outside your window, enjoying a homemade breakfast in a cozy, cottage-style setting — it’s the kind of experience that stays with you. Coming from Los Angeles, this felt like stepping into another world: quiet, breathtaking, and deeply grounding.|The design is warm and elegant, with a boutique feel that still honors the rugged beauty of the landscape. I wish I’d had more time here, but I’ll definitely be back. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down and appreciate the moment.

We did not stay at this hotel, but we came to do a 1 hour horseback ride. We had a great experience. Our guide, who had just arrived days earlier from Denmark, was well versed on Iceland. She gave good commentary as we rode, and she was excellent with our family and the horses. They were very accommodating with scheduling our ride (and we just called in the morning for an afternoon ride that same day). It was a rainy day, and they provided adequate rain gear as well. I would highly recommend.