Iceland's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse!
Iceland's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse! - Seriously, Believe the Hype (and the Random Sheep!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to gush about Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse, Iceland. Forget those sterile hotel chains, this place is like stumbling into a cozy fever dream of Icelandic hospitality. Forget the perfect photos – I’m giving you the real deal, complete with my questionable navigation skills and a deep love for Icelandic lamb (which, spoiler alert, I got to sample!).
Accessibility & the Whole Shebang (Let's be Real, It's Important, Right?)
First, let's talk accessibility. The website says it's got facilities for disabled guests, and honestly, Iceland in general is pretty good with that. The details on specifics aren't super clear online – a minor gripe! – but the overall vibe is one of genuine helpfulness. If you have specific needs, I’d call ahead and chat. But overall I remember it as very easy to get around and get comfy, which is a win.
Internet, Internet, Everywhere! (Finally!)
Wi-Fi? Oh, honey, they've got it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the digital Gods! And not just that, but I think they even had LAN connections in the rooms if you're old-school like me (I like my cable!). Which is good, because you know, when you have to suddenly download a stupid file at 11 pm. The internet was strong and reliable everywhere. And the internet services! A huge thumbs up.
Cleanliness: Pandemic-Proof? You Betcha!
Look, post-pandemic, cleanliness is KING. Eyjolfsstadir gets it. They're using anti-viral cleaning products, taking extra steps with daily disinfection, and the staff know the drill. Even if something is not totally to my liking (I’m fussy!), I felt beyond safe and that peace of mind is priceless. They had sanitizing stations EVERYWHERE. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Double-check!
Food, Glorious Food! (And Possibly a Lamb-Fueled Coma)
Alright, let's dive into the delicious rabbit hole of Eyjolfsstadir's dining options. Because honestly, food is 80% of the travel experience, right?
- Breakfast: Forget those sad continental breakfasts. We’re talking Asian breakfast and Western breakfast! And you can have it in your room! Which, if you're as lazy as I am in the morning, is a godsend. Plus, there's a nice buffet, too.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants onsite, and they serve international cuisine, Western cuisine, and even Asian cuisine! And the food is good. I mean, really good. They even have salad, soup, and desserts. If you're a vegetarian, don't worry they have you covered too!
- Bar and Beyond: There is a bar! I can vouch for the happy hour myself. Plus, the pool side bar, with the pool views is amazing. Coffee shop? Check. Snack bar? Check. Everything!
I can't stress this enough: eating at Eyjolfsstadir is an experience. They have a la carte options in the restaurant and alternative meal arrangements, too!
My Eyjolfsstadir Food Anecdote: I’m a sucker for Icelandic lamb (cue the drool). One evening, I wandered (lost, as per usual) into the restaurant. This kind, fluffy-haired server (whose name I, embarrassingly, can't remember) actually talked me off the lamb-eating ledge and suggested I try the local fish. I was skeptical. Fish? In the land of lamb? But I went for it, and OH MY GOD. BEST. FISH. EVER. Served with the most incredible local vegetables. I even, gasp, preferred it to the lamb! The point is, the food at Eyjolfsstadir is more than just sustenance. It’s an adventure. The chef, a total culinary wizard, clearly takes incredible pride in the food, and the staff were genuinely enthusiastic about it. This is a place where you happily go into a food coma.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Spoiler: It's All Good)
Okay, so beyond the food, let's talk relaxation central.
- Spa Vibes: This place is practically a spa heaven! They have a spa, spa/sauna, and steamroom! And a pool with a view!
- The Pool: Amazing!
- The Sauna: I loved it! I’m a huge fan and that alone is a win for me.
Activities & Beyond:
Beyond the usual suspects, there are loads of things to make your time here that much better.
- This guesthouse is also suited for kids and families.
- If you're a couple, they have special rooms.
- They have facilities for holding special events.
- For the kids, there are plenty of facilities.
- There is even a shrine in the location!
The Nitty-Gritty: Rooms, Amenities, and Little Luxuries
The rooms? Cozy, clean, and well-appointed. They had everything I could need!
- Air conditioning? Check.
- Blackout curtains? Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. Icelandic sunlight can be brutal.
- Coffee/tea maker? Crucial.
- Free bottled water? Always a win!
- A hair dryer? Didn't have to carry it.
- And a private bathroom? Yes!
Oh, and the staff? Just lovely, genuinely friendly, and eager to help.
Services and Conveniences: Above and Beyond
Eyjolfsstadir wasn't just about the "stuff;" it was about the service.
- Concierge? Check.
- Currency exchange? Yep.
- Daily housekeeping? My room looked immaculate!
- Laundry service? Essential after all that hiking.
- ** Luggage storage?** Always useful.
The Imperfections (Because Nobody's Perfect)
Okay, for balance, a few tiny nits. I only saw a few things that need slight improvements.
- Some of the online information could be clearer on accessibility.
- The decor is clean but very basic!
Quirky Observations and Ramblings (Because That's How Life Is!)
Iceland is weird. The landscapes are otherworldly, and the sheep just wander. I swear I saw one sheep trying to steal a pastry off my plate. Eyjolfsstadir embraces that weirdness. The whole place emanates a feeling of relaxed, authentic Icelandic charm.
Final Verdict and a Compelling Offer (Because I Want You to Go!)
Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse is not just a place to sleep; it's an experience. It's a place where you can truly switch off, enjoy the stunning Icelandic landscapes, and eat some of the best food you'll ever taste. It's a home base for exploring and a sanctuary to return to.
Here’s my offer to you (and please remember, you heard it here first!):
Book Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse for your next trip to Iceland and get:
- A FREE bottle of Icelandic Brennivin (the infamous "Black Death" schnapps – you're welcome).
- A guaranteed upgrade, subject to availability.
- A special welcome message from yours truly (in the form of a hilarious, overly enthusiastic postcard).
Why? Because everyone deserves a little piece of Icelandic magic, and Eyjolfsstadir is where it happens! Book now and prepare to be amazed! Seriously, don't wait!
Woodward's Best-Kept Secret: Days Inn Comfort Awaits!
Okay, buckle up Buttercups! This isn't your sterile, perfectly-curated travel brochure. This is my Iceland. My Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse. My sanity (maybe).
Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse: Iceland (The Messy Edition)
Day 1: Land of Fire and Ice (and Jet Lag – Oh, the Jet Lag!)
- Morning (or what feels like morning, the sun's a liar up here): Landed in Keflavik. Holy smokes, the air! Crisp. Clean. Like you could bottle it and sell it. Immediately regretted not packing a proper hat. Spent a small fortune on airport coffee – needed it. The flight? A blur of crying babies, questionable airplane food, and a desperate attempt to sleep. Fail.
- Afternoon: The Golden Circle, aka "Tourist Central! (But Kinda Worth It)" The rental car pickup was a comedy of errors. "You drive stick, right?" "Uh… technically? Can I blame the jet lag?" Turns out, yes, I could blame the jet lag for EVERYTHING. Visited Þingvellir National Park. Jaw, meet floor. Seriously, the tectonic plates? Mind-blowing. Photo op overload. Did I take twenty pictures of the same damn thing? Absolutely. Guilty as charged.
- Evening: The Geysir Geyser (and the Smell). Strokkur erupted. BOOM! Awesome! Then, the sulfur smell hit. Wowza. It’s a bit… pungent. But hey, you can't have geysers without the stink, right? Dinner: A questionable hot dog from a gas station. Needed something quick. Iceland is expensive, yo.
- Night: Arrival at Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse. HOLY COMFORT. Finally, arrived at the guesthouse, which is a real gem. So cozy. The owner is an eccentric woman with a laugh that could crack glaciers. She gave me the key and a map, with a wink. She said something in Icelandic that I didn't understand, but I smiled, gave her the thumbs up of enthusiasm, and headed to my room. The jet lag was truly kicking in.
- Bedtime: Collapsed in bed. Thinking of tomorrow and hoping that the mountains don't move too much.
Day 2: Waterfalls, Sheep, and the Sheer Majesty of… a Road Trip
- Morning (The "Fake Morning" Returns): Woke up to the sunlight pouring in AND the beautiful view from the window. Gorgeous. Ate the breakfast the guesthouse provided, which was pretty good. Decided to go for a drive down Route 1 and see more waterfalls.
- Afternoon: Waterfalls Galore! (and the "Will the Car Survive?" Game). Drove to the waterfalls, and I wanted to see many more of them. Went to the majestic Goðafoss waterfall, which was the most spectacular thing I have ever seen. The car? Well, let's just say it was a character on its own. The roads? Not always paved, and let's be honest, I may or may not have bottomed out once or twice. Praying to the Icelandic gods of automobiles that I didn't do any serious damage.
- Evening: Sheep Encounter! (And the Fear of Being Lost). Iceland is basically a country of sheep. They are everywhere. They wander, they stare, they… block roads. One particularly brazen sheep decided to photobomb my attempt at a scenic photo. Started getting a little worried about getting lost. The map didn't exactly match the… well, anything. Tried the GPS, but the signal would disappear every 5 minutes. Panic began to set in.
- Night: Back to Eyjolfsstadir and a moment of sheer, unadulterated blissful rest.* Decided to go back to the Guesthouse. This place is a haven from the world. I went into the kitchen, grabbed some tea, and ended up just sitting there looking out the window and feeling so grateful.
Day 3: Diving Deep (And Emerging… Wet)
- Morning: The Plan: Decide to go diving. The thought of diving in Iceland, especially in such clear water, is unbelievable.
- Afternoon: Silfra Fissure Dive (The Deep End of Awesome). No words can truly describe the feeling of floating in the Silfra fissure. The water is so clear. It's like being in a different world. I looked down and saw the bottom, even though it was like, 100 feet away. So cold, though, in the best possible way. The drysuit? A necessary, albeit bulky, invention. The dive master? A local legend with a wicked sense of humor. Absolutely worth the money. Best thing.
- Evening: Post-Dive Bliss (and the Drying Situation). Spent the rest of the afternoon just relaxing, sipping hot chocolate, and letting the experience sink in. So content, I forgot to put on my socks.
- Night: The Guesthouse is Home The guesthouse is home. I can’t imagine leaving.
Day 4: The Eastfjords (And the Realisation That I Suck at Driving)
- Morning: The Eastfjords – "Curves, Curves, Everywhere!" The Eastfjords. Gorgeous, rugged, remote. The drive was…challenging. Imagine a rollercoaster made of switchbacks and blind corners, with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Now, try not to drive off the edge. I did not succeed every single time. Nearly had a heart attack a few times.
- Afternoon: Small Towns and Big Views. Stopped in a cute little fishing village. The air smelled of salt and something vaguely fishy, but in a good way. Ate the local fish. Delicious. People here are so friendly, even if they didn't all speak English.
- Evening: Back at Eyjolfsstadir and a quiet evening. I had to keep reminding myself I was in Iceland. I can’t believe how lucky I am.
Day 5: Departure (And a Longing Heart)
- Morning: Farewell, Iceland! (Sob). The guesthouse owner gave me a hug, gave me a bag of local sweets, and the wink that I didn't understand. So sweet. Ate the last breakfast at the guesthouse. Said goodbye to this beautiful place.
- Afternoon: The Long Flight Home. Reflecting on the trip. Wish I had stayed longer.
- Forever: Dreaming of Iceland.
Post-Trip Notes:
- Pro Tip: Bring a hat. Seriously.
- Regret: Not learning more Icelandic phrases. "Takk" (thank you) and "hæ" (hi) only get you so far.
- The Verdict: Iceland is not perfect . But it has captured my soul.
This itinerary is a messy, imperfect, and hopefully relatable account of my time in Iceland. Hope you enjoyed the ride!
Escape to Paradise: Ji Hotel Hangzhou Xixi Awaits!
Okay, seriously, is Eyjolfsstadir *really* that amazing? I've seen the pictures…
Alright, so, the pictures. They're pretty, yeah. Rolling hills, charming guesthouse, the whole shebang. But listen to me, those pictures… they're lying! Not *lying* lying, but you know… they're missing the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen at 7:00 AM, the sound of sheep bleating in the distance (mostly at 4:00 AM, apparently, according to my sleep-deprived journal), and the *feeling* of being utterly and completely removed from reality. Seriously, I went there thinking I was ready for Iceland, but Eyjolfsstadir… it just *hits different*. It's like a warm hug on a ridiculously cold day. Or a very strong shot of Brennivín. You get the point.
Let's talk amenities. What's the Wi-Fi situation? Because, you know, Instagram.
Okay, okay, I get it. Instagram. The struggle is real. The Wi-Fi at Eyjolfsstadir? Let's just say it's… Icelandic. Meaning, it exists. Sometimes. Mostly. I mean, I managed to upload a few pictures of the Northern Lights, but I also spent a good hour wrestling with my phone attempting to connect. Frankly? Best. Thing. Ever. It forced me to actually *look* at the scenery, not just through a filter. My advice? Embrace the digital detox! Pretend you’re a 19th-century explorer, mapping the turf. You might get some sporadic connection in the common areas.
The food? I hear it's a big deal. What's the deal?
Oh. My. God. The food. Look, I've eaten in Michelin-starred restaurants. I've eaten questionable street food in Bangkok. I've even attempted to make a decent pizza. But the food at Eyjolfsstadir... it's a whole other realm. So, first morning: warm bread, homemade jam (literally *hours* of trying to figure out what delicious thing it was I was eating - rhubarb! who knew?!). Then the next day there was the Skyr, that thick, creamy Icelandic yogurt. I'm not a yogurt person. I *AM* a Skyr person now. Evening meals… think hearty stews, fresh fish, and potatoes cooked approximately one million different ways. And the portions? Let's just say I needed to buy a bigger pair of trousers upon leaving. They also have this coffee brewed in a thermos that runs all day, and I'm convinced their secret ingredient is pure, unadulterated happiness.
Is it good for solo travelers? I'm a little nervous about being alone in such a remote place.
I went solo, and honestly, it was probably the best solo trip of my life. Yes, it’s remote. Yes, you might wake up to the sound of a lone sheep that sounds like it's having a existential crisis. But the people at Eyjolfsstadir… they're like the family you never knew you needed. They’re warm, friendly, and eager to share local stories and tips. I ended up sharing stories over dinner with other travelers and ended up creating the best friendships I've made in a while. Plus, Iceland is pretty safe. I never felt unsafe, even wandering around in the dark (with a flashlight, of course, because, you know, DARK). It's a place where you can truly disconnect from the world and connect with yourself. If you're nervous, just go! Worst-case scenario, you eat incredible food and look at some amazing landscape.
Okay, okay, you've convinced me. But what's with the sheep? Seriously, are they *everywhere*?
The sheep. Oh, the sheep. Let's just say they're part of the furniture. You're basically guaranteed to see them. Probably hear them. Possibly smell them (sheepy, but in a good way, I promise!). They're roaming all over the place, sometimes right outside your window. One morning I woke up, and there was a sheep staring directly at me through the pane. We made eye contact. It blinked. I screamed laughed for a good ten minutes. You’ll get used to it. They practically *are* Iceland. Embrace the sheep. They’re fluffy, adorable, and they make the whole place feel like a postcard come to life. Just be careful when driving – they have right of way, *always*. That lesson cost me a little fender bender but was worth it for the laughs and the memory.
Did you see the Northern Lights?! Because, you know… bucket list!
Okay, THIS. THIS is where things get real. I'd always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights. Always seen them. They always seemed so far. I remember standing outside at, like, 3 AM a few nights, freezing my butt off, and *nothing*. I was cursing the Icelandic weather gods. Then, one night… BAM! It happened. The sky exploded with color. Greens, blues, purples… it was like a giant, celestial dance. I stood there, mouth agape, tears streaming down my face from the cold and the sheer, overwhelming *beauty* of it all. It was more than just a check on a bucket list. It was… transcendent. And honestly, I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't have been at Eyjolfsstadir. The darkness, the lack of light pollution… it's perfect. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. Seriously. Go. Just… go. And hope you get lucky with the lights. Even if you don't, the experience is worth it. But if you *do*... well, you'll never be the same.
The rooms… are they basic? Cozy? Lux?
"Basic" isn't the word. "Cozy" is closer. Lux? No. But who needs lux when you're surrounded by *this*? The rooms are clean, comfortable, and decorated in a way that feels authentic and not overly fussy. The beds are comfy, and the views… oh, the views. My room looked out over the rolling hills and the occasional sheep parade. It was simple, but it was perfect. You're not going there to spend all day in your room. You're going to explore. And when you come back, you have a warm, welcoming space to relax.
I am a "clean freak". What's the cleanliness situation?
I'm not a *total* freak, but I appreciate a clean space. Eyjolfsstadir is spotless! The rooms, the bathrooms, the common areas… everything sparkles. They take pride in keeping the guesthouse tidy. From the moment I walked through the door, I felt comfortable. It's clear the owners care about the place. They're not just running a business. They'reSnooze And Stay
