Set in the very heart of the city of Reykjavík, is 101 Hotel, a member of Design Hotels™. It ticks all the boxes of a hotel from which one may launch a visit to Iceland.
Reykjavík the capital and the largest city in Iceland, is home to over two-thirds of the population of the country. 101 Hotel is so located in this buzzing capital of Iceland, that everything worth visiting is suitably nearby. Not only is getting here from the airport a breeze, since it is only 40 kms away, but a multitude of shops, bars, cafes, a magnificent cathedral and Pálmadóttir’s 101 Gallery are mere steps away. From the hotel itself you can conveniently gaze at the Harpa Concert Hall and the scenic harbour beyond.
Owner and designer Ingibjörg S. Pálmadóttir left no stone unturned to create a modern, sleek and vibrant hotel out of the erstwhile 1930s office building that was once home to the Icelandic Social Democratic Party.
The rooms and suites are basically designed using a bold and monochromatic, black and white colour combination. Rich, dark furnishings combine with the fresh white Italian linen to establish a stylishly cosy atmosphere. Here Ingibjörg S. Pálmadóttir has ingeniously used local Icelandic artwork to differentiate each room and provide it with its own unique look.
The communal spaces however are dotted with stunningly mind boggling pieces created by Philippe Starck and Eero Saarinen. A collage of faces carved in wood and placed near the reception is particularly riveting.
Rooms range from Standard to Doubles with balconies and views of the harbour, while suites come in many sizes, from Junior with freestanding tubs all the way up to the aptly named Apartment Suite.
A sumptuous breakfast full of fresh and varied choices greets the guests every morning in the hotel’s well put together restaurant. This venue is literally the hot spot of the hotel. Both fast food and global cuisine is on offer here, created with the best of local and imported produce, all reasonably priced too.
Kitchen & Wine, as it is called is as much a favourite of the guests as it is of the locals of the city. It is known to be said that the best cocktails in Iceland are served here. The Nordic touches in the decor are evident in the white dimpled mural that runs alongside one wall, a glass roof and the chic Eros chairs.
The elegant bar & lounge which is in continuum with both the restaurant and the reception is a place where one may grab a few drinks from a wide selection of cocktails, wine and spirits or enjoy a cup of coffee with a book or just surf the net. The roaring fire only adds to the stylish ambience created by Chinese lacquered tables, wooden blocks and Edwardian chairs.
With 101 Hotel, a member of Design Hotels™, Reykjavik has added a design-themed hotel into its comprehensive repertoire of hospitality. It offers the now booming tourist industry a modern and fresh option of accommodation.
Some more amenities at 101 Hotel include a luxurious basement gym and spa with a steam bath and Jacuzzi. One may choose to unwind and relax here or even avail of the offered in-room massages. Over and above, the warm, and doting care offered by the multilingual staff sees that all travel and tourism related issues are sorted with effortless grace. A public parking-house within walking distance is just one more convenience of the location of the hotel and works well for those arriving in their own vehicles.
Designed with both the younger set and leisure traveller in mind, 101 Hotel’s spin on the average Reykjavik hotel is quickly making its own mark.
Meetings, special events and hosting great parties are taken very seriously by the management. The Red Room, can host up to 40 people in its stylish and functional meeting lounge and it contains numerous seating areas with other four-star amenities for the guests’ comfort and convenience such as, a bar, a state-of-the-art sound system, a flat screen, a projector, an Apple TV, internet access and other business amenities.
Iceland is hands down a fascinating country, with a high volcanic and geologic activity. Tourists flock to Reykjavík to experience the joy of unique occurrences one of which is the beauty of the dancing northern lights, or to merely fill their lungs with the crispiest of air.
Whatever be the reason from this sleek and modern boutique hotel, you may explore, sight-see, shop, party or simply wallow in Icelandic glory. Designed with both the younger set and leisure traveller in mind, 101 Hotel’s spin on the average Reykjavik hotel is quickly making its own mark.
Enjoy very different experiences here, all conveniently rolled into one. It’s nothing short of magic.
Text By Mala Bajaj
Photographs Courtesy Design Hotels™
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