Hótel Kría, Vik
Nestled in the picturesque village of Vík on Iceland’s enchanting south coast, Hótel Kría offers a blend of modern comfort and natural beauty. Established in 2018, this contemporary hotel can be a great base for exploring Southern Iceland or as a stopover destination on a bigger road trip. Situated just off Iceland’s iconic Ring Road (Route 1), the hotel’s proximity to Vík’s famed black sand beaches allows guests to reach these stunning shores with a brief five-minute walk. Additionally, the majestic Reynisfjara beach, with its dramatic basalt columns and powerful waves, is a short drive away. The surrounding area also boasts the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, offering opportunities for snowmobiling and ice caving adventures.
Hótel Kría features 72 beautifully designed rooms and one luxurious suite where guests can choose between Standard Double Rooms, offering views of the hotel’s front, and Mountain View Rooms. I stayed in a modern room with a wooden floor, bed, TV, working desk and a beautiful bathroom with a rainshower. Before arriving at the room, I talked to a friendly Polish receptionist who checked me in. The hotel has a 24-hour reception, which is a plus compared to hotels that close their reception at night. I flew to Iceland with the Icelandic low-cost carrier, PLAY, which makes it possible to fly to Iceland on an ultra-low budget.
The on-site Drangar Restaurant invites guests to savor traditional Icelandic cuisine, including the use of local ingredients. Complementing the dining experience is the hotel’s cocktail bar, where guests can unwind with a selection of beverages during the daily happy hour from 4 to 7 pm. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet, allowing guests to start their day with a meal accompanied by stunning mountain views.
Beyond Vík’s black sand beaches, Hótel Kría’s location offers easy access to several of Iceland’s natural wonders. The nearby Dyrhólaey promontory presents panoramic views and might be especially interesting for birdwatchers, especially during the puffin nesting season. Additionally, the cascading Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls are within a comfortable driving distance, making a very exciting day trip possible.
Iceland has many similarities to my country of Denmark. Iceland used to be part of Denmark, and it is the only country outside Denmark that teaches Danish in schools. It is an expensive country, but it has stunning nature, friendly people, fantastic food (Restaurant Dill is one of the best restaurants I have experienced in the world), and it has been ranked as the most environmentally clean country in the world. Iceland has changed a lot since the first time I visited the country, and now it has a lot more visitors. A recommendation would be to visit out of the high season to have better experiences, especially at the main sights.
At the time of writing this article, Hótel Kría has a high guest satisfaction score of 8.9, which is impressive and probably the main reason for my interest in staying at the hotel. You can have a very beautiful hotel in pictures, but the overall guest satisfaction score is very important as a big indication of how the hotel is going to be.
