Skald Akureyri, Curio Collection by Hilton

Skald Akureyri, Curio Collection by Hilton, is one of the more upmarket choices for a stay in Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland. The Curio Collection name signals a hotel that is meant to feel individual rather than standard, and for many travellers that is the appeal: a comfortable, carefully styled base after days spent among waterfalls, fjord roads and geothermal landscapes. Exact room types, dining arrangements and extras can change, so check when you book what your chosen rate includes. Akureyri is compact, and a hotel in or near the middle of town puts the pedestrian main street, the church, the botanical garden and the harbour within easy reach. From here, whale watching departures, food walks and most restaurants are a short stroll or a brief drive away. If you are weighing it against other central options such as Hotel Kea or Centrum Hotel, think about whether you want a more polished, brand-led stay and how much you are willing to spend.

The big advantage of staying in Akureyri itself, rather than out in the countryside, is how many different trips can start from your door. In summer, long light evenings make a walk by the fjord or up to the church a pleasure, and the surrounding mountains stay green and dramatic late into the night. In winter, the town can be a base for the northern lights, with dark stretches away from the brightest streets, and the Hlíðarfjall ski area is a short drive away when snow conditions allow.

A comfortable, upmarket room is especially welcome in the cold months, when you come back from a long day outdoors and want to warm up properly.

Day trips are where a base like this earns its keep. Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, is roughly a short drive east along the Ring Road, and Lake Mývatn and the Diamond Circle can be reached on a long day out, ideally with an early start. Many guided tours collect passengers from central hotels, but pickup points vary, so ask reception or your tour operator where to meet. If you plan to drive yourself, confirm parking arrangements and any charges before arrival, and check road conditions in winter before setting off.

It helps to think about who this kind of hotel suits. Couples celebrating something, travellers on a longer Iceland itinerary who want one genuinely comfortable stop, and anyone who values design and service will probably be happiest here. Budget-minded families or groups may find better value at a simpler hotel or guesthouse, so compare the options on this page.

Breakfast, spa-style extras and any dining on site vary by rate and season, so check when you book rather than assuming. Book early for summer and for the winter holiday period, since the best rooms in the north go first, and allow a night or two more than you think you need, because Akureyri rewards slower travel.