One of the most dynamic drives I look forward to doing in Iceland is the West Fjords. It is such a thought-provoking area! Seriously, exploring this section is one of my favorite things to do in Iceland. Every finger of the fjords leads me to some uncharted spot that feels like I alone have just discovered it! This was especially true in my visit to Hotel Ísafjörður. I think during my entire trek upon entering the peninsula I only passed one car. While on my way to this fabulous hotel I discovered several off the beaten path locations that were just magical… like super-secret waterfalls, caves, hot springs, and other picturesque Iceland wedding locations!

I came from the southwest side of the fjords and in going this way I went through about a 5ish or so mile tunnel and as soon as the tunnel ended the beautiful harbor town of Ísafjörður magically appeared! The town is storybook, nestled at the base of mountains, big fishing boats lining the water’s edge, and such super cute store fronts in the quant downtown! So when I pulled up, I couldn’t help but have a silly grin of excitement on my face when I arrived at Hotel Ísafjörður!

The building on the outside is splendid… Each side of it offers a unique view of either the mountains, harbor, or the sweet little downtown! Parking was easy and check-in was a breeze. The staff was friendly and more than accommodating to any questions I had. The rooms were exactly what I needed that evening! Epic view of the nighttime harbor, comfy beds, and a desk for me to catch up on emails! Once I got settled in I went downstairs to the restaurant to delight in their wonderful local deliciousness.

Hotel Ísafjörður has a gorgeous private conference room area that offers the following to your potential wedding guests:

• Gorgeous gaping windows that offer extraordinary mountain views.
• Dynamic ceilings.
• Stylish seating.
• Mounted projector (if needed).
• Square tables you can configure into any Iceland wedding reception dream setup you had in mind.
• Exceptional English speaking staff.

So why would Hotel Ísafjörður be a perfect location for your Iceland wedding adventure in the Westfjords? Well…It’s hands down one of the best hotels in the fjords that can lodge a large group both in accommodations, but they also offer an exceptional quality for your Iceland wedding menu. There are 36 double rooms available which means they can easily provide brilliant service to your 50+ person wedding. This fabulous hotel sits within the capital of the Westfjords – Ísafjörður which is 5 hours 30 minutes from downtown Reykjavik and 6 hours 15 minutes from KEF Airport.

Amenities:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Private Meeting Rooms
• Coffee/Tea Makers in Room
• Hairdryers
• Private Bathrooms
• Comfy double beds!
• Fabulous restaurant
• Located in the heart of downtown Ísafjörður
• Nearby Attractions include: Ísafjörður Harbor, Skiing, Kayaking, Maritime Museums, Dynjandi waterfall, bird watching, hiking, biking, Raudisandur Beach, and Hellulaug hot spring.

Hotel Ísafjörður’s Contact Information:

• Address: Silfurtorg 2; Ísafjörður, Iceland
• Phone: +354-456-4111
• Website: http://isafjordurhotels.is/torg_english/
• GPS Coordinates: N66° 4′ 20.838″ W23° 7′ 11.962″

Well folks, that wraps up our 2014 list of Iceland’s Best Wedding Hotels! We hope you have enjoyed reading about them and now we encourage you to get out there and delight in them!

Stay tuned next week for a really exciting announcement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No joke, come back!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Expert in Iceland Wedding Adventures)

© 2012-2015, Iceland Wedding Planner, All Rights Reserved

The post Iceland Westfjords Wedding: Hotel Isafjordur appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Perched on the Northeastern shores of Lake Myvatn and in the shadows of the Dimmuborgir Lava Castles, sits the beautiful jewel, Hotel Reynihlid. You’ll find 41 comfortable European styled double rooms and each room offers excellent views.  Hotel Reynihlid is truly a full service hotel that offers year round accommodations. The friendly knowledgeable staff and fabulous amenities allow you to enjoy any length of stay or host your unforgettable Iceland Destination Wedding, as it would be a perfect choice for any Iceland wedding guest size.  Reynihlid boasts a banquet space big enough for 60 people seated for a Iceland wedding reception and a lovely 4 star in house restaurant called “Myllan.” Serving beautiful local Icelandic fare not limited to lovely lamb dishes and scrumptious Arctic Char, there is something delectable for every palate.

Be sure to plan your stay with plenty of time to check out the natural wonders all around; you’ll be able to fill every moment of daylight with some really unique Icelandic adventures. But first, start your day of sightseeing, with a lovely breakfast at Reynihlid, with its extensive continental spread it will surely get you off on the right foot!

If you’re looking to become one with the natural wonders of the area you can take an easy drive to one of two of the most grand waterfalls in the world, Dettifoss and Godifoss. Both are under a one hour drive from the hotel and many other natural wonder sights are on the way. Then make sure you stop for a walk around the bubbling mud pots of Namafjall, or take a carefree stroll through the Dimmuborgir volcanic chimneys with their dwarfing towers of lava rock and brilliant earthy colors. Both locations are less than a 10 minute drive from Hotel Reynihlid. Finish your day with a dip in the natural geothermal hot baths nearby, to sooth the aches of a fabulous day of adventure in Iceland’s dazzling outdoors.

If you’re interested in day tripping around the area you can venture into the little quaint town of Husavik, where the beautiful wooden church (named Húsavíkurkirkja, built in 1907) can be found! The area would be easy to do a fun self-guided tour and of course make sure you include a lunch or dinner stop at one of the amazing local seafood restaurants that operate right at the docks. There are also several spots for you to purchase authentic handmade Icelandic wares, crafts or to sign up for an unforgettable whale watching tour. As you can see, there is enough to keep you busy for at least an entire day and it is only a short 40 minute drive from Hotel Reynihlid.

Iceland Wedding Planner’s Visit to Hótel Reynihlíð:

On a fabulous summer morning in Northern Iceland, we began our trek from the Trollaskagi Peninsula and after a 45 minute drive south we arrived in the bustling city of Akureyri. We pressed thru so that we could have lunch in my absolute favorite city in Iceland – Husavik! We spent a few glorious hours there…Sad to leave the little fishing town but we were stoked to start heading south to the area of Lake Myvatn where Hotel Reynihlid resides.

With a quick stop to Godafoss, Dimmuborgir, and Námafjall, we arrived to Hotel Reynihlid by 8pm which was just in time for a delicious dinner in their fabulous restaurant! As soon as you walk into the hotel you’re greeted with warm smiles from the staff, delicious smells coming from the restaurant, and a feeling of being “home.” The lobby invites you to pull up a chair to enjoy the view or a good book. If you travel further into the formal check-in lobby area you’ll not only find the staff ready to check you in or answer any questions but you’ll also find a little sundry shop! The shop has all sorts of Icelandic snacks, souvenirs, and nic-naks so make sure you stop and check it out!

If you head over to the left side of the lobby you will find a computer that is internet accessible so you can check your email and stay connected to the world.  Beyond that you’ll find the regular side of the bar and if you venture to the other side, you’ll find the “MannaBar” filled with high tables, couches, piano, and a large television.  What a fabulous place to hold a wedding “happy/cocktail hour” for your Iceland wedding reception!

The hallways of Hotel Reynihlid have framed photos of the incredible natural wonders throughout Northern Iceland so enjoy as you walk to your room. Iceland Wedding Planner Travel Tip: If you have anyone who has a disability and cannot make the trip up stairs, please make sure you let the staff know at time of booking to reserve a first floor room.

Upon entering our room on the second floor, we loved the instant view we had of Lake Myvatn! The room also had fabulous amenities at our fingertips, including Duke & Lyle luxury Scandinavian toiletries! After settling in we jetted down to the restaurant for dinner and we delighted in the following scrumptious delectable dishes at the Myllan Restaurant:

• Poached Arctic Char with red onion and garlic toast.
• Shoulder of Lamb with bell peppers, potatoes and red onion.
• Locally caught baked Salmon with carrots and citrus sauce.

One of my favorite things about Reynihlid is the easy access to all of the top Northern Iceland attractions such as the following locales:

• Akureyri: 45 minutes
• Akureyri Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Dettifoss (Note the Iceland Nature Pass is in affect): 50 minutes
• Dimmuborgir: 8 minutes
• Godafoss: 40 minutes
• Husavik (Fishing town and the best whale watching): 40 minutes
• Myvatn Nature Baths: 8 minutes
• Námafjall Geothermal Area (Note the Iceland Nature Pass is in affect): 10 minutes
• Hvitserkur Sea Arch: 4 hours 20 minutes
• KEF Airport: 6.5 hours

In the Iceland summer months (May-September), you’re able to easily navigate the roads from Southern Iceland but in Icelandic winter months (October to April).  But we would strongly encourage you to fly from the Reykavik Airport to the Akureyri Airport and then rent a car to continue on to Hotel Reynihlid.

Whether looking for your Iceland wedding to be in spring, summer, or winter, Hotel Reynihlid can support your vows in any season! With so many activities whether sun, rain, or snow, you and your loved ones will always have something new to experience. When your day’s adventures come to an end, you’ll be able to head back to the comfort of the hotel, enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail from Reynihlid’s full service bar and watch the sunset from the comfort of their beautiful and welcoming sun room while going over your day. All preparing you for the bedtime story of the Midnight Sun or the dazzling Northern Lights before settling into bed to catch some rest for your new adventures tomorrow.

We encourage you to contact Hotel Reynihlid for your next trip to Northern Iceland, you will not be disappointed! In the meantime, please delight in the images we photographed there this past summer when we did an Iceland Styled Session onsite there along with a few little tidbits around the area.

Hotel Reynihlid’s Contact Information:

• Website: http://www.reynihlid.is
• Address: 660 Myvatn; Myvatn, Iceland
• Phone: +354 464 4371
• Hotel Reynihlid GPS Cordinates: 65.6453341?N, -17.0626309?W

Stay tuned next time for another pick on our 2014 Top Iceland Wedding Hotel list! But just in case you missed the previous weeks posts… go back and check out our other 2 favorites from this year:

• Hotel Borg
• Brimnes Hotel & Cabins

With a smile, – Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Planner and Photographer)

© 2002-2014, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

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It’s that time a year again… Where we share our picks on the “Top Iceland Wedding Hotels” and this year we have some really brilliant ones!  So please stay tuned over the next several weeks to learn who made it this year!  In the meantime, when thinking about my favorite hotels in downtown Reykjavik one specifically comes to mind that seriously makes me swoon: Hotel Borg.

I’ll step away for a moment and allow Beth to fill you in our experience!

–Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographer & Planner)

Hard to sum up very many places with one word, but Hotel Borg does just that; FABULOUS!

Like stepping into vintage Hollywood with a modern flair, Borg has left no amenity behind while designing a boutique hotel around comfort and relaxation, even though its fully equipped for any business travel or lavish event. An easy 45 minute drive from the KEF Airport, Hotel Borg would be an exquisite location for your Iceland destination wedding group. With 56 stunning art deco rooms to fit every need, and an addition of 43 more in 2015 it’s idyllic for any group size. Golden Hall is a gorgeous reception space and is truly dreamy with its stunning use of lighting, elegant framed mirrors, and architectural touches that can accommodate 50-75 people for your unforgettable Iceland wedding reception!

Set perfectly in what you could call the “town square” of downtown Reykjavik, Borg is centrally located to tourist attractions, dining, shopping, and varied nightlife! Especially with Reykjavik’s convenient positioning between local culture and the nearby options of multiple whale watching and sea excursions, the Golden Circle, and the majority of southern Iceland’s most beautiful attractions are all within about a two hour drive. So Hotel Borg ‘s supreme location provides the ability to fit so much adventure into any length of stay!

With beautiful views of the city, harbor, and “Midnight Sun-sets” the hotel offers many different styles of amenities. As soon as you walk in, the lobby is warm and inviting, with lovely décor and lighting, and refreshingly friendly front desk staff that is available around the clock to help with every request. Hotel Borg is so helpful with assistance in the booking of any adventure big or small, and is a local excursion transfer spot for most activities that makes any outing super convenient.

The lovely room’s at Borg emit luxury with posh linens, spa style bath products, and functionally designed layouts that allow for the transition from work to play with the ultimate of ease for any traveler. Modern baths with heated marble floors, towel warmers, and deep soaking tubs that will pamper any bride, groom, or newlyweds! The lush robes and slippers will help in your relaxation for your big day. All of the rooms have lovely views, but the balcony room suites are a fantastic mini escape while planning your next big adventure or just remembering the highlights of your epic Iceland wedding day over a glass of wine.

Within Hotel Borg, the option of the restaurant is a daily or nightly option, with every day starting off with a fanciful spread for breakfast that should complement even the pickiest of palates. A full dinner service is offered nightly as well along with the most lavish of special event menu options for a welcome dinner or for your wedding feast! If a cocktail is what your taste buds are pleading for then Borg is connected to a great little watering hole, offering lovely craft cocktails, small bites, and because who doesn’t love fresh popped truffle popcorn! If you’re adventurous side wants to go out and explore beyond the hotel for libations or local cuisine then the options are limitless and all within the shortest of walking distance of this fabulous Iceland hotel.

Hands down one of the best and most beautiful hotel’s in Iceland to stay… Borg offers something for every discerning kind of taste. There’s nothing like popping a bottle of champagne on one of the beautiful balconies overlooking downtown and watching the fiery colors of sunset at the end of a long day of adventure!

With a smile, Beth Golden (Iceland Wedding Videographer & Planner)

Hotel Borg Contact Information:

• Website: http://en.hotelborg.is
• Address: Posthusstraeti 11; 101 Reykjavik – Iceland
• Phone: +354-551 1440
•  Hotel Borg GPS Coordinates: 64° 8,824’N, 21° 56,324’W

© 2002-2014, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Hotel Borg: A Fabulous Iceland Wedding Hotel appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Thanks for stopping by our Iceland Wedding Planner blog today to check out our third installment on the very best and most unique Iceland wedding hotels!

Hveragerði (pronunciation found here) in Southwest Iceland, is known as the hot spring capital of the world.  It is only 45km from downtown Reykjavík, but still far enough away to offer a spacious country feel.  This fabulous and historical city is home to one of our favorite Iceland wedding hotels, Frost and Fire.  It is unlike any other hotel in Iceland, because of its distinctive experience.  There are very few hotels in the world that are built on active geothermal land.  The property also borders alongside of a river with hiking trails, and a waterfall.  Being outside of the city limits of Reykjavik also allows the chance of viewing the Northern Lights during the winter months.

The first rooms of this boutique hotel were built in 1995 and it has continued over the years to expand along the banks of the Varma River.  Presently, Frost and Fire has 19 rooms with 4 more on the way to completed by this summer.  The location, the wilderness that surrounds, and staff really set Frost and Fire a part from others in the area.  The river Varma which flows behind the hotel never freezes because of the geothermal heat exiting the ground.  The steam vents around the property exude volcanic gas, bubble, and hiss.  It’s a pretty sight to see especially at night, as it creates a dreamy and romantic atmosphere.

Iceland Wedding Planner’s Visit to Frost and Fire:

From the moment we first­ heard about Frost and Fire in 2012, we were so excited to stay there.  Frost and Fire is such a unique location for couples planning an Iceland wedding that we had to try it out ourselves.  We had made the drive that December morning from Hali Country Hotel in Hofn to Frost and Fire in Hveragerði.  From Route 1 you turn onto Breiðamörk Road which takes you into the town of Hveragerði.  It has a well maintained historical downtown.  So if you have time to spend, check it out!

As you head further up the road towards Frost and Fire you will be passing by the Varma hot spring river and Reykjafoss waterfall on the right hand side.  This charming waterfall was once the site of a wool factory (1902 – 1914) which ran its electricity from the power generated by the waterfall.  Now stands just a ruin of the factory’s foundation, but the old world stones provide a fabulous backdrop for some really gorgeous Iceland wedding photos.

If you continue down the road, you will find Frost and Fire’s entrance on the right hand side.  Once you park and step out of the car you may smell a tinge of sulphur and see steam rising from mounds in the ground.  You check in at the main building where the restaurant Varma is.  No matter the hour you check in a staff member will greet you with a warm smile, give you direction to your room, and explain the wonderful amenities.  We felt so welcome and thrilled to be there!

Our room was in the main building on the far left side near the pool.  The walk to our room was decorated by wall hangings from local Iceland wool artists.  Inside of the room was bright, fun, and inviting.  It was very clean and offered all the comforts of home (queen size bed, hairdryer, warm towels, sandals, robes, TV, and coffee).  To our surprise, our room also offered a phenomenal balcony that gave us a direct view of the rippling Varma river.

After settling in to our romantic abode, we changed and decided to give their spa facilities a whirl.  They have a 39 foot geothermal heated swimming pool, hot tubs, a circulation relaxation room, and a sauna which all guests have the ability to use at any of time during their stay.  They also offer massage and acupuncture services onsite by appointment.  The swimming pool and hot tubs were our personal favorites during our stay, especially at night.  Feeling the cold air rush beside you, seeing the stars, and steam rising from the ground created a romantic and mysterious setting that is unforgettable.

In the restaurant Varma, they serve traditional Icelandic foods such as an appetizer titled, “A Taste of Iceland” which is a mix in season traditional foods like smoked puffin/goose, Icelandic langoustine, Artic Char, etc (2,200 ISK / 20 USD).  They also have other interesting menu items to choose from like Fish Stew (2,800 ISK / 25 USD) and Grilled Horse Tenderloin (4,440 ISK / 40 USD).

We had kept our fingers crossed for seeing the Northern Lights that night but sadly our clear night turned into a downpour of rain for the remainder of our stay.  But had we been graced by the Northern Lights presence, a staff member would have come around and knocked on each guests door to let them know to come out.  When we turned in for the night we kept the sliding balcony door open slightly to hear the sound of the river rushing, it was so relaxing to sleep to!

A European style breakfast is included with your room stay each morning and is served in the Varma restaurant.  You can anticipate fresh fruit,  different types of rúgbrauði (rugbread), cereals, meats, cheeses, liver oil shots, coffee, juices, and a special boil an egg station.  Guests are invited to try their hand at boiling an egg in the geothermal ground outside.  What a unique experience!

Despite the sideways rain during most our stay at Frost and Fire, we still enjoyed every second of it!  Before leaving Frost and Fire, we took a 10 minute walk down the path south of the hotel and enjoyed the wool factory ruin and Reykjafoss waterfall.  There is a flat area to the left side of the waterfall that would be perfect for a intimate Iceland waterfall wedding of 20 people or so.  In case of rain an alternative option could be Hveragerðiskirkja Church only minutes away.  The closest natural wonder attraction to Frost and Fire would be the Geothermal Park where you can take a dip in warm hot springs, bake bread with heat from the ground, or hike.  If you visit in the summer they are open every day otherwise you must call ahead.  Frost and Fire is a great base camp if you intend on doing a self drive tour of the Golden Circle as it is close proximity of Gulfoss Waterfall, Geysir, Kerid Volcanic Crater Lake, Skálholt, and river rafting on Hvítá.

Frost and Fire is an optimum location for Iceland spring and summer weddings.  With a waterfall on the pathway south of Frost and Fire’s property, it provides a grand natural backdrop. What a romantic walk it would be for guests and the bride to take.  So dreamy!  The hotel and restaurant can accommodate an Iceland destination wedding of up to 50 people.

We had a wonderful time chatting with the owner, Elfa Dögg Þórðardóttir about Iceland destination weddings at Frost and Fire.  She offered this advice to couples planning an Iceland wedding, “Have enough time for hotel reservations, since we get fully booked over the summertime.  Use the amazing nature.” We very much agree with Elfa too!  If you’re planning an Iceland summer wedding you should try to book at least 12-18 months before to ensure your first choice on location.  Frost and Fire is already taking bookings into 2015, so do not delay if you’re interested in staying here on your Iceland wedding day, honeymoon, or romantic getaway.

Frost and Fire’s Contact Information:

Website: http://www.frostogfuni.is/
Address: 810 Hverhamar; Hveragerdi, Iceland
Frost and Fire GPS Coordinates: 64.006122 N” -21.184113 W”
Phone : +354 483-4959
E-mail: info@frostogfuni.is

Thanks for stopping by our Iceland Wedding Blog today and checking out Frost and Fire.  Remember to go back to our other posts in this series too as you plan your Iceland wedding adventure:  Hali Country Hotel and Hotel Laekur.  Make sure you come back to read about our final location that topped our favorite host hotel list for 2013, you won’t want to miss it!  If you’re a couple who has decided on Iceland as your destination wedding location, congratulations!  We’d love to chat with you more about your dream wedding in Iceland, be your wedding planners and Iceland wedding photographers!  Please feel free to contact us directly here.

With a smile, Ann & Chris Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographers)

2002-2014, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

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We’re back and super excited to kick off our newest Iceland Wedding Planner blog post series!  Over the next several weeks you can look forward to exploring some unique and outstanding hotels in Iceland that made our favorite list this year.  So whether you’re going to Iceland to celebrate your wedding day, honeymoon, anniversary or just planning a romantic adventure trip, we will be sharing with you some of their most beautiful places to stay.

Did you know there is a hidden gem in Hella, Iceland?  Hótel Lækur (Pronounced in English: Hotel Lie-kere) is a super sweet Southern Iceland country hotel 10km off of the infamous Route 1.  Just built at the end of 2012, Hótel Lækur is one of Iceland’s newest hotels that offer an epic countryside view of the Northern Lights (most often seen between November-March).  We had the pleasure of staying there for one evening and are already carving out time to return!

The owner Gunnar and his family spent 2012 remodeling a country barn into this now a delightful 13 room hotel.  The handcrafted details throughout the hotel create an overall warm bucolic appeal.  The hotel is a family run horse farm, and offers 1-8 hour adventure trips around the area.  There is also a fabulous restaurant onsite that offers a delicious traditional Icelandic breakfast and supper. The starting price for a room at the Hótel Lækur begins at approximately $125 USD depending on the season (breakfast included).

Iceland Wedding Planner’s Visit to Hótel Lækur: 

We started our journey in downtown Reykjavík, about 100km from Hótel Lækur.  This was our first time visiting Iceland in November / December.  During this time of year you have about 5 hours of actual daylight (Sunrise ~10:45am and Sunset ~3:45pm).  You do have a prolonged dawn from 9:30-10:30am and dusk from about 3:45-4:15pm.  Even in the pouring rain and at times a snowy mix through the mountains, the scenery was still awe-inspiring.  It was tough for me to contain my urge to want to make stops every 15 minutes to take in the stunning scenery!

Coming from either way on Route 1 you will clearly see the large “Hótel Lækur” sign from the road pointing you 10km down the road, Gunnersholt to Hróarslækur.  The road is paved until the last few kilometers but is extremely well kept.  Our excitement grew each time we saw another teaser Hótel Lækur sign, we were so excited!  Once we approached the final sign leading us to the left turn down the hotels private road, we saw Hótel Lækur’s stunning horses.  Regardless of the pouring rain and wind, we pulled over, got out, and made friends.  The horses had beautiful colors, were well kept, incredibly friendly, and allowed us to pet and photograph them.  So sweet!  Next time we return, we are for sure going to book a riding adventure with these spectacular horses!

We continued down the stone driveway that dead ends to the hotel.  It was just as beautiful as all of the photos online depicted.  Hótel Lækur backs up to a river and offers a perfect view of Mount Hekla (on a clear day).  We were immediately greeted by the owner, Gunnar’s welcoming smile. He proceeded to take us on a tour of their hotel.  During our visit they were in the midst of completing the installation of their new outdoor hot tubs.  How soothing will it be to soak in the warm water with the view of the river and mountains!

We were in Room #5 located above the dining room.  There was an outside entrance with a cute little patio set and our room boasted both a view of the river and a sight in the direction of Mount Hekla.  Upon entering, the room was bright, clean, warm and cozy.  With all the basic amenities of home we were quickly settled into our Icelandic country escape.

That afternoon we went down to the reception dining area and happily found our host brewing fresh coffee!  Yum!  After tirelessly traveling, having been awake for more than 36 hours straight, and battling sideways rain, a late afternoon cup and connecting to their WiFi was heaven sent!  We then spent some time chatting with the owner for a while about weddings and how popular having a destination wedding in Iceland has now become. So much attention has been brought to Iceland over the last 2 years because of movies and TV shows filming around the country. The film crew of the upcoming blockbuster Noah even stayed at Hotel Lækur!

The dining room feels warm and inviting, like when you visit family on the holidays.  The walls are decorated with local artist’s work adding an excellent touch to the feel of the room.  The theme of being family run comes out in passion put into the home cooking.  Dinner was served at 7pm.  While dining at Hótel Lækur, each of the 3 courses were formally introduced by the chef (Gunnar’s son).  We delightfully dined in the following courses:

First Course:

A traditional Icelandic appetizer plate was served featuring the following fresh foods:

• Smoked Trout (Caught in the river behind the hotel and smoked in a nearby town).
• Rúgbrauð (Icelandic bread which is traditionally cooked in the ground from the geothermal heat (ours was cooked in the oven). It was some of the most amazing sweet bread we have ever had!).
• Caramelized onions, and dill pickle savory cream sauce.

The combination was exquisite to the palette. Each bite you could taste the sweet, savory, and the smokiness of the fish.

Second Course:

Our mouths were watering as soon as the beautiful main course was set down in front of us.  It was a beautifully plated dish consisting of the following items:

• Fresh Salad: Topped with an assortment of roasted pine nuts and Icelandic spiced feta cheese.
• Beef Tenderloin.
• Roasted Potatoes.
• Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce.

Our main course was fragrant and fresh and left us eagerly awaiting the final surprise course.

Third Course:

Chris and I are both big fans of dessert and were thrilled when the Hótel Lækur team brought us something we had never had before!

• Date cake with vanilla and chocolate ice cream.
• Refreshing Kiwi in a chocolate sauce.
• Homemade date chocolate.

Combining all of these flavors and the fact that every bite we had was homemade really made our dining experience exceptional.  Bravo Hótel Lækur on a job well done, we were left impressed!

Hótel Lækur can handle up to 40 people in their dining area.  Above the dining area there is also lounge where you can relax and enjoy an Icelandic beer or a cocktail before or after dinner.  They are also happy to accommodate anyone in their restaurant who is vegetarian or needs gluten free option, just ask ahead of time.  On an extra note, they offer coffee and tea 24/7 for their guests in the dining area.

After dinner we retired to our room.  Since it had been raining and cloudy all day, we were not really expecting to be graced with an appearance of the Northern Lights.  But, knowing the chances would be slim we still found ourselves getting up every hour or so to go out and check “just in case.”  The good news is that Hótel Lækur keeps an eye out for you and offers a wake up knock too to ensure you do not miss the fabulous showing of the Aurora if they come out.  Luckily the clouds parted for a short time between 1:30-2am and we were marveled by their presence!  Hótel Lækur is a beautiful spot to photograph the Northern Lights.  They have this great little hillside you can setup your tripod on and capture the hotel in the foreground and Mount Hekla in the background.

Morning at Hótel Lækur brought hot Icelandic coffee and a traditional European breakfast spread.  You can expect items like oatmeal, warm Icelandic Rúgbrauð, cereals, meats, cheeses, date cakes, and various juices to be a part of their banquet.

Hótel Lækur held their first destination wedding this past summer and have several booked for the upcoming year in 2014.  In our opinion, this hotel would be a charming location to hold a destination wedding in Iceland because of the exclusivity of the location, country feel, and opportunity to view the Northern Lights (no light pollution).  If you also book early enough you have the option of renting the entire hotel for your group.  Hótel Lækur also has enough acreage on the property to host your Iceland wedding ceremony along the river behind the hotel or with Mount Hekla as a backdrop.  Not to mention they are also minutes away from the historic Keldur and Oddi Church, Thórsmörk Mountain Ridge, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and Gullfoss waterfalls.  This location can also easily be your gateway to all of the epic natural wonders Southern Iceland has to offer and we encourage you to check them out!

Hótel Lækur’s Information:

• Website: http://hotellaekur.is
• Hróarslækur Horse Rental
• Hotel Laekur GPS Coordinates: 63.8469134 N’’ -20.17052 W’’
• Address:  851 Hróarslæk; Hella, Iceland
• Phone: +354-466-3930

We hope you have enjoyed our first installment of our newest series!  Are you contemplating having an Iceland destination wedding or an Iceland elopement?  Iceland Wedding Planner offers the best of both worlds… Wedding planning and photography in one package!  Feel free to contact us to get the conversation started about your dream wedding in Iceland!

With a smile,

Ann & Chris Peters

2002-2013, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

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