Hotel Fron - Reykjavik

We stayed here three nights on our short break in Iceland and found it to be clean and very centrally located for all the sights in Reykjavik.

I was quite taken with the artwork in the Reception area.

The Reception area was a decent size with comfortable seats where we could wait for taxis or mini buses for trips.

Our room was a kind of suite with a kitchenette, and a seating area but it was all a bit dated and tired looking although it was very clean.

The seats were not that comfortable and the TV was small and an old fashioned CRT model. Luckily a lot of Icelandic TV is in English so when we did watch it we could understand it.

As you can see the decor is a but tired but the room was pretty big. the view was dull and all we could see was a very small car park.

The beds were actually two singles pushed together made up as two singles which were more comfortable than they looked.

We had breakfast included and it was a simple buffet with Icelandic yogurt called skyr which I liked, some fresh fruit , breads and  some cheese and cold meats. It was not the best breakfast we had ever had but it was far from being the worst. It gave us a good start to the day.

The Blue Lagoon

One of the things we wanted to do when we visited Iceland was to go to the Blue Lagoon.

We arrived just as it opened in the morning and being winter the sun had not yet come up. I believe it was around 10 am at least.

We enjoyed a coffee and snack in the cafe overlooking the lagoon before heading for the changing rooms.

The lagoon was gloriously warm but in order to get into the water you had to leave your wrap and shoes on a hanging clothes stand and walk speedily into the water before you got too cold.

The sun coming up and the steamy geyser in the centre sending up lots of steam.

Around the lagoon edges there were boxes full of salty slop which you could put on your face . It dried white and crisp and then you carefully washed it off trying not to get it in your eyes. It was meant to help your skin look great.z

The steam made the whole place slightly eerie looking. You had to swim splash free as the salty water would make your eyes sting but the salt kept you floating easily if you just wanted to lie back and float.

You had to be careful not to stay in too long as warm salty water is quite dehydrating. When we out out we had plenty of water to drink.

The changing rooms were sleek and clean

Looking out over the lagoon from the cafe where we had lots of water and something to eat.

Outside the Blue Lagoon there were thermal pools and beautiful blue water with salty crystals at the edges.

Thermal pools and volcanic scenery around the Blue Lagoon.

Snow crystals around the thermal pools.

Volcanic rocks surround the Blue Lagoon.

Harpa - The Concert Hall in Reykjavik

This modern building made of lots of glass windows reflects the sky and sea beautifully.

This new building is right on the sea front not far from the Old Harbour and can be seen from some way away.

It is the home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera has hosted concerts from Bjork and many other modern musicians.

The design was influenced by Iceland's natural and dramatic scenery and the glass exterior was designed by  Olafur Elisson who also designed the New York Harbour installation.

Whatever time we passed this building the colours changed. It looked great in all the lights. At night it was light up with multi colours while during the day it reflected what was going on around it.

This photo shows what the Harpa building looks like from across the harbour.

The concert Hall has four main halls and several smaller meeting rooms. The largest concert hall holds a huge 1,800 seated visitors.

The building is basically a steel frame covered with different coloured geometric glass panels which change colour as the light changes.

Inside was a dramatic as outside.

We had a cup of coffee at the cafe and thought about going on a tour but we were running short of time so decided not to bother. 

A beautiful modern building that adds to rather than detracts from the other buildings around.

Höfði House in Reykjavik

We spent one morning walking along the sea front in Reykjavik. We made our way first of all the the Höfði House. This was originally the French Consul's residence and was built in 1909.

It  is considered to be one of the most beautiful and historically significant buildings in the Reykjavík area but does have a resident ghost according to the local tales.

It’s best known as the location for the 1986 summit meeting of presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbatsjov, a historical event that effectively marked the end of the Cold War. 

Famous guests who have slept here include  Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchilll and Marlene Dietrich.

It does look beautiful set against the snow capped mountains in the background you have to agree.

Around Reykjavik part 1

We spent a few days in Reykjavik in January 2013 and had a great time exploring the city and beyond.

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This is the Parliament House(Alpingishus)  of Iceland in Reykjavik today.  Iceland's ancient assembly (Althingi) met at Thingvellir from 930 AD until 1798 when it moved to Reykjavik and this building. There are no fences or security around the place and you can sit on the door step if you wanted to. This place was the scene of big riots when the Icelandic kroner collapsed some years back.

This statue was near the large lake and I have absolutely no idea what it it trying to say but just found it entertaining.

This large lake was in the  middle of the city and made a lovely peaceful place to sit and watch the water birds. We walked pretty much all around it while we were there.

Such a pretty city as you ca see from these photos.

Of course Reykjavik is also a port and we enjoyed a wander around the harbour area. We thought of taking a whale watching trip but it looked rather too cold and rough for us.

                                  

The big church Hallgrímskirkja can be seen from pretty much all around the city as although it is not that high, everywhere else is very low in the city. there are no sky scrapers or high buildings at all.

Just a few photos to give you an idea of this pretty little, quiet yet welcoming city.

I will write another blog about the sea front of Reykjavik and the places along the sea  front of the city as that was also very interesting and there were different things to see.