Hlíd Hostel

The place was very clean, and it was easy to check-in. The kitchen was big and well furnished, but got a bit disappointed seeing there wasn’t cooking oil, salt or pepper. The bunk beds were comfortable enough, but the lack of privacy curtains was a bit off putting. I got to sleep in my room alone, so it’s not too bad, but I wouldn’t like having strangers come and go and just see me sleep. Finally, I feel like the blanket fee is a bit deceiving. While it is mentioned on *******, it’s like 1500 ISK, in person they charged me 3500 ISK (could’ve been 3000 ISK if I messaged them in advance..). Overall, I don’t think a fee make sense, just include the bedsheets in the price, it’s an hostel..

The room with two bunk-beds was very small for four people. It was hot, stuffy and poorly soundproofed. We spent three nights there and EVERY night there was quite a big fat spider on the ceiling. First night - spider has rappelled on the head of our son. He awoke, saw the spider above his face and awoke all of us. Second night - daughter saw spider rappelled from the ceiling on the side around 4am, awoke us and asked us to remove it; third night- we saw the spider around 10 pm and removed it. In summer time is it not getting dark, thus you can see everything everywhere. Our kids are not little, nevertheless they felt uncomfortable. It seems that the construction is poorly „sealed“ and has a lot of holes.

Loved the dining room! But not the flies ;)

Bare bones Hostel, which is overpriced for its standard because it has a virtual monopoly on being the only ‘cheap’ accommodation in the area. Unless you are camping at Hild which is cheaper. I booked direct with bedding as an extra which was just over £49 for one night. Had to go to the separate Hild reception building to book in & pay on arrival where you get your key to the room & you get given your bed number. I wasn’t keen on the bed configuration here, no dividers, so if you happen to be tall you may end up brushing feet with the person sleeping at the other end. Personally, I wasn’t keen on the central ladders to the bunks either, as you could easily be disturbed or disturb somebody else who is sleeping. The kitchen is basic but functional. The showers look as if they have been relatively recently updated. But you have 13 rooms of 4 bunks = 52 people and only four showers. Good job I was up at 5am, otherwise there may have been a queue for them. There was a slight smell of sulphur using the hot water, not a problem, it wasn’t overpowering. Eating area is pretty cool to be fair with its view of the lava field. Check in is between 5-8pm only.

Rooms are very tiny and hard to even open large bags. Kitchen area was fine but there were just too many people using it at the same time. Pricing is higher compared to what they provide.

It was nice and clean!