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135 USD
Kex Hostel in Reykjavik
🌍 Iceland, Reykjavik, Islandiya
● Center: 830 m
🌞 Beach - 2.7 km
✅ Staff consistently described as friendly, helpful, and accommodating, including early check-in assistance and problem-solving for guests. ✅ Clean and comfortable rooms with good views, including upgrades to double rooms with TVs at no extra cost. ✅ The bar and live music events are frequently mentioned as highlights, providing a social and lively atmosphere. ✅ Location praised for easy walking distance to city center, restaurants, and transport, plus proximity to the seafront. ✅ Facilities like free bike rentals, shared kitchen, and luggage storage add convenience for travelers. ❌ Shared bathrooms can become unpleasant with slow replenishment of supplies and lack of partitions, making showering less private. ❌ Some guests reported noise disturbances from parties and noisy roommates, including loud lockers at night. ❌ Elevator outages with unclear emergency exit routes caused safety concerns and guest frustration. ❌ Room and furniture condition noted as worn, with suggestions that the building requires renovation. ❌ Issues with bed assignments and locker charges, as well as paid towels and lack of toiletries, were inconvenient for some guests.
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Rooms and prices
2 guests
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Bed in Dorm
Wireless internet and shower
158 USD
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Room
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Single room
Wireless internet and shower
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Family room
Family room with internet and shower
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Double room
Wireless internet and shower
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Tiny room
Shared bathroom
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Plus Double room
Shared bathroom
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Description
Kex Hostel in Reykjavik offers a budget-friendly 2-star accommodation in a building dating from 2015, combining dormitory-style and private rooms ranging from singles to family options. With a strong emphasis on social interaction, the hostel features a lively bar, live music events, and a shared kitchen to prepare your own meals. Cleanliness scores high at 9/10, and the friendly staff often receive praise for their helpfulness and hospitality. You'll find facilities such as free bike rentals, a garden, terrace, and meeting spaces, alongside practical amenities like 24-hour reception, luggage storage, and free parking. The hostel’s design is distinctively quirky, with a mix of vintage and modern elements. While rooms provide comfort and some offer city views, the hostel's shared bathrooms and occasional noise from events may not suit everyone. Expect a vibrant atmosphere suitable for solo travelers and groups, with easy access to Reykjavik’s city center and cultural spots.
Location
Kex Hostel is located at Skúlagata 28 in Reykjavik’s Midborg district, approximately 2 km from Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). The hostel is within walking distance of downtown Reykjavik, close to popular restaurants like Domino's Pizza (96 m), Argentina Steakhouse (155 m), and Eldsmiðjan (185 m). Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach is about 2.7 km away for those interested in seaside activities. The hostel is also near the BSI bus terminal, making public transport connections convenient. Its central location places you close to shops, bars, and cultural venues, while being in a relatively quiet part of town. Expect some wind when stepping outside due to its proximity to the waterfront.
Tips
- Bring your own shower shoes for the shared bathrooms as they can get crowded and less clean.
- Carry a lock for the lockers and consider disposable bedding for dorm stays.
- If you have heavy luggage or an early flight, check on elevator status beforehand and ask for clear instructions on emergency exits.
Policies and conditions
- Child policies: Children can stay in some rooms of this hotel. Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
- Cribs and Extra Beds: Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.
- Breakfast: Buffet [Mon - Sun] 07:00-11:00 Open Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed
- Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
- Paying at the hotel: MasterCard, Visa, AmericanExpress, DinersClub
- Check in time: 15:00. Check out time: 11:00.
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Services and facilities
General
- Shopping on site
- 24-hour reception
- Smoke-free property
- Heating
- Ticket assistance
- Gift shop
- Garden
- Terrace
- Fire Extinguisher
- No elevators
Rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Smoke Detector
- Shower
- Wardrobe/Closet
- Linens
- Toiletries
Accessibility
- Accessibility features
Services and amenities
- Luggage storage
- Laundry
- Safe-deposit box
- Concierge services
- Luggage storage
Meals
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Buffet breakfast
- Common kitchen
- Restaurant
- Microwave oven
- Packed Lunches
Internet
- Free Wi-Fi
Transfer
- Airport transportation
Languages Spoken
- English
- Multi-language staff
Tourist services
- Tour assistance
Recreation
- Library
- Bike rental
Parking
- Parking nearby
Pool and beach
- Beach/pool towels
Business
- Meeting and presentation facilities
- Conference Hall
Beauty and wellness
- First Aid Kit
Kids
- Playroom
Pets
- Pets Not Allowed
The nearest beach is located on the distance of 2700 m. It takes 41 minute To the beach!
Hotel view
Video: Kælan Mikla live at Kex Hostel - Reykjavik, Iceland - 24.03.2023
Map
Reviews
21.05.2026
Stayed here for 5 days during my recent to Iceland. Its very chic and comfy! Our room had a great view of the church! The staff are super friendly and helpful! Its affordable and quiet for a hostel. Highly recommend! (Do bring shower shoes for the shared showers tho. The bathrooms get a little icky after a lot of use).
09.02.2026
This hostel ranks among the worst I've experienced in Europe.
The 4th floor is supposed to have hairdryers. On my first day, I asked the front desk and they said one should be there but it had 'disappeared'. They had spares, but never restocked them, so I had to go down and borrow one every time. Once, they even lent me two broken ones in a row.
In the restrooms, I'd find one out of three stalls without toilet paper. The kitchen paper was replenished very slowly. The kitchen itself was a mess, greasy everywhere, and the sink was constantly full of leftover food dumped by guests. One night, someone had a party in the communal kitchen, smashed two glass cups, and didn't clean up, which was a nasty surprise the next morning.
There was also a private party downstairs that blocked off the path to the elevator, so I had to walk up two floors just to get there. The music from the party went on past midnight.
I don't know why, but the 6-bed female dorm seemed to attract 'characters'. On my first day, a white woman, upon realizing I was in the bunk above her, tried everything to get me to move. As soon as I put my bag down, before even getting on the bed, she opened the window by my head and told me to ask the front desk for a different bed because she wanted to eat on her bed (though there was no smell at all). Later that night, she opened the window again, letting the draft blow directly on my head (I woke up and closed it). The next morning, around 7 AM, she asked me why I was disturbing her sleep (seriously, what's wrong with her?). Thankfully, she got angry and moved out herself.
The lockers were incredibly loud; pulling them open at night made a huge noise and easily woke up roommates. The room lighting was very dim, making it hard to see when looking for things in the morning, even with the lights on.
Someone's food was also stolen from the kitchen fridge, but compared to everything else, that was a minor issue.
The 4th floor is supposed to have hairdryers. On my first day, I asked the front desk and they said one should be there but it had 'disappeared'. They had spares, but never restocked them, so I had to go down and borrow one every time. Once, they even lent me two broken ones in a row.
In the restrooms, I'd find one out of three stalls without toilet paper. The kitchen paper was replenished very slowly. The kitchen itself was a mess, greasy everywhere, and the sink was constantly full of leftover food dumped by guests. One night, someone had a party in the communal kitchen, smashed two glass cups, and didn't clean up, which was a nasty surprise the next morning.
There was also a private party downstairs that blocked off the path to the elevator, so I had to walk up two floors just to get there. The music from the party went on past midnight.
I don't know why, but the 6-bed female dorm seemed to attract 'characters'. On my first day, a white woman, upon realizing I was in the bunk above her, tried everything to get me to move. As soon as I put my bag down, before even getting on the bed, she opened the window by my head and told me to ask the front desk for a different bed because she wanted to eat on her bed (though there was no smell at all). Later that night, she opened the window again, letting the draft blow directly on my head (I woke up and closed it). The next morning, around 7 AM, she asked me why I was disturbing her sleep (seriously, what's wrong with her?). Thankfully, she got angry and moved out herself.
The lockers were incredibly loud; pulling them open at night made a huge noise and easily woke up roommates. The room lighting was very dim, making it hard to see when looking for things in the morning, even with the lights on.
Someone's food was also stolen from the kitchen fridge, but compared to everything else, that was a minor issue.
04.02.2026
This place is amazing, book here if you're going to Reykjavik. When we arrived I accidentally booked a day late but the receptionist immediately helped me fix it and even though we were like 4 hours early for check in they let us into our room! We booked a double room but got a free-of-charge upgrade. Both rooms had TVs and they were great. This hostel is right in the city centre and it's on the seafront. That does mean it's windy as hell when you step outside but the view makes up for it. Thank you KEX for your hospitality!!
31.01.2026
On my very first day, I bought a pizza without realizing there wasn’t actually an oven 😅
Instead of letting me feel awkward or disappointed, the person at reception immediately noticed and kindly showed me an alternative way to sort it out. That small, thoughtful moment really stood out.
Great atmosphere, great people, and unforgettable energy. You meet so many like-minded solo travellers and somehow, you never end up solo by the end.
Instead of letting me feel awkward or disappointed, the person at reception immediately noticed and kindly showed me an alternative way to sort it out. That small, thoughtful moment really stood out.
Great atmosphere, great people, and unforgettable energy. You meet so many like-minded solo travellers and somehow, you never end up solo by the end.
26.01.2026
A very... unique experience, my first time staying in a youth hostel. There were 2 guys and 2 girls, each from a different country. I wouldn't recommend bringing large suitcases, as there's not much space to open them in the room and the aisles are quite narrow. It's a good idea to bring disposable bedding (sheets, duvet cover, pillowcase) and a lock for the locker.
21.01.2026
It was better than we expected, friendly staff, clean amenities, spacious room, kitchen was provided as well, knowing everything is so expensive in Iceland, we can’t avoid to prepare our own food while getting ingredients from supermarket nearby. We’vecaught our first northern light in our life at the hostel nearby as well! Everything seems so perfect!
20.01.2026
The hostel is OK but by hanging out rainbow flags everywhere you are assaulting traditional conservative people 👎why no Christian Cross on the wall?✝️
12.01.2026
Wow, I really loved this hostel! The front desk service was excellent, and the facilities were new and complete. The room's view and comfort were outstanding, and I slept incredibly well every night. I'm truly grateful! 🙏 Highly recommend!
10.01.2026
The accommodation's hygiene and location were decent. BUT!!! A very dangerous incident occurred today when I was checking out.
I want to alert every guest staying here. I needed to check out at 3:30 AM to catch a car to the airport. But I discovered the elevator was broken! The staff said the elevator was out of order and I needed to use the stairs. So, I immediately turned around to take the stairs, as there was an emergency exit right next to the elevator. I pushed the door open and carried my 28-inch luggage downstairs. It was an outdoor staircase, and I thought it would lead straight to the ground floor.
However, when I reached the second floor, I found there were no more stairs down? Every door was locked, and I was trapped outside! This was in freezing Iceland!!! I then frantically knocked on a transparent glass window, calling for help. No staff member noticed me until the elderly lady next door was woken up by my knocking. I felt incredibly sorry for her, but I really needed to catch my flight. I was trapped outside for at least 10 minutes.
So I looked for another staircase. When I got to the first floor, I found I still couldn't get out. I knocked again, and finally, a staff member noticed me and said I hadn't reached the right exit yet.
I was so frustrated… I understand that elevator maintenance can happen, but why wasn't I informed a day in advance? If advance notice isn't possible, why weren't there clear instructions on which staircase to use? If the outdoor staircase doesn't lead to an exit, why isn't it closed or inaccessible at night? If I had missed my flight, or if I had been stuck on that outdoor staircase until morning, who would be responsible for my safety?
I want to alert every guest staying here. I needed to check out at 3:30 AM to catch a car to the airport. But I discovered the elevator was broken! The staff said the elevator was out of order and I needed to use the stairs. So, I immediately turned around to take the stairs, as there was an emergency exit right next to the elevator. I pushed the door open and carried my 28-inch luggage downstairs. It was an outdoor staircase, and I thought it would lead straight to the ground floor.
However, when I reached the second floor, I found there were no more stairs down? Every door was locked, and I was trapped outside! This was in freezing Iceland!!! I then frantically knocked on a transparent glass window, calling for help. No staff member noticed me until the elderly lady next door was woken up by my knocking. I felt incredibly sorry for her, but I really needed to catch my flight. I was trapped outside for at least 10 minutes.
So I looked for another staircase. When I got to the first floor, I found I still couldn't get out. I knocked again, and finally, a staff member noticed me and said I hadn't reached the right exit yet.
I was so frustrated… I understand that elevator maintenance can happen, but why wasn't I informed a day in advance? If advance notice isn't possible, why weren't there clear instructions on which staircase to use? If the outdoor staircase doesn't lead to an exit, why isn't it closed or inaccessible at night? If I had missed my flight, or if I had been stuck on that outdoor staircase until morning, who would be responsible for my safety?
08.01.2026
Busses will give a stop at KEX. But the washroom itself is an open bathroom, so you might not be very confortable when you’re taking a bath
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POIs near hotel
The Icelandic Phallological Museum (13 min)
Reykjavik's unconventional museum houses the world's largest collection of phallic specimens from mammals, featuring over 200 preserved examples across multiple floors.
Tickets: Phallological Museum: Entry Ticket, 24 EUR View
National Gallery of Iceland (1 km)
Iceland's premier art institution showcasing Nordic and international contemporary works alongside classical Icelandic paintings. Located in central Reykjavik, it spans multiple venues and collections.
The Black Cone, Monument to Civil Disobedience (1.1 km)
Stone cone in central Reykjavik commemorating Iceland's 1944 independence declaration and protest against Danish sovereignty.
Tickets: Golden Circle & Kerið Crater: Grand Tour from Reykjavik, 76 EUR View
Reykjavik Art Museum (1.1 km)
Iceland's largest art museum showcasing contemporary and historical Icelandic works across multiple downtown locations. Collections span painting, sculpture, and photography reflecting the nation's artistic heritage.
Tickets: Iceland: Perfume Creation Workshop, 174 EUR View
Reykjavik Museum of Photography (1.2 km)
Icelandic photography museum showcasing historic and contemporary works reflecting the nation's visual heritage and artistic traditions.
Tickets: Iceland: Perfume Creation Workshop, 174 EUR View
Cafe and Restaurants near hotel
Restaurant «Domino's Pizza» (1 min)
Skúlagata 26, 101 Reykjavík
Reviews03.01.2018
Great pizza. ?
28.10.2017
Told there was a 30 minute wait for food, we were there for an hour and a half because they 'gave our pizza to someone else'. They didnt have a record of our order when it came to getting a refund. Total waste of time. If you're dead set on pizza go somewhere else.
27.10.2017
They somehow lost my pizza, probably gave it away accidentally. Over 1 hour waiting. Also quite expensive. Avoid.
28.08.2017
Amazing pizza. The crust is thinned to the perfect size. The menu is completely in Icelandic, so it was hard to figure out, but very good either way
16.06.2017
Very quiet and nice place. The pizza was really good
Restaurant «Argentina Steakhouse» (2 min)
Barónsstígur 11a, 101 Reykjavík
Reviews30.12.2017
Great food good service
18.12.2017
Gd food and moderatly priced ...abit more relaxed ..set back 30 metres of main strip
14.10.2017
Excellent lobster soup, tasty porterhouse steak cooked to perfection. Staff is very pleasant and helpful. Ambient could benefit from some improvements.
06.04.2017
Food was good, service was good, prices were as expected. Food prices in Iceland are very high compared to other countries, especially for beef. This premium steakhouse is no exception.
The service was pretty good compared to other restaurants I visited in Iceland.
Nothing about my experience was bad, but this isn't a *MUST GO* restaurant for tourists in Iceland.
The service was pretty good compared to other restaurants I visited in Iceland.
Nothing about my experience was bad, but this isn't a *MUST GO* restaurant for tourists in Iceland.
Restaurant «Eldsmiðjan» (3 min)
Laugavegur 81, 101 Reykjavík
Reviews15.12.2017
I had 2 pizzas in this town. First one was in "No name pizza" place, and that one was outstanding. In this pizzeria it was just normal, good pizza. So it is safe to visit. But... It is just normal...
06.12.2017
Delicious wood fired pizza (you can see the pizza oven in the kitchen). Medium pizza was plenty for 1 person and reasonably priced compared to internationally well known pizza chains. Free fizzy drink refills. Staff are friendly and helpful. Only in Reykjavik for 4 nights, but having tried a few other restaurants here, we've decided to return to Eldsmidjan for our final night evening meal.
26.11.2017
Best pizza we've had! Staff friendly, fast service and great tasting pizza, highly reccomend. Well worth it and get more than your moneys worth
23.09.2017
This pizza spot is right on the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavik. Nice beer selection and laid back atmosphere. My only negative comment here is the sauce. Very basic with very little flavor. Crust was excellent.
21.06.2017
Summary based on one dinner:
-very good pizza, easily comparable to just about any expectation
-service upstairs friendly, but can be a bit slow when busy, which is understandable. We didn't have to wait for seating.
-medium sized is good for dinner, perhaps small. We mistakenly got a large & a medium after ordering two mediums and had enough for another dinner the next night. Take away box provided and we weren't charged extra for the large.
-typical prices for this area
-credit cards accepted
-didn't ask about wifi
-parking wasn't an issue since we walked
Recommended
-very good pizza, easily comparable to just about any expectation
-service upstairs friendly, but can be a bit slow when busy, which is understandable. We didn't have to wait for seating.
-medium sized is good for dinner, perhaps small. We mistakenly got a large & a medium after ordering two mediums and had enough for another dinner the next night. Take away box provided and we weren't charged extra for the large.
-typical prices for this area
-credit cards accepted
-didn't ask about wifi
-parking wasn't an issue since we walked
Recommended
Frequently asked questions about Kex Hostel
What types of rooms does Kex Hostel offer?
Kex Hostel offers Bed in Dorm, Room, Single room, Family room, Double room, Tiny room, and Plus Double room.
Are pets allowed at Kex Hostel?
Pets are not allowed at Kex Hostel.
Is breakfast included at the hostel?
Breakfast is available as a buffet from 07:00 to 11:00 daily, but it is not included in the room price and must be paid for separately.
How far is Kex Hostel from the nearest beach?
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach is approximately 2.7 kilometers from the hostel.
Does the hostel have facilities for disabled guests?
Yes, Kex Hostel has facilities for disabled guests.
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