Lava Hostel in Hafnarfjordur
✅ Multiple reviews highlight the friendly and helpful staff, with one calling the manager a 'constant ray of sunshine'. ✅ Free laundry and showers are rare perks in Reykjavik hostels and were appreciated by several guests. ✅ The shared kitchen is well-equipped with fridges, stoves, ovens, and cooking utensils, though it can be crowded at dinner times. ✅ Cleanliness and maintenance are generally rated good for the price, with several guests describing the hostel and campsite as clean and well-kept. ✅ Food-share shelf and bar add convenience and a communal atmosphere. ❌ One guest reported a serious issue with room overbooking and disruptive behavior late at night, resulting in poor sleep and a pending refund. ❌ Some guests found the campsite cramped and noted that showers reserved for campers were sometimes used publicly, leading to limited availability. ❌ Wi-Fi connectivity issues were mentioned, though staff resolved the problem by directing guests to a working network. ❌ Location was criticized by some for being a 45-minute bus ride from downtown Reykjavik, limiting evening activities. ❌ Limited space in rooms for luggage was noted, and overall cleanliness could be improved according to one review.
Rooms and prices
deals
deals
deals
deals
deals
deals
Description
Lava Hostel in Hafnarfjordur offers a budget-friendly stay with a variety of room options including dorm beds with or without views, standard rooms, and family accommodations. The property provides essential amenities such as free parking, a shared kitchen equipped with ample cooking ware, laundry facilities including a washing machine, and free Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy non-smoking rooms, heating, and several communal spaces including a garden, terrace, and children's playground. Keyless entry with keypad locks simplifies check-in and check-out. The hostel’s bar and food-share shelf add to the community feel. Despite its modest rating of 7.2/10, many guests praise the friendly staff and cleanliness, though some note occasional issues with overcrowding in dorms and shared spaces. Pets are not allowed, and children of all ages are welcome, though extra beds and cribs cannot be provided.
Location
Located at Hjallabraut 51, Lava Hostel sits approximately 6 km from Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV) and about 2.7 km from the Icelandic Museum of Design and Applied Art. The nearest beach, Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach, is 5.4 km away. Guests staying here will find themselves in Hafnarfjordur, a quieter town outside central Reykjavik, with a bus ride into downtown taking roughly 45 minutes. The hostel is adjacent to a park area, providing pleasant walking opportunities nearby. While it is not in the center of Reykjavik, its proximity to local shops and public transportation offers reasonable access to city attractions.
Tips
- Book your bed or room in advance as the hostel fills up quickly, especially during peak season.
- Label your food carefully when using the shared kitchen fridge to avoid mix-ups.
- If you rely on public transport, plan your schedule around the 45-minute bus ride to Reykjavik to avoid late-night travel issues.
Policies and conditions
- Child policies: Children of all ages are welcome at this property. 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: For all room types, cribs and extra beds cannot be added.
- 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
Services and facilities
- Smoke-free property
- Heating
- Garden
- Terrace
- All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
- Outdoor furniture
- Non-smoking rooms
- Family room
- Laundry
- Luggage storage
- Common kitchen
- Internet access
- English
- Barbecue grill(s)
- Hiking
- Picnic area
- Sun Deck
- Parking
- Meeting and presentation facilities
- Children's playground
- Family/Kid Friendly
- Pets Not Allowed
Video
Map
Reviews
Place is clean, for the price amazing. A grocery store is close and there is a fridge you can use when labeling your food. The place has a piano, plenty of tables and chairs and even a few couches. The doors for the rooms are locked with keypads so no key is needed and checkout is very easy.
Fortunately, there was still a resident who was awake and allowed me to go to his room where a bed was still available. I slept extremely poorly because my belongings were in my room, and I was sleeping in another room. I was afraid all night that someone would kick me out of the bed because a man entered the room around 2:30 AM, woke everyone up, turned on the light, and spoke loudly and aggressively to force a girl who was sleeping in her underwear to get out of the bed that was supposedly his. It was very degrading for her, and no one said anything because he seemed threatening and not at all friendly. I slept extremely poorly, and after explaining my problem to the concierge the next morning, he told me to send an email with my story so that I could get a refund. Someone responded to my email, apologizing for the inconvenience and saying they wanted to investigate the events of the evening and promised me a refund for my one-night stay.
I am still waiting for the refund and the outcome of this investigation…
If you had kept your word, I would have given a good rating because I would have thought that you would take the necessary measures to ensure that such an experience does not happen again at your establishment.
POIs near hotel
Frequently asked questions about Lava Hostel
Are pets allowed at Lava Hostel?
Pets are not allowed at Lava Hostel according to the hotel policies.
What room types are available at Lava Hostel?
Lava Hostel offers Run of House room, Bed in Dorm, Bed in Dorm with view, Standard room, Standard Family room, and Standard Double room.
Is there laundry service available on site?
Yes, the hostel provides laundry facilities including a washing machine free of charge.
How far is Lava Hostel from Reykjavik city center?
Lava Hostel is located in Hafnarfjordur, about a 45-minute bus ride from downtown Reykjavik.
Are children allowed to stay at Lava Hostel?
Children of all ages are welcome, but cribs and extra beds cannot be added to any room type.
