Hotel Selja in Hvolsvollur
✅ Guests highlight the breakfast variety including bacon, scrambled eggs, and waffles, which is rare in Iceland (mentioned in multiple reviews). ✅ The staff is praised repeatedly for excellent and accommodating service, such as providing to-go breakfasts and allowing gluten-free cooking in the kitchen. ✅ Clean and well-maintained rooms with notably good shower pressure are frequently appreciated. ✅ The location is praised for proximity to Seljalandsfoss waterfall and suitability for northern lights viewing. ✅ The hotel’s restaurant dinner is described as good and the datecake as exceptional. ❌ Some guests mention the hotel’s exterior appearance as deceiving, looking like a metal building in a remote area. ❌ One review points out a smelly drain in the bathroom that could benefit from airing prior to guest arrival. ❌ A few guests found certain rooms uncomfortably warm despite open windows and thermostat adjustments. ❌ The hotel is not close to other dining options, requiring a 15-minute drive to restaurants outside the property. ❌ A single review reported discriminatory behavior by staff toward Chinese guests, an isolated but serious concern.
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Description
Hotel Selja offers travelers a clean and comfortable stay with a high rating of 9.3/10 based on guest feedback. This 3-star hotel features a variety of room types including standard, grand, and rooms with mountain or garden views. Guests appreciate the well-maintained, typical Icelandic rooms and particularly praise the excellent shower heads. The hotel provides non-smoking rooms and amenities such as free WiFi, a garden, and free parking. Its restaurant serves dinner on request and a notably varied breakfast including options like bacon, scrambled eggs, beans, and waffles—uncommon in Icelandic hotels. The staff is frequently mentioned for exceptional service, including accommodating early departures with to-go breakfasts. Pets are not allowed, and multiple payment methods including American Express and UnionPay are accepted. Overall, Hotel Selja is recommended for visitors who don’t mind a rural setting and seek a welcoming atmosphere with good food and attentive service.
Location
Hotel Selja is located in the rural area of Rangarthing eystra, s 250, Dímonarvegur, Hvolsvöllur, Iceland. It lies approximately 111 km from Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV), making it a reasonable drive for arrivals or departures. The hotel is about a 10-minute drive from the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, a key attraction on the south coast. While the immediate surroundings lack nearby restaurants within walking distance, the hotel’s own restaurant and free parking facilitate easy self-catering or dining on-site. The rural setting is ideal for viewing the northern lights, as noted by guests, though visitors should plan to drive to other local points of interest like Vik and Westman Islands.
Tips
- If you have an early departure, ask the staff for a to-go breakfast as they accommodate this.
- To enjoy the hotel's restaurant dinner, order in advance since it is the only dining option on site.
- For northern lights viewing, the hotel’s rural location offers dark skies but be prepared to drive to other attractions like Seljalandsfoss and Vik.
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 can be added. Fees for extra beds and cribs are not included in the total and must be paid at the hotel.
- Breakfast: Full English/Irish [Mon - Sun] 08:00-10:00 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: AmericanExpress, DinersClub, Visa, MasterCard, UnionPay
- Check in time: 16:00-20:00. Check out time: 08:00-11:00.
Services and facilities
- Smoke-free property
- Ticket assistance
- Garden
- Express check-in
- No elevators
- Reception desk
- Luggage storage
- Coffee/tea for guests
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Free Wi-Fi
- Airport transportation
- Tour assistance
- Hiking
- Free parking
- Pets Not Allowed
Video: Hotel Selja, Vestur-Eyjafjallahreppur, Iceland | Travel With Medha
Map
Reviews
The service was also fantastic. Our first night we checked in, and we realized breakfast wasn't until 8 but we needed to be out the door for our adventure the next morning at 6:30. The woman at the desk made us up a whole to go breakfast for the next day with sandwich supplies, yogurts, and muffins so we wouldn't miss breakfast!
The room was nice, typical of Iceland hotels, but had the best shower head of all our hotels. (it's the little things in life haha)
It's kindof in the middle of nowhere, so you have to drive a bit to get anywhere. But they do cook dinner for you if you order it. We just wound up eating dinner in Vik both nights before returning to the hotel. The rural location is great for seeing the northern lights if they're out.
Overall, would definitely recommend this hotel for anyone visiting Iceland, if you don't mind staying a bit out of town!
Only complaint is the drain was quite smelly when we got in. Would be great if the staff could air the toilet a bit before the next guest!
Dinner at the restaurant was good, and is the only dining option available. We didn't see any restaurants within walking distance.
Our only complaint is that our room was very warm even with the window opened and the thermostat turned OFF. We couldn't understand why, since this is a first floor room. Other than that, we enjoyed our stay.
Great stay! Thank you!
Now to the good part :
Very clean rooms and good beds
The hosts are very nice
And the food is amazing
Dinner 8/10
The datecake is life changing, ill never look at cake the same way 12/10
Good coffee and amazing breakfeast 10/10
If you dont come here you will miss out on a amazing stay
Overall score 9.5/10
Very quaint and clean room. Beautiful view. Shower pressure was wonderful after a long flight. Breakfast was lovely and delicious. Staff was wonderful.
Frequently asked questions about Hotel Selja
What types of rooms can I book at Hotel Selja?
Hotel Selja offers a range of room types including Run of House, Standard rooms (with mountain, garden or general views), Standard Single, Double, Triple, and Quadruple rooms, as well as Grand and Grand Double rooms.
Is breakfast included and what options are available?
Breakfast is served from 08:00 to 10:00 daily but is not included in the room price and must be paid separately. The breakfast includes a full English/Irish style with options such as bacon, scrambled eggs, beans, waffles, and various pastries.
Are pets allowed at Hotel Selja?
Pets are not allowed at Hotel Selja according to its policies.
How far is the hotel from Reykjavik Domestic Airport?
The hotel is approximately 111 km from Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV).
Does Hotel Selja provide shuttle service to and from the airport?
There is a one-way shuttle service from the hotel to the airport, but no shuttle from the airport to the hotel.
