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7.8
Good
97 USD
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Gamla Rif in Hellissandur

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Hellissandur, Háarif 3, 360 Snæfellsbær, Iceland
● Center: 3 km

✅ Most comfortable bed experienced in Iceland according to one guest ✅ Clean and neat rooms with cozy wooden interiors and good heating ✅ Strong free WiFi and a well-equipped shared kitchen ✅ Quiet experience when the house is not full, suitable for up to six people ✅ Great views from rooms with water or mountain views, adding to the natural ambiance ❌ Thin walls and wooden construction lead to noise disturbances, especially from footsteps and late arrivals ❌ Single bathroom and one additional toilet shared among up to eight guests can be inconvenient ❌ Some guests received rooms that did not match the advertised type, including complaints about lack of space and incorrect sea views ❌ No on-site restaurant, requiring travel for dining options ❌ Rooms do not get completely dark, which may affect sleep quality
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Rooms and prices

2 guests
Adults−2+
Children under 17−0+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
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Run of House
Run of House
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Standard room
Standard room
Private bathroom
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Standard room with mountain view
Standard room with mountain view
Private bathroom
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Standard room with water view
Standard room with water view
Private bathroom
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Standard Double room with sea view
Standard Double room with sea view
Private bathroom
Beds:
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Standard Double room with mountain view
Standard Double room with mountain view
Private bathroom
Beds:
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5 Bedrooms Cottage
5 Bedrooms Cottage
Private bathroom
Beds:
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Description

Gamla Rif is a modest accommodation located in Hellissandur, Iceland, offering a range of room types including standard rooms with views of the mountains or sea, as well as a five-bedroom cottage. The hotel operates on a self check-in/check-out basis and provides free WiFi, heating, air conditioning, and a shared kitchen. Guests appreciate the simple, clean rooms with comfortable beds and the cozy, wooden interior that adds character to the space. The property includes family rooms, a garden, and free parking, with free bicycles available for exploring the local area. While the hotel does not have an on-site restaurant, guests can find dining options a few miles away in Olafsvik, including the well-regarded Sker restaurant. The building’s wooden walls mean sound travels easily, so some guests experienced noise issues. The single bathroom and extra toilet serve all rooms, which may feel cramped during busy periods. Pets are not allowed on the premises.

Location

Gamla Rif is situated at Háarif 3 in Hellissandur, within Snæfellsbær municipality. The hotel is 119 km from Keflavik International Airport (KEF). It’s ideally positioned for visitors planning to explore Snæfellsjökull National Park and nearby attractions. While there are no restaurants directly in Rif, the town of Olafsvik is just a short drive away and offers several dining options such as the Sker restaurant. The location features scenic views of the sea and mountains, providing a quiet base for nature-focused travelers.

Tips

  • If you value quiet, try to book when the house is not fully occupied as noise can be an issue due to thin wooden walls.
  • Bring your own beverages if staying on weekends since local cafes have limited hours.
  • To find the WiFi password, check near the router downstairs by the entrance.

Policies and conditions

  • Pets: Pets are not allowed
  • Check in time: 15:00. Check out time: 11:00.
2 guests
Adults−2+
Children under 17−0+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
Age−7+
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Services and facilities

General
  • Air conditioning
  • Smoke-free property
  • Heating
  • Express check-in/check-out
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Private check-in/check-out
  • Outdoor furniture
Rooms
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Room service
  • Fridge
  • Family room
  • Smoke Detector
  • Hairdryer
Services and amenities
  • Laundry
Meals
  • Coffee/tea for guests
  • Common kitchen
  • Microwave oven
  • Kitchenette
  • Kettle
Internet
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Internet access
Languages Spoken
  • English
Recreation
  • Hiking
Parking
  • Parking
  • Parking nearby
Sports
  • Cycling

Hotel view

Video: Final Div3 Gamla vs RIF period3

Map

Reviews

Cleanliness
Amenities
Location
Service
08.05.2026 Todd
Simple, clean. Most comfortable bed we had in iceland. We were lucky to be the only ones in the house so I can't speak to noisy guests. For the price we were happy with our stay. Great restaurant in the next town over... sker.
20.11.2024 Fox
i was so happy to have the whole place for my own. i think for Max 6 people it's good but for more it could be to noisy.
still.... I had a very nice stay. thank you
23.09.2023 Daniel
Terrible service and rooms. Would avoid at all costs. Made a reservation 9 months ago and got a ridiculous room, no refund and not alternatives.
I wrote this to the owner:
"It is definitely not a double room, there is not even a table, or space to fit our suitcases... Calling this "a double bedroom with sea view" sound almost like a joke.

I'm very surprised that after paying so much with 9 months in advance we are getting this room and no solutions or options."

There was no answer.
02.09.2023 Guest
Great location if you want to visit Snæfellsjökull National Park attractions. Place was clean and neat. We had a cozy room with a great view from its window. It has a wall made from wood (pine trees maybe) which made me think I’m in a sauna. If you prefer a place to work, they have a common living room on the ground floor. They have strong free wifi as well. Overall, we had an enjoyable stay at this location.
18.07.2023 Guest
Clean, comfortable, cozy. Much like a room in a boarding house. Nice bathroom, shared by all. Kitchen available. Steep stairway. Nice common sitting area. No restaurants at all in Rif. Nearest is a few miles away in Olafsvik, called Sker, and is pretty good. Great views. Would definitely stay again.
08.11.2022 Patsy
As soon as we walked in the door we knew we'd found something special. The fish soup & toasted tomato, feta & olive panini were the best we've had - ever.
08.11.2022 Nicola
We stayed for one night and liked the place. Kitchen was well furnished and the location and the space is fantastic and has a lot of character. The drawbacks are what other reviews point out, everything is made of wood, so it's noisy when people move around, and rooms do not get totally dark, but for the price, this is totally recommended.
07.06.2022 Andras
Do not book the bedroom 1. It’s on the ground floor, and every steps from the second floor made a huge headache in our skull. And the walls are superskiny. We heared the noises of someone being in the bathroom.
Otherwise there is no heat in our room, in Iceland, haha.
03.10.2021 storm
Lovely place, historic building, cosy woody interiors, good mattress, no closet in the single room, just a cupboard but it's more than enough. I found the window open which I thought was great covid-wise and the heating was functioning. Remember to take off your shoes at the entrance and if you don't find the wi-fi password like me, it's downstairs straight ahead from the entrance next to the router.There's also a small kitchen you can use in the morning. I recommend if you come on the week-end that you bring your own instant beverages and unless you rise early you can use the kitchen as in this period (October 2021) the only open place to have a coffee in the area is the ram cafe open from 8 to 10 and the nearest alternative option from 10 to 12 is in Ólafsvik. The house is a self check-in/check-out place and was completely empty when I arrived, same when I left. Some people might find this off-putting, I didn't mind. Overall I recommend this place.
21.07.2021 Loran
Didn't get what we payed for. Our twin bedroom turned out to be a single bed room with an extra matrass on the floor. Seaview turned out to be the look on a pakkingset with a tiny piece of sea somewhere. Towels on the bed were wet, and thus the bed also.... not coming here back again....
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POIs near hotel

attraction
Hellissandur street art (50 min)
Colorful street art installations throughout the town reflecting local culture and creativity.
museum
Hellissandur Maritime Museum (52 min)
Maritime museum showcasing fishing heritage and local nautical history. Open daily 11:00–17:00.

Frequently asked questions about Gamla Rif

What types of rooms are available at Gamla Rif?

Room types include Run of House, Standard room, Standard room with mountain view, Standard room with water view, Standard Double room with sea view, Standard Double room with mountain view, and a 5 Bedrooms Cottage.

Is there a restaurant at Gamla Rif?

No, there is no restaurant on site. The nearest dining option is the Sker restaurant in Olafsvik, a few miles away.

Are pets allowed at this hotel?

Pets are not allowed at Gamla Rif.

How far is Gamla Rif from Keflavik International Airport?

The hotel is located approximately 119 kilometers from Keflavik International Airport (KEF).

Does Gamla Rif offer parking and WiFi?

Yes, the hotel provides free parking and strong free WiFi throughout the property.

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