360 Hotel Opens in South Iceland

360 Hotel recently opened its doors among the farmlands of South Iceland. Created and owned by two Icelandic families, the 31-room hotel combines rooms and suites with geothermal wellness, seasonal cuisine and wide views.

“360 Hotel is, first and foremost, a family-owned hotel,” said owner Hrefna Bachmann. “We never wanted to create a hotel that felt intimidating or overly formal. We wanted to create the kind of place we would want to come home to. Guests can spend the day exploring South Iceland and return somewhere calm and intimate, to sit beside the fire, enjoy a long dinner, read a book or simply watch the landscape and sky change outside. 360 Hotel is designed to provide the luxury of not having to rush to the next thing.”

360 Hotel’s location proves an advantage. Just one hour from Reykjavík and 15 minutes from Selfoss, it provides an ideal base for exploring some of Iceland’s celebrated landscapes and attractions. Daytrips in different directions are possible.

Family history runs through the hotel in many ways. Each guestroom features a poster inspired by Rafskinna, an electrically operated “magic book” created by Gunnar Bachmann, the grandfather of one of the owners, for a Reykjavík shop window in 1932. The hotel’s tree ring identity is another expression of family, as the two families who created and own the hotel can trace their family trees back to the same great-great-great grandparents.

Interior designer Guðbjörg Anna Árnadóttir, sister of one of the owners, brought together her own ideas with the personalities, memories and travels of the two families. Timber paneling takes its inspiration from older Icelandic buildings and settlements, while turf, fireplaces, natural materials, color and tactile textures bring a sense of warmth and shelter.

Each of the 31 rooms and suites has its own character, with individual colors, furniture, textiles and details. Premium Norwegian beds and mattresses from Jensen, heated floors, and nightly turndown service complete the experience. There are no televisions in the guestrooms. Guests who want to watch a film can visit the hotel’s cinema.

Hnaus Restaurant takes its name from the Icelandic word for “mound,” referring to the land on which the hotel stands. As the seasons change, so does the menu, led by award-winning Executive Chef Hinrik Örn Lárusson. Hnaus is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with private experiences also available.

When conditions are right, the Northern Lights can appear above the hotel. With the Northern Lights Wake Up Service, the 360 Hotel team keeps an eye on the sky and lets guests know if the aurora appears.