After driving Iceland's South Coast, exploring waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier landscapes, and some of the country's most dramatic scenery, we wanted something different for the final portion of our trip.
We wanted to park the car, slow down, and experience Reykjavík on foot.
That's exactly what we found at the Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Located in the heart of downtown Reykjavík beside Iceland's Parliament and Austurvöllur square, the property combines a fantastic walkable location with upscale accommodations, an impressive breakfast, and one of my favorite hotel amenities from the entire trip: the Parliament Spa.
We originally reserved a standard King Classic Room, but our stay took an unexpected turn at check-in when our Hilton Diamond status resulted in an upgrade to a Junior Suite.
So, is the Iceland Parliament Hotel worth considering for your Reykjavík stay?
For the right traveler, absolutely.
Here's our firsthand experience.
Location: The Biggest Reason to Stay Here
If you're spending a few days actually exploring Reykjavík, location matters.
The Iceland Parliament Hotel puts you directly in the middle of the city rather than requiring you to drive or arrange transportation every time you want to explore.
During our stay, we could walk out the door and immediately experience Reykjavík.
Restaurants, shops, historic sites, the waterfront, and many of the city's most recognizable attractions were easily accessible on foot.
We could spend an hour exploring, return to the hotel to drop off shopping bags or warm up, and head back out for dinner later.
That flexibility made Reykjavík feel less like another stop on an itinerary and more like a city we were actually experiencing.
It's an important distinction.
When I design trips for clients, I don't look at hotels solely as places to sleep. Location can fundamentally change how you experience a destination.
In Reykjavík, this hotel accomplishes exactly that.
Our Check-In—and a Very Nice Surprise
We originally booked a King Classic Room for approximately $238 per night during our stay.
At check-in, the staff welcomed us and recognized our Hilton Honors Diamond status.
Then came the surprise.
We had been upgraded to a King Junior Suite.
At the time of our stay, that room was selling for nearly $600 per night.
Complimentary upgrades should never be assumed, even with elite hotel status, because they depend on availability. But when they happen, they can dramatically change the experience.
And this one certainly did.
Inside Our King Junior Suite
Our Junior Suite was located at the end of a third-floor hallway, and the first thing that caught our attention was the amount of natural light.
Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the corner of the room and provided wonderful views of the surrounding city.
The room blended contemporary design with the understated Scandinavian aesthetic that works so well in Iceland.
We had plenty of space to relax, along with a lounge chair and ottoman, desk, large television, Wi-Fi, and espresso machine.
But the bathroom may have been even more impressive.
Floor-to-ceiling white marble tile gave it a clean, upscale appearance, while the large walk-in rainfall shower, double vanity, and heated tile floors were particularly welcome after long winter days outside.
It didn't feel like a generic chain-hotel room.
That's one reason I appreciate select Curio Collection properties. They can provide the benefits and familiarity of Hilton while maintaining a stronger sense of place.
Breakfast at Hjá Jóni
Breakfast became another highlight of our stay.
Hjá Jóni, the hotel's restaurant, offered a substantial buffet with meats, cheeses, fresh breads, jams, cereals, yogurt, fruit, and other breakfast staples.
Made-to-order selections elevated it beyond the typical hotel buffet, with options during our stay including omelets, Eggs Benedict, and avocado toast.
There were espresso drinks and fresh juices as well, making breakfast something we actually looked forward to each morning.
For travelers with a full day of sightseeing ahead, a good hotel breakfast has more value than it might appear to have on paper.
Instead of immediately searching for somewhere to eat each morning, we could enjoy breakfast and walk straight into Reykjavík ready for the day.
The Parliament Spa Was the Standout Amenity
The room was excellent.
The location was even better.
But the amenity that made the biggest impression on me was the Parliament Spa.
After several days exploring Iceland in January, the idea of a warm spa wasn't a difficult sell.
The spa featured a soaking pool, sauna, steam facilities, relaxation areas, and spaces designed for unwinding after a day outside.
It felt particularly appropriate in Iceland, where geothermal bathing and wellness are such an important part of the travel experience.
This is another example of why I believe hotels should be considered part of an itinerary rather than simply accommodation.
A morning exploring Reykjavík followed by an afternoon or evening unwinding at the hotel creates an entirely different travel experience than rushing from attraction to attraction.
If I returned, I would intentionally leave more time in the itinerary to enjoy the spa.
Fitness Center and Other Amenities
For travelers who want to maintain their routine while away, the hotel also offers a well-equipped fitness center.
The property includes a restaurant and bar, concierge services, room service, and comfortable public areas where guests can relax between outings.
One thing worth knowing for self-drive travelers: the hotel's central location means it does not operate like a suburban hotel with a large dedicated parking lot.
If you're completing an Iceland road trip before staying here, factor your rental-car return or parking strategy into the itinerary.
Personally, I see the hotel working particularly well at the beginning or end of an Iceland road trip.
Explore the country by car, then spend a few nights downtown and experience Reykjavík on foot.
Who Is the Iceland Parliament Hotel Best For?
I would particularly recommend this property for travelers who value location and want Reykjavík itself to be part of their Iceland experience.
It's especially well suited for:
- Couples
- First-time Iceland visitors
- Premium and luxury travelers
- Hilton Honors members
- Travelers finishing a South Coast road trip
- Food-focused travelers
- Travelers who prefer exploring cities on foot
- Anyone who appreciates having a spa at their hotel
If you're simply looking for the least expensive room near Reykjavík, this probably isn't the property I'd recommend.
But if you're willing to spend more for location, atmosphere, comfort, and convenience, the value proposition becomes much stronger.
What Could Be Better?
No hotel is perfect.
The downtown location that makes the Iceland Parliament Hotel so appealing also means parking isn't as straightforward as at properties farther from the city center.
Rates can also be higher than hotels outside central Reykjavík.
And during our stay, we discovered an additional lounge area late in our visit that hadn't been explained to us at check-in. Better communication about all available hotel amenities would have been helpful.
None of those issues would prevent me from staying again.
In fact, I'd happily return.
Is Iceland Parliament Hotel Worth It?
For us, yes.
The combination of a highly walkable location, upscale room, excellent breakfast, spa, and easy access to Reykjavík made it an ideal way to finish our Iceland journey.
More importantly, it provided a completely different experience from the hotels we used while driving the South Coast.
And that's exactly how I like to design a trip.
A hotel in Vík should help you explore Iceland's black sand beaches and waterfalls.
A hotel near the glacier region should position you for glacier caves and Diamond Beach.
And a hotel in Reykjavík should make it easy to walk outside and experience the city.
The Iceland Parliament Hotel does that exceptionally well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Iceland Parliament Hotel in a good location?
Yes. Its central Reykjavík location is one of its biggest advantages. Restaurants, shopping, cultural attractions, the waterfront, and many major sights are within walking distance.
Does Iceland Parliament Hotel have a spa?
Yes. The hotel features a spa with facilities designed around relaxation and wellness. It was one of our favorite aspects of the property.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?
Yes. Hjá Jóni is the hotel's onsite restaurant and is also where we enjoyed breakfast during our stay.
Is Iceland Parliament Hotel good for Hilton Honors members?
It can be. Hilton Honors benefits depend on membership level, rate, availability, and current program rules. Our Diamond status resulted in a significant room upgrade during our stay, but upgrades should never be considered guaranteed.
Is it a good hotel for an Iceland road trip?
Yes, but I'd particularly consider it at the beginning or end of the road trip. Its downtown location makes it ideal for transitioning from driving Iceland's countryside to exploring Reykjavík on foot.
Would we stay again?
Absolutely. The combination of location, comfort, breakfast, and the Parliament Spa made it one of the most memorable hotel stays of our Iceland trip.
Final Thoughts
The Iceland Parliament Hotel reinforced something I believe strongly about travel planning:
The right hotel can change the way you experience a destination.
It isn't always about choosing the most expensive room or the hotel with the longest amenity list.
It's about choosing the property that makes sense for that particular part of the journey.
For us, staying in the heart of Reykjavík meant putting away the car keys, walking the city, discovering restaurants, shopping, and experiencing Iceland's capital at a completely different pace from our South Coast road trip.
That's the philosophy behind Go Right Travel.
We don't just book trips. We design experiences.
Ready to Plan Your Iceland Adventure?
Whether you're dreaming about Reykjavík, driving the South Coast, exploring a glacier cave, relaxing in a geothermal lagoon, or combining all of them into one unforgettable Iceland itinerary, Go Right Travel can help put the pieces together.
Visit our Plan Your Trip page to start designing your Iceland experience.