Destination

Reykjavik, the northern most capital in the world, is a great base for exploring great attractions in the region, such as the renowned Golden Circle of Thingvellir, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir along with the Blue lagoon and Laugarvatn Fontana. The city itself is vibrant and cosmopolitan for its size with excellent museums, captivating art, funky cafes and bars, great food and good shopping. The air quality is excellent and while you soak in one of the many geothermal swimming pools you just know that you have fallen helplessly in love with this friendly little big city.

Iceland is a perfect place to see one of earths most spectacular phenomena, the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. The best season to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is from September to mid-April, when we have full dark nights with a clear starry sky. Although the best chance to see them is outside of the city, it is not unlikely that you could see them from our balcony at Reykjavik Marina Residence. White and green are usually the dominant colours but sometimes there are considerable colour variations like pink and red. The closer they get, the more red the colour is. 

The Northern Lights are glowing molecules that have escaped into the earth's atmosphere and put on a show with dazzling supernatural colours in the sky, just for us.

The Reykjavík Marina Residence is located in the colourful Old Harbour area in the west part of central Reykjavik. The vibrant Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina is the next door neighbour hosting the popular Slippbarinn restaurant and bar. This booming district offers exciting culinary options, art galleries, museums and exhibitions, and day tours such as whale watching, puffin and island tours. Laugavegur shopping area is within close reach as well as the majestic architectural landmark Harpa concert and conference hall.

Next door to Reykjavik Marina Residence is Slippbarinn, one of Reykjavik's most popular places to meet up for food and drinks. At Slippbarinn you can experience Reykjavik like a local, while enjoying exciting events such as Icelandic music and art. The drink menu has an impressive selection of wine and cocktails to indulge all of your senses. 

Reykjavik Marina Residence is placed in two carefully restored historical houses down by the Old Harbour in Reykjavik. One of those is Daniel’s House - a timber house today covered with red corrugated iron - which was built by shipbuilder Daniel Thorsteinsson in 1905. Daniel lived there with his family.

Daniel Thorsteinsson was an entrepreneur and operated one of the first shipyards in Reykjavik from 1936 - Daniel’s Slip. Daniel passed away in 1959 but his two sons took over and ran the shipyard successfully for many years to come. The last ship repaired in Daniel’s Slip was in 2006. The shipyard beside Daniels’ Slip - located right in front of Reykjavik Marina Residence - is however still in full operation repairing Iceland’s fleet of ships.

Daniel’s House is representative for the timber houses built in Reykjavik at that time. Daniel’s House and the other half of Reykjavik Marina Residence – a concrete house dating back to 1928 – both enjoy protection by law to maintain the historical appearance of Reykjavik. In fact, the restoration of these first timber houses of Reykjavik is a part of a combined effort to protect the cultural heritage of the city. Icelandair Group – the mother company of Icelandair Hotels that runs Reykjavik Marina Residence and Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina – has an established partnership with Reykjavik UNESCO City of Literature for the restoration and operation of another historically significant house called Grondalshus, now located in downtown Reykjavik.