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✶ Field notes from people who live here — honest, local hotels in Iceland.
Field notes

Honest notes from people who live here.

Driving, weather, food, and what's actually open. Written by the team that runs the four hotels — and re-checked when conditions change.

2 MIN READ

The Snæfellsnes ring in one day, from Stykkishólmur

The Snæfellsnes ring is the best single driving day in the west of Iceland, and Stykkishólmur is the right place to start it: you sleep at the top of the peninsula, so you drive the loop…

Region
Topic
WESTFJORDS · FOOD
11 MAR

Best Nature Adventures Near Ísafjörður

Discover Iceland’s Westfjords from the cozy Ísafjörður Inn at Ourhotels.is—your launchpad for epic adventures, from hiking Bolafjall’s flower-studded slopes and paddling the…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
11 MAR

How to Experience Iceland’s Northern Fjord Magic

Escape to Iceland’s northern fjords, where towering cliffs, crystal-clear waters and charming fishing villages await. Base yourself at the cozy Ísafjörður Inn…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
9 FEB

How to enjoy Iceland in bad weather

Don’t let Iceland’s famously fickle skies keep you inside—instead, embrace every misty moment with steamy geothermal pools, cozy cafés and world-class museums.…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
12 MAR

Best Hiking Destinations in the Westfjords

Discover the dramatic fjords and soaring cliffs of Iceland’s Westfjords on foot—where every trail brings hidden waterfalls, Arctic foxes and sweeping coastal…

SNæFELLSNES · FOOD
6 JUL

Vatnshellir Lava Cave: An 8,000-Year-Old Lava Tube Tour on Snæfellsnes

Vatnshellir is an 8,000-year-old lava tube in Snæfellsjökull National Park, open only by guided tour. Here's what the descent involves and why…

Stay nearby: The Stykkishólmur Inn by Ourhotels · from 14,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Into the Glacier: Riding a Glacier Truck into Langjökull’s Ice Tunnels

The Into the Glacier Langjökull tour departs from Húsafell, next door to Hvítá Trucks: a modified glacier vehicle carries you onto Iceland's…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 11,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · FOOD
4 MAR

Mandatory nude-shower etiquette: how Iceland pools work and what first-timers get wrong

Visiting Iceland’s geothermal pools? Don’t dive in without first embracing the local nude-shower ritual—no swimsuit, soap and shampoo in hand, head-to-toe rinse.…

WEST ICELAND · WEATHER
4 MAR

Golden hour in Iceland isn’t always ‘an hour’—planning with latitude and season

Experience Iceland’s ever-changing golden hour—where summer’s endless twilight meets winter’s fleeting glow—and transform every sunrise and sunset into unforgettable photo moments. Learn…

WESTFJORDS · WEATHER
8 FEB

Midnight sun explained

Experience the “midnight sun” in Iceland’s Westfjords & West Iceland, where the sun barely dips below the horizon and every evening feels…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
4 FEB

One-lane bridges: how they work

Experience the storybook charm of Iceland’s Westfjords and West region as you navigate its famous one-lane bridges—narrow crossings marked only by friendly…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
4 MAR

How to handle pool etiquette at a local pool in Vík: showers, rules, and unspoken norms

Discover the soothing magic of Vík’s geothermal swimming pool—just remember to shower before you swim, keep noise to a minimum, and respect…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
9 FEB

How weather shapes Icelandic architecture

Discover how Iceland’s ever-changing weather—from icy winter gales to the midnight sun—has shaped centuries of ingenious architecture. Wander among turf-roofed farmhouses with…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
11 FEB

Understanding Icelandic supermarkets

Discover the best neighborhood markets of Westfjords and West Iceland during your stay with Ourhotels.is. Stock up on Icelandic specialties—from creamy skyr,…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
10 MAR

Exploring Iceland’s Most Beautiful Coastal Towns

From the riverside charm of Borgarnes to the colorful harbor of Stykkishólmur and the remote peaks of Ísafjörður, Ourhotels.is offers the perfect…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
19 FEB

Why inland areas feel expansive

Feel the Space: Why Inland Iceland Feels So Expansive Leave the coast behind and discover a world of endless horizons, whisper-quiet valleys,…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
12 MAR

Exploring Iceland’s Northern Fjord Landscapes

Discover the magic of Iceland’s northern fjords—where towering cliffs meet calm, crystal-blue bays, and every turn reveals a new slice of Arctic…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
6 JUL

Whale Watching from Ísafjarðardjúp: Boat Trips off Ísafjörður

Humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and porpoises feed in Ísafjarðardjúp all summer. Boats leave from Ísafjörður harbour, a short walk from…

Stay nearby: The Ísafjörður Inn by Ourhotels · from 15,000 ISK
WESTFJORDS · FOOD
18 FEB

What to do if plans change

Whether rain delays your ferry or a hidden fjord captures your heart, Ourhotels.is is your reliable home base for turning every twist…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
19 FEB

Why walking beats driving in towns

Discover Iceland’s coastal towns the way they were meant to be explored—on foot. Trade your car keys for comfy walking shoes and…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
4 MAR

What to bring to the pool: flip-flops, towel strategy, and locker coin myths

Whether you’re soaking in the pool after a hike through Borgarfjörður or chasing the Northern Lights in the Westfjords, the right gear—and…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
19 FEB

Why warmth comes from simplicity

Discover how true warmth in Westfjords and West Iceland grows from simplicity. At Ourhotels.is, unhurried mornings—whether spent wandering black-sand shores or sipping…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
4 FEB

How silence feels different in Iceland

Discover the Sound of Silence in Iceland Find true calm amid the volcanic plains, glacial rivers and rugged fjords of Westfjords &…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
9 FEB

How Iceland teaches patience

Discover the unhurried magic of Iceland—where glaciers carve the land, weather changes on a whim, and the Northern Lights wait for the…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
4 FEB

Renting a car in Iceland: what to know

Discover the freedom of a self-drive adventure in Iceland with everything you need to know—from driver’s license rules, insurance options and gravel…

Check rates Best rate from 12,000 ISK