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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.

Showing West Iceland field notes only. Show all notes →
Region
Topic
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
18 FEB

How to stay energized on road trips

Get ready to hit the open road through Westfjords & West Iceland with everything you need to stay energized, organized and comfortable.…

WEST ICELAND · WILDLIFE
10 MAR

How to Experience Iceland’s Quiet Natural Beauty

Escape the crowds and uncover Iceland’s most serene corners with Ourhotels.is. Whether you cozy up at the riverside Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
8 FEB

Why driving rules are strictly enforced

Discover the dramatic landscapes of Westfjords and West Iceland with confidence—and learn why strict driving rules are in place to keep you,…

WEST ICELAND · AURORA
6 JUL

Northern Lights from Your Truck Window: Aurora Season on the Hvítá Riverbank

Hunting the northern lights in West Iceland? Hvítá Trucks sits on a dark, low-light-pollution stretch of the Hvítá riverbank in Borgarfjörður, where…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
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,…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Kaldidalur (Road 550): The Highland Gravel Drive Without an F-Road Permit

Kaldidalur Road 550 is Iceland's most approachable highland gravel drive, linking Húsafell toward Þingvellir past Langjökull and the Ok volcano. It's not…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · WEATHER
8 FEB

Why forecasts change quickly

Experience the wild, ever-shifting weather of Westfjords and West Iceland, where sunny mornings can turn into sudden rain showers in minutes. Driven…

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…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Grábrók Crater: A 30-Minute Volcano Hike Off Iceland’s Ring Road

Grábrók is a 3,600-year-old crater with a staircase to its rim, right beside the Ring Road 20 minutes from Hvítá Trucks (book…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
4 FEB

How to drive safely in Icelandic wind

Discover how to turn Iceland’s famously fierce winds into the thrill of a lifetime—and arrive in comfort. From checking real-time forecasts and…

WEST ICELAND · WEATHER
9 FEB

How weather shapes Icelandic life

Feel the Rhythm of Icelandic Weather Experience Iceland’s wild moods—from wind-whipped coasts and molten lava fields under the midnight sun to ice-cave…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
4 MAR

A realistic ‘plan B’ day in Keflavík Airport when wind shuts down your original itinerary

Stuck at Keflavík Airport? Don’t let fierce winds ground your Icelandic adventure. After a quick coffee and snack, choose between the steamy…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
19 FEB

Why bakeries show community life

Stepping into a Westfjords or West Iceland bakery is more than a sweet stop—it’s a front-row seat to local life. Between 9…

WEST ICELAND · AURORA
6 JUL

Photographing Hvítá Trucks & the River: Best Light and Tripod Spots

A photographer's guide to shooting the Hvítá Trucks against the Hvítá river in Borgarfjörður: midsummer's near-midnight golden light, winter aurora over the…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · FOOD
18 FEB

Why not everything needs a photo

Discover the magic of putting the camera down and tuning in to Iceland’s Westfjords and West Iceland. At Ourhotels.is—whether you’re at the…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Baula: Hiking West Iceland’s Pyramid-Shaped Rhyolite Mountain

A Baula mountain hike takes you up the pale orange rhyolite cone every driver sees north of Borgarnes. Here's the steep scree…

Stay nearby: The Hvítá Inn by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

The Borgarfjörður Pool Crawl: Kleppjárnsreykir, Varmaland & Local Hot Pots

Skip the famous lagoons. This Borgarfjörður swimming pool crawl maps the small geothermal community pools near Hvítárbakki, from Kleppjárnsreykir to Varmaland, a…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · WILDLIFE
5 MAR

Drone flight reality check for Reykjavík: protected areas, seasonal closures, and ‘ask before you fly’

Dreaming of epic aerial shots over Reykjavík’s colorful streets and rugged coastline? Before you take off, learn about no-fly zones—from the airport…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
4 FEB

Why patience matters on Icelandic roads

Discover the magic of West Iceland at a leisurely pace. Winding single-lane roads, gravel stretches and sudden weather shifts reward the patient…

WEST ICELAND · WEATHER
9 FEB

Embracing Icelandic weather as part of the trip

Embrace every Icelandic breeze, shower and sunbeam as part of your adventure—whether you’re chasing midnight sun in summer or northern lights in…

WEST ICELAND · PRACTICAL
19 FEB

How to enjoy evenings without activities

Embrace the hush of Icelandic evenings in the Westfjords and West Iceland, where slowing down is its own adventure. Unwind at The…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
4 FEB

Is Iceland suitable for families with children?

Discover why West Iceland and the wild Westfjords are the ultimate playground for families: from warm, toddler-friendly geothermal pools and easy waterfall…

WEST ICELAND · FOOD
9 FEB

How Icelanders balance work and life

Discover the true meaning of work–life balance on Iceland’s dramatic west coast, where post-shift dips in hot springs and Friday-early closures make…

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…

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