Best Glacier View Hotels in Iceland, Ranked
Hotel window framing Vatnajokull glacier in south Iceland
Eight hotels where you actually see a glacier from the bed or breakfast table, ranked by which glacier and how close.
The genuine glacier views
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon at Hnappavellir has direct views to Oraefajokull and the Vatnajokull tongues; north-facing rooms 200-series and up look straight at the ice. Hotel Skaftafell sits closer still to Skaftafellsjokull, though the view from rooms is partly blocked by trees; the terrace is where you want to be. Hali Country Hotel is 15 minutes from Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon with clear ice views from the restaurant. Adventure Hotel Hof has a smaller footprint with Oraefajokull filling the horizon on clear days.
On the north side, Hotel Laki near Kirkjubaejarklaustur has partial glacier views and easier access to Vatnajokull's southwestern edge. Hotel Klaustur similar. Ion Adventure Hotel does not have glacier views despite marketing; you see Hengill and lava fields, both spectacular, but no ice.
Snaefellsjokull and the western glaciers
Hotel Budir on Snaefellsnes has Snaefellsjokull as its backdrop on clear days, though clear days are the exception on that peninsula in winter. Hotel Husafell is closer to Langjokull and pairs stays with ice-cave tours in winter. Fosshotel Vatnajokull at Hofn has distant glacier views across the fjord that are less immediate than the south coast options but pair well with the town's harbour and langoustine.
Honest reality: south Iceland's glacier hotels get roughly 150 clear days a year. Book two nights minimum at any of these to hedge against cloud, and take the ice caves and glacier hikes seriously as backup activities. A room with a view is worth paying for only if you also plan to be in it during daylight, which in summer means very early morning or very late night.
Before you book
What people ask before booking Hofn.
Yes at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, Hali, Skaftafell and Husafell. They partner with Icelandic Mountain Guides and Local Guide of Vatnajokull for hikes and ice caves.
Five to six hours to the south coast glacier hotels, three and a half to Husafell, four to Snaefellsnes. Don’t try to do any of these as a day trip.
