The Reykjavik hotel that has style you'll want to steal... and it's a Hilton

The chain’s new Canopy brand makes its debut with this chic Icelandic address

Canopy's stylish lobby

Warning: a stay in the Canopy by Hilton hotel in Reykjavik may drive you mad. For me, it began with the cleverly designed hotel lobby – so Scandi, so chic; so many cosy corners with books piled high, begging to be read in front of a fireplace. And once again inside the rooms – how could I dismantle the achingly cool wallpapered box-shelf from the wall and sneak it into my case to take home? Before I had time to take in my first shot of Brennivin, I’d become a crazed furnishings obsessive. Move over, Danish hygge – now I want everything Icelandic.

Much like its Nordic cousins, Iceland is the hipster destination du jour – and with good reason. The eerie, lunar landscape has long provided an adventure playground for active travellers, with all kinds of nature tours and areas of outstanding natural beauty to visit. Despite its tiny size, a weekend on this island simply isn’t enough.

Reykjavik is the perfect base, but only recently has the city itself become popular with visitors. A growing number of trendy bars and fine restaurants are popping up, with creative menus that make clear to visitors that the time of limited seasonal cuisine and heavy suppers is long gone.

Opened in October, Canopy Reykjavik is the latest venture to tap into Reykjavik’s cool factor. Comprising six historical houses that were once part of a furniture factory, the hotel is the first in the Hilton group’s new self-billed “lifestyle hotel” brand, designed to feel more “local” and characterful in style than the chain’s larger eponymous blocks. And it seems to work; every detail inside is meticulously thought out and beautifully crafted to feel homely while also making a design statement.

The hotel is in the heart of the city

Location

The hotel is perfectly situated on Hverfisgata Street, the centre of town and just a few minutes’ walk from the harbour, where whale-watching tours and boat rides can be picked up.

All of Reykjavik’s few points of interest – including the imposing Lutheran church and world’s biggest penis museum – can be reached on foot, and most car hires will deliver to your hotel if you wish to venture further afield. The hotel also has free bikes available to borrow, weather permitting.

Reykjavik is notorious for its high-stamina nightlife – look out for Damon Albarn’s bar, Kaffibarinn, named one of the best in the world. Despite freezing temperatures and seemingly quiet streets, you’ll even find a kitchen open at midnight on Sunday, off-season.

Comfort

With rooms as comfortable as this, you might find it difficult to drag yourself out. The 112 rooms and suites are individually designed and styled in calming Icelandic colour schemes of ocean, ice and volcanic rock, and front-facing suites have a rare sea view.

Our Junior suite offered a big standalone bath and living space, a mini-fridge (useful for storing the more wallet-friendly bottles found in duty-free) and – bizarrely – two bluetooth-enabled televisions are placed back to back, one facing the bed, another facing the sofa.

Top suites offer a rare sea view

Fast, free wifi is standard throughout and a there’s a 24-hour fitness centre in the basement should you need it.

The hotel’s Geiri Smart restaurant serves an imaginative menu of contemporary Icelandic dishes. This typically includes lamb, langoustine and fresh fish, depending on the catch of the day. The five-course “chef’s choice” menu (11,500 kr/around £100 per head with wine) is ideal for guests unsure of how to tackle the local cuisine.

Geiri Smart is a visitor attraction in itself

Essentials

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre, Smidjustigur 4, Reykjavik, Iceland (00 354 528 7000; canopy.hilton.com). Double rooms start at £235 per night, B&B.

easyJet offers direct flights to Keflavik airport from Luton and Stansted. Gray Line coaches provide airport transfers to hotels in the city centre (45 minutes, from £17 one way).

Wifi: free
Parking: None on site; 24-hour offsite parking available just a few metres away (2,450 kr/£17 for 24 hours)
Access: 11 wheelchair-accessible rooms

Rooms: *****
Service: ****
Value: ***

Click here to view tours and holidays in Iceland, with Independent Holidays.