Hold onto your horned helmets, Iceland lovers! Hilton unveiled plans to grow their footprint in Iceland in the coming years with at least two new properties, in partnership with Bohemian Hotels ehf, including their first in the country's north.
Akureyri "Skáld" Hotel - Summer 2025
Though we've long since realized hotel opening dates are usually mere aspiration, this Curio Collection by Hilton property plans to launch next summer as the first international chain hotel in the northern Icelandic countryside next summer. Skáld will add ~70 rooms on Hafnarstræti Street with all the usual Curio ammenities. It will be best suited for those looking to explore the Diamond and Arctic Circles, particularly for whale watching or Northern Lights viewing. This will be the third Curio in country, jojning Reykjavik's existing Konsulat Hotel and Parliament Hotel in the Curio Collection.
Brietartún, Reykjavík hotel TBD - 2026
Ok, so, on second thought, this is more like an announcement of one hotel and a plan to announce another. "TBD" is neither a cheeky brandname nor a lost-in-translation-to-English gaffe. It means they are yet to finalize with Bohemian which flag the second property will fly -- but they do know it will be along Brietartún, just off the less tony stretch of the popular Laugavguer, near the capitol's center. In addition to those other Curios, the TBD Hilton will join a Canopy and the Nordica in the capitol, as well as the Ranga which joined Hilton as part of the acquisition of the SLH portfolio from Hyatt.</p>
Tad's Take
I love it when a points hotel gets dropped into a redemption desert -- even if it's a Hilton. This will give HHonors and Amex MR holders an option outside the capitol region. It will probably be great for travelers looking to make a short stop in the countryside. Those settling in for a longer stay might want to look into Akureyri's many homestays and small, locally-owned properties, both for the more authentic experience and because they are pretty affordable by Icelandic standards. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. It will be at least a year until any of these rooms are available.
Here's a link to the original press release for more info.
