Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.06.2010, Blaðsíða 43

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The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 08 — 2010
Travel | Swimming Pools
the pools, but you can lay your eyes on the pic-
turesque mountains and fields nearby instead.
There were some nesting arctic terns nearby dur-
ing our visit. The water is unfiltered, and appar-
ently comes from directly beneath the hot pools.
Some spots on the pool floor are too hot to step
on. The downside of the spot’s convenience is that
it is well used. There were three other cars worth
of tourists there with us on a Thursday at noon in
early June. Luckily the water seems to circulate
well.
SAUÐáRKRóKUR SWIMMING POOL
SAUðÁRKRÓKUR
380 ISK per adult
Built in 1957, this lively pool doesn’t act its age.
When we got there it was full with swimming les-
sons—all foam crocodiles and kick boards. Ac-
cording to Eva Pandora Baldursdóttir, who works
at reception, the patrons are “mostly townies, but
in the summer there are many tourists and people
passing by.”
The geothermally heated water feels quite
chlorinated, and the supposedly 39-degree tub
was hotter than the 41-degree tub, but the jets
were nice and hard and the locals were friendly.
The best part about the Sauðárkrókur swimming
pool is “the service,” Eva told us. “Like when I’m
on the deck sunbathing, I can go ask for a cup of
coffee!” It’s all about the little things here. There is
a courtesy water dispenser with cups in the lobby,
and in the change rooms swabs and cotton pads
are available alongside the requisite hair dryers.
Best of all, on Fridays visitors can alleviate their
post-swim munchies with a fresh cupcake—a new
tradition.
AKUREYRI SWIMMING POOL
AKUREYRI
450 ISK per adult
The Akureyri pool was built in 2004, but has been a
swimming spot in some way, shape, or form since
1897. It is by far the most professional pool we
visited. No matter where you go, there is always
an orange-t-shirted employee on guard. Several
seem to take their jobs quite seriously.
It’s a busy place. Helen Gunnarsdóttir at re-
ception barely had time to talk to me—there was
a steady stream of arriving patrons. “The security
is very strong,” Helen said, pointing to the security
cameras. “We take care of the children and make
sure everyone is safe.”
The electrically heated pool is also the most
deluxe pool we visited. The two small hot pots
were respectively scalding and tepid, and the jets
were weak, but the rest was great. There are two
25-metre lap pools, a kids’ pool complete with
mushroom fountain and snake statue, one larger
hot tub at about 40 degrees, one warm shallow
area with fountains, two slides, one deeper pool
at about 29 degrees that is part indoors, part out-
doors, a steam bath outside and a sauna inside,
plus one pool indoors for lessons.
And there is exercise equipment outdoors in
case pool patrons want to work out between hot
tub sessions. And there’s a minigolf course and
play structures in a grassy area beside the pool,
which is supervised in the summer. Suffice it to
say that this pool is disgustingly fun, and certainly
roomy enough to comfortably accommodate the
crowds that flock there.
STEPHANIE ORFORd
STEPHANIE ORFORd
Bestest Bathing
Most exciting slide:
Borgarnes
Best hot tub:
Hvammstangi—40 degrees,
plus jets
Nicest perk:
Free cupcakes on Friday in
Sauðárkrókur
Busiest pool:
Akureyri
Quietest pool:
Hvammstangi
Safest pool:
Akureyri—patrols indoors and outdoors
Greatest variety of pools: Akureyri
Nicest place to sit on deck:
Borgarnes
1. Borgarnes
2. Grettislaug
3. Akureyri
4. Sauðárkrókur
3. 4.
Car provided by Hertz car rental.
Book online at www.hertz.is or call 522 4400
Always best price online.
Various online-offers to all Air Iceland's destinations.
www.airiceland.is
websales@airiceland.is / tel. +354 570 3030 Contact Air Iceland or
travel agent for reservation.
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