Reykjavík Grapevine - 27.09.2019, Blaðsíða 45

Island Life
News From The Icelandic Countryside
Words: Andie Fontaine
The cranes have ar-
rived in East Iceland.
And by that we don’t
mean the band; we
mean the actual
birds. They’re
not native to
Iceland, but
for some rea-
son they’re
arriving in
increasing
numbers. Con-
servationists are
more fascinated
by the trend than
worried.
There has been
considerable
flooding in West
Iceland lately,
causing
mudslides
and temporary
road closings in an
unseasonably
rainy late
summer. As
always, you
should check road
conditions before
travelling into the
countryside.
A new species of trout may be evolving in !ingvellir lake. Genetic testing on some fish has
shown significant divergence from the trout that already swim in this lake, but research
is still ongoing. Still, “the Icelandic trout” sounds pretty cool, no?
45The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 17— 2019
Hotel Bú!ir
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Hotel
Bú!ir is our favourite bolthole in
the West once more. “It’s still the
best,” one panellist declared. We
can't argue. Inside and out, Hotel
Bú!ir is a charming destination.
Whether you explore the pictur-
esque surroundings, with views of
the majestic Snæfellsjökull one way
and the sea the other, or plant your-
self in the handsomely appointed
lounge taking in the sights through
Bú!ir's telescope.
Sigló Hótel
Fans of Scandi Noir may recognize
Sigló Hótel from the Icelandic TV
series ‘Trapped.’ Stately and on the
harbour, the hotel boasts views
onto the fjord, the mountains of
the Tröllaskagi peninsula, and the
Siglufjör!ur marina. Combining
old Icelandic charm in its décor
with Nordic luxury, each spacious
room has a view onto the sea. With
a fireplace indoors and a hot tub by
the harbour, Sigló Hótel is comfort
and romance incarnate.
Skálakot
Ideally located in the heart of South
Iceland, Skálakot is our favourite
from a considerable crop of recent-
ly-opened hotels. It’s a new build-
ing, but you’d never know from the
comfortable country manor vibe;
every detail of the rooms is perfect,
from the tasteful patterned wallpa-
per to the modernist kettles, slen-
der coffee makers, cloud-like beds
and deep bathtubs. The in-house
restaurant is also excellent. It’s like
an Icelandic version of the Twin
Peaks Great Northern Lodge.
Best Of Iceland
The best hotels in the West from our Best Of Iceland travel ma"azine
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