Atlantica - 01.12.2006, Page 80

DRINK
b5. b5 is a swanky bistro located in the belly of 101.
By day, the elegant café, which used to be the head-
quarters of a bank, is the perfect place to enjoy an
espresso while surfing the net. With large windows
reaching out onto downtown, even on the darkest,
rainy day, b5 is bathed in that precious commodity:
light. When evening comes, feel part of the moneyed
elite while you sip on a cocktail, sitting on the wall-
length sofa that feels as cozy as a love seat for two.
Bankastraeti 5. 552-9600. b5.is
Rex. Those who want to see and be seen head to
classy Rex, where local celebs drink colorful cocktails
with the wannabes of Iceland under ornate chande-
liers. Austurstraeti 9. 552-5599. rex.is
Vegamót. An old stand-by on the Reykjavík bar
scene, Vegamót serves up well-priced, well-portioned
meals by day and young trendy Icelanders by night.
Hard to get in after midnight and hard to leave once
you do.Vegamótastígur 4. 511-3040.
Vínbarinn. If you fancy sipping a vintage Burgundy
while mingling with Iceland’s politicos, Vinbarinn
(“The Wine Bar”) is the perfect choice. Small and
smoky, and unsurprisingly, the city’s best wine list.
Kirkjutorg 4. 552-4120.

SOAK
You haven’t seen Reykjavík if you
haven’t been to the pools; there are
16 in the capital area alone. Bring a
towel and a suit and you are in busi-
ness. (Or not. You can rent them at
any pool before you take a dip.)
Laugardalslaug. The granddaddy
of Reykjavík’s pools. It has both
indoor and outdoor 50-meter pools,
hot pots, a steam room, sun lamps,
and a waterslide to boot. 553-4039.
Árbaejarlaug. It may be a bit of a
hike from downtown, but Árbaejar-
laug is a firm favorite with Icelandic
families and young people. One
of the inter-connecting pools is
indoors, making it easy to adjust
temperatures in winter, while the
change rooms have outdoor areas
for dressing if the weather is par-
ticularly co-operative. 510-7600.
Seltjarnarneslaug. For a neighbor-
hood experience, try the newly
renovated pool in the town of
Seltjarnarnes, right next door to
Reykjavík. The water for the 25-me-
ter pool and hot pots is particularly
mineral-rich and therefore said
to be more relaxing and healthy.
561-1551.
Sleep, Drink & Soak...in Reykjavík
78 AT L A N T I CA
SLEEP
Radisson SAS 1919 Hotel. This one-year-old ad-
dition to the 4-star market in Reykjavík is housed
in the stately former headquarters of the Eimskip
shipping company. The décor is of the trendy,
upscale variety, including particularly comfort-
able couches in the Salt Lounge Bar. Flat screen
televisions in all the rooms emphasize the hotel’s
commitment to the latest technologies.
Pósthússtraeti 2. 599-1000.
1919.reykjavik.radissonsas.com.
Domus Guesthouse. Popular with longer-term
guests in the winter off-season, Domus guest-
house has 12 rooms over two buildings, one of
which is the former Norwegian Embassy. For
those on a budget, bunk bed accommodation for
up to 22 is available in a building across the street.
Hverfisgata 45. 561-1200. domusguesthouse.is
Hotel Klöpp. The newly renovated Hotel Klöpp
is a friendly and efficient mid-range hotel right in
the city center, just a minute’s walk from the real
noise on Laugavegur. The top floor rooms have
excellent views across the bay to Mount Esja.
Klapparstígur 26. 595-8520. centerhotels.is
Flóki Inn. Though not in the city’s most photo-
genic location, the 2-star Flóki Inn is near the bus
terminal, well-priced and friendly. Breakfast is
provided in a nice sun-room at the back.
Flókagata 1. 552-1155. inns.is
ICELANDa
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