Iceland review - 2007, Qupperneq 73

ICELAND REVIEW 79
If ever Reykjavík’s history could be contained in one building, Hotel Borg is a living,
breathing time capsule that has only gotten better with age. Visitors are sur rounded
by luxury in Art Deco that extends to every corner of the space and brings the
past confidently into the present. More than traveling back in time, Hotel Borg
allows guests to experience the past in a fully modern context.
O
riginally built in 1930 and designed by Gudjón Samúelsson, the architect
responsi ble for Reykjavík’s most recognizable landmark, Hallgrímskirkja, Borg’s
unique exterior looks down on Austurvöllur square in the heart of the city. Here,
the original parliament building and statue of one of Iceland’s founding
fathers places Hotel Borg squarely among Icelandic high society.
Entering the building through a set of circular sliding doors that are in effect a modern
take on the classical rotating-door entrance gives way to the foyer, resplendent in gold
and bronze Deco styling. The theme reaches its climax in a grand ballroom with gilded
walls and elaborate chandeliers infused with the spirits of the so cialites in flapper
dresses that once Lindy-hopped within its walls.
Recent renovations undertaken by new management have focused on preserving the
Borg’s classical Deco style and applying it faithfully to every square inch of the property. The
modifications create a truly coherent whole: molding, door handles, room number plaques,
elevator call buttons, even the conical silver door hinges, all reflect the original pieces present
at the hotel’s 1930 opening.
Borg’s 56 rooms go even deeper to create an individual experience for every guest.
Custom-made German furnishings employ three different kinds of wood and five distinct
varieties of leather to capture the Art Deco style, interpreted with individual character in
every room. Veneered parquet flooring and period globe lamps combine with radios,
telephones and flat-screen televisions by Bang & Olufsen and Hastens beds provide a
full range of modern comforts in a truly authentic classical atmosphere.
Resisting the temptation to cover the walls with Deco murals, rooms have been adorned
with photographs of Reykjavík life from 1925 to 1940, showing guests authentic scenes
of the age represented by the hotel’s décor. With a planned photo exhi bition adjoining
the lobby, Borg will have the added appeal of a city museum, recreating in living color
an important era in the history of the capital.
Borg’s four-star restaurant, Silfur, which blends a more modern design into the retro charact-
er of the rest of the building, provides world-class cuisine to match the high standards set by
the hotel itself. With its prime location, first-class services and unique character, Hotel Borg
is an ideal representative of both Icelandic culture and sophistication.
Hotel Borg
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