Iceland review - 2014, Síða 80

78 ICELAND REVIEW
By alëX Elliott
Lost and Found
Most Icelanders remember the days when you had to drive all
round Hvalfjörður fjord to get to Reykjavík from West Iceland.
It was considered a nuisance—despite being one of the most idyllic
spots in Southwest Iceland. That all changed when the Hvalfjörður
tunnel opened in 1998 and since then the fjord has been returned
to nature; the once trafficked road fallen silent and the superb land-
scape reserved for those who seek it out. Those who haven’t forgot-
ten it’s even there.
As a visitor to Iceland, a stay in Hvalfjörður is highly recommend-
ed. Not only is it probably the nearest place to Reykjavík you can
experience true Icelandic tranquility, it also boasts Hótel Glymur.
Charming, small and friendly, Hótel Glymur is ranked one of the
best hotels in all of Iceland, according to Trip Advisor.
Hótel Glymur is named after Iceland’s tallest waterfall. That’s
because Iceland’s tallest waterfall is practically within splash-
ing distance, right there at the end of Hvalfjörður. You’d think
it would be teeming with hikers and day-trippers. But you’d be
wrong. In fact, if you’re lucky you might even have the waterfall
all to yourself. If you’re staying at Hótel Glymur you could visit
the waterfall under the midnight sun. Magical!
There’s plenty more to Hótel Glymur than tranquility, being in
Reykjavík’s back-yard and its namesake waterfall. You’ll notice
this as soon as you walk in and feel the warmth and the bright-
ness. It is a seemingly impossible mix of Nordic chic, grandma’s
kitchen, an Italian restaurant and an Australian surf bar.
The classy mix-and-match theme doesn’t end there and ex-
tends to the food as well. Fresh Icelandic ingredients and reci-
pes; drizzled, marinated and seasoned with inspiration from all
over the world.
If you like the sound of all this but don’t fancy staying in a
hotel, then you’re in luck. Hótel Glymur also operates a ‘village’
of six private chalets providing hotel amenities with all the peace
and privacy of chalet accommodation. hotelglymur.is
Welcome to Hótel Glymur, a haven of peace and tranquility right on the capital’s doorstep.
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