Akureyri is a beautiful city in north Iceland with a population of about 17,300. Though many people think that Iceland is cold, just as with Reykjavik, Akureyri is a warmer city for being so far north (just under the Arctic Circle). Akureyri is home to it's own university and a private graduate school called RES (School for Renewable Energy Science), and both schools have attracted international and national students. The cultural scene in the city is a popular outlet for many of the residents. There are not many hotels in the region, but those they have are high-class and built for comfort.

Budget Traveler

The closest to budget accommodation that you will find in Akureyri is Hotel Edda. There are 204 rooms and the hotel has an outdoor hot tub and pool. The hotel is a beautiful and modern building covered in windows. The Botanical Gardens is near the hotel and many activities are offered nearby such as horse riding, hiking and whale watching. Prices start as low as $60 per night, but the hotel is only open during the summer, so plan and book ahead!

Mid-range Accommodation

Hotel Harpa has a bar and restaurant on site. The restaurant, The Rose Garden, boasts of some of the best Iceland cuisine at all times of year from fish to meat to vegetables. Hotel Harpa also has conference facilities that can seat 270 people. There are 20 rooms in the hotel, all having satellite television, a phone that can make international calls, amenities to make coffee and tea and a radio. The standard single room starts at about $135 per night.

Kea is located in the central area of Akureyri town and has been open since 1944. The hotel offers some of the best conference halls in the city and has a wonderful restaurant and bar. There are 73 rooms in the hotel, all with a personal restroom, mini bar, all that you need to make coffee and/or tea, radio and satellite television. The restaurant offers superb Icelandic cuisine. Rooms start at around $135 per night, same as Hotel Harpa, as they are owned by the same company.

Splurger

If you are wanting to spend more on your stay, there are always the availability suites in all of the hotels that will prove to be a large comfort and great quality. If that is still not enough, there are always apartment rentals in Akureyri that would be more self-servicing without the amenities of a hotel. Available apartments are constantly changing, so it is best to do a quick search.