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The Hotel - Akureyri

Hotel Edda Akureyri

Located in lovely surroundings above the Akureyri Church, next to the Botanical Garden and a short way from the center and the swimming pool. Operated as a campus for the local colleges during the winter but in summer it is operated as a lovely hotel. 

Dorms become quality hotels - a brief history of Hotel Edda

Hotel Edda, open since 1961. Ours is quite a unique story, rooted in the nation’s inherent characteristics that still to this day define our standard of service. If the somewhat harsh nature has taught us anything through the centuries, it is practicality and hospitality towards strangers. Therefore, it was perhaps inevitable that the boarding schools in the countryside, vacant during summer breaks, would assume a new role as the increasing intercontinental air travel in the 1950’s made Iceland a more viable destination for tourists.

Hotel Edda Akureyri

 

Hotel Edda Akureyri

Old School Hospitality

At that time there was virtually no infrastructure available to travellers from abroad, outside the capital and a handful of the largest towns. One either had to camp in soggy tents or rely on the generosity of farmers or villagers. So how were we to accommodate the growing number of foreign visitors, waiting to see our waterfalls, glaciers and barren highlands? The answer was obvious: New and modern boarding schools were strategically positioned around the country, with all the facilities and readily available, since summer breaks were exceptionally long to allow students to return home to work on the family farms during the busiest months of May to September.

And so Hotel Edda came to be in the spring of 1961 at the boarding schools at Laugarvatn and Akureyri, soon to be followed by more than a dozen locations in other parts of the country. Over the next decade, the makeshift summer hotels proved to beneficial to both travellers and locals alike, offering the former a good place to stay while enjoying the spectacular nature and the latter a fresh job opportunity in an ever-growing service sector.

Most things were different back then. Travelling around the country was extremely time consuming. Rough, single-lane gravel roads were the only available option and the largest glacial rivers weren’t bridged until 1974 but had to be forded when and if conditions allowed. And although only some of the country schools are still operated and the accommodation at Hotel Edda has changed from dorm rooms to comfortable hotel rooms of modern quality, our staff still welcomes visitors with the relaxed attitude of someone offering up their home for a weary traveller. We call it, fittingly, old-school hospitality.

Welcome to Hotel Edda.

Environmental Policy

The main appeal of Iceland is the pristine and unspoiled nature. Hotel Edda recognize their environmental responsibility and our goal at Hotel Edda is to continually improve our environmental performance without compromising the outstanding level of service our guests have come to expect.

We pledge to:

  • Reduce waste and increase recycling
  • Choose nature friendly products and services
  • Emphasize using local products and Icelandic ingredients
  • To follow the current environmental legislation and aim to exceed it
  • Inform guests about our environmental policy and how they can participate and help
  • Educate employees and service providers about environmental issues
Hotel Edda Akureyri

 

Hotel Edda Akureyri

Local guide

Akureyri is 390 km (242 miles) from the capital Reykjavik and 250 km (156 miles) from Egilsstadir the centre of Herad in the east. The town is situated in one of the longest fjords in Iceland Eyjafjordur and is surrounded by high mountains. Akureyri is about 60 km (37 miles) south of the Arctic Circle but summer temperatures can nevertheless reach 25°C (77°F).

Winters may however bring heavy snowfall and cold weather. The northerly position of Akureyri has had considerable influence on the community. Trade began here in the 16th century, but it was not until 1760 that merchants took up permanent residence in the town. Akureyri is the largest community outside the capital Reykjavik with around 19.000 inhabitants.

 

Cultural life

Cultural life and entertainment are flourishing at Akureyri. It has a symphony orchestra, theatre, art museums, cafés, restaurants and night-clubs. There is a wide range of shops in town, offering brand name products. The University of Akureyri opened in 1987. The Botanical Garden was established in 1912. (See below).

The most northerly golf course in Iceland is located at Akureyri. In June every year there is a competition called „Akureyri-Open“, which attracts many overseas competitor. The tee-off is at midnight and the golf is played under the mid-night sun until the wee hours.

 

Hotle Edda Akureyri