Hotel Leifur Eiriksson - Reykjavik, Iceland 

A bad experience
Posted: Mon, May 26 2008
The location of the hotel is good and the staff rather friendly but that is the only good to say about this hotel. My room was in the annex just across the street and in the first room I found a cat on the bed. When I asked to change room as I am allergic to cats, I got a very small room with an even smaller bathroom. The room was very dirty, there where stains of tooth paste in the glass and a thick layer of dirt on the window sill. The table by the bed was stained with various things that previous guests had eaten and drunk. The two towles where very small.

OK I suppose, but wouldn't stay again
Posted: Sun, May 04 2008
After reading the reviews on here I thought I'd chosen a good hotel but I was a bit disappointed. We always stay in cheaper hotels as we just need a clean place to sleep. Although their is no smoking in the hotel there was a smell and our towels always smelt of smoke. The staff weren't very polite, however served their purpose. I was looking forward to breakfast after reading the reports as I thought it would be really good but all that was on offer was: 3 cereals, fish, cheese, ham, pepperoni, and bread. The toaster didn't really work - you could get hot bread. The double bed had two single duvets which was really uncomfortable. Over the top was a filthy double top sheet which matched the equally dirty curtains and second pillow/cushion. We were on the third floor but were woken regularly by the noisy bar downstairs. On the plus side the hotel is very central and easy to find, as it's just next to the church (the tallest building in Iceland, I believe) and it is cheaper than some other hotels. If you get the flybus from the airport a courtesy minibus will take you to the hotel.

Great location and great staff
Posted: Thu, May 01 2008
Organised this hotel through Cresta and it was great value for money. The hotel is in a great location and fulfills the purpose without any of the bells and whistles.Breakfast included and free coffee add to the value. Max and Shaun were what made it for us and offered good advice on tours, restaurants and the discounts do work which helps in this expensive city!

Solid location, nice stay
Posted: Tue, Apr 29 2008
Stayed in the winter when rates are low, tourists are scarce, and if you are lucky, the Northern Lights dance above you. Great time to visit Iceland. The HLE is perfectly located. It's on high ground next to Hallgrimskirkja, a beautiful church. (Make a small donation and you can climb up to the belfry for amazing panoramic views - a must do.) It's only a few blocks from the main street, but far enough that drunken revelry from the street doesn't keep you awake all night. Also elevated enough that if you go to a dark block, you can see the Northern Lights on a clear night. Not as fancy as one of the guided tours, but it won't set you back 100USD! Staff is friendly and effective. Breakfast is included, which is very helpful for saving money in expensive Iceland. Better to consult the internet or a guidebook than the staff for restaurant recommendations. While eating breakfast, I overheard the staff recommending the same two restaurants over and over to every guest who asked, giving the would be diners a Hotel Business Card and telling them to offer it to the waiter for a discount. Can't be sure, but sounds like they're more concerned with getting kickbacks from restaurant operators than giving good dining advice. Rooms are basic, but clean, warm, and fine for the price. This is a good place to explore Reykjavik from.