Rooms

The 28 rooms are sleek but simple with everything you need for a comfortable stay. All feature extra-long beds and contemporary ensuite bathrooms with walk-in showers or bathtubs. Thoughtful details include full-length mirrors, electric kettles, bathrobes and organic Sóley toiletries made with wild herbs.

Superior rooms are the largest, with added luxuries such as Nespresso machines, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, hair straighteners and slippers. With enough room to fit a baby cot and a rollaway bed, they're the best option for families or those planning to stay a few days.

All rooms have large windows with stunning views of the mountains or out towards the ocean in the distance. Opening the curtains will inspire awe whichever direction you face, but we think the mountain views look more interesting. What’s more, if the Northern Lights make an appearance you’ll be able to see them from your bed.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The double-height restaurant is an elegant space, with floor-to-ceiling windows for dinner with a spectacular view. The menu is equally impressive (just as well, given the isolated location) featuring fresh local ingredients, creatively prepared and presented.

Start with Icelandic beef carpaccio, cured reindeer in Flóki whisky or creamy lobster tail soup with seaweed. For mains, you might choose beef steak grilled on Icelandic lava stones, fresh water salmon cooked sous-vide or wild mushroom ragout with sautéed asparagus and a chanterelles-dill sauce. If you’ve got space for dessert, the chocolate ‘lava’ cake with vanilla parfait sounds divine, or head to the bar for a relaxed nightcap (the Blue Lagoon Martinis come highly recommended).

Unusually for Iceland, breakfast is included in the price and is a help-yourself spread of Full English and Continental options. From homemade bread and cereal to fresh fruit, cheese and Skyr (deliciously creamy Icelandic yoghurt), you’ll be set up for a day of adventure.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Walk to the coast (1km) to explore the empty black volcanic beach; it’s eerily beautiful and much quieter than those near Vík
  
• Sign up for some activities from the hotel's tour desk; you might find yourself snowmobiling across a glacier, ziplining over a canyon or on a super-Jeep adventure
  
• Return to sweat in the sauna, enjoy a massage, or self-practice yoga in the studio – all in the snazzy mirrored spa built on to the end of the hotel
  
• Gaze in awe at the thundering waterfalls of Skógafoss (10.5km) or Seljalandsfoss (23km). If you're steady on your feet, the hidden cascade of Nauthúsagil (33km) is reached by a thrilling 1.5km scramble along a ravine - wear sensible shoes and be prepared to get wet!
  
• Take the 35-minute ferry from Landeyjahöfn (36km) to the fascinating Westman Islands; the 15 volcanic islets are a haven for sea birds, including puffins
  
• Just west of Vík (41km), Reynisfjara black beach has towering basalt columns, while the huge lava arch of Dyrhólaey is battered by crashing waves
  
• Visit the high-tech LAVA Centre (43km) for an interactive multimedia journey through Iceland’s volcanic and seismic life

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Snowsports
• Stargazing
• Waterfalls
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

Families are very welcome. There are toys for youngsters, but no specific children's areas. The hotel is a good base for half-day trips, with lots to see within a short distance. Kids will enjoy the buffet breakfast and the restaurant can provide simple dishes like pasta with meatballs for lunch or dinner.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms can accommodate a baby cot (available free of charge). The more spacious Superior rooms have space for a rollaway bed, too, making them ideal for families of 4.

Distances:

• Airport: 2.5-3 hours (Reykjavik)
• Shops and restaurants: 10-minute drive (10km) to the nearest restaurant and a small convenience store; 40-minute drive to larger shops in Vik and Hvolsvöllur
• Hospital: 1 hour (90km)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Umi Hotel is set on a windswept plain on the south coast of Iceland. It's 2km off the NR1 Ring Road, in the region of Hvolsvöllur. The drive from Reykjavík takes about 2 hours (150km).

By Air:
Fly into Keflavik International and ask to be picked up by the hotel, or hire a car. We'd suggest a 4x4 so you can venture onto the region's smaller gravel roads. Snow tires are essential in the winter months.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.