Apartment

House of the Snowbird

Photo gallery for House of the Snowbird

The house
Dining area
Dining
Bedroom romance
Ceramics straight from the kiln downstairs

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 260 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Reykjavík, Capital Region
  • Reykjavik Harbour
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Reykjavik City Hall
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Harpa
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Reykjavik (RKV-Reykjavik Domestic)
    ‪5 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining Area

About this property

House of the Snowbird

In the historic center where Reykjavík City‘s old heart beats there is a unique old house that used to be called Aberdeen.

The house is owned by a family of artists who have left their mark on every detail of the house. The style of the house is an interesting fusion of Scandinavian wooden old style from before the year 1900 and a modern raw artistic touch.

The location is fantastic, with a view over the streets of the old town, surrounded by museums, galleries, cafés, restaurants and the old harbour.

If you are into the unusual and want to experience an artistic side of Reykjavík, then this is your place.

Practicalities:
- This is a whole apartment (60sqm), which is ideal for a couple.
- A very descriptive Guest Guide packed with information and ideas for things to do in Reykjavík.
- Complimentary toiletries.
- The house is warm and cosy and full of home made art.
- Fully equipped kitchen.
- Parking is included during your stay.
- There is a laundromat just 3 mins walk away.
- This is one of Reykjavík's oldest wooden houses and is located so centrally that there may naturally be some noises from the city's street life.
- The proprietor is quite a seasoned traveler herself, speaks several languages and is well in tune with her beautiful country. She will be happy to be of assistance.

Well then, see you in 101 Reykjavík, at the very place this young city began!

Property manager

Elsa Björg Magnúsdóttir
Premier Host

Languages

Danish, English, Icelandic, Italian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Dryer
Free WiFi
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
Please be careful with the artwork in the house.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses geothermal energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Reykjavik

Located by the sea, this apartment is in Downtown Reykjavik, a neighbourhood in Reykjavik. Reykjavik Pond and Seltjarnarnes Peninsula Jogging Path reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Elding Reykjavik Whale Watching and Reykjavík Maritime Museum. Vesturbaejarlaug Swimming Pool and Sundhollin are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and windsurfing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and ecotours nearby.
Map
Reykjavík, Capital Region

What's nearby

  • Reykjavik Harbour - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Reykjavik City Hall - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Harpa - 8 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Hallgrimskirkja - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • University of Iceland - 16 min walk - 1.4 km

Getting around

  • Reykjavik (RKV-Reykjavik Domestic) - 5 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Le Kock - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪American Bar - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Sæta Svínið - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Laundromat Café - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Drunk Rabbit - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is House of the Snowbird pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at House of the Snowbird?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at House of the Snowbird?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is House of the Snowbird located?

Located in Downtown Reykjavik, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Reykjavik City Library and Reykjavik Harbour. Laugavegur and Harpa are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 35 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brian P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic place!
This was exactly what we'd hoped for: a lovely, charming, and convenient place to stay right in the heart of the action. Wonderful!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

James J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Stay
This was an amazing place to stay. Very comfortable house, walking distance from everything and well kept. If you get a chance go to the studio on the bottom floor and meet Elsa, she is very nice.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Harley H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming House in Old Reykjavik
Super comfortable apartment located near all of the sights and good restaurants Lovely artwork. Easy parking. Host was very helpful accommodating our arrival.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place in center of town
A fantastic place to stay! You are in the heart of everything and you are in walking distance of most of the in-town tourist things you would need. Of course, getting out of town is the best way to see Iceland, but this is spacious, and the owners are great. I would recommend this place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect!
This beautiful historical home in the center of Reykjavik was perfect. Great location and wonderful host, Elsa, who was helpful and responsive whenever we had questions. Thank you, Elsa!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kate O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfectly Charming & Comfortable
This charming, historic home was just perfect! Very well appointed, decorated with lovely artwork, comfortable bed and perfectly located in old town of Reykjavik with all the restaurants and shops you could want on your doorstep or within easy walking distance. Parking right outside too is super handy! Elsa was a lovely host and very responsive. If it's available for your visit, just book it... We would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

William J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Reykjavik
Perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
1ST TIME IN ICELAND
This unit is nothing short of AWESOME! Such a cool apartment with character and old authentic feeling...great location as well...walk to almost anything! We'll hopefully stay here again next year if available! Cheers, Mark & Ingrid
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This is a great find - comfortable, very clean, decorated with the owner’s artwork, and ideally located to explore the Old Town of Reykjavik. There was a bit of street noise but that’s only to be expected in a heritage building at the centre of city. We loved this place and will definitely try to stay here again if we return to Reykjavik. The owner was very helpful and communicative. throughout.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elyse R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location & character
Couldn’t ask for a more perfect location with charm & unique culture everywhere! Comfortable beds & beautiful home! Bring earplugs in case the city is alive while you try and sleep. Otherwise, perfection!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom C., Frenchtown, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing House of the Snowbird
Elsa is such a kind and welcoming woman. The space reflects an artistic appreciation of light, creative spirit and function. The House of the Snowbird is in a perfect location! What a blessing. Takk Fyrir.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Beata P., Mission Viejo

Perfect host, perfect location, perfect cozy apartment:)
Elsa was totally reliable and helpful. We had issues with the online paying but thanks to her we could still book the place. The apartment looks exactly like on the pictures. Cozy and spacious. Cannot wish better location. Elsa provided us with lots of info before our arrival (including restaurants, stores...) which was very helpful!!! I would highly recommend this place!!! Hope I will have the opportunity to meet her once personally:)
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Amanda K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible Location
Absolutely stunning experience. We had endless recommendations for our stay and the location in Reykjavik was within walking distance of everything. The owner was incredibly kind and communicative. We enjoyed our stay immensely!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

David L., Roanoke, Virginia

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfort with an artistic twist
House of the Snowbird is a great place to stay in Reykjavik. The building is very close to everything including restaurants. The apartment is immaculate. It is beautifully decorated with art work and pottery from the gallery below. Elsa was a great host. She responded quickly to all messages. We had the pleasure of meeting her when we were checking out. She takes great pride in maintaining her place. I would highly recommend the House of the Snowbird.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The house is historic, the location is fantastic, and the host is gracious. You can’t go wrong. Just book it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

George M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Downtown Reykjavik!!
You cannot pick a better spot if you are visiting Iceland the first time. So close to everything we walked everywhere. We both were very happy.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lauren G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely guest house near the water
My husband and I loved staying here! The location was easily walkable from the main shopping strip in downtown Reykjavík and was near plenty of restaurants itself (including the famous hot dog stand!). We would definitely stay here again the next time we come to Iceland.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ann S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Complete gem of a place!!
We had an amazing stay at the House of the Snowbird!! The location is fantastic - there are so many great places to eat, shop, drink, and sight-see within walking distance. The home is beautiful and historic and filled with amazing art. Elsa is delightful and provided so much interesting and helpful information about Reykjavik and Iceland in general. The rental was filled with great amenities for travelers. I really appreciated having a hair dryer, toothpaste (we ran out!), and delicious coffee as well as some items in the fridge waiting for us! The views of town from the home are charming and the bed was very comfortable. Check in and check out was very easy and Elsa was great with communicating with us. We had an amazing stay and are already dreaming of our return!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Randi B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Welcoming Stay at the House of the Snow Bird
This was an amazing vacation. Elsa is an inviting host with wonderful tips for staying in Reykjavik. This location is second to none and easy to find and get to. Her tips on near-by restaurants were right our alley. The house is clean and homey and is perfectly decorated. A must see is the art studio in the basement of the house for a chance to take home the memories. Thank you for a lovely stay.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Die Lage ist perfekt für die Erkundung der Altstadt!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Danyel O.

The property was lovely, filled with warm light, beautiful artwork and all of the necessities.
We loved staying at Elsa’s place. She was an amazing host, always making sure we had all the things we needed. The location was close to the port, museums, shops and dining down town. It was the perfect place with smartly appointed space. Our family of 4 fit comfortably.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dan and Susan G.

Clean, fascinating art, city and culture.
A Very Special guesthouse!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

BARBARA R.

Ideal location, charming apartment
House of the Snowbird is a lovely, well-appointed apartment located in the heart of old Reykjavik.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Doug G., Vancouver, BC

Ok
This apartment has a great location, and is within proximity of everything in downtown Reykjavik. With that said, the bed is incredibly uncomfortable and left our backs aching - I ended up sleeping on the pull-out couch. It should be noted that this is not the only rental within the building, there is another apartment below. I know the building is old, and has great heritage, but one can hear everything that occurs downstairs. This apartment is best served as a starting point from which to enjoy the rest of Iceland. I wouldn't recommend staying here beyond a night or two.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Martin P., Los Angeles, USA

Cute apartment and location is fantastic!
Elsa and her staff takes great care of you - highly recommend this place (They have 2 apartments)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017

About the host

Hosted by Elsa Björg Magnúsdóttir

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Italian, Danish, Icelandic

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests