Hotel Island Spa and Wellness Review: Silfra Spa & Free Parking

Hotel Island Spa and Wellness in Reykjavik combines a dedicated spa facility – Silfra Spa – with practical perks like free on-site parking and WiFi. Guests on booking platforms consistently rate it between 8.1 and 8.4 out of 10, making it a frequently cited option among city wellness hotels in Iceland’s capital. This review draws on official property descriptions, travel guide listings, and aggregated guest feedback to give you a clear picture of what the hotel offers and the trade-offs involved.

Last checked: 2026-09-21

Location: Central Reykjavik · Spa: Silfra Spa with heated pool, cold tub, floating pool, sauna · Parking: Free on-site parking · WiFi: Free WiFi

Is Hotel Island a Spa and Wellness Hotel in Reykjavik?

Hotel Island – Spa & Wellness (official name) is indeed a spa and wellness hotel. Its website and travel guide listings explicitly brand it as such, and the on-site Silfra Spa is marketed as Iceland’s first dedicated wellness and spa facility (Guide to Iceland). The property opened as a 4-star hotel with 128 rooms (Travelocity) and later added the spa branding to its identity.

What makes it a spa and wellness hotel?

Beyond the name, the hotel allocates substantial space to wellness. Silfra Spa includes three hot tubs, a cold tub, a floating pool, a sauna, and a full-service treatment menu offering deep-tissue, hot stone, sports, and Swedish massages (Travelocity). The hotel also has a fitness centre, fitness classes, and yoga, positioning it as a comprehensive urban wellness retreat rather than a standard city hotel with a small spa.

What facilities does Silfra Spa offer?

The spa features a heated plunge pool, a cold tub, a floating pool, and saunas. The hotel description on Tripadvisor states: “Silfra Spa is the place to balance the mind, body and soul. The facilities are first class, and offer a hot tub, a cold tub and a floating pool” (Tripadvisor hotel copy). Guests can access these amenities as part of their stay – an important detail for wellness travellers who want more than a basic hotel gym.

The bottom line: Hotel Island is unambiguously a spa and wellness hotel, with a range of wet and dry facilities that go beyond what most Reykjavik mid-range hotels provide.

“Silfra Spa is the place to balance the mind, body and soul. The facilities are first class, and offer a hot tub, a cold tub and a floating pool.”

– Hotel description on Tripadvisor (marketing copy)

Which Spa in Iceland Is Considered the Best?

Iceland’s spa scene is dominated by geothermal destinations like the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon, but among hotel-based spas, Silfra Spa at Hotel Island regularly earns mentions as a standout urban option. Guide to Iceland calls it “Iceland’s first dedicated Wellness and Spa facility,” a claim that sets it apart from other city hotels that may have only a sauna or a small treatment room.

How does Silfra Spa compare?

Compared with other Reykjavik hotels that offer limited spa facilities (e.g., a basic sauna), Silfra Spa provides a full wet area with multiple hot tubs and a cold plunge – amenities more commonly found at larger resort properties outside the city. The trade‑off is that the hotel is not in the historic city centre; it sits in the Háaleiti district, about 2.9 km from the main shopping streets. For some travellers, the short drive or bus ride is a small price for the wellness facilities and free parking (KAYAK).

What do reviews highlight about the spa?

Guest reviews on Expedia and KAYAK frequently mention the spa as a highlight, particularly the heated and cold pools. KAYAK’s overview notes that guests “consistently highlight … convenient amenities such as parking and a well-equipped gym,” with the spa cited as a differentiator. The aggregate rating of 8.1–8.4 out of 10 across major booking sites (Expedia) suggests that the spa contributes positively to overall satisfaction, though some reviewers note that spa access hours can be limited on occasion (KAYAK).

What this means: Silfra Spa is frequently considered one of the best hotel spas in Reykjavik, especially for travellers who want a full wet area rather than just a treatment room. The location trade‑off is manageable thanks to free parking.

What Do Hotel Island Spa and Wellness Reviews Say?

Guest feedback aggregated from multiple platforms paints a consistent picture: comfortable rooms, friendly staff, a generous buffet breakfast, and appreciated amenities like parking. Below we break down what different sources emphasise.

What do major review platforms mention?

On Tripadvisor (1000+ reviews), the hotel scores approximately 3.9 out of 5. The most commonly praised features are the breakfast buffet and the friendly, helpful staff (Hotels.com). The hotel description on Tripadvisor highlights Silfra Spa as a key selling point. On Expedia and Hotels.com, the aggregate scores cluster in the “very good” range (8.1–8.4/10). KAYAK summarises: “Guests consistently highlight the hotel’s friendly and helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms, and convenient amenities such as parking and a well-equipped gym.” Agoda data shows stable scores around 7.9–8.1 for couples, families, and business travellers, indicating broad but not luxury‑level appeal.

What do negative reviews point out?

Critical reviews, synthesised by KAYAK and Tripadvisor, mention that some rooms and bathrooms feel dated or clinical, the location is slightly outside the historic core, and spa or gym opening hours occasionally disappoint. A small number of guests also reported inconsistent housekeeping. These are relatively minor complaints considering the overall ratings, but they matter for travellers prioritising design or walkability.

The pattern: Reviews consistently praise the spa, breakfast, staff, and parking while noting that the location and room décor are not the most central or modern in Reykjavik. The hotel appeals most to those who value practical perks over ultra‑central boutique charm.

“Guests consistently highlight the hotel’s friendly and helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms, and convenient amenities such as parking and a well-equipped gym.”

– KAYAK hotel overview (summary of guest reviews)