Arcanum Guesthouse
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#2 of 2 special inns in Vik
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HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Modern
Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Internet
Location
Ytri-Solheimar I 1, Vik 871 Iceland
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 36 out of 100
36
Keflavik Intl Airport
171.6 km•
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6 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
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Detailed Reviews
Our family of 5 stayed in a double and a triple room for 1 night, booked as part of a circular trip by Iceland Unlimited. I was a little apprehensive when I first saw a photo of this place – it looked, well, purely functional - and also saw that it was in the middle of nowhere. However we enjoyed our stay. Our rooms were around the back of the guesthouse and there was a picnic table outside where we could sit in the sun and drink tea/coffee/hot chocolate (drink-making facilities are in the rooms). The rooms, although small, were clean and had private facilities. Beds were comfortable. The floor heating in the shower was nice. WiFi was good.
It’s worth pointing out that staff at the reception and the adjoining busy tour agency may not be present all the time during the day – they were out on glacier tours when we arrived mid-afternoon. There was however a telephone number to ring if you arrived early.
We went to Vik late afternoon and ate our evening meal there; I don’t think there’s anything around the guesthouse.
Breakfast was very good, with bread straight from the oven and freshly made waffles.
It’s worth pointing out that staff at the reception and the adjoining busy tour agency may not be present all the time during the day – they were out on glacier tours when we arrived mid-afternoon. There was however a telephone number to ring if you arrived early.
We went to Vik late afternoon and ate our evening meal there; I don’t think there’s anything around the guesthouse.
Breakfast was very good, with bread straight from the oven and freshly made waffles.
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barebones guesthouse. Small rooms, with private bathroom. Pretty quiet. No blinds, need to bring your own eyeshades for the endless light in summer, luckily we had them. Expensive breakfasts are extra, not sure if they're worth it. Just a place to sleep while being fairly convenient to Vik.
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Date of stay: June 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had problems finding this place as there is no signposting from Route 1 and we had to ask twice in order to find it.
From the outside it is an odd place, clearly geared up for winter excursions from Reykjavik, with rows of skidoos, etc.
Once you get inside the building, the main dining room is very homely and the rooms are very modern and clean with a wonderful wet room with under-floor heating.
We found a great restaurant in Vik.
From the outside it is an odd place, clearly geared up for winter excursions from Reykjavik, with rows of skidoos, etc.
Once you get inside the building, the main dining room is very homely and the rooms are very modern and clean with a wonderful wet room with under-floor heating.
We found a great restaurant in Vik.
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are a family of five who stayed at the guesthouse for two nights. The room was clean, neat and spacious for our family. The bedroom had two sets of bunk beds and a double bed (can't remember the correct size). There was plenty of room to walk and store luggage either in the room or hallway. The room had a separate seating area with a couch, small table and 2 chairs. The bathroom was good size and contained the toilet, sink and shower in one room. We needed to take very quick showers or split up showering in the pm and am as we ran out of hot water for a family of 5. We did end up eating breakfast at the guesthouse since we were about 20 minutes from Vik and it was convenient. The breakfast room was comfortable and there was a nice variety of foods (waffles, cereal, yogurt, fruit, meat and cheese, hard rolls, and bread). The staff was very friendly and helpful. We used the guesthouse as a base allowing us to visit Landmannalaugar, Vik, Skaftafeil, and Glacier Lagoon. We would highly recommend staying at Arcanum. Look for the sign advertising Glacier Tours so you don't miss the road to the guesthouse!
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our group stayed one night there, rooms are spacious, clean and tidy. Quite bright in the summer of course, I don't have any problem going to sleep in the night, but for some light sleepers, it would be nicer to have thicker curtains.
The land lady(I guess she is) at the reception is very accommodating - Since we have to hit the road very early the next morning, earlier than the breakfast time, she offered to make us some sandwiches. We didn't expect much in the beginning, but it turned out to be a huge pack of food including home-baked waffles (yummy!), sandwiches, yogurt and other snacks！And the food are still warm when we bring them on roads. So touched! It makes my day~~~
The land lady(I guess she is) at the reception is very accommodating - Since we have to hit the road very early the next morning, earlier than the breakfast time, she offered to make us some sandwiches. We didn't expect much in the beginning, but it turned out to be a huge pack of food including home-baked waffles (yummy!), sandwiches, yogurt and other snacks！And the food are still warm when we bring them on roads. So touched! It makes my day~~~
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Date of stay: June 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We loved this guesthouse just outside of Vik. It was large, comfortable, clean, modern and had a friendly staff. The rooms were clean and the showers were amazing! The breakfast was generous - plenty of food and coffee. They even have a super friendly dog named Iceberg! Great for families.
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Date of stay: June 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were booked in here on our self drive tour of Iceland by the travel agency. I don't even know where to start. We drove around for a long time because there is no sign and the "guesthouse" looks like it is in a double wide. The rooms are spartan and the beds uncomfortable. The shower just empties all over the the bathroom floor, there is no tub or shower stall. Don't stay here.
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Date of stay: March 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I think the reviews overhype the place and the people who run the guesthouse need to work harder to make it work. improvement needed before we return. What needs improving ? 1) Signage...the guest house shares the site with an adventure holiday company. It is badly signed and eventually when you do find the site you think it is a garage before eventually finding the guest house 2) The guest house itself is a bland shed type building ( typical in Iceland) ...but a few plants/flowers etc would make it look a lot less like a shed 3) the wifi is poor ....not good for travellers 4) and finally they charge for breakfast...which is not on. The guest house is 20 km from Vik so unless you have suppliers with you ( which we did) you are struck paying an extra 2000 Krona ...just unacceptable. So ....until they can report improvements ...avoid
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Date of stay: June 2014Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Situated about 20 min from Vik, just off Route 1. Contrary to what others have noted, we thought it was easy to find - just use Google Maps or look for the sign for Myrdalsjokull off the 1 (there's also an Arcanum tours billboard). The guesthouse is about 1 km off the 1 - follow the road down round to the left till you see the sign for 'Arcanum Guesthouse', through a gate with a cattle grid. The owner's house and tour reception building are in close proximity. There's plenty of parking, and several snowmobiles/off road vehicles nearby. Reception isn't manned 24/7, but room keys are available to pick up at any time.
We stayed in a family room, there were two large, purpose-built bunk beds and a double bed, a small sitting room with tea/coffee/kettle and an en suite bathroom. Everything was spotlessly clean. There were plenty of bedding/towels provided. Continental breakfast is quite expensive (~13€ per person) but typical of Iceland tourist prices. There are only around 8 rooms, so it is quiet and remote, and you have to drive if you want to go pretty much anywhere other than the Arcanum tours on to the glacier. Overall, we found this a perfect place to stay on our driving trip around Iceland.
We stayed in a family room, there were two large, purpose-built bunk beds and a double bed, a small sitting room with tea/coffee/kettle and an en suite bathroom. Everything was spotlessly clean. There were plenty of bedding/towels provided. Continental breakfast is quite expensive (~13€ per person) but typical of Iceland tourist prices. There are only around 8 rooms, so it is quiet and remote, and you have to drive if you want to go pretty much anywhere other than the Arcanum tours on to the glacier. Overall, we found this a perfect place to stay on our driving trip around Iceland.
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Date of stay: June 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for one night in early July.
As reported by others, nightmare to find.
We did note that there were a couple of new signs in the foyer of the guesthouse.
When you pull up in the drive you cannot tell where the accommodation is. There are big 4WDs parked everywhere, cars in the garage and driveway work going on around the area. There was a group of men there that just looked at us when we arrived like we were something from outer space.
We ended up going into the tour booking office to find out where to check in.
Rooms are modern but very small.
WIFI is really good.
You have tea and coffee making facilities in the room.
Breakfast is nothing elaborate but fine however in comparison to other guesthouses expensive for what is provided, and staff are pretty much non - interactive or perhaps just not used to the guesthouse scene.
We think this place is in the early stages of learning how to be a guesthouse provider, they will make it in the end they just need some time and take feedback on board.
Dinner options in the area are pretty scarce - book in advance for Hotel Skogar near the Skogarfoss falls area. It is the only nice restaurant worth going to.
Suggestions
On confirmation emails dont emphasise the 10 euro per hour charge for late arrivals after 6pm - perhaps provide detailed directions road 222 or whatever it is to the tour / guesthouse establishment. Also take the opportunity to promote your tour business.
If we had known we would have booked a tour ! We already had other arrangements.
More fresh fruit at breakfast and perhaps scrambled eggs would be an easy addition.
Good luck.
Would be worth considering in the future.
As reported by others, nightmare to find.
We did note that there were a couple of new signs in the foyer of the guesthouse.
When you pull up in the drive you cannot tell where the accommodation is. There are big 4WDs parked everywhere, cars in the garage and driveway work going on around the area. There was a group of men there that just looked at us when we arrived like we were something from outer space.
We ended up going into the tour booking office to find out where to check in.
Rooms are modern but very small.
WIFI is really good.
You have tea and coffee making facilities in the room.
Breakfast is nothing elaborate but fine however in comparison to other guesthouses expensive for what is provided, and staff are pretty much non - interactive or perhaps just not used to the guesthouse scene.
We think this place is in the early stages of learning how to be a guesthouse provider, they will make it in the end they just need some time and take feedback on board.
Dinner options in the area are pretty scarce - book in advance for Hotel Skogar near the Skogarfoss falls area. It is the only nice restaurant worth going to.
Suggestions
On confirmation emails dont emphasise the 10 euro per hour charge for late arrivals after 6pm - perhaps provide detailed directions road 222 or whatever it is to the tour / guesthouse establishment. Also take the opportunity to promote your tour business.
If we had known we would have booked a tour ! We already had other arrangements.
More fresh fruit at breakfast and perhaps scrambled eggs would be an easy addition.
Good luck.
Would be worth considering in the future.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: All the rooms look the same. Bring your eye mask there are white blinds...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LOCATION
IcelandSouth RegionVik
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Frequently Asked Questions about Arcanum Guesthouse
Which popular attractions are close to Arcanum Guesthouse?
Nearby attractions include Solheimajokull Glacier (4.6 km), Mýrdalsjökull Glacier (4.6 km), and Crashed DC 3 Plane (4.3 km).
Are there any historical sites close to Arcanum Guesthouse?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Rútshellir Cave (12.5 km).