Reykjavik EDITION

I think the problem with trying to be a five-star hotel in a place without any five-star competitors is that there is no source for comparison. The EDITION, while having all of the style and flash, ultimately falls short of its five-star goal. Don’t get me wrong, the EDITION team is friendly, nice, and accommodating, but during our stay there were missing elements - dots that didn’t get connected. I had to remind people about removing charges that were supposed to have been removed, I was misinformed about breakfast pricing, and we did not get the Northern Lights wake-up call that we requested (luckily we woke ourselves up). At five-star hotels, these elements don’t get missed. Some of the other five-star finer points were also missing. When you walk into a Four Seasons after being out for the day, you are greeted by name and often with a question about what activities you did that day. That unfortunately did not happen at the EDITION. Additionally, and on a significantly smaller note, if I’m paying $1500 per night for a room, I don’t want the valet calling me “boss.” As for the hotel itself, it’s very sleek and very, very dark. Dark wood, dark ceilings, dim lighting. That probably appeals to certain travelers, but it was a miss for me. You should also know that Iceland is expensive, almost offensively so, so be prepared to spend a lot of money. It’s a beautiful country and Reykjavík is a gorgeous city, but my goodness is it pricey.

If you’re looking for a spot that’s right in the middle of Reykjavik, The Edition is the move. We walked out the front door and were instantly in it — coffee, shops, those gorgeous mountain views. And our room overlooked the water, which is not a terrible way to wake up. The lobby had a cool, clean look, but still felt warm. And the bar? Gorgeous. They offered crafted cocktails, but we usually ended the night with a Chablis, which was really wonderful. Our room was spacious and super clean, with a very comfortable bed, cozy robes, and heated bathroom floors, which was a nice little bonus. The staff was great from the moment we walked in, and the concierge helped us with any questions we had about our tours—a 10 out of 10 stay. If you want to be right in the city and walk everywhere, I’d definitely recommend it.

The hotel was in a great location on the harbour overlooking the water and mountains. We had a room with 2 double beds which was a good size with a well stocked mini bar. The restaurant was wonderful, reminiscent of a Viking boat with lots of natural wood and a great menu. I would recommend the catch of the day. The gents in the down stairs bar took great care of us sat at the bar or serving drinks by the fire or to the tables. The Sky bar is perfect for cocktails in the evening with stunning views. If you are heading out early the cafe is a good pit stop for a quick bite and does excellent coffee. A lovely team and a beautiful hotel in the heart of the city, great for exploring.

We stayed at The Reykjavik Edition twice during our 10 days in Iceland. Having previously stayed at the Madrid Edition, I was excited to experience another property from the brand. The design here is stunning, exactly what you’d expect from Edition, with stylish common areas and a modern, sophisticated atmosphere. However, the rooms are exceptionally small, among the smallest I’ve ever encountered in a hotel. There’s very little room for luggage, and we often found ourselves stepping over our suitcases. While the design aesthetic is lovely (although extremely minimalist), it’s difficult to appreciate when space is so limited. Housekeeping was inconsistent; turndown service was missed on two of our four nights, even after requesting it in advance. The bell and valet service were also hit-and-miss, there was rarely anyone at the entrance, and we had to track down staff for assistance. There was often a wait at the front desk, and the concierge desk was frequently unattended. On the positive side, the food was excellent. Breakfast featured a high-quality buffet with fresh options and made-to-order dishes, though service could be more attentive, used plates tended to linger on tables. We often stay at luxury properties such as Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, and Capella. Even when the rooms there are on the smaller side, the thoughtful design and extraordinary service make the experience feel indulgent and well worth the cost. At The Edition, however, the rooms are not only compact but also styled in a very minimalist way, which can come across as stark rather than cozy. Without the warmth and attentiveness of truly top-tier service to balance that simplicity, the overall experience felt underwhelming for a hotel in this category.

What’s good? Location is central and walkable to many things, and although it’s close to the action, it’s quite peaceful. Build quality is excellent to help you rest. Doors and walls are thick. Carpet in strategic areas, elevators are quiet and don’t ding. Even close to an elevator or adjoining room is fine (although most people were respectful of others) Service, although not perfect, was very good. Staff are responsive and fairly quick with requests. We were there 7 nights and could observe their hard work and small details like how they adjust the front revolving door to make it easier to enter. Although we are regrettably missing some names, senior management should recognize the efforts of staff such as Eva at front desk, Igor and Robert and Elena at the restaurant, Alise in the cafe, and Anita and Biorda at hostess. Dining experience and service was good. We ate breakfast at the hotel every morning and dinner about half the time and lunch once. Spa and gym were used while we were there and they were functional, clean and had enough amenities. What could be better? Rooms were a little small and we did get some banging and clunky noises sometime. Our room was accessible so water from the shower goes everywhere leading to slipping hazard and we would clean the floor ourselves. The app was useless for room requests, but when you call things come right away. As good as service is, even status members doesn’t guarantee things like early check in. The hotel is expensive, but you know that. Overall: We found the overall experience to be good and we would return.