Popular with tour groups, Hotel Edda sits astride its more stylish, glass-fronted sister property Icelandair Hotel Vik, adding only modestly to the look of both with two banks of angled windows. Both share a lobby and the main common spaces, where filament bulbs lend atmosphere to the front desk. A lobby bar stretches alongside a glass fireplace set into a rough-hewn stone wall, with floor-to-ceiling windows adding plenty of natural light. Sculptures by a native artist adorn each Icelandair hotel lobby, and large black birds hang from the ceiling or are perched on the floor near a piano. The Edda also has its own chic but rustic lounge with a vaulted wooden ceiling, high windows, and pendant globe lights, with leather couches and wicker chairs. 

Centrally located in the small town of Vik, the hotel is surrounded by rugged hills and traditional family homes, along with a few restaurants and shops. There is little nightlife around, but the hotel is close to some of Iceland’s more remote natural wonders, such as glaciers, volcanoes, black-sand beaches, and hot springs. Mt. Reynisfjall is just a three-minute drive, and some guests opt to hike along trails from the hotel to observe the puffins and other abundant birdlife along the way. The seafront Dyrhólaey nature reserve is a 25-minute drive, while the Skógarfoss waterfalls are about 30 minutes away from the hotel. Reykjavik is a good two hours and 20 minutes away by car. Expect a three-hour drive to Keflavik International Airport (KEF).  

There are 31 rooms in the main building and 10 rooms housed inside private cottages a short walk from the hotel along a stone path. All are small and simple, sparsely furnished with wood floors and gray fabrics. The standard rooms have double or two twin beds, with wall shelves that double as small desks built alongside narrow closets, along with a pair of cushioned metal chairs. Flat-screen TVs are mounted on the wall, and electric tea kettles come standard, but there are no mini-fridges or coffeemakers. The cottages have shared entrances (two rooms to a building) and vaulted ceilings. They have a similar decor, though a few differences include a small dining table with two chairs and a big comfy sitting chair. The tiled bathrooms have small walk-in showers.

The hotel's Restaurant Berg serves classic Icelandic cuisine like arctic char from Fagridalur in southern Iceland, and dishes with regional twists like the lamb fillet grilled on stones from nearby Black Beach. The lobby bar has a gas fireplace and a daily happy hour. There's also a bright meeting room with banquet tables. There's no hot tub or pool here, but there are plenty of nature trails and off-road hiking opportunities to keep active in the area. Free parking is available on-site.