Hilton Nordica

“Great Hotel”

Everything at this hotel was wonderful. The front desk staff were very friendly and helpful every time needed. Quick to get us a taxi, making change, and giving area directions. Room very nice. Had access to the executive lounge which offered a very nice appetizer and drinks, albeit minimal gluten … more

Everything at this hotel was wonderful. The front desk staff were very friendly and helpful every time needed. Quick to get us a taxi, making change, and giving area directions. Room very nice. Had access to the executive lounge which offered a very nice appetizer and drinks, albeit minimal gluten free options, Breakfast buffet had a wide range of offerings. Would definitely recommend this hotel"

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“Comfortable and quiet stay”

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Hilton. The queen view room was a good size for two people to be comfortable. The view room was comparable in size to an American hotel room in a city. The bed and pillows were comfortable and the room was quiet. We slept very well. There was an electric kettle … more

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Hilton. The queen view room was a good size for two people to be comfortable. The view room was comparable in size to an American hotel room in a city. The bed and pillows were comfortable and the room was quiet. We slept very well. There was an electric kettle with choices of teas and instant coffee and a small refrigerator. The bathroom had nice amenities: shower gel, conditioner, shampoo, body lotion and a shower cap. There was always parking, although sometimes we had to go to the overflow parking lot. We opted for an offsite breakfast. There is a wonderful Braud & Co. bakery within easy walking distance, located next to a gas station. Note that the nearby coffee shop Te and Kaffi is closed on weekends. There is also a Netto supermarket about a 2 minute walk from the hotel. The front desk staff was pleasant and helpful and noted our Hilton Honors status. They also allowed us to check in about an hour and a half ahead of schedule, perhaps due to being Hilton Honors members or perhaps because we looked exhausted!

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“Out of the way, dated, great food. Not 4 star.”

The biggest overall impression of the Hilton Nordica is that it is out of the way, dated, and small room. This is categorized as a 4 star hotel. I would definitely not classify this as a 4 star hotel. More like a 3 star. Way of of the way. I had to take the public bus to see the sites. The site… more

The biggest overall impression of the Hilton Nordica is that it is out of the way, dated, and small room. This is categorized as a 4 star hotel. I would definitely not classify this as a 4 star hotel. More like a 3 star. Way of of the way. I had to take the public bus to see the sites. The sites are over a half hour walk, a 5 minute taxi ride. However, a taxi to that area is $32 USD, the bus $3. Fortunately, the public bus is right across the street and it is very easy to navigate. You do need exact change - I tried the app to buy tickets but it did not work for me. I prefer to be within walking distance to sightseeing and restaurants/cafes. For a little bit more money, the Hilton Canopy is right in the middle of everything and the rooms are nicer. I paid $380 for the Hilton Canopy. I am not sure how much the Nordica is because it was part of a package. A comparison for a random date in September shows Canopy is $280 and Nordica is $220. I moved from Nordica to Canopy on my last day, and glad I did. The hotel is about 45 minutes from the airport, KEF. Someone staying at the hotel told me he paid $280 USD for the taxi. I arranged a Flybus and it was $38 USD and very efficient and dropped me off right in front of the hotel. Where the Nordica stands out is the food. The breakfast buffet and VOX restaurant are exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed both. The breakfast buffet had incredible coffee. Delicious salmon. I am not a bread fan, but the bread was a highlight of my trip - it was THAT good. There is a lot of variety, hot food, cold food, Skyr yogurt, fruits & veg, baked goods, breads. I had an exceptional dinner at VOX - it was also a highlight of my trip, and possibly the best meal I had in Iceland. I had the cod and the salmon app - fantastic. The room I stayed in was extremely small and not stylish at all. It looked like a college dorm. The bathroom was very small. The Canopy room was so much better decorated. The room does not have a USB port. The room has coffee and tea, full length mirror, makeup mirror, hair dryer, toiletries, iron, safe, fridge. There is a soap dispenser on the wall that I find annoying - you have to squeeze it to dispense soap. It is hard to squeeze and it drips on the counter, so you can't put any of your belongings under it if you don't want soap all over them. The sink does not have a stopper so it was impossible to do sink laundry. There is a water dispenser in the lobby, so remember to bring a water bottle. No need to buy water bottles anywhere in Iceland - the water is delicious. I like that all the hotels in Iceland, including this one, did not have carpeted floors. Wood is much more sanitary. The hotel and rooms were very clean. The service was very good. I contacted the hotel before my trip and, unlike most businesses these days, they actually answered the phone. Everyone speaks perfect English, so communication is very easy. I asked a lot of questions at checkin, and they were very helpful. My only service issue was on my last day. I requested a taxi from Nordica to Canopy. The front desk employee pressed the button for the taxi. I had to wait over an hour. 5 other parties AFTER me got their taxis. Perhaps they ordered them the day before? It should not have taken that long to get a taxi. Front desk never checked on me, standing outside in the freezing cold for an hour. I am glad I was not in a rush to get to the airport or to a meeting. Plan accordingly if you stay here. Stay here to save a little money or for the food, stay at Canopy if you want to be in the thick of things and a better grade hotel.

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“Fine, if you rented a car.”

The public areas of the hotel are quite nice. However, our room was quite small and lacked USB ports. We were able to open the window in our room, which I found very helpful! The hotel is over a mile from the center which makes it suitable for those renting a car, and not for those without one, lik… more

The public areas of the hotel are quite nice. However, our room was quite small and lacked USB ports. We were able to open the window in our room, which I found very helpful! The hotel is over a mile from the center which makes it suitable for those renting a car, and not for those without one, like us. Our luggage was lost by Icelandic Airlines, but I am very grateful to two members of the hotel staff, Mariva, and Greg, for going above and beyond in helping me recover our bags!

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