Reykholt – A Wonderful Place to Be, Where Everyone Belongs!

Christmas beer is on tap, the Northern Lights are dancing, and in the heart of South Iceland, warmth is about much more than hot tubs.

November has arrived.

The Christmas beer is back on tap, the woolly socks have emerged from the bottom of the drawer, and hopefully, the annual debate about winter tyres is already behind us. In Iceland, we try to prepare for winter driving conditions before winter decides to surprise us.

It's getting colder. The days are getting shorter. And somewhere in the Icelandic countryside, someone is sitting in a hot tub, looking up at the sky and thinking:

"You know what? Life is pretty good."

And honestly, they're absolutely right.

Because something rather wonderful happens in Reykholt, in South Iceland, as winter approaches.

The countryside grows quieter, the Northern Lights begin making their appearances, and somehow, the hot water feels even warmer when the cold air nips at your cheeks.

But it's not just the nature that makes Reykholt special.

It's the people.

A Small Village with a Big Heart

There's an old saying that it takes a village to raise a child.

In Reykholt, we might say it takes a whole village to create a wonderful weekend.

Because this little village in the heart of Iceland's Golden Circle is home to people who have poured their ideas, passion and hard work into creating businesses and experiences that make Reykholt something truly special.

And the lovely thing is that it's not simply about welcoming visitors.

It's about building a community.

A community where hospitality, cooperation and genuine pride in what we do matter.

Where people know one another, support each other and understand that when one business succeeds, the whole village can benefit.

Our businesses may be different, but we share something important.

We want people to feel good in Reykholt.

And perhaps that's exactly why this little village feels so welcoming.

Friðheimar – A Gem Right on Our Doorstep

We Icelanders can be a funny bunch.

We enthusiastically recommend our favourite places to visitors from around the world, proudly explain what they absolutely must see and experience, and tell everyone how wonderful our country is.

And then, sometimes, we forget to visit those places ourselves.

Friðheimar is a perfect example of somewhere every Icelander should experience at least once.

There's something quite extraordinary about stepping inside a greenhouse in the Icelandic countryside, where warmth welcomes you, tomato plants stretch towards the ceiling, and the delicious aroma of food fills the air.

Outside, there might be frost, wind or rain.

Inside, it's summer.

Or at least something that feels wonderfully close to it.

Friðheimar is so much more than a restaurant.

It's a beautiful example of what happens when imagination, Icelandic nature, geothermal energy and hardworking people come together.

And we're lucky enough to have this experience practically on our doorstep.

Vínstofan – When a Good Evening Becomes a Great One

And then there's Vínstofan.

Because a memorable dining experience isn't just about what's on your plate or in your glass.

It's about the atmosphere.

Taking a seat, slowing down, enjoying delicious food and drinks, and spending a wonderful evening in welcoming surroundings.

There's something rather special about discovering dining experiences in the countryside that you might normally expect to find in the heart of a city.

Except here, there's no need to rush home afterwards.

You can make a whole weekend of it.

And that's exactly why we believe more Icelanders should discover what Reykholt has to offer.

Friðheimar and Vínstofan are true gems in our little village.

Sometimes, the best treasures are much closer than we realise.

Our People – The Heart of Blue Vacations

We're incredibly fortunate to be part of this community and to help create wonderful memories for the people who visit us.

But we also know something important.

Beautiful hotels, cosy cabins and relaxing hot tubs don't create exceptional experiences on their own.

People do.

And that's why we'd like to take a moment to celebrate something we're especially proud of.

Our wonderful team at Blue Hotel Fagrilundur and Blue View Cabins.

The people who welcome our guests with a smile, even when their own day started at six in the morning.

The people who make sure breakfast is ready, the rooms are spotless, the beds are comfortable and the cabins are warm and welcoming when guests arrive.

The people who take care of countless little details that most visitors may never notice, but which make all the difference.

Because great hospitality isn't just about a beautiful room or a comfortable bed.

It's a feeling.

The feeling of being welcome.

Of knowing someone has thought about your needs.

Of being noticed.

And of feeling that someone genuinely cares about making your stay a wonderful one.

That's what our team works hard to create every single day.

And we never take it for granted.

Great Places Are Made by Great People

It's easy to share beautiful photographs of hotel rooms, cosy cabins and the stunning landscapes around Reykholt.

But some of the most important things simply can't be captured in a photograph.

Like the teamwork happening behind the scenes.

When colleagues help each other solve unexpected problems.

When someone goes that extra mile to make a guest's stay a little more special.

When team members support one another through a busy day.

Or when someone notices a small detail and thinks:

"We could make this even better."

That's exactly the kind of mindset we want to encourage at Blue Vacations.

We want our team to feel happy at work, proud of what they do and part of something bigger.

Because we believe that a positive working environment creates a positive guest experience.

And we're enormously grateful for our people.

For their dedication, positivity, professionalism and the many things they do every day to create the welcoming spirit we want Blue Vacations to be known for.

You can build beautiful hotels and cabins. But it takes wonderful people to turn them into places guests want to return to.

Northern Lights, Frost and the Icelandic Love Affair with Hot Water

And while all these wonderful people keep our community thriving, nature continues to put on its own spectacular show.

In November, the evenings grow darker, and the Northern Lights sometimes appear when conditions are right.

There's something magical about being in the Icelandic countryside, away from the brightest city lights, looking up at a sky filled with stars.

Especially when you're sitting in a hot tub.

We Icelanders have a rather special relationship with hot water.

We can spend all morning complaining about how freezing it is outside, wrap ourselves in thick coats and woolly socks, and then, five minutes later, decide that going outdoors wearing nothing but swimwear is an absolutely brilliant idea.

As long as there's a hot tub waiting for us.

And really, it's difficult to argue with that logic.

At Blue View Cabins, every cabin has its own private outdoor hot tub, where guests can enjoy the peaceful surroundings, fresh country air and beautiful views.

And behind every relaxing cabin stay is our dedicated team, making sure everything is clean, warm and ready for the next guests.

Because even when your plan is to do absolutely nothing, someone else has worked hard to make sure everything is perfect for your well-deserved relaxation.

Perhaps the Northern Lights will appear.

Perhaps they won't.

But somehow, it doesn't really matter.

Sometimes, sitting in warm water, surrounded by cold air and peaceful countryside, is more than enough.

Not Everyone Is a Cabin Person – And That's Perfectly Fine

Some people absolutely love a cabin getaway.

Buying far too much food, bringing board games that nobody ever gets around to playing, and sitting in the hot tub until their fingers look like raisins.

Others prefer a comfortable hotel room, a long night's sleep and a lovely breakfast prepared by someone else.

And we completely understand.

At Blue Hotel Fagrilundur, in the heart of Reykholt, guests can enjoy comfortable accommodation and start their mornings at a relaxed pace.

Our team is there to welcome guests, make sure everything is ready and create the warm, inviting atmosphere that makes a stay feel special.

And that's exactly how we want our guests to feel.

Not simply as though they've arrived at a hotel.

But as though they've arrived somewhere they're genuinely welcome.

Whether you choose a hotel room or a private cabin, the idea is the same.

Escape the everyday routine.

Enjoy the countryside.

Eat wonderful food.

Meet lovely people.

And perhaps do absolutely nothing in between.

You Don't Always Have to Travel Far

Sometimes, we convince ourselves that a great getaway has to involve a long journey.

That we need to travel abroad, plan every hour or fill our days with activities to experience something special.

But that isn't always true.

Sometimes, all it takes is a drive into the Icelandic countryside.

Stopping in a beautiful little village.

Enjoying a delicious meal.

Embracing the peace and quiet.

Relaxing in a hot tub.

And letting a November evening pass without checking the time.

Because creating wonderful memories doesn't always require grand adventures.

Sometimes, all you need is the right place.

And the right people.

Reykholt – A Wonderful Place to Be

We're proud to be part of the Reykholt community.

Proud of the businesses that have grown and flourished here.

Proud of the people who give their best every day.

And especially proud of our own team, who put their hearts into creating memorable experiences for guests at Blue Hotel Fagrilundur and Blue View Cabins.

Whether it's lunch at Friðheimar, a lovely evening at Vínstofan, a restful night at Blue Hotel Fagrilundur or a peaceful moment in a private hot tub at Blue View Cabins.

All these experiences are part of what makes Reykholt special.

And perhaps that's exactly what we'd like to celebrate this November.

As the days grow shorter and the air gets colder, it's wonderful to have places where warmth isn't measured only in degrees.

It's found in the people.

In the smiles.

In the welcome.

In the community.

Because Reykholt is a wonderful place to be.

And here, everyone has a place, everyone joins in, and everyone belongs. 💙