Ion City Hotel opens in Reykjavik
The 18-key Ion City Hotel has opened in Reykjavik, designed by the Iceland-born, California-based Minarc duo. The sister property of Ion Adventure Hotel, it joins the Design Hotels portfolio with a scheme inspired by traditional Icelandic weaving techniques, the city’s culture and history, and the wider country’s landscape.
Housed in a smartly renovated building that retains its original architectural significance, the façade has been playfully augmented by exterior walls that feature a motif reminiscent of weaved Icelandic sweater patterns. Constructed through an experimental process that adheres textured aluminium panels to the concrete, the façade marks a respectful nod to the locale’s history through a lens of modern interpretation.
Inside, clean lines and a palette of grey and white defines the organic interiors, contrasted by warm-hued wooden floors. Accented by gunmetal greys and fine-grained recycled wood panelled walls, several international design pieces are bathed in light that spills in through enlarged windows offering panoramic views of Reykjavik. The hotel’s North African tinged restaurant Sumac, meanwhile, is helmed by the country’s culinary Olympic team director Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson.
The 18 guestrooms and suites range from the 20m² Classic room to the 75m² Panorama Suite, with all featuring Bluetooth speakers. Elsewhere, the 20m² Standard and 26m² Deluxe formats offer a window-side sofa, whilst the 30m² Junior Suite boasts a balcony and private sauna.
For guests seeking an extra level of service and understated luxury, the City Suite features a French balcony, a private indoor sauna, and a living room with a dining table, while the Panorama Suite includes an indoor sauna, a powder room with a table and chair, a guest bathroom adjoining the living room, a dining table, and a bar area, with the option of a bartender or chef on request.
Located on the city’s main avenue Laugarvegur, Ion City’s local ties to neighbouring cafés, bars, restaurants, and galleries offers a starting point from which to explore the urban side of the city.
