North Iceland - Iceland - page 497

Supremely placed in the town's heart, this backpackers has a chilled travellers vibe and in-
cludes tour-booking service and popular bar. Rooms are spread over three floors: four- to
eight-bed dorms, plus private rooms with made-up beds on the top floor. Minor gripe: all
showers are in the basement, as is a sauna (toilets and sinks on all levels, however).
Linen hire (in dorms) costs Ikr990; breakfast is Ikr990.
Gula Villan GUESTHOUSE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 896 8464; www.gulavillan.is ; Brekkugata 8;s/d without bathroom
Ikr10,500/14,700)
Owner Sigriður has a background in travel and this cheerful yellow-and-white villa shines
under her care. Bright, well-maintained rooms are in a good central location. In a second
building, Gula Villan II ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Þingvallastræti 14) is run by the same folks
and offers extra space in summer. Both guesthouses have guest kitchens and breakfast
served on request (quite steep at Ikr2000).
BYO sleeping bags to reduce the price.
Akureyri HI Hostel HOSTEL
(Stórholt; GOOGLE MAP ; 462 3657; www.hostel.is ; Stórholt 1;dm Ikr4100, d with/without bath-
room Ikr11,200/15,500; )
Well within the city limits though slightly removed from the action, this friendly, well-run
hostel is a 15-minute walk north of the city centre. There's a TV lounge and two kitchens
in the main house (rooms all have TV), a barbecue deck and two self-contained cottages
sleeping up to eight. The owner happily imparts local knowledge; check-in time (from
3pm) is strictly enforced.
HI members get a discount of Ikr700 per person; linen hire is Ikr1250.
City Campsite CAMPGROUND
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Þórunnarstræti;sites per person Ikr1100, plus Ikr100 lodging tax per site;
mid-Jun-mid-Sep)
This central site has a washing machine, dining area and free showers, plus a car-free
policy (except for loading and unloading). Note: no kitchen. Handily, it's close to the
swimming pool and a supermarket.