Postcards from Iceland

Reykjavik’s latest down-town designer hotel, CenterHotel Thingholt, has opened its doors – revealing the sleek styling of an Icelandic architect with a string of Hollywood hotels behind her.

The 52-room hotel’s décor is inspired by Icelandic nature and designed by Guðlaug Jónsdóttir. Located on Thingholtsstræti 3-5, next to Reykjavik’s main shopping street, Laugavegur, it is within walking distance of the lively city centre.

Natural materials and colours are used and features include leather floor tiles and salmon fishskin wall tiles. A long black wall in the entrance room has a lava-like texture and accompanying waterfall.

Standard and deluxe rooms, junior suites and loft suites all come equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, telephone, coffee & tea making facilities, mini-bar, free high-speed internet connection, safe and satellite TV.

First floor restaurant Domo specialises in Asian-European fusion cuisine and a jazz club of the same name offers live music in the hotel’s basement.

Guðlaug is currently working at Dodd Mitchell Design in Los Angeles, and has worked on US hotels such as the Crescent Hotel in Beverly Hills and Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. She describes the design of CenterHotel Thingholt as modern, yet classic. aFind out more at centerhotels.com.

Other News . . . .

Icelandair announces new flights:
Icelandair will operate connecting flights from Keflavik to Akureyri between 15th June and 31st August, 2007. Onward services to Akureyri will fly on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, timed with arrivals from and departures to the UK.

The new flights will be the only domestic route in Iceland to operate from Keflavik Airport, rather than Reykjavik Airport, and will cut journey times by several hours. Passengers heading to Akureyri currently transfer between airports using the airport shuttle FlyBus.

Customs clearance and baggage reclaim will take place at Akureyri. Stephen Brown, General Manager Icelandair UK & Ireland, said: "Northern Iceland is a magical place, whether seen under the midnight sun or the Northern Lights. The wildlife-rich rugged landscape of mountains, fjords and glacial lakes is an inspiring backdrop for an adventure close to the Arctic Circle. Akureyri, Iceland's second city, comes alive in summer for local festivals and it's a good place to stay while discovering the area, while Husavik offers whale, seal and puffin spotting excursions." Icelandair.co.uk

Restored Hotel Borg to reopen in May:
Reykjavik’s original style icon, Hotel Borg, is due to re-open in May, following a multi million pound restoration.

The Art Deco glamour of the four-star property, of which Marlene Dietrich has been a guest, has been reinstated with custom made furniture and cutting-edge technology. In addition to its 56 rooms, seven suites have been added, including the two- floor Tower Suite with 360-degree views.

Silfur restaurant offers fine French cuisine, courtesy of Icelandic Chef of the Year 2006, Steinn Óskar Sigurðsson, in sleek surroundings of Icelandic lava, stone and fire. Hotelborg.is

Hotel Reynihlid goes live online:
Hotel Reynihlid, situated beside Lake Myvatn in north Iceland has launched its new bookings website, myvatnhotel.is

The site also contains information on the hotel and its history, as well as helpful suggestions for travellers visiting the area.

Hotel Reynihlid offers accommodation in one of Iceland’s most beautiful landscapes renowned for its outstanding fishing and bird-watching. The same family has hosted visitors at the property and its adjoining farm for the last 45 years, although the 41-room hotel has been in operation since 1942.

Reynihlid has moved with the times and is now a four-star establishment with satellite television, stereo, and coffee and tea service, with lake and mountain views from every window. Restaurant Myllan (The Mill) serves traditional Icelandic fare as well as a-la-carte items. Business travellers can take advantage of a 60 capacity conference space, car and bike rental services. Myvatnhotel.is

Arctic Rafting adds new tours:
Adventure company Arctic Rafting has added seven new tours to its action packed programme.

New products include ‘The Grand Slam’, a ten-hour incentive tour that combines hot springs, Gullfoss waterfall, Thingvellir National Park and white water rafting and ‘Deep into the Blue’, a diving trip that explores the fissure between the Eurasian and North American Tectonic plates. On this excursion guests can dive two sites of the Silfra ravine, which is situated in the heart of Thingvellir national park. The crystal clear water in the deep fissure gives divers a weightless sensation, as they glide along in the lazy current, and underwater visibility is up to 100 metres.

The company also now guarantees departure for a minimum of just two people on its excursions, which vary in length from a day to week, and are a mix of business incentive and leisure trips. Arcticrafting.com

Icelandic Fish and Chip shop opens:
Reykjavik has a stylish new eatery, Icelandic Fish and Chips, but its name is where the similarities with the more traditional purveyors of England’s greasy national dish end.

This cosy restaurant, on the old Harbour, offers healthy fare including organic vegetables, quality plaice, cod and haddock in batter made from spelt rather than wheat, which, alongside white sugar, is banned from the kitchen. Icelandic Fish and Chips is licensed and also makes its own lemonade and orange juice. Starters include spelt bread and hummus and broccoli soup. Mayonnaise had even been replaced with Skyronnes, a low fat version made with Skyr, Iceland’s unique low fat milk product.

Babies are also well catered for, with homemade purees including organic carrots and coconut oil.

Icelandic Fish and Chips, Tryggvagata 8, 101 Reykjavík