101 Hotel Reykjavik: A Nordic Design Haven with a Political Past
A monochrome boutique retreat where politics, art, and design converge
From Party Headquarters to Design Icon
Housed in a 1930s office block that once served as the headquarters of Iceland’s Social Democratic Party, 101 Hotel carries a fascinating history. Today, it’s transformed into a boutique design destination with just 38 rooms—intimate, stylish, and quietly exclusive. Minimalist yet soulful, it balances Iceland’s stark beauty with cultural depth.
Art, Texture, and Monochrome Style
Interiors follow a disciplined palette of black, white, and steel-grey, softened by warm wood, soft hides, and polished concrete. The mood is gallery-like yet welcoming, thanks to an outstanding collection of contemporary Icelandic art. Bold sculptures, canvases, and curated furnishings—from tree-trunk tables to Saarinen tulip chairs and Philippe Starck classics—infuse personality into the hotel’s cool Nordic framework.
Masculine Bar, Feminine Restaurant
Design here thrives on contrast. The bar, dark and moody, layers lacquered Chinese tables with Edwardian chairs and raw wooden blocks—a space for solo reflection or late-night mingling with Reykjavik’s creative set. Just next door, the restaurant flips the mood entirely: airy, light, and elegant. A dimpled white mural and glass roof create a stage for sculptural chairs and meals that flow with the Icelandic light.
In the Heart of Reykjavik’s Creative Core
Set steps from Laugavegur, the city’s cultural artery, 101 Hotel puts guests in walking distance of galleries, boutiques, coffeehouses, and music venues. It’s long been a favorite among artists, writers, and filmmakers seeking both privacy and inspiration—a boutique retreat embedded in Reykjavik’s cultural rhythm.
DNA Hotels Verdict
101 Hotel Reykjavik is more than boutique chic—it’s a cultural statement. By weaving politics, art, and design into one monochrome frame, it delivers an experience that’s as thought-provoking as it is stylish. For travelers seeking intimacy, intelligence, and Icelandic cool with a story to tell, 101 Hotel is the city’s design heartbeat.
