The Reykjavík EDITION: Sophistication with a Nordic Pulse
Big-Brand Brilliance, Reykjavik Style
Where Modernity Meets the Midnight Sun
At DNA Hotels, we celebrate the independent, the idiosyncratic, the one-off. But sometimes, a global brand nails the brief so perfectly that even the most boutique-obsessed among us have to applaud. The Reykjavík EDITION is one of those rare triumphs. Conceived by hospitality icon Ian Schrager and powered by Marriott’s reach, it’s proof that scale and soul can co-exist—an international heavyweight that feels utterly at home in Iceland’s capital.
Anchored on Reykjavík’s revitalized waterfront, the hotel occupies one of the city’s most spectacular spots, rubbing shoulders with Harpa Concert Hall and gazing across the glacial waters of Faxaflói Bay toward snow-dusted Mount Esja. Yet even amid this natural and architectural drama, the EDITION makes its own statement. The exterior is sculptural and sleek, a study in Nordic minimalism. Inside, smoked oak, volcanic stone, and matte-black steel weave together a palette that’s rich in texture but restrained in tone. It’s glamorous without being gaudy, cosmopolitan yet unmistakably Icelandic.
Rooms for the Stylish and the Sleepless
With 253 rooms and suites, this is EDITION on an ambitious scale. But step inside and the mood is far from corporate. Interiors are cocooning and tactile, defined by soft lighting, natural materials, and gentle curves that encourage you to slow down and sink in. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping harbor or city views, while details—like faux-fur throws and crafted timber furniture—whisper Nordic design without shouting clichés. It’s a space designed for contrasts: the peaceful sanctuary after a long day chasing waterfalls or soaking in geothermal pools, and the luxurious launchpad before a night exploring Reykjavík’s famously wild nightlife. However you use it, the rooms deliver quiet confidence and effortless comfort.
More Than a Stay—A Scene
As with every EDITION, the magic here happens as much in the public spaces as it does in the rooms. The lobby bar sets the tone: social, stylish, and impossible to resist, perfect for a cocktail before drifting into Tides, the hotel’s signature restaurant. Here, Icelandic ingredients are elevated with global finesse—think Arctic char, sea buckthorn, and lamb reimagined with contemporary flair. But when the sun dips (or, in summer, refuses to), things heat up underground. The hotel’s subterranean nightclub channels Reykjavík’s legendary party spirit, creating a space that feels both local and world-class. And when morning inevitably arrives, the EDITION is just as capable of serving a flawless espresso as it is a midnight martini.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Reykjavík EDITION is proof that a global brand can speak a city’s language fluently when the vision is clear and the execution razor-sharp. Sophisticated yet soulful, polished yet playful, it’s a hotel that captures Reykjavík’s dual identity: part remote Nordic outpost, part buzzing cultural hub. For travelers who crave design with depth, luxury with local soul, and a sense of place without compromise, this is the address. A global name. A local heartbeat. A perfectly pitched Icelandic remix.
