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Summary of reviewsGuesthouse Galtafell stands out for its exceptional location, which is ideal for tourists keen to explore Reykjavik. Nestled on a quiet residential street, it is within easy walking distance of the city center, landmarks like Hallgrimskirkja church and lively shopping and dining areas. The proximity to the BSI Bus Terminal facilitates effortless airport transfers and day trips, making it highly convenient for travelers. Guests appreciate the peaceful yet accessible setting, complemented by free street parking for those traveling by car.
Even though breakfast is not currently served due to COVID-19, the hospitality remains commendable. The owner offers coffee and allows guests to enjoy their own meals in the historic main house, while providing excellent recommendations for nearby breakfast options like Lokki café.
The accommodation options range from cozy rooms to spacious apartments, all noted for their cleanliness and comfort. Each well-maintained unit is equipped with amenities like microwaves, fridges and kettles, making it practical for longer stays. The larger apartments provide a home-like atmosphere with separate living areas and quality furnishings. Despite some rooms being slightly smaller or converted spaces, the overall experience remains positive due to their cleanliness, modern interiors and located in a quiet neighborhood.
Guesthouse Galtafell is also praised for its exceptional cleanliness with rooms described as spotlessly clean and well-kept. The staff’s friendliness and attentiveness are frequently highlighted, contributing significantly to the guests’ positive experiences. The owners and staff are accommodating, prompt and always ready to assist, adding a personal touch to the stay.
Reliable and fast Wi-Fi further enhances the overall guest experience, ensuring that those needing internet access for work or leisure are well-catered for. Comfortable beds, described as cozy with excellent bedding, ensure a restful night's sleep for travelers.
Adding to its charm, Guesthouse Galtafell's historic and boutique appeal attracts many visitors. Its previous role as the embassy of Malta and the beautiful architecture and decor contribute to its unique character. The shared spaces and lovely garden outside create a serene and charming atmosphere.
Overall, Guesthouse Galtafell offers a well-rounded experience blending historical charm, modern amenities, cleanliness, comfort and exceptional service, making it a favored choice for travelers visiting Reykjavik. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Boutique-style Guest House
Historic Guest House
Guest House Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Romantic Guest House
Small Guest House
Room Types
Double or Twin Room with Shared BathroomIndividually decorated room with a TV and shared bathroom facilities.
One-Bedroom ApartmentThis spacious apartment features a fully equipped kitchenette, separate bedroom and private bathroom. Also includes a seating area with a TV and sofa bed that accommodates 2 guests.
Double or Twin Room with Private BathroomIndividually decorated room with a TV and private bathroom with shower.
StudioFeatures a kitchenette, private bathroom and seating area with a sofa and TV.
Guest Reviews
8.3
Very Good
Location
Guesthouse Galtafell boasts a prime location that consistently garners praise for its convenience and accessibility. Nestled on a quiet residential street, the guesthouse is within easy walking distance of Reykjavik's city center, making it ideal for tourists eager to explore the bustling downtown area, iconic landmarks and vibrant shopping and dining districts.
Visitors appreciate the proximity to the BSI Bus Terminal, which facilitates straightforward airport transfers and day trips, often just a 5-10 minute walk away. The central but serene setting allows guests to enjoy a peaceful stay while being steps away from major attractions like Hallgrimskirkja church and Rainbow Street.
Reykjavik's compact size means that nearly everything is reachable on foot from the guesthouse, adding to the convenience. The neighborhood is frequently described as beautiful, clean, safe and quiet, offering a pleasant atmosphere for a restful stay after a day of sightseeing. Free street parking is an added bonus, enhancing the overall appeal for those traveling by car.
Overall, Guesthouse Galtafell's location is lauded as perfect for exploring Reykjavik, offering an optimal balance of centrality, tranquility and accessibility.
Breakfast
Guesthouse Galtafell offers a comfortable and personable stay in a beautiful locale, although guests should be aware that breakfast is not currently served. Many felt the absence of breakfast was a letdown, particularly when previously advertised or expected and some found the process of securing a morning meal a bit confusing. The lack of a common area for dining also posed a minor inconvenience.
The owner, however, has made efforts to accommodate guests by serving coffee and allowing them to enjoy their own breakfasts in the historic main house. Additionally, excellent recommendations were provided for nearby breakfast spots with Lokki café frequently highlighted.
While breakfast service has been halted due to COVID-19, leading to some dissatisfaction, the overall hospitality and helpfulness of the owner have been appreciated by many.
Rooms
Guesthouse Galtafell offers a range of accommodation options, from cozy small rooms to expansive apartments, each with a unique charm. The rooms, while varying in size, are consistently noted for being clean, comfortable and well-equipped. Many guests appreciated the amenities such as microwaves, fridges, kettles and functional kitchenettes in the rooms or apartments, making longer stays more convenient.
The spacious apartments often include separate living and bedroom areas, ample closet space and quality furnishings, creating a home-like atmosphere for travelers. Some accommodations were complimented for their warm floors, excellent ventilation and modern yet cozy interiors.
Location is a significant advantage with many reviews highlighting the guesthouse's proximity to the city center and tour stops, making it easy to explore Reykjavik. Despite some rooms being described as smaller or converted from garage spaces, the majority of guests found the accommodations comfortable, functional and well-maintained, contributing to an overall positive experience.
A few areas had a more historic feel, reminiscent of an older building, which added to the guesthouse's charm. Guests frequently mentioned the quiet neighborhood, making it a peaceful retreat after a day of sightseeing. Housekeeping services were reliable with rooms being cleaned daily and fresh towels provided.
Overall, Guesthouse Galtafell blends comfort with practicality, offering a variety of room types that cater to different needs, from quick transit stops to extended stays. The combination of spacious, well-equipped apartments and the convenient location makes it a favored choice for many travelers.
Beds
Guesthouse Galtafell in Reykjavik gets consistent praise for the comfort of its beds, which guests described using terms like comfy, cozy and very comfortable. Many found the beds to be exceptionally comfortable, contributing to restful sleep with bedding that included cozy comforters and duvet covers ideal for cooler weather. The accommodation also features fluffy down blankets and fresh, lovely linens that add to the overall comfort.
While a few guests found the beds a bit too soft or had issues with the sofa beds not being as comfortable, the overall consensus remained positive. The spaciousness and well-equipped rooms, including features like a roomy shower, mini fridge and large couch, further enhanced the stay experience. With excellent bedding and a clean, inviting environment, Guesthouse Galtafell provides a comfortable retreat for travelers seeking a good night's sleep in Reykjavik.
Cleanliness
Guesthouse Galtafell consistently receives praise for its exceptional cleanliness. Guests highlight the meticulously maintained rooms, which are cleaned daily, contributing to an overall spotless experience. Words like "spotlessly clean," "super clean," and "very clean" are frequently mentioned, emphasizing the thorough attention to cleanliness. The bathrooms, although occasionally noted for needing minor maintenance, were generally described as modern and well-kept.
Accommodations at Galtafell are also noted for being comfortable and functional, meeting guests' needs with ease. The establishment offers seamless check-in and checkout processes, further enhancing the guest experience. Rooms are not only clean but also cozy and spacious, providing a relaxing and comfortable environment. Moreover, the overall atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a pleasant place to stay.
Location-wise, the guesthouse is ideally situated, providing clean and tidy rooms with easy access to town. The friendly and helpful staff also contribute to its positive reputation, ensuring that all aspects of a guest’s stay are smooth and enjoyable. Despite occasional comments on room size, the consistent theme is one of high standards in cleanliness and comfort, making Guesthouse Galtafell a reliable choice for travelers.
Staff
Guesthouse Galtafell in Reykjavik is widely praised for its incredibly friendly and supportive staff. The owners and hosts are consistently described as welcoming, accommodating and always ready to assist with various needs, from providing directions to offering local recommendations. Guests appreciated the convenience of contactless check-ins with some mentioning personalized welcome notes and name tags left on the main door. The staff is noted for prompt responsiveness and a high level of communication, ensuring that questions and requests are addressed immediately.
The personal touch provided by the owners, such as room upgrades and early check-ins, contributed significantly to the positive experiences of the guests. The presence of friendly pets like a golden retriever added to the homely feel. Many reviews highlight the professionalism and kindness of the host, particularly Thorey and Dora, who went above and beyond to make guests feel at home.
The guesthouse's facilities were also commended with guests noting great value for money, especially given its proximity to the town center. Overall, the staff’s friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness seem to be key factors in making Guesthouse Galtafell a comfortable and pleasant place to stay in Reykjavik.
Wi-Fi
Guesthouse Galtafell offers a generally positive Wi-Fi experience for its guests, making it a suitable option for those needing reliable internet access. The Wi-Fi is fast and free with some guests noting extremely high speeds, perfect for streaming services like Netflix or for work purposes. Many reviews highlighted the Wi-Fi as good, excellent and reliable, indicating its overall consistency. However, some guests have experienced weaker signals in certain areas, particularly in the bedroom and a few mentioned inconsistent connections. Despite these occasional issues, the majority of feedback reflects a strong and dependable Wi-Fi service.
Historic
Guesthouse Galtafell offers a unique experience steeped in historical charm and classic design. Situated in a beautiful neighborhood, it is conveniently close to the historic center of Reykjavik, making it an excellent base for exploring the city's historic heart. Guests frequently praise its great setting and striking architecture, noting the building's previous role as the embassy of Malta, which adds to its rich historical significance. The quirky interior and historic atmosphere contribute to its character, offering a blend of classic design and charming, older building qualities. Visitors appreciate the shared spaces in this beautiful mansion, often highlighted for its beauty inside and out, making it a truly lovely place to stay. The host's friendly demeanor and their sharing of the guesthouse's intriguing history further enrich the guest experience.
Boutique-Style
Guesthouse Galtafell offers a unique boutique experience with its beautiful interior and historic charm. Visitors appreciate the classic property, noting its beautiful decor and well-maintained spaces. The building itself is highlighted as very beautiful with an interesting historic character that adds to its appeal. Rooms are described as comfortable, clean and well-equipped, enhancing the overall guest experience. The lovely garden outside provides a serene setting, contributing to the boutique feel of the place. Additionally, the quality of the beds and pillows ensures a restful stay, making Guesthouse Galtafell a standout choice for those seeking a charming and comfortable boutique accommodation.
Romantic
Guesthouse Galtafell offers a charming and peaceful setting that feels akin to staying at a friend's home, adding to its romantic allure. The cozy rooms often come with access to a small garden, enhancing the intimate atmosphere perfect for couples. Guests find the rooms comfortable and smart, complemented by modern, clean bathrooms. The quiet location and helpful, pleasant staff further contribute to the relaxed and romantic experience. The guesthouse exudes a lot of charm, making it a delightful retreat for those seeking a romantic getaway.
No, Guesthouse Galtafell doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Guesthouse Galtafell.
No, Guesthouse Galtafell doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Guesthouse Galtafell.