A welcoming base from which to explore the villages, coastlines, fjords, waterfalls, and mountains that define east Iceland, Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir is a heritage guesthouse that first opened in 1903. Set on the banks of Lagarfljót, the lake most celebrated for its mythical monster known as Lagarfljótsormurinn, you’ll be just a short walk from Egilsstaðir’s shops, restaurants, and cafés. There are 50 comfortable rooms, all with earthy and muted hues, large windows to allow for plenty of natural daylight, and contemporary wooden furniture. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, and minimalist bathrooms with slate tiles, walk-in Italian showers, and toiletries. Some rooms offer views across the lake or the surrounding rolling hills.
Elsewhere, the all-day restaurant serves buffet style breakfasts as well as seasonal, locally-sourced, and farm-fresh Icelandic and international dishes for lunch and dinner. There’s also a light-flooded lobby bar that’s an ideal spot for wine and cocktails, either by the fireplace in winter or outside on the lake-facing terrace in summer. Another highlight is the ground floor Baðhúsið Spa, a peaceful space featuring a geothermal hot tub, cold pool, steam room, sauna, relaxation areas, and treatment menu.
OUR OPINION:
We love this simple but characterful guesthouse for its desirable location on the banks of the Lagarfljót lake in the east of Iceland. The spa with its sauna, steam room, and geothermal hot tub is a real highlight.
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Photos of Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir
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![Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir]()
Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir -
![Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir]()
Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir -
![Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir]()
Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir
Rooms
Available in varying categories, the 50 rooms have earthy and muted tones to reflect the surrounding rural landscape. Both the Standard and the more spacious Deluxe rooms feature large windows to allow for plenty of natural daylight, wooden flooring, comfortable beds, seating areas, and tea and coffee-making facilities. There’s also flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, and modern and minimalist bathrooms with slate tiles, walk-in Italian showers, and toiletries. Some rooms offer views across the Lagarfljót lake or the surrounding rolling hills.
Location
You’ll be staying on the banks of Lagarfljót, the lake most celebrated for its mythical monster known as Lagarfljótsormurinn. The hotel is just a short walk from Egilsstaðir’s shops, restaurants, and cafés and within easy reach of mountain roads and fjords to the east and south and scenic driving routes into Iceland’s rugged interior to the west.
Food and drink
Seasonal, locally-sourced, and hearty Icelandic dishes such as farm-fresh lamb and langoustine feature on the menu at Eldhúsið, the hotel’s restaurant that opens daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A children’s menu is also available. The light-flooded lobby bar is a relaxing spot for wine and cocktails, either by the fireplace in winter or on outside on the lake-facing terrace in summer.
Families
Children are welcome at Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir and complimentary cots are provided on request. The children’s menu in the restaurant includes fish, chicken or lamb with potatoes and salad, mini pizzas, hamburgers with French fries and salad, and ice cream.
Facilities and activities
Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the Baðhúsið Spa on the hotel’s ground floor features a geothermal hot tub, cold dipping pool, steam room, sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, and a massage and treatment menu. Bathrobes and towels are provided. Please note that bookings must be made in advance (discounts are available for hotel guests).
Tour ideas in Eastfjords
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.
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![Fosshotel Eastfjords, Fáskrúðsfjörður]()
Fosshotel Eastfjords
Eastfjords
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.
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Full day guided hike to Stórurð ![Stórurð, East Iceland]()
Full day guided hike to Stórurð
Full day guided hike to Stórurð
Little-visited yet one of the most impressive day hikes in Iceland, the walk to Stórurð passes though lush valleys and meadows set against a backdrop of jagged peaks to reach a sapphire lake set in a valley littered with giant boulders.
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Eastfjords and nearby places
- Dettifoss 110 kilometers away
- Lake Mývatn 127 kilometers away
- Vatnajökull National Park 149 kilometers away
- Jökulsárlón 160 kilometers away
- Akureyri 177 kilometers away
- North Iceland 212 kilometers away
- Troll Peninsula 229 kilometers away
- South Iceland 261 kilometers away
- Langjökull 280 kilometers away
- Golden Circle 304 kilometers away