After a week living out of a van I figured it would be a good idea to spend our last night in a hotel. I knew we’d want to shower, have a real meal, a glass of wine… all the things we didn’t do while we were trying to pinch and save on the road. So we booked a night at Hotel Ranga, the one hotel in Iceland I couldn’t find a single negative review on.
When we arrived we were already tired. We spent the day exploring Reykjavik, the van was a mess, and we haden’t eaten anything but pasta and peanut butter sandwiches for a week. We needed to relax.
From the moment we walked into the hotel I knew that wasn’t going to be a problem. Instantly we felt warm and cozy. The lobby of the hotel was just as beautiful as the outside. It felt like we had walked into an alpine ski lodge in the middle of nowhere. The staff was beyond helpful, sharing tips and secrets of the area and directing us towards the most beautiful areas of the property. Most importantly, we filled out a board at the front desk that made sure if the Northern Lights decided to show up that night, someone would come wake us up. Most hotels have great customer service, but this was exceptional. Plus, where else can you get a personal Northern Lights wake up call?
We were in room 50, all the way at the end of the right wing. I was hoping the room would be nice, but again, we knew that wasn’t going to be a problem from the moment we put the key in the door.
The room was spectacular. Windows on every wall filled the room with light. The bathroom lit up on its own when we walked in. The king sized bed was complete with a genuine Icelandic wool blanket. A stone tub sat in the centre of the room complete with bath salts and slippers. Our back deck looked onto the river, at this time, being fished in by three fly fishermen. The blackout blinds went up and down with the push of a button and the floor rotated 180 degrees depending on what seat you wanted to have what view. I have only been speechless a few times in my life, and that was one of them. I can honestly say I felt like Icelandic royalty.
For the first time in a week I had a real shower. The bathroom had a beautiful rain shower head and best of all, the water was hot. Like really hot. I’m pretty sure I showered for 45 minutes. Complimentary toiletries were stocked, from a shaving kit to a nail kit, everything was thought of. I’m extra picky when it comes to shampoo and conditioner so I was relieved when it was high quality soap that made my hair and skin feel good as new. I was finally starting to feel human again after a week of roughing it.
After my shower I slipped into the hotel robe, and crawled into bed. The room was fitted with a massive TV complete with cable and Netflix, so naturally it was time for some TV and a cat nap. You don’t realize how amazing it is to sleep in a king sized bed until you’re in one, and trust me, it’s a magical feeling. This bed was so comfortable I never wanted to leave. The pillows were soft, the duvet cover was plush, and when you can automatically turn down the blinds with a push of a button, napping is really easy.
When it was time for dinner we wandered down the hallways and into the dining room. Again, Hotel Ranga is a huge fan of windows, which I adored. The views are spectacular, so why not fill every room with full sized windows. You feel like you’re sitting in the middle of nature while you eat your dinner. It’s very a very unique experience.
The staff at dinner was amazing. They weren’t pushy as we took extra time to decide what we wanted to try and even explained some of the more complicated menu items. Puffin, reindeer, beef, lamb – all the Icelandic classics are there. Plus the wine menu was so impressive I nearly fell over. I opted for a starter of cauliflower and beef as my main, while Josh decided on the mushroom soup and lamb. We couldn’t decide on a wine so our waitress brought us the house wine, which was a perfect decision because it was amazing. I’m not really a red wine fan, but this was sweet, woody, and went perfectly with our meals.
And what can I say about the food aside from perfection. You can tell care and effort are put into the preparation of each dish. Not only were they impressively plated, but they were delicious. My meat was cooked just the way I like it and Josh’s lamb melted in your mouth. I’m not a food critic, but I can honestly say this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life. When we finished eating I said to Josh, “we will never be able to replicate this meal ever again.” And honestly, unless we go back to Ranga, I fear I will never have a meal as wonderful as that. Which makes me emotional just thinking about it.
For dessert we had the ice cream. It was topped with fruit and went wonderfully with the espresso we ordered. At this time, Thor, the hotel manager, came over to our table and welcomed us to the hotel. We chatted for a while about the amenities, the room, the fishing, our travels… he was so easy to talk to and so genuinely curious about us as travelers I felt like I was talking to an old friend. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Thor, let him know we adore him and his utmost interest in making sure our stay was everything we wanted it to be.
After dinner we were stuffed. Between the wine, the food, and the excitement, we needed to go for a walk and get some fresh air. Wandering around the grounds of Hotel Ranga is a strangely peaceful experience. The air is fresh, the sounds of the river are enchanting, and the wildlife is calming. As we sat down by the river we watched a family of swans swimming around and listened to the birds around us. In that very moment I was overwhelmed because I never wanted to leave, but our flight home was the next day.
Full of food and emotions, we filled the stone tub and poured in the bath salts. Sitting in the tub relaxing was the highlight of my night. After everything we had done that week, the hiking, the whale watching, the driving, the campsite showers and crappy meals, sitting in that tub made me feel like a princess. There is no better way I could have ever imagined ending our trip in Iceland and I fear every trip we plan to Iceland in the future will have to end in the bathtub of room 50 at Hotel Ranga.
This hotel isn’t just a hotel. That’s what I’m trying to say. It’s a beautiful building in every way. From the people you meet, to the food you eat and everything in between. This hotel is undeniably beautiful, and that’s looking far beyond the views and the building itself. I have never felt more appreciated, more cared for, and more important at a hotel than I did that night at Hotel Ranga.
If you are visiting Iceland, I urge you to visit this once in a lifetime hotel. It’s an experience you will never be able to find anywhere else in the world and if you can find yourself in the bathtub of room 50, I hope you feel as amazing as I did.
Visit the Hotel Ranga website to learn more or book your stay.
