Café
Gamli bærinn Kaffihusið
Enjoy coffee and snacks at this cozy cafe with outdoor seating.
10 m from hotel
Brjánslækur Gamli bærinn
Rated 8.7 in 139 reviews. Farm stay.
This property is well-suited for travelers seeking a serene, unhurried experience in a natural setting, with a touch of local history and genuine hospitality. It is a good fit for those who appreciate a simple, comfortable base for exploring the West Fjords.
Brjánslækur Gamli bærinn presents as a charming, historic guesthouse nestled in the Icelandic West Fjords, offering a tranquil escape. Its small scale and remote setting, coupled with warm, friendly service, cultivate a cozy and peaceful atmosphere. Guests appreciate the immersion in nature, with stunning views and nearby hot springs, making it an ideal spot for quiet contemplation.
On the map
Recommended Nearby
A guide to great places near Brjánslækur Gamli bærinn
What this place is
Twelve dimensions of rest, read from 139 reviews.
Slow pace
Where time stands still
8.0very strong
Guests consistently describe the atmosphere as tranquil, peaceful, and cozy, emphasizing a sense of being away from the 'rat race'.
“A truly special place far away from the rat race. This place was a cozy nook with nearby natural hot springs. An otherworldly place to find peace in nature. Without mosquitos. Breakfast was delicious as well!”
“Very tranquil, clean and cosy place.”
“Cute spot, very tranquil and peaceful. Easy to get to with a good view. Staff super helpful and friendly”
Water access
Sea, lake, dock, or pool view
7.0strong
The property is noted for its proximity to a ferry and natural hot springs, offering guests easy access to water-related activities and scenic views.
“The scenery was amazing. Easy to find, loved seeing sheep nearby, the staff did great and I really loved the skeleton room key. It added value to the environment and experience. Double super place, will stay again. Bonus was the proximity to the ferry and hot springs.”
“A truly special place far away from the rat race. This place was a cozy nook with nearby natural hot springs. An otherworldly place to find peace in nature. Without mosquitos. Breakfast was delicious as well!”
“Clean and cozy place. Great location, right next to a ferry and a thermal bath. We enjoyed our stay.”
Village within reach
Walkable small town or harbour
6.0good
While not directly in a village, the property is a short drive from a restaurant and hot springs, suggesting some accessible local amenities.
“The location was great, with a <5 min drive to the ferry, and about 15 min to hot springs and a restaurant, as well as a small in-house museum in the basement, and potential hiking trails. Breakfast was basic but adequate, and our hosts were very friendly. The building had a very quaint, historic feel.”
“Had a fun evening nearby at the local restaurant and hot spring. Highly recommend the stay!”
“A restaurant is down the road several miles.”
Quiet
Ambient noise level
7.0strong
The hotel is consistently described as quiet, tranquil, and remote, contributing to a peaceful environment, though thin walls are mentioned once.
“A truly special place far away from the rat race. This place was a cozy nook with nearby natural hot springs. An otherworldly place to find peace in nature. Without mosquitos. Breakfast was delicious as well!”
“Very tranquil, clean and cosy place.”
“Remote and quiet location.”
Privacy
Walls, separation, solitude
5.0mixed
The shared bathroom facilities and thin walls are noted, which could impact privacy for some guests, though many found the shared bathroom manageable.
“Bathroom was kind of shared, 3 rooms share the same bathroom, and 1 more bathroom on the 1st floor as well”
“Only 1 shared bathroom available, and 2 toilets. May need to wait for it during peak hour.”
“Walls are thin.”
Nature immersion
Surroundings and outdoor stillness
8.0very strong
The hotel offers strong nature immersion with amazing views, nearby sheep, and a sense of being in an 'otherworldly place' in nature, away from urban bustle.
“Like all of Iceland, the views were awesome.”
“A truly special place far away from the rat race. This place was a cozy nook with nearby natural hot springs. An otherworldly place to find peace in nature. Without mosquitos. Breakfast was delicious as well!”
“The scenery was amazing. Easy to find, loved seeing sheep nearby, the staff did great and I really loved the skeleton room key. It added value to the environment and experience. Double super place, will stay again. Bonus was the proximity to the ferry and hot springs.”
Bed comfort
Mattress, pillows, sleep quality
7.0strong
Guests generally found the beds comfortable, contributing to a restful stay.
“comfortable beds.”
“bed was comfortable”
“Room and facilities were clean and comfortable.”
Service warmth
Family-run, personal care
9.0exceptional
The hosts and staff receive exceptional praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and ability to create a welcoming, homelike, and cozy atmosphere.
“Breakfast was basic but adequate, and our hosts were very friendly.”
“The staff was welcoming and friendly, the interior was very cozy and well maintained. Great breakfast. Had a fun evening nearby at the local restaurant and hot spring. Highly recommend the stay!”
“Homelike stay with a lovely and very friendly and helpful host.”
Food on site
Simple, good, unhurried
7.0strong
Breakfast is consistently praised as good, adequate, and delicious, with timely refills, though one review suggested improvements to the bread.
“Breakfast was basic but adequate, and our hosts were very friendly.”
“Great breakfast.”
“Breakfast provided and refill timely. Good stay before exploring westfjord.”
Best rooms to request
Specific rooms or orientations praised
6.0good
Rooms facing the church and ocean are highlighted for their views, but guests should be aware of potentially small room sizes and blinds that may not block light effectively during summer nights.
“Beautiful guesthouse with only 3 rooms, 2 face the church and ocean and the third the mountains. They are located on the second floor with a full bathroom and sitting area.”
“Blinds were to see through for the time of the year to sleep at night.”
“The bedroom was rather small.”
Why we chose this stay · Tier B
This property offers a strong sense of calm and nature immersion, with exceptional service warmth and a cozy, historic atmosphere. While it lacks private outdoor spaces and has shared bathrooms, its remote yet accessible location near hot springs and a ferry, combined with its small scale, aligns well with the calmcation ethos.
Before you book
Practical guidance from Brjánslækur Gamli bærinn reviews.
Which room category to choose, what to mention in special requests, and what to verify at check-in — extracted from real guest reviews.
Best floor for view
Floors with the best outlook
Rooms facing the church and ocean offer beautiful views, while the third room faces the mountains.
Request these floors
- Request a room facing the church and ocean for the best views
Bathroom
Size, fixtures, common issues
Be aware that bathrooms are shared among multiple rooms, which can lead to waiting during busy times. While generally clean, the shared nature is a consistent point of feedback.
What to expect / request
- Be prepared for shared bathroom facilities
- Expect potential waits for the bathroom during peak hours
AC & heating
Reliability across seasons
One guest noted that the blinds were too sheer for sleeping during the summer months, suggesting potential issues with light control.
Breakfast
Type, timing, what to expect
Breakfast is generally considered good and timely, though some guests felt it could be improved with fresher bread options.
Practical notes
- Expect a basic but adequate breakfast
- Don't expect fresh baked goods for breakfast
Read full breakdown
In guests' own words
Verified Booking.com reviews, unedited.
“The location was great, with a <5 min drive to the ferry, and about 15 min to hot springs and a restaurant, as well as a small in-house museum in the basement, and potential hiking trails. Breakfast was basic but adequate, and our hosts were very friendly. The building had a very quaint, historic feel.”
“Right next to the ferry, this beautiful historic property was a great landing pad at the start of our West Fjord adventure. The staff was welcoming and friendly, the interior was very cozy and well maintained. Great breakfast. Had a fun evening nearby at the local restaurant and hot spring. Highly recommend the stay!”
“Stayed 1 night, Staff was friendly and welcoming, room was clean and cozy, location was good”
“Homelike stay with a lovely and very friendly and helpful host. Shared bathroom was no problem. Only three rooms sharing it and it was all the time clean and homely.”
Book this stay
Brjánslækur Gamli bærinn
Vesturbyggð, Iceland
Booking: 8.7 / 10 · 139 reviews
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