KEX Hostel & Hotel

KEX Hostel & Hotel occupies a former biscuit factory in downtown Reykjavik, a physical fact that anchors the entire brand identity. KEX means biscuit in Icelandic, and the name pays homage to the building's industrial past. The property has been renovated to blend vintage industrial aesthetics with contemporary comfort, preserving original timber and exposed brick while adding modern furnishings, reliable heating (essential in Iceland), and contemporary bathrooms. The result reads as authentically historic rather than artificially themed. This is a single hostel-hotel hybrid property, not a chain, which means all the attention and operational consistency benefit from one cohesive team rather than corporate-level dilution across franchises.

The accommodation strategy at KEX offers genuine choice for different traveler needs and budgets. Hostel rooms feature shared bunk beds in small social dorms designed for backpackers and budget travelers seeking connection with other guests. Hotel rooms provide private ensuite accommodations for those prioritizing privacy. This dual-room model is less common than you might expect among true hostels, which often fear that private rooms cannibalizing dorm bookings will reduce the social atmosphere that draws many hostel visitors in the first place. KEX's willingness to offer both reflects confidence in its social infrastructure and the appeal of the venue itself. Private rooms typically start at moderate prices for Reykjavik, where hotel accommodation trends expensive due to Iceland's small population and high costs. Direct booking through their website at kexrvk.is/booking remains the most transparent option, though you may contact them by phone at +354 561 6060 or email kexhostel@kexhostel.is to discuss options or ask questions about room configurations before committing.

The social spaces and on-site amenities make KEX worth considering even if you are not primarily budget-conscious. The BAXTUR restaurant serves breakfast daily from seven to ten in the morning, offering a chance to fuel up before exploring Reykjavik's neighborhoods and attractions. The on-site bar operates with a carefully chosen selection of local Icelandic beers and craft cocktails, staying open until eleven in the evening. This is not a basic bar that serves Carlsberg and calls it a night, but rather a venue that reflects genuine investment in quality and local connection. The bar functions as a gathering point for both hostel guests and local Reykjavík residents, creating an organic mix of tourists and community members rather than the isolated tourist bubble you find at some hotels in the city center. That social blending enriches the experience because you encounter actual Icelanders rather than only other travelers on identical itineraries.

Day trip and activity booking services operate directly from KEX, allowing you to arrange excursions to some of Iceland's most visited natural attractions without leaving the property or navigating tour company websites. These options include the Golden Circle, the South Coast with its black sand beaches and waterfalls, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Having these services on-site saves the logistical friction of planning independently and provides a single point of contact if issues arise during your tour. The concierge and front desk staff speak English fluently and maintain multilingual capabilities, standard in Icelandic tourism but valuable given the international guest mix.

Reykjavik's downtown location places KEX within walking distance of most major attractions, restaurants, and cultural sites. You do not need a car or regular taxi rides to experience the city; the property sits in a neighborhood where pedestrian access suffices for exploring. This advantages budget travelers who want to avoid rental car costs and the complexity of driving on Iceland's roads, particularly in winter when conditions deteriorate. The neighborhood around Skúlagata 28 balances accessibility with enough local character that you get a sense of where Icelanders actually live and work, not just tourist-focused shopping streets.

Pricing at KEX varies seasonally, like most Icelandic hotels, with summer months commanding premiums and shoulder seasons offering better value. Winter pricing drops materially, reflecting lower tourist demand despite Iceland's magical winter landscape and northern lights. The property typically publishes rates on their booking page, and comparing direct-booking prices against third-party platforms demonstrates whether aggregators offer discounts or whether KEX's direct booking remains competitive. Shared dorm beds cost substantially less than private rooms, as expected, and private rooms in the low to moderate range compared to other Reykjavik hotels with similar amenities and location.

Cancellation policies at KEX vary by rate type, with flexible rates allowing cancellations closer to the booking date and non-refundable rates offering discounts in exchange for stricter terms. Most travelers benefit from selecting flexible rates, particularly when booking far in advance, since Icelandic weather and travel logistics remain unpredictable. The property transparently publishes these terms on its booking page, avoiding the hidden gotchas that plague some budget accommodation. Linens and towels are included in both dorm and private rooms, a detail many budget travelers appreciate since some hostels charge extra for these basics. Lockers in dorm rooms provide secure storage for valuables, addressing a common security concern in shared accommodation. Wi-Fi operates throughout the property and works reliably, essential for travelers managing bookings, responding to emails, or uploading travel content.

Reykjavik's geographic position makes it an ideal base for exploring Iceland's most famous natural attractions. The Golden Circle loops through geysers, waterfalls, and tectonic plate rift valleys in a full day. The South Coast requires a day or two driving through landscapes that dwarf the human scale. Glacier lagoon tours operate year-round but operate differently depending on whether icebergs have calved recently. These are all expensive excursions that KEX can help you access, but they require planning. Having activity booking on-site means you do not waste internet research time when you could be resting at KEX or exploring Reykjavik's neighborhoods, museums, and food scene.

What distinguishes KEX from typical hostel chains is the absence of standardization and the property's grounding in Reykjavik's actual culture. The building itself has history and texture that newly built hostels cannot replicate. The bar and restaurant are not corporate-mandated offerings but rather spaces developed with genuine local input. The social atmosphere emerges organically rather than forced through mandatory events or artificial programs, though the venue certainly facilitates connection. For the American traveler visiting Iceland, KEX offers a middle ground between pure budget backpacking and anonymous hotel anonymity. You meet other travelers, experience Icelandic hospitality and cuisine, and stay in a building with genuine character. The tradeoff is that you have only one location if you plan to visit multiple Icelandic regions, and the property's size limits availability during peak summer. For a Reykjavik base during your Iceland trip, particularly if you value atmosphere and local connection over hitting a specific budget floor, KEX remains the strongest hostel option in the capital.