Apotek Hotel by Keahotels
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Hotel in Reykjavík, Iceland
Book with PearlWhy go
Apotek Hotel occupies a restored early-20th-century pharmacy on one of Reykjavik's most central streets, making it a strong pick for travellers who want architectural character and walkability without paying top-tier rates. Book 6–8 weeks out for summer and Northern Lights season. A sharper value play than sibling property Hotel Borg, with design DNA the newer builds in Reykjavik can't replicate.
About Apotek Hotel by Keahotels
What Apotek Hotel Actually Is (And Isn't)
The name trips people up. Apotek means pharmacy in Icelandic, this hotel occupies a beautifully restored early-20th-century apothecary building on Austurstræti 16; one of Reykjavik's most central streets. If you're expecting a generic city-centre business hotel, reset that expectation. The building itself is the main event, the design leans hard into its heritage without tipping into theme-park territory.
For value-seekers, the location argument is hard to ignore. Austurstræti sits within easy walking distance of Austurvöllur square, the old harbour, the bulk of Reykjavik's restaurant and bar scene. You won't need taxis to get anywhere that matters. Compare that to Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, which sits further from the centre and adds transfer costs and time to most evening plans. Apotek's central footprint is a genuine practical advantage, not just a marketing line.
The design emphasis here is architectural character over square footage. Guests who prioritise a large, amenity-heavy room should look elsewhere; perhaps Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre for a newer build with more predictable room sizing. But if the physical fabric of your accommodation matters, original detailing, high ceilings, a sense that the building has a history, Apotek delivers something the glass-and-steel new builds in Reykjavik simply cannot. It sits in the same design-conscious tier as Hotel Holt – The Art Hotel and the 101 hotel Reykjavik, though each takes a different approach to translating Icelandic identity into interior space.
Apotek is part of the Keahotels group, which also operates Hotel Borg by Keahotels, another heritage property a short walk away on Pósthússtræti. If you're weighing the two, Borg carries more prestige and a correspondingly higher rate; Apotek is the sharper value play without sacrificing the character-building positioning.
Booking is direct. Reykjavik's hotel market tightens significantly in peak summer (June through August) and around the Northern Lights season (October to February), when demand from aurora chasers pushes occupancy high across the city. Book at least 6–8 weeks out for those windows. The shoulder months of May and September offer the leading combination of availability and reasonable rates without giving up much on daylight or weather. Walk-in availability is realistic in March and April.
For a broader look at where Apotek sits in the Reykjavik market, see our full Reykjavik hotels guide. If you're planning around dining, our Reykjavik restaurants guide and bars guide cover what's walkable from this address.
Quick reference: Central Reykjavik address, heritage apothecary building, Keahotels group, book 6–8 weeks out in peak season.
Planning details
- Location
- Austurstræti 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Website
- keahotels.is/apotek-hotel
- Phone
- +354 512 9000
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Apotek Hotel occupies a former pharmacy in a late‑nineteenth/early‑twentieth‑century stone building on Austurstræti, and that history shapes its character. The property leans into the building’s lived-in urban identity rather than adopting a generic international aesthetic, so it reads as quietly assured and classically appointed. Keahotels’ decision to foreground the site’s pre‑hospitality use signals a hospitality approach rooted in place and memory, and the hotel feels like a carefully preserved chapter of Reykjavik’s civic fabric rather than a newly built insertion.
Best For
Placed on Austurstræti between the Althing and the commercial corridors toward the harbour, the hotel acts as a convenient base for exploring Reykjavik’s civic and cultural core. Its central address makes it practical for business travelers attending meetings nearby, for couples seeking a short romantic getaway, and for weekend visitors who want immediate access to both daytime city life and evening dining. Guests who prioritize architectural character and a heritage‑led stay over contemporary, brand‑driven design will find the hotel especially appealing.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- 101 hotel Reykjavik; Notable alternative
- Ion City Hotel; Notable alternative
- Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre; Notable alternative
- Hilton Reykjavik Nordica; Notable alternative
- Hlemmur Square; Notable alternative
Hotel context
How Apotek Hotel Compares to Other Reykjavik Hotels
Against 101 hotel Reykjavik, Apotek trades a degree of boutique minimalism for more overt heritage character. The 101 is the go-to for design-forward travellers who want something pared back and contemporary; Apotek suits guests who want the history of the building to be felt rather than erased. Both are centrally located and comparable in booking difficulty. If you want the sleeker, more restrained option, pick 101. If you want a room with a story, Apotek has the edge.
Ion City Hotel and Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre are both newer builds that offer more consistent, amenity-focused rooms. If room reliability and modern fitness or F&B; facilities are priorities, either of those is a safer bet. Hilton Reykjavik Nordica adds loyalty point accrual for Hilton members and a larger property footprint, but its out-of-centre location means added transfer costs that erode the value case versus Apotek's walk-to-everything address.
Hlemmur Square works for budget-conscious travellers who still want a design-aware environment; it operates more as a lifestyle hotel with a hostel-adjacent price point at the lower end of its room tier. Apotek sits above that positioning and below the prestige tier of Hotel Borg by Keahotels. That middle-ground positioning is actually where Apotek wins: it delivers genuine architectural interest and a prime address without the premium you'd pay at Borg or the Hotel Holt – The Art Hotel.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Apotek Hotel by Keahotels guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Apotek Hotel by Keahotels
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Apotek Hotel by Keahotels | Easy | 2025 Michelin Selected Hotels |
| 101 hotel Reykjavik | Unknown | No published awards |
| Ion City Hotel | Unknown | No published awards |
| Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre | Unknown | No published awards |
| Hilton Reykjavik Nordica | Unknown | No published awards |
| Hlemmur Square | Unknown | No published awards |
Comparing your options in Reykjavik for this tier.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the location of Apotek Hotel by Keahotels?
About as central as Reykjavik gets. The address is Austurstræti 16, 101 Reykjavik, placing it in the heart of the city's main pedestrian and commercial strip; walkable to Hallgrimskirkja, the harbour, the main dining and bar corridor. For travellers who want to skip taxis and stay inside the 101 postcode, this is a practical pick.
When is the best time to book Apotek Hotel by Keahotels?
Book as early as possible if you're targeting summer (June to August), when Reykjavik hotel occupancy peaks and city-centre properties fill quickly. Winter travel for the Northern Lights (October to March) also drives demand. The shoulder months of May and September offer better availability and competitive rates without sacrificing much daylight or access.
What is check-in like at Apotek Hotel by Keahotels?
The hotel is run under the Keahotels group, which operates a portfolio of Icelandic properties and generally maintains a professional front-of-house standard. The building's heritage character means the lobby space has more atmosphere than a generic chain. Specific check-in hours are not confirmed in available data, so verify directly before arrival if you're landing on a late flight.
Which room category is best at Apotek Hotel by Keahotels?
Without confirmed room-tier data, the practical steer is to prioritise rooms on upper floors facing Austurstræti for the street view, or quieter internal-facing rooms if you're a light sleeper; central Reykjavik pedestrian zones can be lively late into summer evenings. Check directly with the hotel for room dimensions, as heritage buildings often have irregular layouts.
How does Apotek Hotel by Keahotels compare to nearby hotels?
Apotek holds an edge over Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre and Hilton Reykjavik Nordica on character and central positioning. Ion City Hotel competes on design credentials. Hlemmur Square suits travellers who prefer a hostel-hotel hybrid at a lower price point. The 101 Hotel is the closest direct competitor for boutique travellers who want a quieter, more residential feel; Apotek trades some of that calm for a more active street location.
Do loyalty programs work at Apotek Hotel by Keahotels?
Apotek is part of the Keahotels group, which runs its own loyalty scheme rather than affiliating with a major chain program like Marriott Bonvoy or IHG One Rewards. If accruing points on a global chain program matters to your booking decision, this is not the right property. If you're a frequent Iceland traveller and stay at Keahotels properties regularly, the group's own program may offer meaningful value; confirm current terms directly with the hotel.
