New luxurious hotel opens in historic building in city centre

A new boutique hotel, Sandhótel, opens on Thursday in seven adjoined buildings on Laugavegur offering 53 rooms.  Between the buildings is a new square where people can enjoy snacks from the famous Sandholt bakery next door.

A new restaurant, Lauf, also opens at the hotel offering organic food.  The buildings which have been refurbished in the traditonal style have a long history. One of them houses the Verslun Guðsteinn menswear shop which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and the Sandholt bakery, which is family run now by the 5th generation of Sandholts. Nobel Laureate Halldór Laxness was born in one of the buildings, Laugavegur 32 b in the year 1902.

The hotel places a strong emphasis on design and atmosphere with interior designer Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir responsible for the elegant interiors. The bathrooms are made with marble and granite, the wooden floors are made from oak and there's much attention to detail.

Some of the buildings that were renovated were protected buildings and were restored in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland.  Icelandic art is on display all over the hotel as welll as in the rooms.

The artwork includes a statue by renowned artist Sigurður Guðmundsson in the square, watercolour paintings by Ragnar Kjartansson and Egill Sæbjörnsson, Iceland's artist for the 2017 Biennale is creating an outdoor artwork in a new garden at Grettisgata.

The hotel directors stress that the garden next to the hotel will be open to all. They also wat to connect with the history of the buildings and the staff uniforms are made by the famous Guðsteinn shop. Guests of the hotel can also indulge in chocolates and pastries from the bakery