Hotel Holt in Reykjavik, Iceland has been attracting a discerning clientele since it opened in 1965, and this 40-room, 12-suite Reykjavik landmark has the distinction of having the largest privately owned collection of Icelandic art that gives the feel of staying in a stunning art gallery, which appropriately is the name of their elegant fine dining restaurant The Gallery Restaurant where Chef Fridgeir Ingi Eriksson creates French-inspired cuisine.
Edward and I stayed at the Hotel Holt in September 2009 where we enjoyed strolling the hotel and admiring its many works of art that line the walls and even the stairwells of the public spaces that include important paintings, tapestries, wood carvings, and sculpture, including sculpture by Iceland’s first sculptor, Einar Jónsson (1874-1954).
Hotel Holt
Although the hotel was built in 1965, their inviting wood paneled Library lined with historical books has old-world charm and features an impressive collection of rare Cognacs and Armagnacs that definitely caught our attention as Cognac and Armagnac connoisseurs. The Library also has a selection of international newspapers and magazines which we enjoyed reading while relaxing in the comfortable ambience.
Lounge
The lounge provides an oasis from busy city life where you can relax by the fireplace in a comfortable leather chair and is where we enjoyed late afternoon coffees after a day spent exploring the capital city, and the cozy Bar is a perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif or a post-dinner cocktail.
As business travelers, we appreciated having a lovely buffet breakfast in the restaurant each morning, the complimentary WIFI Internet access in the guestrooms as well as the Business Center with computers and printers located off the reception, and although there is a small Fitness Center on the premises, we opted to get our exercise by walking around Reykjavik exploring its many nearby museums, art galleries, and upscale boutiques.
Our guestroom featured two large windows dressed with ivory sheers and beige window treatments, a curved wood headboard framed the bed dressed with white duvets and accessorized with a large teal decorative pillow, Icelandic art graced the walls, and there was a large mirror on the wall, as well as a large mirror over the ample desk flanked with a black leather desk chair. Other amenities included a Sony television, a comfortable leather club chair, and discrete well-stocked mini-bar. The closet held terry robes and a safe, and the well-lit bathroom featured a walk-in shower with rain showerhead, assorted amenities, and a hairdryer.
The Gallery Restaurant
We had an elegant evening of fine dining at The Gallery Restaurant that features elegant gold window treatments held with gold tiebacks that grace the large windows, the tables are double draped with white linens and gold under linens with crisply starched white ivy print linen napkins rolled into tall candlestick shapes, and are accessorized with new silver and glass pedestal candle holders with tall white tapers. A wood coffered ceiling twinkles with fairy lights and gold sconces illuminate the impressive collection of Icelandic paintings in sumptuous gold frames that line the dining room walls.
Flounder
A few of the many highlights of our dinner included lobster soup with marinated langoustine and white chocolate cream; steamed flounder under false fish scales with whipped nut oil and vanilla seasoned meat stock; Icelandic duck "orange" from the farm Hlíđarberg; and pan-fried artic char that were perfectly complemented with a selection of fine wines from their well-stocked international wine cellar.
Wine Cellar
Located on a quiet residential street a short 5-minute stroll from the city center and the main shopping streets, the Hotel Holt provided us with the perfect location to easily explore Reykjavik, and is perfect for business as well as leisure travelers.
Read about The Gallery Restaurant in the Restaurants section and in the Chefs’ Recipes section where Chef Fridgeir Ingi Eriksson shares a delicious taste of The Gallery Restaurant with his recipe for Flounder Filet under False Fish Scales with Whipped Nut Oil and Vanilla Seasoned Meat Stock in English and Icelandic.
Hotel Holt
Bergstadastraeti 37
101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Telephone: +354-552-5700
Fax: +354-562-3025
Email: holt@holt.is
www.Holt.is
Read other articles on Iceland in the Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs’ Recipes, Spas, Fashion, and Adventures sections.
For information on Iceland, please visit the Iceland Tourist Board website, www.IcelandTouristBoard.com.
For information on Icelandair, please visit: www.Icelandair.com.
For information on Budget Rental Car, please visit: www.Budget.is.
© October 2009. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.
