Location & local guide
Your corner of Reykjavík
Hotel Lotus sits at Álftamýri 7, near the city centre of Reykjavík. An ideal base for self-drive tours of Iceland as well as for exploring the city by Strætó, the local bus.
Hotel Lotus, Álftamýri 7, 108 Reykjavík Get directions
Getting around · Routes 4 & 11
Lágmúli bus stop
Strætó routes 4 and 11 stop here, within walking distance of the hotel.
Eat · Steakhouse
Brasserie Askur
For a steakhouse dinner, a decades-long fixture of the Reykjavík dining scene.
Eat · Sandwiches & smoothies
Lemon
Smoothie and sandwich combos at a great price.
Eat · Icelandic home cooking
Múlakaffi
Eat with the locals and taste home cooking served cafeteria-style, for lunch or dinner.
Eat · Plant-based bowls
Nútrí Açaí Bar
A quick, light meal with lots of great vegan options and bowls of plant-based fare.
Eat · Indian
Bombay Bazaar
Cooks from India serving dishes from Mumbai, made from scratch with fresh, quality ingredients.
Eat · Sourdough bakery
Brauð & Co
Sourdough loaves and cinnamon swirls (snúðar) from one of Reykjavík's best-known bakeries. Laugavegur 180. braudogco.is
Eat · Pizza
Castello Pizzeria
Pizza just around the corner on Lágmúli, for an easy evening in. castello.is
Eat · Italian pizzeria
Olifa La Madre Pizza
Italian pizzeria on Suðurlandsbraut, a short walk from the hotel. olifapizzeria.is
Eat · Coffee house
Te & Kaffi
Icelandic coffee roaster and café, for a good cup on the go. Suðurlandsbraut 8. teogkaffi.is
Eat · Speciality coffee
Reykjavík Roasters
Speciality coffee roasted in Reykjavík. Brautarholt 2. reykjavikroasters.is
Eat · Bakery
Sveinsbakarí
Traditional neighbourhood bakery on Skipholt.
Eat · Ice cream
Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
A classic Icelandic ice-cream parlour, open into the evening. Skipholt.
Eat · Craft beer
RVK Bruggfélag Tónabíó
Local brewery taproom in the old Tónabíó cinema building. Skipholt 33. rvkbruggfelag.is
Shop · Shopping mall
Kringlan
Reykjavík's largest shopping mall, with over 150 shops, plenty of places to eat and a range of services. Free parking if you choose to drive.
Shop · Neighbourhood hub
Miðbær
A small hub on Háaleitisbraut with a bakery, an ice-cream shop, a deli and a Vietnamese restaurant, plus a dry cleaner, florist and massage parlour.
Shop · Retail & groceries
Skeifan
Retail stores, grocery stores and specialist shops from electronics to outdoor equipment, plus restaurants and cafés.
Shop · Shops & restaurants
Ármúli & Síðumúli
An interesting mix of retail stores and restaurants, and the nearest post office.
Shop · Outdoor gear
Fjallakofinn
Outdoor clothing and hiking equipment, handy before a trip into the highlands. fjallakofinn.is
Shop · Wine & beer
Vínbúðin Kringlan
In Iceland, alcohol to take away is sold only in the state-run Vínbúðin stores. This one is in Kringlan. vinbudin.is
Explore · Geothermal pool
Laugardalslaug
Hot tubs plus a seawater tub heated to 40 °C (104 °F).
Explore · Park & paths
Laugardalur
Great for spending time outdoors, with walking and running paths whatever the season.
Explore · Garden
Reykjavík Botanic Garden
Birdwatching all year: birds overwinter in the garden, and ducks and geese nest around the ponds in spring.
Explore · Gym & spa
World Class Fitness Center
For a quick workout. Afterwards, treat yourself to a massage at the World Class Spa.
Explore · Sculpture museum
Ásmundarsafn
Part of the Reykjavík Art Museum, dedicated to the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, with a sculpture garden outside. listasafnreykjavikur.is
Explore · Art museum
Kjarvalsstaðir
Reykjavík Art Museum at Klambratún park, home to works by the painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval. listasafnreykjavikur.is
Explore · Laugardalur
Family Park & Zoo
Icelandic farm animals, seals and a family park in Laugardalur (Fjölskyldu- og húsdýragarðurinn). mu.is
Explore · Historic house
Höfði
The white house by the sea where Reagan and Gorbachev met in 1986.
Explore · Climbing gym
Klifurhúsið
Indoor bouldering and climbing. Ármúli 23. klifurhusid.is
Explore · Ice rink
Skautahöllin
Indoor ice skating in Laugardalur.
Explore · Cinema
Sambíóin Kringlunni
Cinema in Kringlan shopping centre. sambio.is
Explore · Theatre
Borgarleikhúsið
Reykjavík City Theatre, next to Kringlan. Listabraut 3. borgarleikhus.is
Essentials · Lágmúli 5
Lyfja Pharmacy
The nearest pharmacy, open until midnight on most days.
Essentials · Supermarket
Nettó
The nearest supermarket, at Lágmúli 7 by the bus stop. netto.is
Essentials · Petrol station
Atlantsolía
Self-service petrol station right next to the hotel, open 24/7. Háaleitisbraut 12. atlantsolia.is
Essentials · Pósthús
Post office
The nearest post office. Síðumúli 3–5. postur.is
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
The Lotus guide
Our picks nearby
Within walking distance or just a short drive away, these are our team's favourite places around Álftamýri. Ask us for more recommendations. We're always happy to help.
Updated October 2026
Nearby restaurants
Within walking distance or just a short drive away, you'll find a variety of restaurants. Here are our top picks, or ask our staff for their recommendations.
-
Steakhouse
Brasserie Askur
For a steakhouse dinner, a decades-long fixture of the Reykjavík dining scene.
-
Sandwiches & smoothies
Lemon
Smoothie and sandwich combos at a great price.
-
Icelandic home cooking
Múlakaffi
Eat with the locals and taste home cooking served cafeteria-style, for lunch or dinner.
-
Plant-based bowls
Nútrí Açaí Bar
A quick, light meal with lots of great vegan options and bowls of plant-based fare.
-
Indian
Bombay Bazaar
Cooks from India serving dishes from Mumbai, made from scratch with fresh, quality ingredients.
-
Sourdough bakery
Brauð & Co
Sourdough loaves and cinnamon swirls (snúðar) from one of Reykjavík's best-known bakeries. Laugavegur 180.
braudogco.is -
Pizza
Castello Pizzeria
Pizza just around the corner on Lágmúli, for an easy evening in.
castello.is -
Italian pizzeria
Olifa La Madre Pizza
Italian pizzeria on Suðurlandsbraut, a short walk from the hotel.
www.olifapizzeria.is -
Coffee house
Te & Kaffi
Icelandic coffee roaster and café, for a good cup on the go. Suðurlandsbraut 8.
www.teogkaffi.is -
Speciality coffee
Reykjavík Roasters
Speciality coffee roasted in Reykjavík. Brautarholt 2.
reykjavikroasters.is -
Bakery
Sveinsbakarí
Traditional neighbourhood bakery on Skipholt.
-
Ice cream
Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
A classic Icelandic ice-cream parlour, open into the evening. Skipholt.
-
Craft beer
RVK Bruggfélag Tónabíó
Local brewery taproom in the old Tónabíó cinema building. Skipholt 33.
www.rvkbruggfelag.is
Nearby shopping
Whether you're looking for something specific or just want to window-shop, there are plenty of options within walking distance or a short drive.
-
Shopping mall
Kringlan
Reykjavík's largest shopping mall, with over 150 shops, plenty of places to eat and a range of services. Free parking if you choose to drive.
-
Neighbourhood hub
Miðbær
A small hub on Háaleitisbraut with a bakery, an ice-cream shop, a deli and a Vietnamese restaurant, plus a dry cleaner, florist and massage parlour.
-
Retail & groceries
Skeifan
Retail stores, grocery stores and specialist shops from electronics to outdoor equipment, plus restaurants and cafés.
-
Shops & restaurants
Ármúli & Síðumúli
An interesting mix of retail stores and restaurants, and the nearest post office.
-
City centre
Downtown Reykjavík
The main shopping streets of Laugavegur, Hverfisgata and Skólavörðustígur, connected by smaller streets ideal for walking, shopping and taking in the local atmosphere.
-
Outdoor gear
Fjallakofinn
Outdoor clothing and hiking equipment, handy before a trip into the highlands.
fjallakofinn.is -
Wine & beer
Vínbúðin Kringlan
In Iceland, alcohol to take away is sold only in the state-run Vínbúðin stores. This one is in Kringlan.
www.vinbudin.is
Activities & wellness
From swimming and running to contemplative strolls in nature, the neighbourhood is bursting with things to do. No need to go far.
-
Geothermal pool
Laugardalslaug
Hot tubs plus a seawater tub heated to 40 °C (104 °F).
-
Park & paths
Laugardalur
Great for spending time outdoors, with walking and running paths whatever the season.
-
Garden
Reykjavík Botanic Garden
Birdwatching all year: birds overwinter in the garden, and ducks and geese nest around the ponds in spring.
-
Gym & spa
World Class Fitness Center
For a quick workout. Afterwards, treat yourself to a massage at the World Class Spa.
-
Historic pool
Sundhöllin
Soak in the hot tub and be part of history at the city's oldest pool, with indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs and a sauna.
-
Sculpture museum
Ásmundarsafn
Part of the Reykjavík Art Museum, dedicated to the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, with a sculpture garden outside.
listasafnreykjavikur.is -
Art museum
Kjarvalsstaðir
Reykjavík Art Museum at Klambratún park, home to works by the painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval.
listasafnreykjavikur.is -
Laugardalur
Family Park & Zoo
Icelandic farm animals, seals and a family park in Laugardalur (Fjölskyldu- og húsdýragarðurinn).
mu.is -
Historic house
Höfði
The white house by the sea where Reagan and Gorbachev met in 1986.
-
Climbing gym
Klifurhúsið
Indoor bouldering and climbing. Ármúli 23.
klifurhusid.is -
Ice rink
Skautahöllin
Indoor ice skating in Laugardalur.
-
Cinema
Sambíóin Kringlunni
Cinema in Kringlan shopping centre.
www.sambio.is -
Theatre
Borgarleikhúsið
Reykjavík City Theatre, next to Kringlan. Listabraut 3.
www.borgarleikhus.is
Tours from the hotel
Our tour desk makes it easy to book tours in and around Reykjavík. Every tour and operator is hand-picked by our staff and verified, and we're happy to give advice.
Visit the tour desk-
From Reykjavík
Into the Glacier
Visit Iceland's second-largest glacier and go inside it, to marvel at the blue ice in its heart.
-
Winter evenings
Northern Lights
Head out into the wilderness on a clear winter night to search the sky for ribbons of green, and sometimes purple and pink. Never guaranteed, but unforgettable if they appear.
-
Full day
The Golden Circle & Friðheimar
Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park, plus Friðheimar greenhouse, where geothermal power is put to sustainable and tasty use.
-
In the city
Reykjavík Food Walk
The families, stories, restaurateurs and traditions behind Reykjavík's food scene, with a small group of proud local food lovers.
-
30 min from Reykjavík
The Lava Tunnel
Walk through Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland's biggest lava tunnels, up to 30 metres wide and 10 metres high.
Helpful information
Keep these handy and you'll be ready for just about any hiccup, major or minor, during your trip.
-
Call 112
112 Emergency
In an emergency, call 112 or use the web chat at 112.is.
112.is -
Lágmúli 5
Lyfja Pharmacy
The nearest pharmacy, open until midnight on most days.
-
24/7 emergency room
National Hospital, Fossvogur
A 24-hour emergency room at the National University Hospital in Fossvogur.
-
Health centre
Heilsugæslan Efstaleiti
Health centre for non-emergency medical care. Efstaleiti 3.
-
Supermarket
Nettó
The nearest supermarket, at Lágmúli 7 by the bus stop.
netto.is -
Supermarket
Krónan
Supermarket at Háaleitisbraut 68.
kronan.is -
Petrol station
Atlantsolía
Self-service petrol station right next to the hotel, open 24/7. Háaleitisbraut 12.
www.atlantsolia.is -
Pósthús
Post office
The nearest post office. Síðumúli 3–5.
www.postur.is -
Travel safety
Safe.is
Icelandic weather is notoriously unpredictable. Check road conditions and where it's safe to travel.
safe.is -
Weather forecast
Vedur.is
The weather is also a great conversation starter. Check the latest forecast before you chat with the locals.
en.vedur.is
Getting here & around
Easy to reach, easy to explore
-
Airport shuttle at the door
Flybus shuttle buses to and from Keflavík Airport stop right outside – use our TourDesk page to book your seat.
-
Bus stop around the corner
Lágmúli bus stop is within walking distance. Take Strætó routes 4 and 11.
-
Free parking
Our own lot is free for every guest, ideal for self-drive tours of Iceland.
-
Shops within a short walk
Kringlan, Reykjavík's largest mall, is a 15-minute walk; Ármúli and Síðumúli are within 10 minutes.
Beyond the city
Book tours at our tour desk
Glaciers, lava tunnels, the Golden Circle and the northern lights. Every tour and operator is hand-picked and verified by our staff.
Browse tours
Book direct
Come and stay with us
Choose your dates and we’ll show you every available room, with breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking included.