Day 10: Time to Say Goodbye

Driving Route: Budir -> Borganes -> Reykjavik -> Keflavik

We're flying back to Boston today at 5pm. I'm really sad that our vacation has come to an end. Turns out that the guesthouse we were moved to "Gistihusid Langerholt" wasn't all bad. Though that doesn't mean Hotel Budir is off the hook (Hotel Budir I am still mad at you).

While the inside was really basic, we could see Snaefelljokull from our window. Spectacular! We also spent the morning exploring the area around the hotel and walking out to the beach.

Check out the glacier in the back. The hotel owner's son also mentioned that the Northern lights, usually visible from the hotel, were starting to appear again. We set our alarms for 3am and 4am but saw nothing. Ah well ...



The surroundings:


We left the Snaefellnes peninsular at about 11am and had some time to spare so we stopped by Nautholsvik Thermal Beach in Reykjavik. One of the "must sees" in Reykjavik according to one of the guide books, but I didn't find it particularly interesting.



Le sigh ... we leave Iceland with fond memories!


Accomodation:
Gistihusid Langaholt or Guesthouse Langaholt (Gistihusid = Guesthouse)

I highly recommend Guesthouse Langaholt. It used to be a farm but was converted to a guesthouse in the 60s when the owners decided to go into the tourism business. While it isn't as fancy as Hotel Budir, it is charming in its own way. The setting of the hotel is lovely with mountains and the ocean in the backdrop. The owners are extremely hospitable and friendly. More of a "real Icelandic".

Also, not all rooms at Hotel Budir have a view the Snaefelljokull :P

View from Guesthouse Langaholt:


The room:



My Iceland Travel Blog Index

Day 1: Hello Reykjavik!
Day 2: Battling Nature? Not for the Faint Hearted
Day 3: It's a Beautiful Day (channel: U2)
Day 4: The road to Myvatn
Day 5: Iphone Malfunction
Day 5: All Fossed Out
Day 5: Jarbodin - Spa Myvatn
Day 6: The Barren Interior and Askja
Day 7: Off the Beaten Path
Day 8: Hellish Driving Day!
Day 9: Revenge of the Puffins
Day 9: Food and Botched Reservations
Day 9: Nuni? No Nüni ....
Day 10: Time to Say Goodbye

Quito Hotel Review - Hostal Jardin del Sol

A hostal is cheaper than a hotel but nicer than youth hostels. They are common through out South America and often family run.

We decided on this option since it's cheap ( < US$50 per night) and would provide a more interesting/friendly atmostphere than the usual 5 star hotels. We originally wanted to stay at La Casa Sol but being the procrastinators that we are, the place was fully booked by the time we got down to it. We eventually settled on Hostal Jardin del Sol on a friend's recommendation. It turns out that La Casa Sol and Jardin del Sol are right across the road from each other!

Our friend recommended this particular one since it was right in the heart of the Mariscal (gringo land) and you can walk anywhere. Internet Cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants are all close by. The other hotels we looked at were a couple blocks away but apparently it isn't safe to walk around at night even for short distances (armed robberies) so this place was the most convenient. Even the hotels lock their doors at night .... hrmmm.

The view from our room. Notice the spikes on the balcony.


We found the staff to be very friendly and the rooms generally clean. Obviously you shouldn't expect five star quality hehe. I was rather grossed out when I saw a piece of dried gum stuck to the edge of the night stand...eeeks! But I shan't complain too much. Given the price of $33 per night for a double, I'll suck it up.

The bathroom. I'm a girly girl and squeamish about unfamiliar bathrooms. Being an optimist, at least there was plenty of hot water.


Something else to be aware of is that some rooms facing the front of the hotel can be noisy at nights. We could hear the music from the bars down the street and after the clubs close at 3am, you start hearing the drunk tourists making a scene. The second room we got was much better and very quiet.

One weird thing I noticed about the hotel however is that the double room only has 1 large pillow that P and I were to share?! WTH! I like my pillow flat and he likes his firm and fluffy. One size doesn't fit all and the pillow certainly didn't help my AMS! (Yes I'm a wimp and had AMS. I was miserable for the most part.)

In the dining room. Breakfat of eggs, breads, cheese, fruit, and juice is included.


We heard from other travelers that there are other hostals in the area of similar quality but cheaper. So if you're out to save money you might want to shop around a bit. Otherwise Jardin del Sol is a decent choice since you know what you're getting.