Romantic Stays for Couples in Blönduós
Blönduós sits on Route 1 where the Blanda river runs into Húnaflói Bay, roughly halfway between Reykjavík and Akureyri, and couples often treat it as the quiet overnight stop of a north-bound road trip. The romantic options are small and well rated. Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse is on the beachfront with a sun terrace, sea views and a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. Brekkukot Cottages, rated 9.7, rents units with a kitchenette and dining table, and Hótel Blönduós has rooms with balconies and sea views. Further out, Laxás Cottage and the Hvammur 2 guesthouses with their hot tubs offer more privacy in the surrounding countryside.
Blönduós is a small service town split in two by the glacial Blanda river, with the island of Hrútey in its current and the open water of Húnaflói Bay to the west. Its angular modern church is the landmark most travellers notice from the Ring Road. Around it stretch the farmlands of Húnavatnssýsla, the Vatnsdalur valley and lakes such as Svínavatn, a landscape that feels open and quiet compared with the busier south.
Where to stay
Sea Views and Quiet Cottages Near Húnaflói
I would stop in Blönduós as a couple when the drive north needs a calm night with a view of the bay rather than another hour on the road. Most couple-rated stays here offer either a sea view or a kitchenette, and several add a hot tub or a terrace. Ratings back that up: Brekkukot Cottages reaches 9.7, the two-bedroom cottage listed in town 9.4, and Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse keeps 9.1 over more than 1,300 Booking reviews.
The address I would book first is Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse. It has direct beachfront access, a sun terrace and a garden with sea views, rooms with private bathrooms, balconies and parquet floors, and an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. Its 9.1 over more than 1,300 reviews is the strongest track record in town. Hótel Blönduós is the more classic hotel choice, with rooms that have private bathrooms, balconies and sea views, soundproofing, a sun terrace and a restaurant, rated 8.6. Both put Húnaflói Bay in front of the window, which on a clear evening in summer means a long, low light over the water.
For couples who prefer their own space, cottages work better. Brekkukot Cottages, rated 9.7, offers units with private bathrooms, a kitchenette and a dining table, plus a sun terrace and a patio. The two-bedroom cottage listed in Blönduós, scored 9.4, has a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine and a garden with mountain views, ideal for a longer stay. Kiljan Apartments & Rooms has self-catering apartments with a fully equipped kitchen. Cooking your own dinner makes sense in a town where the restaurant choice is short, and a cottage terrace is a pleasant place to finish the day after the drive from the south.
Couples looking for a soak should look at the Hvammur 2 guesthouses. Hvammur 2 Guesthouse has family rooms with mountain views, a lounge, a garden, a terrace, a shared kitchen and a hot tub, rated 8.6. Hvammur 2 Guesthouse Red House adds an outdoor fireplace to its sun terrace, garden and hot tub, rated 8.5. Fornilækur Guesthouse offers recently renovated rooms with private bathrooms, each with a balcony or terrace looking at the garden, the sea or the river. These are simple places, but a hot tub under a dark sky is one of the better ways to end an evening in north Iceland, especially between autumn and spring.
Further into the countryside, Laxás Cottage, a few minutes from Blönduós, is a renovated three-bedroom holiday home with a private entrance, a fully equipped kitchen and air-conditioning, generous for two but very private. Hunavellir Guesthouse, 6 km from Route 1, has rooms with mountain views, some overlooking Lake Svínavatn, with an outdoor pool open in summer, rated 7.9. Guesthouse Kiljan, just off the Ring Road, looks over Húnaflói Bay and has a restaurant with a bar. My advice is to pick the countryside options if you have a car and want darker skies, and to stay in town if you would rather walk to dinner.
A traveler's takeI recommend Blönduós to couples driving between Reykjavík and Akureyri who want one quiet night by the sea. My first choice would be Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse for its beachfront setting and on-site restaurant, with Brekkukot Cottages as the self-catering alternative. Our advice is to take a short evening walk on Hrútey, the wooded island in the Blanda river reached by a footbridge from town, before dinner.
CouplesBrekkukot Cottages, Blönduós
Family cottages with kitchenettes and mountain views near Blönduós
Why guests love itBrekkukot Cottages in Blönduós offer family rooms with private bathrooms, each with a kitchenette and a dining table, which suits families who want to eat in. Guests also get a sun terrace, a patio, free WiFi and mountain views. The listing mentions convenient access to local attractions without naming them. Guests rate it 9.7 across 472 reviews, an excellent score on a solid sample, though nothing suggests a restaurant on site.
CouplesCottage - two bedrooms
A two-bedroom cottage with mountain views and a fully equipped kitchen
Why guests love itI recommend this two-bedroom cottage to families and couples driving the Ring Road who want a practical stop in Blönduós. It has a living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine, and a garden and terrace with mountain views suit outdoor dinners. Free private parking and WiFi are included. A washing machine is a real help midway through a long road trip. Guests rate it 9.4 across almost 170 reviews, a top score.
CouplesBrimslóð Atelier Guesthouse
Beachfront guesthouse with sea views and an outdoor fireplace
Why guests love itBrimslóð Atelier Guesthouse stands on the beachfront in Blönduós, with direct access to a private beach, a sun terrace and a garden with sea views. Family rooms have private bathrooms, balconies and parquet floors. An on-site restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and there is a bar and an outdoor fireplace. Guests rate it 9.1 across 1,355 reviews, a very large sample for a small guesthouse.
CouplesLaxás Cottage
Renovated holiday home with a hot tub and sea and mountain views
Why guests love itI recommend Laxás Cottage to families and groups who want a renovated three-bedroom holiday home a few minutes from Blönduós. It has a living room, a private entrance, parquet floors, a fully equipped kitchen, air-conditioning and an outdoor hot tub, with views of the sea, the lake and the mountains. Views are the main draw here. Guests rate it 8.9 across more than 150 reviews, a good score for a roomy, comfortable house.
CouplesHótel Blönduós
Family rooms with sea-view balconies and a restaurant in Blönduós
Why guests love itHótel Blönduós has family rooms with private bathrooms, a balcony and sea views, plus soundproofing, a tea and coffee maker and a hairdryer in each room. Families can use the sun terrace, eat at the restaurant and have a drink at the bar. WiFi is free in public areas, private parking is free, and a tour desk helps with outings. Pets are welcome. Guests rate it 8.6 across 445 reviews.
CouplesHvammur 2 Guesthouse
Mountain-view family rooms with a hot tub and shared kitchen in Blönduós
Why guests love itHvammur 2 Guesthouse in Blönduós has family rooms with mountain views and shared bathrooms, which is worth knowing before booking. Guests can use a garden, a terrace, a lounge and an outdoor hot tub, plus a shared kitchen and free private parking. Hiking is nearby. With an 8.6 score from 282 reviews, I recommend it to families and couples on a budget who accept shared facilities.
CouplesGladheimar Guesthouse
Ground-floor family rooms with private bathrooms and a terrace in Blönduós
Why guests love itGladheimar Guesthouse offers family rooms with private bathrooms and showers, all on the ground floor, which is easier with luggage and small children. There is a terrace, and WiFi and on-site parking are free. The listing puts it 147 km from Akureyri Airport, so Blönduós works as a stop on the Ring Road rather than a destination. A rating of 8.5 across 68 reviews is good. I would choose it as a practical overnight for a family in the north.
CouplesFornilækur Guesthouse
Renovated rooms with balconies and views, plus family-friendly facilities
Why guests love itFornilækur Guesthouse in Blönduós has recently renovated rooms with private bathrooms, each with a balcony or terrace facing the garden, the sea or the river. Children get indoor and outdoor play areas, and there is a sun terrace, a garden and free WiFi. A buffet breakfast is served daily and parking is free. It is a family-minded stop on the Ring Road, with a good rating.
CouplesHvammur 2 Guesthouse Red House
Mountain-view family rooms with a hot tub and shared kitchen in Blönduós
Why guests love itHvammur 2 Guesthouse Red House in Blönduós has family rooms with mountain views and shared bathrooms. Guests can use a sun terrace, a garden, an outdoor fireplace and a hot tub, plus a shared kitchen and a lounge. WiFi is free in public areas, and the guesthouse is pet-friendly. With an 8.5 score from 195 reviews, I recommend it to budget families and travellers with pets who accept shared facilities.
CouplesHúnaver Guesthouse
Family rooms with kitchens, mountain views, and a terrace for barbecues
Why guests love itHúnaver Guesthouse in Blönduós is 118 km from Akureyri Airport and offers family rooms with private bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens. Guests can sit in the garden or on the terrace, which has mountain views and barbecue facilities. Free WiFi and private parking are included. Guests rate it 8.2 across 126 reviews. Barbecue and outdoor seating make evenings easy. Mountain views come with the stay.
CouplesKiljan Apartments & Rooms
Self-catering apartments and rooms with a hot tub and mountain views
Why guests love itKiljan Apartments & Rooms in Blönduós offers self-catering apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, or rooms with a seating area, all with mountain and garden views. A communal hot tub, a garden and a BBQ area are available, and Wi-Fi is free. The Blanda River is 1 km away and Blönduós Harbour 2 km. Guests rate it 8.0 across 205 reviews, and I would pick it for road trippers who want a kitchen and a hot tub.
CouplesHunavellir Guesthouse
Mountain views, a summer pool, and activities near Blönduós
Why guests love itHunavellir lies 6 km off the Ring Road, with rooms that face the mountains and some that overlook Lake Svínavatn. The extras suit families: a summer outdoor swimming pool, a playground and an indoor sports arena. Horseback riding, hiking and fishing can be arranged. The pool is a summer feature, so check the season before counting on it. A sensible rural stop for families on a budget.
CouplesGuesthouse Kiljan
Fjord views and a restaurant just off the Ring Road
Why guests love itGuesthouse Kiljan sits just off the Ring Road in northern Iceland, with views of the Húnaflói Fjord. Rooms come with either private or shared bathrooms, so check which you are booking. There is an on-site restaurant with a bar, free WiFi and a furnished terrace with barbecue facilities. Guests rate it 7.7 across 378 reviews, which is on the lower side, so read recent comments before booking.
CouplesApartment dome Hof í Vatnsdal
Spacious apartment dome with garden, mountain, and river views
Why guests love itThe Apartment dome at Hof í Vatnsdal has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, enough for a family of five or six to spread out. A fully equipped kitchen covers every meal, which matters in a valley far from restaurants, and the terrace and patio face the garden, the mountains and the river. Hiking trails start nearby. The guest score of 7.7 from 43 reviews is modest, so I would read recent comments before booking.
CouplesRiverside Hostel
Beachfront hostel with sea views, a sun terrace, and garden access
Why guests love itRiverside Hostel in Blönduós offers direct beachfront access with sea views, a sun terrace and a garden. Each unit has its own terrace, a work desk and free WiFi, which suits a traveller who needs to get some work done. Hiking, fishing and kayaking are available nearby. The rating is modest and only 11 guests have reviewed it, so expectations should stay realistic.
Local tips
- 1Book Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse or Brekkukot Cottages early in summer, as they are the best-rated couple stays in town.
- 2Ask for a sea-view room at Hótel Blönduós to watch the evening light over Húnaflói Bay.
- 3Choose a stay with a kitchenette, such as Brekkukot Cottages or Kiljan Apartments, since restaurant choice in town is limited.
- 4Pick one of the Hvammur 2 guesthouses if a hot tub matters to you after a long day on the Ring Road.
- 5Walk across to Hrútey island in the Blanda river for a short, flat stroll close to the town centre.
- 6Stay outside town, at Laxás Cottage or Hunavellir Guesthouse, for darker skies and better odds of seeing the aurora in winter.