Reykjavik Family Hotels near Geothermal Pools

Pool culture is the best family amenity in Iceland: children swim outdoors in warm geothermal water even in winter, and every big public pool has a shallow children's area and hot tubs. A hotel within walking distance of a pool turns swimming into a daily routine, and a hotel hot tub or spa extends the evening when the public pools close.

Laugardalur is the place to stay if swimming is the priority. Laugardalslaug, Iceland's largest public pool, has a 50-metre outdoor pool, an indoor pool, water slides, a range of hot tubs and a shallow children's area. Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, on Suðurlandsbraut, is less than 400 metres away, and adds its own small relaxation pool, outdoor hot tub, sauna and steam rooms in a fee-based spa, plus family rooms for four. Hotel Ísland Spa & Wellness, on Ármúli, is a five-minute walk from the pool, with a small spa pool, sauna and steam room, and children can use its spa pool from 4pm. It also has bike rental and free parking.

Downtown hotels suit families who want the harbour, Harpa and the shops on foot, with Sundhöllin as their pool. Sundhöllin is the city's art deco swimming hall, with an indoor pool and outdoor hot tubs. The Iceland Parliament Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton, sits on Austurvöllur square next to the parliament building, a 10-minute walk from Sundhöllin, with a spa that includes a hot tub, sauna and fitness centre. The Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, also Curio Collection, occupies a converted historic building on Hafnarstræti near the old harbour, with an indoor hot tub, a sauna and a sheltered courtyard, about 12 minutes on foot from Sundhöllin.

Reykjavik Natura, a Berjaya Iceland Hotel, offers something different. It sits between the domestic airport and the Öskjuhlíð Hill woods, 1 km from Nauthólsvík, the geothermal beach where a warmed lagoon and hot tubs sit beside the sea, and the centre is a 15-minute walk away. The hotel has its own outdoor hot tub, a sauna and a gym, and family rooms sleep four. For families, the combination of woodland paths on Öskjuhlíð, the Perlan building on the hill and the beach makes an easy half day outdoors before returning to the hotel's hot tub in the evening. Breakfast is included at the hotels in this group.

Icelandic pools have house rules that are worth explaining to children before the first visit. Everyone showers thoroughly with soap and without a swimsuit in the changing room before entering the water; staff enforce it politely, and older children appreciate a warning in advance. Hot tubs come at different temperatures, so start small children in the cooler ones and keep visits short. Bring a warm hat for winter: outdoor pools stay open in cold weather, and the contrast between warm water and cold air is part of the experience. The pool cafés and changing rooms are well equipped, so a towel and swimsuit are all you need.