Hella holiday rentals

Our family of 4 (incl two boys aged 14 & 16) stayed 5 nights in Renate’s cottage on the edge of the (at the time of the visit) frozen lake. It was January and freezing outside, but the house was wonderfully warm and cozy. The living room/kitchen was lovely with the views to the lake. Kitchen was well equippped incl oven and 4 burner stovetop. They seem to have thought of just about everything, including sharp knives (thank you!) Two cozy bedrooms, the 2nd one quite small with two single beds. But the big attraction is the large deck with hot tub, a magical experience to soak in 40 degree water while your head and ears are tingling with the cold and you look out to the lake and up to the stars. No TV, but we found we were only too happy to get away from TV for a week, giving the opportunity to listen to the howling wind and feel the elements for which Iceland is famous, and to read and play games in the evening after our daytime excursions. The internet works fine too, though not super fast. The house is very well located to explore the south of Iceland: easy day trips along Hwy 1 to Vik via Seljandfoss & Skogafoss waterfalls, Eyjafjallajökull volcano and Reynisfjara black sand beach; up to Gulfoss and Geysir & the gorgeous Secret Lagoon at Fludir (natural hot thermal pool); and in and around the National Park. Don’t miss the formidable Urridafoss waterfall just 10mins from the house on a side road back towards Selfoss. Also highly recommend the snowmobile tour from Gulfoss incl a visit to an ice cave with snowmobile.is (1 hr drive away). We all loved staying here and would come back in a heartbeat.