As I work on writing and publishing overviews of our trip to Iceland, I also wanted to create some posts highlighting the people and places that stuck with us the most while we were in Iceland. By the third day of our trip, we felt like we were getting the hang of Iceland: the language, the roads, the weather. What we hadn’t found yet was one thing we truly hoped we’d get to experience: what an authentic Icelandic home might feel like. My luck in renting a room at the family owned Bitra Guesthouse in Selfoss provided just that: a warm welcome into an Icelandic home.
Surprisingly, the building itself was constructed as a women’s prison, yet you would never know it was anything but a well-planned bed and breakfast. With 17 rooms, this cozy home offers lodgings with a private bath, or, if you’re on a budget, you could select a room with shared facilities. We opted for a private room, and we were pleasantly surprised to find our room not only had a sofa, but also a door to the terrace. From the terrace, we watched the sun sink into the horizon, swathing the sky with pinks and golds.
Besides the outdoor areas and the terrace, Bitra also offers a common room on the bottom floor. Complete with a kitchenette, this room boasts a large screen television, seating, a library, puzzles, games, crafts, and more. After a long day of walking and driving, it felt so nice to unwind on a sofa with a fuzzy blanket, a cup of tea, and a fun book on Icelandic maps! Another perk of this lodging is that the front desk offers a selection of drinks including Brennivín and wines for purchase.
And, in the true spirit of hospitality, Bitra serves up a scrumptious complementary breakfast. After a very quiet evening and a wonderful night’s sleep, my husband and I thought we were possibly the only guests in the house. However, the breakfast room was buzzing with people, and it is no surprise why. The options in this breakfast buffet seemed endless, from waffles, fresh fruits and veggies, yogurts, eggs, and breads, to sliced meats and cheeses, fish, oatmeal, and more. In a country where food is considered expensive, it was definitely nice to start the day with a hearty, delicious meal that didn’t cost extra.
Conveniently located in Selfoss, Bitra Guesthouse makes a great place to start or end your adventures in both the Golden Circle and the south coast. With ample free parking, Bitra Guesthouse also allowed us to get right on the road to seeing waterfalls, caves, museums, and more the next day. Selfoss is a bustling town with many useful facilities such as grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants, so it is a great place to stock up before heading to less populated parts of Iceland.
One quick note on accessibility here is that they do not have a wheelchair entrance. However, they do make every effort to ensure your stay is wonderful, so I recommend contacting them for assistance in advance if you or your companions require a wheelchair or have any accessibility questions. They certainly went above and beyond for us, carrying all of our bags down to our room for us so I could navigate the stairs more easily.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour of our very favorite lodging we had in Iceland. If you’re looking for a charming bed and breakfast with an authentic Icelandic home feel, a super friendly staff, and a comfortable, cozy atmosphere, go to the Bitra Guesthouse website and book your stay today!