First Time Hostel Experience:
Kex was my first hostel experience, so walking up to the door looking like this didn’t leave me too enthusiastic about having a hostel experience. I’d always stayed in hotels when I traveled, especially since I travel with my children often. But with Kex Hostel looks are deceiving. My first impressions about having a hostel experience quickly turned around once I got to the reception desk. This is my review of Kex Hostel located in Reykjavik, Iceland. Continue reading for more on one of Reykjavik’s most surprisingly popular hostels.
Why Kex?
Once I walked inside I fell in love with Kex. It was definitely different than any place I’d stayed before and the dark lighting wasn’t really to my taste. But there was something warm and cozy about the hostel. I think what made the place really special was the people who worked there. The hostel staff from the front desk to the bar were very personable helpful. Activities like weekend yoga classes and amenities like the barber shop and laundry set this hostel a part from most locations I looked into before arriving.
I found it interesting that Kex was a local hot spot. As I was reading the Reykjavik Grapevine that weekend I saw the paper mention Kex as a place for local events in the city, this caught me by surprise. It appears local events happen here all the time, including shows by local artists. I also found Kex to be a very family-friendly place. It was great to see children running around.
Although Kex is open to the locals of Reykjavik and other visitors. You must be staying at the hostel to have access to the upper floors where the dormitory rooms are located. Kex is a great place for budget-friendly accommodations. You can also find great food there on site, made fresh daily. Although it was a little expensive, I found eating during happy hour to be the best for me, as the items on the menu were at half price.
The Room:
I booked early enough that I was able to stay in an all female room. This was a 6 bed room with comfortable beds, several lockers and a desk with a chair. Although I was always used to having my own privacy when I traveled it was not the worse experience having to room with other women. It was fortunate for all of us staying in the room that we were very like-minded.
The Bathroom:
This was the first bathroom I saw when arrived. You can imagine how nervous I was upon seeing this and thinking I would have to shower with others. But there were two other bathrooms on that floor as well. The smaller private bathrooms had a sink, toilet and shower, which was exactly what I was looking for.
The Lobby/Dining Area:
The lobby and dining was very unique. There was a large closet to store items. They even hold your bags before you check-in just in case you have an excursion booked before your check-in time. There are several seating areas for eating, there is even a deck outside for eating during the spring and summer. They make bread daily on site so there was an area for that too. Eat this bread with locally made butter and you will never want to leave Iceland.
Kex is an old warehouse turned hostel, so many of the features appear very industrial and old world. My only issue honestly was the lighting. I like ambiance, but there could have been more lighting throughout.
Location, Location, Location:
One of the best things about Kex is its location. It faces the harbor, making it a two minute walk from the Sun Voyager and a 5 to 7 minute walk from Harpa. It is also easy to go from Kex to the main roads in Reykjavik like Laugavegur, great for finding restaurants and shopping.
Final Thoughts:
I hope this review helps you as you plan your trip to Iceland. Expenses add up when you decide to head to one of the most beautiful countries in Northern Europe. Having a better understanding of affordable, yet interesting accommodations in Iceland is what I aim to help my readers with. I would definitely visit Kex again if I headed to Iceland on a solo trip and recommend it for budget travelers looking to meet new people.
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