Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Iceland / Hella / Hotel Rangá
Hotel Rangá
Hella, South Region, Iceland · Independent · Core Luxury
Hotel Rangá began in 1999 as a 21-room lodge for horse people on the Ytri-Rangá, a salmon river in South Iceland, and owner Friðrik Pálsson grew it to 52 rooms of imported Canadian cedar. Themed suites and Icelandic art fill the house; hot tubs sit outside for the aurora. The LAVA Centre is three kilometres away.
- 52 rooms
- Opened 1999
- Neighborhood: Ytri-Rangá
- Rooms from 194 sq ft (18 m²)
About Hotel Rangá
- Built from imported Canadian cedar beside the Ytri-Rangá salmon river.
- Friðrik Pálsson expanded it from 21 rooms in 1999 to 52 today.
- Themed suites and outdoor hot tubs for aurora watching; a MICHELIN Key on the house.
- Three kilometres from the LAVA Centre's volcanic exhibits.
- Entry-level rooms start at 194 sq ft (18 m²).
History
Hotel Rangá opened in 1999 as a 21-room retreat for horse lovers on the Ytri-Rangá salmon river in South Iceland. Owner Friðrik Pálsson expanded it to 52 rooms in a lodge built from imported Canadian cedar, with themed suites, Icelandic art, and outdoor hot tubs for aurora watching.
The setting
3 km from interactive volcanic exhibits at the LAVA Centre. 6 km from Saga Center history museum.
Restaurants and bars
- Rangá Restaurant — Restaurant · Gourmet
- Glass Hall — Restaurant
Experiences
- Northern Lights wake-up call — If the aurora appears, even in the middle of the night, the hotel calls your room so you can go outside and see it.
- Guided night sky tours at the Rangá Observatory — Expert-guided night sky tours at the on-site observatory with two telescopes and a roll-off roof.
- Adventure wedding photo shoots and tours — Adventurous wedding activities including waterfall ceremonies, photo shoots and post-ceremony tours to the south coast.
- Stargazing — Stargazing and Northern Lights services offered in winter.
- Hot tubs overlooking the Rangá River — Three outdoor hot tubs with views of the Rangá River.
- Views of Eystri Rangá and Mt. Hekla — The property overlooks the salmon river Eystri Rangá, Mt. Hekla, several glaciers and the Westman Islands.
Amenities
- Northern lights wake-up call service
- On-site astronomical observatory with expert-led tours
- Riverside outdoor geothermal hot tubs
- Gourmet Rangá Restaurant & Bar
- Seven continent-themed luxury master suites
- Art-filled guest rooms with local murals
- Pool
Awards
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open Hotel Rangá in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.