If you're looking for somewhere affordable to stay in Reykjavík but don't fancy the idea of a traditional hostel, CityHub Reykjavík might be exactly what you're looking for. We stayed here for one night during our November 2026 Iceland trip, and it turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of our weekend.
I'll admit that I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. CityHub describes itself as a hotel with private sleeping hubs and shared facilities, so I was half expecting something similar to a hostel. In reality, it felt much more comfortable, modern and private than I'd imagined.
We booked a Twin Hub for £113 in total, working out at just £56.50 each for the night. Considering the location, facilities and prices of accommodation in Iceland, I thought this was excellent value.
In this CityHub Reykjavik review, I'll share what the pods are really like, how the shared bathrooms work, the rooftop hot tub, breakfast, location and everything I'd want to know before booking.
Where Is CityHub Reykjavík?
One of the biggest advantages of staying at CityHub Reykjavík is its location. The hotel is on Hverfisgata, right in the centre of the city, which makes it a particularly convenient base if you're visiting Iceland without hiring a car.
We were able to walk to most places we wanted to visit, including restaurants, sightseeing spots and our whale-watching departure point at the Old Harbour.
From the hotel, we found the following approximate walking times:
- Rainbow Street and Hallgrímskirkja: Around 5 minutes.
- Old Harbour: Around 15 minutes.
- BSÍ Bus Terminal: Around 15 minutes.
- Bus Stop 6, Safnahúsið: Around 4 minutes, useful for our Blue Lagoon transfer.
There are also plenty of restaurants, shops and cafés nearby, so you don't have to walk far to find somewhere to eat.
For our short trip, the location worked brilliantly. We arrived by airport transfer, explored Reykjavík on foot and then used a coach transfer to visit the Blue Lagoon before travelling to Keflavík Airport.
If you're planning a similar trip, you can read our Blue Lagoon Iceland review, which includes details of the coach transfer we used.
Checking In at CityHub Reykjavík
We arrived at CityHub at approximately 11am, having already spent time outside in the Icelandic weather. We were absolutely soaked, so the thought of being able to get into our room early was very appealing.
Official check-in is from 3pm, but CityHub operates a self-service check-in system and allows early access when a hub is available. Fortunately, ours was ready, and we were able to check in and head straight to our pod.
Checking in was straightforward. We used the self-service station and were issued wristbands, which are an important part of how the hotel operates.
Your wristband works as your hub key and provides access to the main entrance, internal areas and lockers. It can also be used for purchases around the hotel after registering a payment card.
Although much of the hotel is self-service, there are CityHosts available if you need assistance, and you can contact them through the CityHub app.
I really liked this arrangement. It felt modern and convenient without making the hotel feel impersonal.
What Are the Sleeping Pods Like?
CityHub isn't a traditional hotel where you walk into a bedroom with a large floor area and an en-suite bathroom. Instead, you have your own enclosed sleeping space, known as a hub.
These are designed to give you a private, comfortable place to sleep while keeping accommodation prices more affordable by providing bathrooms and communal facilities separately.
We booked a Twin Hub, which has two separate sleeping spaces with mattresses and bedding, rather than one large double bed.
Inside Our Twin Hub
The layout was more interesting than I expected, with two beds arranged in an L-shape and a small divider between them. One sleeping area was raised, with steps leading up to the bed.
Despite the compact design, the beds felt cosy and comfortable, and we both had our own sleeping space.
There were useful storage features, including hooks, a shelf, a rail and a mirror. Everything had been designed to make the most of the limited space.
The main disadvantage was the amount of standing room available. There wasn't much floor space between the beds, and realistically, it was easier for one person to get dressed while the other stayed on their bed.
For one night, this really wasn't a problem. We were out exploring for most of our trip and mainly wanted somewhere comfortable to sleep. However, if you're travelling with large suitcases or like plenty of space to get ready, it's something worth bearing in mind.
What About the Double Hubs?
CityHub also offers Double Hubs, which have a large double sleeping area rather than the separate beds in our Twin Hub.
These could be a good option for couples who are happy sharing a bed and don't need a traditional hotel room.
Lighting, Music and Charging Devices
One of my favourite features was how much you could control through the CityHub app.
You can change the lighting inside your hub, including selecting different colours, play music through the Bluetooth system and adjust the air-conditioning settings.
It was a fun feature and made the pod feel surprisingly high-tech for budget accommodation.
There were also two European power sockets, along with USB and USB-C charging ports beside the beds.
One useful packing tip: Bring a European plug adapter if you need to use a standard UK plug. Iceland uses European-style sockets, although the USB connections are handy for phones and other devices.
What Are the Shared Bathrooms Really Like?
This was probably my biggest concern before staying at CityHub, and also the part of the hotel that impressed me the most.
When you hear that accommodation has shared bathrooms, it's easy to imagine a traditional hostel arrangement with very little privacy.
CityHub was nothing like that.
The bathrooms were immaculate, modern and very well maintained. There were separate male and female bathroom areas, with individual enclosed showers and toilets.
The Shower Facilities
The shower cubicles had proper floor-to-ceiling enclosed doors, so once inside, you had your own private space.
There was no feeling of having to shower in front of other guests, which was something I'd been worried about before arriving.
CityHub also provides toiletries, including shampoo and body wash, so you don't need to bring everything from home.
During our stay, the products included Rituals toiletries, which was another lovely touch and made the bathrooms feel more luxurious than I'd expected.
My only suggestion would be to bring your own conditioner, as this wasn't something I'd want to rely on the hotel providing.
Toilets and Vanity Areas
The toilets were also fully enclosed, with proper doors, rather than the kind of cubicles you sometimes find in public facilities.
There were shared vanity areas with mirrors and sinks, and everything was spotlessly clean whenever we used them.
Whenever I visited the bathrooms, they were either empty or there were only one or two other people around. Obviously, this could be different during busier periods, but during our stay, the facilities never felt crowded.
Towels, Robes and Hairdryers
Another thing I really appreciated was that we didn't need to pack our own towels or robes.
CityHub provides a towel and a lightweight robe, which is particularly useful when walking between your hub and the bathroom facilities.
Fresh towels and robes were also available at reception if needed.
There were Dyson hairdryers in the bathrooms, along with hand soap, moisturiser and other toiletries.
I would recommend packing a pair of flip-flops or sliders to wear when walking to the showers, but otherwise, the facilities are very well equipped.
For anyone who's put off booking a pod hotel because of shared bathrooms, I'd genuinely encourage you to look at CityHub. Based on our experience, the facilities felt far more private and luxurious than I'd anticipated.
The CityHub Reykjavík Rooftop Hot Tub
One feature that makes CityHub particularly appealing is its rooftop hot tub.
Considering we were paying just £56.50 each for our overnight stay, having access to a rooftop hot tub was a real bonus.
After spending the day exploring Reykjavík and heading out on a whale-watching trip in the cold Icelandic weather, being able to relax in warm water was exactly what we needed.
During our stay, the hot tub area was immaculately clean, and the water was a comfortable temperature.
The opening hours were 9am to 10.30pm when we visited, although I'd recommend checking these during your own stay as they may change.
One of the exciting things about having a rooftop hot tub in Reykjavík is the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights while you're relaxing outside.
Unfortunately, it was too cloudy during our visit, so we didn't manage to see them. Nevertheless, the hot tub was still one of my favourite features of the hotel.
For a relatively inexpensive hotel in central Reykjavík, I thought this was a brilliant extra facility.
The Hangout: CityHub's Communal Area
Although the sleeping pods are compact, CityHub provides a large communal space called the Hangout, where guests can relax, eat and spend time outside their rooms.
This was another area that changed my expectations of the hotel.
Rather than feeling like a noisy hostel common room, it had a relaxed atmosphere, with guests of different ages using the space.
There were board games available, as well as practical facilities for anyone wanting to bring their own food into the hotel.
These included plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins, a microwave, communal fridge, hot water and facilities for washing up.
This is particularly useful in Iceland, where eating out can become expensive, especially if you're travelling for several days.
You could easily buy food from a nearby shop or takeaway and eat it comfortably in the Hangout rather than paying restaurant prices for every meal.
Self-Service Drinks and Bar
CityHub also has a self-service bar, where you can buy drinks using your wristband.
There was a choice of drinks available, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, with prices displayed on the bar menu.
It's a convenient arrangement, particularly if you'd rather relax at the hotel after a busy day than go back out looking for somewhere to have a drink.
One thing to be aware of is that CityHub allows guests to bring in their own food, but it has restrictions on bringing outside drinks into the Hangout.
What Is Breakfast Like at CityHub Reykjavík?
We had breakfast included with our booking, although this isn't necessarily included in every room rate.
CityHub offers a grab-and-go breakfast rather than a traditional hotel buffet, which makes sense given the style of accommodation.
Breakfast was provided in a reusable insulated bag, which was a particularly nice touch and something you can keep afterwards.
Our breakfast contained a pastry, yoghurt, granola, jam, an apple, juice and chocolate, with a hot drink available as well.
It was a convenient breakfast for a sightseeing trip, particularly when you're trying to fit plenty into a short visit.
We were heading to the Blue Lagoon that morning, so having breakfast ready to take away rather than waiting around for a restaurant service was ideal.
At the time of our stay, breakfast was advertised separately at 2,200 ISK per person. Prices may change, so check whether breakfast is included when comparing booking rates.
I liked the concept, especially for a short trip where you want to get out exploring early rather than spending a long time over breakfast.
Luggage Storage and Lockers
Another useful feature at CityHub is the luggage storage.
There are self-service lockers near reception, which can be accessed using your wristband. During our stay, these were free to use.
This is particularly handy because the sleeping hubs have limited floor space. You don't necessarily want large luggage or bulky coats taking up the small standing area inside your pod.
The lockers are also useful if you arrive before your hub is ready or want to spend more time sightseeing after check-out.
With a standard check-out time of 12pm, being able to leave your luggage behind can make a big difference if you have a later flight.
Is CityHub Reykjavík Noisy?
This was another thing I was concerned about before staying, particularly as the pods are arranged within a larger shared accommodation building.
I wondered whether we'd hear people arriving late, walking around or talking in neighbouring hubs.
However, the soundproofing was far better than I expected.
We didn't experience any troublesome noise during the night, and I slept really well.
It felt like having our own private little sleeping space rather than sharing a room with other guests.
Of course, I can only comment on the night we stayed, and experiences could vary depending on occupancy and other guests. But based on our visit, noise wouldn't put me off booking CityHub again.
Is CityHub Reykjavík Good Value for Money?
We paid £113 in total for one night in a Twin Hub, which worked out at £56.50 per person.
For that price, we had a central Reykjavík location, comfortable private sleeping spaces, excellent shared bathroom facilities, a rooftop hot tub and access to the Hangout.
Considering the cost of visiting Iceland, I thought it represented particularly good value.
There are certainly cheaper hostel dormitories available in Reykjavík, but CityHub offers something quite different. You're not sharing a bedroom with strangers, and the facilities are considerably more polished than I'd expected from budget accommodation.
Equally, if you want a spacious traditional bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, CityHub probably isn't the right choice.
For couples, friends and independent travellers who are happy with a compact private sleeping area and shared bathrooms, I think it's an excellent option.
Who Would I Recommend CityHub Reykjavík For?
Having stayed here myself, I think CityHub is particularly well suited to anyone visiting Reykjavík for a short city break, an extreme day trip extended into an overnight stay, or a few days exploring Iceland without a car.
It's also a good option for friends who want separate beds without paying for two hotel rooms, and couples who don't mind sharing bathroom facilities.
As someone in my forties, I'd also be perfectly comfortable booking accommodation like this independently. Before staying, I wondered whether it would have more of a young backpacker atmosphere, but that wasn't the case during our visit.
The guests were a mixture of ages, and the whole hotel felt relaxed and welcoming.
I'd be less inclined to recommend it to anyone who needs lots of room to move around, has difficulty climbing into an upper sleeping space, or strongly prefers a private en-suite bathroom.
What Would I Pack for a Stay at CityHub?
One of the advantages of CityHub is that you don't need to bring as much as you might for a traditional hostel.
Towels, robes, shampoo, body wash and hairdryers were all provided during our stay.
However, I'd still recommend bringing:
- A European travel adapter for any appliances with standard UK plugs.
- Flip-flops or sliders for walking to the showers.
- Hair conditioner and any preferred skincare products.
- Swimwear if you plan to use the rooftop hot tub.
- A small bag to keep your bathroom essentials together.
If you're travelling with hand luggage only, as we often do, having towels and robes provided is a particularly useful space-saving feature.
CityHub Reykjavík Frequently Asked Questions
Does CityHub Reykjavík have private bathrooms?
No. The sleeping hubs are private, but the bathrooms are shared. However, the showers and toilets have individual enclosed cubicles, and during our stay the facilities were immaculately clean.
Does CityHub Reykjavík have a hot tub?
Yes. CityHub has a rooftop hot tub available to guests. We used it during our November stay and found it very clean and comfortably warm.
Is breakfast included at CityHub Reykjavík?
Breakfast depends on the rate you book. Ours was included, but CityHub also offers a separately priced grab-and-go breakfast. It was advertised at 2,200 ISK during our stay.
Can you leave your luggage at CityHub?
Yes. There are self-service lockers that can be accessed with your wristband. These were free during our stay and are useful before check-in or after check-out.
Does CityHub Reykjavík have double beds?
Yes. Double Hubs have a shared double sleeping area, while Twin Hubs have two separate mattresses and bedding. We stayed in a Twin Hub.
What time is check-in at CityHub Reykjavík?
Standard check-in is from 3pm, with check-out at 12pm. Early check-in may be possible if a hub is available. We were fortunate to access ours at approximately 11am.
Is CityHub Reykjavík suitable for older travellers?
In my opinion, yes. I'm in my forties and found it comfortable, quiet and welcoming, with guests of different ages. The main consideration is whether you're happy with compact sleeping accommodation and shared bathrooms.
Is CityHub Reykjavík close to the Blue Lagoon coach pickup?
Yes. We used Bus Stop 6, Safnahúsið, for our Blue Lagoon transfer, which was approximately four minutes' walk from CityHub. Check the pickup location for your particular transfer before travelling.
Our Honest Verdict: Would I Stay at CityHub Reykjavík Again?
Yes, I would happily stay at CityHub Reykjavík again.
Before arriving, I had fairly low expectations of what a pod-style hotel with shared bathrooms might be like. In reality, I was genuinely impressed by the standard of the facilities, the comfort of the sleeping spaces and how private everything felt.
The shared bathrooms were probably the biggest surprise. They were far better than I'd imagined, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
The rooftop hot tub, central location, comfortable beds and relaxed Hangout were all added bonuses, particularly considering the price we paid.
The only real drawback for me was the limited standing space inside the Twin Hub. It wasn't somewhere we'd want to spend hours getting ready, but for a busy Iceland weekend, it worked perfectly.
For anyone planning a budget trip to Reykjavík who doesn't want to stay in a hostel dormitory, I'd definitely recommend considering CityHub.
It offers a great balance between affordability, privacy and comfort, and I'd now be much more open to booking similar pod-style accommodation elsewhere.
More Iceland Travel Guides
Planning a short trip to Iceland? We visited Reykjavík, went whale watching and spent time at the Blue Lagoon during our November 2026 weekend.
For more information about visiting one of Iceland's most famous attractions, including our experience of the Premium package, coach transfers and facilities, read our Blue Lagoon Iceland Review.
You can also explore our other Iceland travel guides for more ideas on planning your own trip.
