ByDaria | Ást og Hraun Updated on

The Best Hotels & Cabins for Your Iceland Elopement 2026/27

Our Top Cabin + Hotel Picks for Every Region

Choosing the right place to stay is one of the most overlooked parts of planning an Iceland elopement, but in our experience it makes a huge difference. Good natural light, a comfortable space for getting ready, and a quiet, private setting can completely change how your morning feels (and how your photos look).
As local elopement photographers, we’ve stayed and photographed in cabins and hotels all over Iceland. Some are perfect for slow, cozy mornings. Others have incredible views right outside the window, ideal for a first look. And a few are simply great home bases for exploring the region you’ll be staying at.

In this blog post I’ve collected our favorite places we’ve either stayed ourselves or photographed our couples in, organized by region to make planning easier. With lots of practical information and photos of course! Let’s dive in.

What to look for when choosing your elopement stay in Iceland

This is a question I get asked pretty often, and yes, there are a few things that you should definitely take into consideration, especially if you’re planning for getting ready and first look photos.

Good natural light

Lots of soft, natural window light makes our job easier and will result in evenly lit beautiful portraits. Ideally you want to have enough of it without turning the ceiling lights on – small dark rooms are usually not a good option.

Clean, uncluttered interior

Minimal spaces photograph best. Busy patterns, screaming colors or random décor from the early 90s is going to compete with you and most likely ruin the photos. Having said that, carefully selected decorations can be a nice backdrop to your portraits. Not sure if it works or not? Ask your photographer!

Enough room to move around

Both your hair and make up artist, and your photographer will appreciate spacious room to work in. It’s especially crucial for photos if you want those gorgeous full height shots and close up portraits that don’t look like they were taken with a fish-eye.

Privacy & beautiful surroundings

A peaceful space sets the tone for the day and will help you relax, slow down, and enjoy the morning together. As a bonus, gorgeous views outside will give you a perfect backdrop for your first look, without the need to drive somewhere.

Proximity to your elopement locations

This one gets overlooked fairly often, but if you’re planning on a full day of adventuring, trust me, you want to start as close to your first stop as possible. Granted, this will not always be an option, and your itinerary might not be a circle – again, if in doubt, consult your photographer!

Easy access in all seasons

Especially crucial if you’re aiming for a winter elopement. Smaller gravel roads are not serviced regularly and get snowed in fairly often. Double check with the host and make sure you’ll be able to get there, regardless of the weather conditions.

Our top picks for where to stay for your Iceland elopement

South of Iceland

Panorama Glass Lodge (Hella)

A unique glass cabin with Nordic-inspired décor, wide-open views and plenty of natural light. If you want a cozy, private stay with a big “wow” factor (and your own hot tub to enjoy), this cabin was made for you. It’s particularly attractive during shoulder seasons and winter – you’ll have the chance to admire the Northern lights while cuddling in bed or soaking in that hot tub I mentioned earlier.

Pro-tip: the lodges in Hella are suitable for exploring both the South and the Highlands.

The Garage

We discovered this one recently and boy, was it a pleasant surprise. The Garage is a family-run farm stay in the area known as Undir Eyjafjöllum, which means “under the mountains”. The apartments have been lovingly renovated from old farm buildings, that once were a garage, a cow house, and a hay tower. It’s a warm, character-filled place with rustic interior and absolutely stunning surroundings, ideal for the first look.
As a bonus, you can see and enjoy the company of horses that always graze nearby.

Pro-tip: book the Tower, it’s an incredibly cozy two story house with amazing views and plenty of space to get ready for two.

Skálakot Manor Hotel

A stylish boutique hotel with elegant interior and lots of soft window light. It’s comfortable and unbelievably photogenic, plus there is a charming green garden close by, perfect for – you guessed it! – the first look. Skálakot is a great choice for couples who want a blend of luxury and convenience. And it’s also adjacent to a horse farm, so if you plan on a little photo sesh with the majestic creatures, this is the place.

Pro-tip: book the suite on the third floor, if you don’t mind splurging – it is magnificent (and yes, it comes with a tub. In the room).

Áskot Cottages

Another recent discovery that we thoroughly enjoyed! Tucked on a farm in the south (you’re probably seeing a trend here, right?) the cottages are rustic, charming and have everything you need for a several nights stay. You can enjoy a swing hanging just by the window or meet the local horses, and yes, there is a nice open field with some trees and enough privacy for the first look.

Pro-tip: book cottage #7 – it’s the last one in the row – to maximize quiet and solitude.

Seljalandsfoss Horizons

As you have probably guessed from the name, these modern cabins with huge windows facing the surrounding mountains and waterfalls are located in the vicinity of the famous Seljalandsfoss. While you won’t get that perfectly tranquil vibe due to the main Ring road being fairly close to the cabins, the views are gorgeous and it’s a great hub for exploring the region.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Hotel Búðir

This charming hotel needs no introduction – its beautiful interior, breathtaking surroundings and proximity to the famous black church of Búðir make it a truly perfect home away from home, if you elope on the peninsula. The rooms in the older wing are full of rustic charm, while the ones in the newer wing are slightly more modern – you can’t go wrong with either! And if all this is not enough, there is an ideal secluded spot for the first look right outside the hotel.

Pro-tip: make sure to book a celebratory dinner at the hotel – the local food they serve at their restaurant is beyond delicious.

Kjarvalströð

Kjarvalströð is a cluster of charming Norwegian-style houses with sweeping views of Snæfellsjökull glacier and the bay below, located in the quiet village of Hellnar. Painted black on the outside and with light, rustic décor on the inside it’s a great stay for relaxed mornings and getting-ready photos. As a bonus, you’ll get to enjoy the lovely church of Hellnar and mountain + ocean views right at your doorstep.

Pro-tip: book house #1 for most privacy

South East Iceland

Hotel Jökulsárlón

A newer edition to the luxury hotels in the region, this one immediately caught our eye. And when I say “luxury”, I mean it: it has absolutely everything for a comfortable relaxed stay – spacious rooms that feel warm and inviting; an outdoor area with hot tubs and sauna; delicious breakfast; a restaurant with a bar and a lounge. And since it’s located literally in the middle of nowhere, there’s always a chance to see a herd of wild reindeer nearby or northern lights during winter season.

photos (c) Hotel Jökulsárlón

Arnanes Country Hotel

This hotel has been here a while. It’s not super modern but that’s exactly what we love about it – the rooms have a strong old Icelandic cabin vibe with wooden walls and ceiling, and they offer plenty of space and light. From my personal experience, Arnanes has the most comfortable soft beds in all of Iceland, and they always include a simple yet nourishing breakfast in all of their bookings. While there is no perfect spot for the first look outside, you can always drive a bit further towards a hidden waterfall in the area. And this hotel won’t break your bank which is a big plus if you are on a budget.

The Westfjords

1906 Villa in Flateyri

I’ll be honest, if you decide to elope in the Westfjords, you won’t be exactly overwhelmed with the accommodation choices – they are not that many. But there are several hidden gems of stays scattered around the tiny villages along the fjords. And our favorite is undoubtedly a gorgeous villa from 1906 located in a charming town of Flateyri. It is huge, with multiple rooms, well equipped kitchen, and the loveliest green garden that was made for the first look. A bit decadent? Yes! But is your elopement worth it? Absolutely!

Frequently asked questions

Things to keep in mind when choosing your elopement stay in Iceland

Yes! You don’t want to add more driving time to your day than necessary, and you’ll be glad you have a short drive back to your cabin or hotel when the adventure is over. If in doubt, ask your photographer – we’re always happy to help you pick an ideal place to stay.

It really depends. If you’re coming here during the peak season (May through September), I would recommend securing your accommodation 8-12 months in advance, especially if you want something in the more remote regions of the island. For the shoulder months and particularly winter (October through April) generally there will be more availability. And even if your elopement is a spur of the moment kind of thing, don’t worry, you won’t end up in a tent – just be ready for higher prices and limited choices.

Ideally you want to stay for a couple of nights at the same hotel or cabin for your elopement day and the day after. This may come in handy if the weather on your main date is not great and you have to postpone. Staying somewhere else for the second night can potentially ruin your itinerary and introduce extra challenges with driving logistics.

Cabins will always be more quiet, especially if it’s a private property, rented out by the owner, rather than a company that built several of them in one cluster. Hotels will be more crowded by default, however they may also offer more comfort – think everyday cleaning, a bar / a restaurant, flexible check in / check out times and accessibility all year around.

Yes, Airbnbs are mostly reliable here but as with anything else, pay attention to reviews and make sure to check for any potential red flags, when you book. Aside from airbnb.com you can look around on bungalo.is – it’s a popular local platform for houses, cabins and private rent outs.

Honestly, as early as possible. You will have plenty of adventuring on your elopement day, so it’s essential to get some good rest and prepare yourselves both physically and mentally the day before. Typical check-in time both for cabins and hotels around Iceland is between 3 and 4pm.

It will depend on the time of year you will be visiting and on where you will be staying. Hotels have excellent accessibility during any season, so a 4×4 is not necessary. However if you found a cute cabin in the middle of nowhere and are staying there mid-January, make sure to talk to the owner and confirm that you’ll be able to get there – in situations like this a 4×4 will definitely come in handy.

I’d say it’s a matter of your personal preferences. In my humble opinion, nothing beats the charm of an old rustic cabin. But if you’re into practicality and minimalism, a hotel may be a better option. Remember, it’s going to be your photos in the end, so choose what resonates most with you and your partner.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right place to stay can make your elopement day feel calm, well balanced and comfortable. A cozy cabin or well-lit hotel room will set the tone for the whole experience, and make your getting ready photos truly beautiful.

If you’re dreaming up your elopement and want help choosing the right region or place to stay, we’d love to guide you in the right direction and plan something amazing together.

get in touch with us