Borg Hotel

Tall yet discreet, old yet current, public yet historic—that’s one way to introduce the Borg Hotel proudly standing before you. Beyond all its qualities, this Icelandic landmark also holds the honor of being the first and most iconic luxury hotel on the island. A double status earned nearly a century ago. Yes, it’s been around for quite some time! They say a house reflects its owner, but let’s stop right there—this one clearly doesn’t. While the Borg Hotel exudes quiet elegance, its founder was anything but subtle. In 1907, Icelander Jóhannes Jósefsson became world champion of Glíma, Iceland’s traditional Viking wrestling. And when you think of Vikings, you think warriors, strength, fierce combat—definitely not polished Art Deco interiors. Jóhannes didn’t stop at wrestling: he went on to perform as a strongman in the Barnum & Bailey Circus during a successful tour in America. Fame brought fortune, and when he returned to Reykjavik, he poured it all into his lifelong dream—building a luxury hotel in Iceland. He named it “Borg,” an Icelandic word meaning “fortress” or “city,” a name that added both grandeur and a deep connection to Reykjavik’s identity. Since its opening in 1930, the Borg has welcomed heads of state and celebrities alike, blending glamour with Icelandic history. It’s even made a few of its neighbors a little jealous—like Parliament and the National Cathedral across the square. Speaking of which, the cathedral was completed in 1796 and marks the spot where Denmark gave Iceland a half-blessing toward independence in 1845.