Seaside stay .Within a 10-minute walk of this Downtown Reykjavik hostel, you'll find Laugavegur and Hallgrimskirkja. Sun Voyager and Sundhollin are also within half a mile (1 km).
As a guest of KEX Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik, you'll find a library, multilingual staff, and gift shops/newsstands. Public spaces have free WiFi. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. KEX Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik also features tour/ticket assistance, concierge services, and laundry facilities.
This Reykjavik hostel is smoke free.
43 guestrooms or units
4 levels
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Self-service laundry
Front desk (24 hours)
Staff is multilingual
Storage area for luggage
Tour and ticket information
Concierge
Library
Gift shop
No smoking on site
Microwave in a common area
Refrigerator in a common area
Lockers available
Bar or lounge
KEX Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik offers 43 accommodations with shared/communal kitchens and blackout drapes/curtains. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. This Reykjavik hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.
Daily buffet breakfast available 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: ISK 2,700 per person
A bar/lounge
Things to do
Books
Games
Library
Piano
Accessibility
No elevator
Room amenities
Bedroom
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Hair dryer (on request)
Private or shared bathroom
Towels provided
Food and drink
Cleaning supplies
Dishwasher
Microwave
Refrigerator
Shared kitchen access
Stovetop
Toaster
More
Heating
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately ISK 2700 per person
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
We should mention
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
Property is also known as
Kex Hostel
Kex Reykjavík
Kex Hostel Reykjavík Reykjavik
Kex Hostel Reykjavík Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Kex Hostel Reykjavík Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Reykjavik
KEX Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik Reviews
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The place was an outstanding place to visit while in the city, a lot of character and charm
The staff was polite and helpful
The only downside was no elevator
Would highly recommend
I had a fantastic stay! The 48 person dorm room wasn't bad since it was divided into 4 separate sections. The other night I stayed in the 6 person dorm that had a curtain. Both beds were super comfy. The check in guy with the rain cloud sweater was super friendly!!! It was a short walk from BSI bus terminal, the waterfront, and downtown! I would absolutely stay here again!
The doors bang all night long, the building is concrete so you can hear it everywhere. The washrooms are dirty and wet all the time there was never soap or paper towels even when they were just cleaned.
I expected a bit more for the price.
Was in a great location - easy to walk places but also find originally. Also a perk - we found free parking outside so didn't have to pay for the whole weekend!
I'm not sure where to start. The first thing that really did not go over well with me and Kex is that they do not notify you when booking that there is constructing going on. It was very loud and hard to sleep. Number two; the restrooms smelled bad the entire time and did not look like they were really cleaned. O honestly felt like I was walking into a scene from a saw walking into those restrooms. Lighting was not good, again the smell, toilets barely flushed. Third, there were what appeared to be blood stains on the mattresses.
I didn't have any hydrogen peroxide to test but if I did, I'm sure it would have indicated blood. This is a place that I would not stay at again. Given the totality of the visit including the stay this makes me not want to come back to Iceland.
The people at the desk were amazing very helpful. The room was a little noisy because of construction, but that is what it is. The building itself was a little old but nice. The beds were comfortable first stay ever in a hostel. The Kex was actually good!
Christopher
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Christopher
Jun 28, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Get you Kicks at Kex
The front desk people were amazing. Older building, but the beds were comfortable. Noisy due to construction, but can’t complain, beyond the control of the hostel.
I’d rebook in a heart beat.
This place is in a very good location as well.
The employees were amazing and helped with every single thing I was confused about. Bed was comfortable and clean. Bathrooms were clean. Showers looked older but cleaned as well as can be expected for old tile that holds stains. NO ELEVATOR. The building is in construction to add elevator and more rooms (the sign says) so i lugged my 35lb duffle bag up to the 4th floor and attempted to climb into a top bunk. I'm ok, thanks for asking. (Advice: do not try to climb the crazy skinny ladder to top bunk in socks.)
Flight arrived way too early for checkin but there was option to leave bag while exploring and waiting. I get checked in and lay down for a nap. Thankfully there are ear plugs for free at the checkin desk because the construction does not care that you haven't slept since yesterday. It's also just after solstice and the sun equally does not care that you want to sleep, as its practically a full 24 hrs of light. Dont worry, I brought eye shades. You should too.
Kitchen right next to the room i was in was equipped with plenty of cooking equipment. You may have to wait your turn to use the 1 stove or microwave but that's what kindergarten prepared us for, right! Guests conversed in the kitchen and downstairs in the lounge area and did not give a stink eye if you tried to invade said conversation.
My only complaint was stairs/lack of elevator. But on the bright side, now both my knees crunch and crackle up steps instead of just the right knee.Symmetry is important.
My stay at Kex Hostel was great! The staff were friendly and really helpful, which made the experience even better. The location is perfect — close to everything you need in Reykjavík. One of the best parts was the social atmosphere; it’s a fantastic place to meet new people from all over the world. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and welcoming place to stay.
Everything is very good 👍, clean n quiet. 👍👍👍
Is the guests who stay, no consideration.They stole my eggs on my 2nd night when I wanted to cook. Then the next morning, I hang my towel to dry, it disappeared .
Es un hotel muy bien ubicado, en el centro y con varias cosas que conocer y restaurantes. Lo que más me gustó, el señor que nos atendió a nuestra llegada (sé que era griego) súper profesional y nos ayudó en todo lo que necesitamos; también la limpieza, arreglaron la habitación. Elegimos una habitación y baño solo para nosotros y estuvo perfecto. Quizás lo único, y que realmente no nos afecta, es que no es moderno y que no hay ascensor.