Cabin

A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá!

Photo gallery for A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá!

Exterior
Newly Varnished in the summer 2011
New 77 m2 veranda (summer 2013)
The cabin seen from the road
The view from the (old) patio

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5699.7 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pool
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Selfoss
  • Kerid Crater
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Selfoss Church
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Urridafoss Waterfall
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá!

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE!

This is a fully-modernized charming family cottage, located 20 min. from Selfoss Village. It is 65 sqm (=700 sqft) with two bedrooms (double bed and one semi-double), and a studio couch in the living room for one person, a total of five adults. It's open year-round for travelers. No smoking allowed, but pets are welcome. The cabin is fully equipped with all necessary kitchen utensils, dish washer, washing machine, hair dryer, complementary WiFi, and a three-burner Weber gas grill on the deck. Wood for both the indoor and outdoor wood stoves is provided. The 80 sqm (=861 sqft) south deck has a hot tub and both dining and sunbathing furniture. Parking for several cars.

The cabin is extraordinarily well decorated and homey, with an exceptional eye for detail. It's also ideally located on the banks of the river, in a beautiful scenic setting, in the middle of all the tourist attractions of South Iceland.

There's great view over Hvítá River from the cabin and short distance to all major nature pearls in South Iceland: Gullfoss and Geysir, Thingvellir, Kerið, Sólheimar, Laugarvatn Village, Skálholt, Arnarker, Landmannalaugar, Skógafoss, Háifoss, Thjórsárdalur, Jökulsárlón and Reykholt, Baula, Hraunfossar and Paradísarlaut in Borgarfjörður, and Keilir and Blóa Lónið on Reykjanes. The cabin is perfect for day trips to these locations, as well as to Reykjavík, since it is so conveniently located only an hour's drive from the capital.

The new swimming pool at Borg is extremely good for a country-side pool. It has small warm pots for children, play area and swimming area, and geothermical hot water, of course, which is standard for Iceland. There is another swimming pool up the road at Hraunborgir, only five km. away from the cabin, with sauna and spa.

There's only two minutes drive to one of the most popular golf clubs in Iceland, Kidjaberg Golf Course, and very short distance to the swimming pools in both Hraunborgir and Minniborg. There is a 15–20 min drive to Selfoss.

There's a Jetski rental at Lake Svínavatn and angling for example in Lakes Apavatn, Laugarvatn, Úlfljótsvatn, not to mention in Lake Thingvallavatn itself, as well as in Hvítá River which is located just in front of the cabin.

Hvítá is a salmon river and cabin owners in Kiðjaberg have two fishing canes/licenses in the river per day during the angling season. Angling fees 6000 ISK for half a day in 2022, or approximately $ 58. This is a special deal for cabin owners in this particular local area, and their guests, not available to others. The nearest lake, lake Hestvatn, also offers trout angling, free of charge.

There is prolific birdlife in the area, making it perfect for birding and birdwatching. There are also several beautiful hiking trails to be found, with breath-taking view over mountains, glaciers and the ocean.

Several glaciers can be seen from the Kiðjaberg area, such as Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, Hofsjökull and Langjökull. The driving distance to Eyjafjallajökull is less than an hour.

It is also possible to do snowmobile tours, super jeep tours, glacier walking, ice climbing, riding lessons and horse riding tours, visit the cultural historical sites, in addition to experiencing the fantastic natural sites in the area.

Minimum stay is three nights. Note that included in our prices is rent of bed linen, towels, wood for the wood stove, electricity, basic spices and soap.

A part of the rental income is donated to Hordur Barddal's Memorial Fund for Disabled Golfers. Hordur founded the Icelandic Disabled Golf Association in 2001, in collaboration with the Icelandic Golf Association, and was the director of the board until his untimely death in 2009. He built the cabin, together with his late wife, Soffia, in the summer 2004.

Property manager

Jóhanna and her sisters

Languages

Danish, English, Norwegian, Swedish
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Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 10 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Selfoss

Located in Selfoss, this cabin is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Laugarvatn Fontana and Urridafoss Waterfall are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kerid Crater and Thingvallavatn. Take in the nearby slopes with skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as sledging.
Map
Selfoss

What's nearby

  • Kerid Crater - 11 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Old Dairy Food Hall - 25 min drive - 26.6 km
  • Selfoss Church - 27 min drive - 26.9 km
  • Turf House - 34 min drive - 35.8 km
  • Urridafoss Waterfall - 40 min drive - 45.7 km

Getting around

  • Reykjavik (RKV-Reykjavik Domestic) - 66 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Þrastalundur - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Minniborgir Restaurant - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Barton and Guestier - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Gamla Borg - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Café María - ‬41 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá! have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 10 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá!?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is A Log Cabin at the Banks of River Hvítá! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is 7.4 mi (11.9 km) from Kerid Crater and within 20 miles (32 km) of Old Dairy Food Hall and Skyrland Museum. Selfoss Church and Skalholt Historical Site are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 111 out of 125 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 125 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 125 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 125 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 125 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

pete e.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent propery

The best place I have ever stayed
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sophie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!

Such a beautiful cabin, with such character and lovely views. The log fire and underfloor heating makes for very cosy evenings! All of us loved our stay abd didnt want to leave
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Jenny S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Wonderful 60th Birthday treat for my Husband!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the cabin. The cabin was spotless and had everything we needed. It was a surprise for my husband's 60th birthday and he was a very happy boy! Correspondence fantastic, location excellent and we really felt like we had got away to somewhere special!! Amazing!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daisy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the cabin. The cabin is extremely cosy and in a great location. We will definitely be returning! :)
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Samuel W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great short break in a secluded cabin!

We stayed here for 3 nights at the end of November / early December and loved it. We used it as a base to explore the sights of the golden circle and the south coast, and the location worked well for this. We made use of the fire on a couple of occasions and this made it very cosy! We used the hot tub on the last evening which was great, and also were lucky enough to see some northern lights. The cabin itself is pretty remote with only a couple of other buildings visible from it, and it felt very private. The bottle of bubbles waiting for us when we arrived was a nice touch! And all of the catering facilities were good - we were able to cook a couple of meals easily. One thing I would say is - there is a coffee machine there but it doesn't work - it doesn’t have the filter part, but luckily we got some instant coffee at the shop on the way there! We would definitely stay again! Thanks
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Philip P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just perfect.

Iceland lived up to all expectations and more, the same can be said about this wonderful lodge in wonderful surroundings. Cosy and warm, well equipped and private with splendid decking overlooking the river with a great hot tub. We can’t thank the sisters enough for enabling us to stay. On the last day we had a great round of golf at a superb friendly club again in spectacular surroundings. All in all superb.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

CHRISTOPHER M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location and Very Clean

This cosy lodge in the middle of nowhere has everything you could want or need. When we arrived, it was warm and spotlessly clean. Beds and living areas are comfortable and a good size. Not too difficult to find using the directions provided by the owner, but google maps has it listed as White River Cabin which takes you right to it. The location is perfect for exploring Iceland and if the weather conditions were good, I'm sure it would be a great place to see the Northern Lights. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Picture perfect!

Where do I start...finding this little diamond cabin was a gift from the gods! The cabin itself was beautiful, warm and cosy. The surrounding views were a sight to remember, peaceful, calm and breathtaking. Johanna and her sisters had prepared their beautiful cabin for our arrival to perfection. After our drive from the airport the cabin was easy to find and in a perfect location. We had a warm welcome of heat in the cabin in contrast to the cold outside on arrival. We had an amazing stay in Iceland and can’t wait to visit again. Thank you so much to Johanna and sisters for your hospitality and for allowing us to stay in your beautiful family cabin. We can highly recommend staying at this cabin as it was the perfect setting for our special trip to Iceland.

10/10 Excellent

Lee R.

Wow! Great cabin close to the golden circle area.

Firstly may i say a big thank you to Johanna and her sisters for allowing us to stay at your amazing cabin in Iceland. We had a great trip all round, also thank you for your welcome gift. We traveled to Iceland from 17th Aug to 21st Aug as a family of 4, 2 adults, 2 x children aged 12 & 7. We found the cabin easy to find and accommodated us very well. The cabin is very well equipped and was clean, cosy and warm thanks to the geothermal heating. It has two good sized bedrooms with a pull out sofa bed in the lounge. The amazing view over the river was a delight in the morning and evenings watching the sun setting. We made it out to most of the sight seeing places in the area, the most memorable being Seljalandsfoss as you can walk behind the waterfall and ate out in many of the local restaurants too. Highly recommend Thrastalundur for breakfast, our kids loved the chocolate waterfall and marshmallows! They also have a small shop there too which is good for milk, bread, fruit etc.. I even tried a bit of fishing in the near by lake at Hestvatn, but failed to catch any trout.. : ( When we next return to Iceland we would happily stay here again if available. The Ramsey Family..
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Debbie A.

Fantastic property, lovely scenery and really comfortable beds.

Despite the unfortunate weather we had a great stay. The local snow plough was kind enough to clear the drive way twice for us. Sitting in the hot tub in the snow was a definite highlight for us. Also, correspondence before and during our trip were extremely helpful. The history of the property and the family was also very interesting. We look forward to staying again in the future. Thank you sisters.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

chris s.

Perfect romantic lodge to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary!

Beautiful lodge in a beautiful location - although we were out most of the daylight hours during our stay it was obviuos that this lodge is in a very picturesque part of the country. We received a very warm welcome from the owners with a meal and bottle of sparkly waiting on our arrival to help start our silver wedding celebrations - very generous of them. The lodge itself has a very traditional feel to it with a lot of the family's personal history which we found fascinating to read. If you're looking for minimalistic it's probably not the place for you but the pictures on the site depict this so I can't understand some of the previous reviews placed here - you only have to look to see what you're going to get and for us it was perfect! The bed was very comfortable. The kitchen well equipped. The log burner fabulous. The hot tub a perfect way to wind down after the days sightseeing (no matter what the weather!!) while tea was cooking. Location easy to find and perfect for touring the Golden Circle and even the south coast (Vik, Solheimajokull glacier and Skogafoss falls). We would love to visit again and take family/friends with us to show them how lovely the lodge (and the country) is! Thank you Sisters!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William B.

Lovely cabin by the water

Well equipped cabin overlooking the water is very comfortable and clean with easy access to the incredible sights in the golden circle.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Judy F., In the North Devon countryside in the U.K.

Well equipped cabin in excellent location

Beautifully peaceful location and a good base for the Golden Circle. Lovely Softub hot tub. Well equipped clean cabin with everything you need for a self catering holiday. Highly recommended.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julia A., Saint Just, Cornwall, United Kingdom

A little bit of heaven

Booking the cabin could not have been easier and Johanna was so quick to answer my endless emails. We were very excited for our 4y old daughter as she had not seen snow before. On arrival at the cabin my partner and I were blown away by how stunning the view was and we were thrilled that the whole place was snowy white! The cabin is so homely, beautifully laid out and full of quirky little nick nacks, our daughter particularly loved her room with the little wooden boats in it! It was also nice to read the story of the cabin and Hordur who built it, what a great man he was with a lovely smile. We found everything we needed in the cabin, the beds were comfy and we were lovely and warm throughout our stay. There were DVDs, games, books etc, it is like they have thought of everything. I very much liked the underfloor heating, just perfect for cold toes after walking in the snow. I would highly recommend this cabin to my family and friends, we may even try and get another visit in ourselves one day. Thank you so much for making our first trip to Iceland such a comfy and cosy one :)
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jodie D.

Cosy cabin. Perfect for northern lights.

Had a lovely time at this cute cabin. The location was perfect for us with the golden circle route just up the road and northern lights viewings three of the five nights we stayed. Unfortunately there had been problems with the hot tub which the lovely owners did try their hardest to sort for us but we still had some fabulous evenings cosied up in front of the log burner watching the amazing sunsets and relaxing in complete peace and quiet. The cabin is remote enough but not too far to drive to shops, cafes and civilization in Selfoss. Make sure you get some groceries on route though. There were three of us staying which was perfect for the size of the cabin. I do think it would be a struggle to fit 6 adults as the description states. In all would really look forward to staying here again and have generally been recommending this amazing part of the world to everyone!!

10/10 Excellent

Patrick L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Grata cabin

Cozy cabin with new hot tub and views of the river. We enjoyed basing out of here to visit all the great sites on the Golden Circle.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Magalie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Belle location en pleine nature

Très bon séjour dans le logement de Johanna et ses sœurs. On se sent comme chez soi. Vue magnifique. Pouvoir se faire un feu en rentrant était très agréable. Tout était parfait.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monika N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wunderschönes, gemütliches Haus in toller Umgebung

Die Lage des Hauses ist perfekt. Ruhig, mitten in der Natur. In ca. 15-20 Minuten ist man in Selfoss und auch die Ausgangslage zum golden Circle oder bis Vik ist sehr gut. Auf der grossen Terrasse gibt es einen Whirlpool. Der Blick auf den Fluss ist einmalig. Das Haus ist gut eingerichtet und gemütlich. Die Küche bietet alles, was man braucht. Das Wohnzimmer ist sehr schön. Die Einrichtung ist persönlich gehalten, mit Fotos und alten Gegenständen, welche die Geschichte der Familie widerspiegeln. Die Betten sind sehr gut. Einen Wermutstropfen gab es bei der Sauberkeit. Der Backofen war stark verschmutzt und auch unter den Betten/Sofa war es noch recht staubig. Ausserdem hat es etwas wenig Stauraum, da es private Dinge in den Schränken hat. Für uns war dies aber kein Problem, wir waren nur zu Zweit. Die Kommunikation mit Jóhanna war hervorragend! Bei einem Problem mit der Heizung hat sie sofort reagiert und Hilfe war rasch vor Ort. Nicht selbstverständlich wenn man bedenkt, dass sie in Belgien wohnt! Wir würden das Cabin jederzeit wieder mieten.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruggero R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful chalet

The chalet is beautiful, much more beautiful than it looks in the pictures. You can feel the care and love for the house everywhere. The kitchen is equipped with everything you need. The wood stove was wonderful and there was plenty of wood outside. The surroundings of the house were also beautiful. One of the best places we have ever stayed. Highly recommended. Thank you Johanna!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sara B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Golden Iceland Cabin

This was a magical cabin to stay at in the heart of the Golden Circle. Not far from Selfoss and Hveragerði that will have everything that you need. The Sister's were so easy to work with and the views overlooking the river were breathtaking. The hot tub was fabulous and used every day. I was able to see the Northern lights even with a full moon. This is a very special place with a heartfelt memory that you feel as soon as you enter. We were very lucky to stay here.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful Experience

The property and Cabin was really lovely and we felt at Home the entire time. We really appreciate all the things we've seen there, and it was a very cozy home for the time being. We definetly will recommend it, and would love to come back someday.
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Iceland - A dream came true

This beautiful little cabin helps to enjoy your stay in Iceland much more than without ;-) It is comfortable and cozy with a personal touch of its owners. The new hot tub with its great view is amazing and helps to relax after a long hike. The conversation with the sisters is terrific. You need help or have a question? You get help and an answer immediately. All in all: We enjoyed our stay so much and if we come back to visit the other half of Iceland, we let our trip start here.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cabin near Selfoss

Perfect location for visiting surrounding areas. This cabin was our favorite place to stay during our visit to Iceland.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Lutz K.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Hütte nach isländische Standard

Die Hütte liegt gut im Golden Circle, so dass alle Ziele zeitnah zu erreichen sind. Die Sauberkeit ließ leider zu wünschen übrig. Der Backofen war ziemlich keimig und der Esstisch klebrig. Man musste aus dem Koffer leben, da alle Schränke belegt waren. Gas für den Grill war auch alle. Würde aber nachgeliefert, nachdem wir darauf hingewiesen haben. Der Whirpool verliert Wasser sobald 2 Personen diesen nutzen. Schön ist, dass Holz für den Kaminofen vorhanden ist. Wir würden das Haus leider nicht mehr buchen.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cabin stay

Enjoyed the time at the cabin.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2024

About the host

Hosted by Jóhanna and her sisters

Host profile image
My two sisters and I are Icelandic, all brought up in Iceland, although I presently live in Belgium. We divide between us the work in renting out the cabin. I do the paperwork, everything that can be done over telephone and email, and they do the practical things that depend on one being locally situated. My sisters drive up to the cabin in between guests to change sheets and do the final cleaning. We take two weeks off the calender in June to do maintenance.
We varnish (parts of) the cabin every summer; in May 2013 we made the veranda bigger and installed a hot tub on the veranda. In November 2013 we set up a G4 pay-as-you-go internet connection, in January 2014 we installed a washing machine and a new shower. In the summer 2015, we renewed parts of the kitchen fittings. In the fall 2016, we had geothermical heating installed. In the summer 2019, we added extra drainage to the ground territory. In July 2020, we replaced the windows. In June 2022, we replaced the doors and painted the new windows on the inside.

Why they chose this property

Our father, who was disabled, built this beautiful log cabin in the summer 2004, and our late stepmother furnished and decorated the cabin. She had an exceptionally good taste and an eye for detail. After our father's untimely death in 2009, my two sisters and I came into possession of the cabin. We decided to rent it out, partly because of the economic crisis, and partly because we would like to share this beautiful cabin with other people. We are extremely proud of the cabin and our father's achievements. This is the perfect cabin for people who want to experience a personalized cabin with its history, including the history of the people who built it and their descendents.

What makes this property unique

The cabin is extraordinarily well decorated and homey, with an exceptional eye for detail. It's also ideally located on the banks of the river, in a beautiful scenic setting, in the middle of all the tourist attractions of South Iceland.

Languages:

English, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish