Prior to embarking on what became a memorable evening excursion of whale watching that featured a blue whale off the northern coast, I checked in at Guesthouse Stöng and Cottage near Mývatn in Iceland before I drove the 61.8 kilometers in 48 minutes to the town of Húsavík to replenish supplies at a supermarket just prior to it closing for the night.
Review: Guesthouse Stöng and Cottage Near Mývatn in Iceland
Allot at least seven minutes to drive 5.3 kilometers on Mývatnsheiðarvegur, which is a gravel road from Highway 1 — which is the main road that circles around Iceland and is also known as Þjóðvegur 1 — to Guesthouse Stöng and Cottage. The buildings off in the distance on the left in the above photograph is Guesthouse Stöng and Cottage, which is a working farm with live animals.
The guesthouse itself was built in 1929.
The Room
Folded towels are laid out on the linens of the bed.
The bed was clean and reasonably comfortable.
In some rooms, a third twin bed is available.
To access that third single bed, one must climb three steps. I never found out what was actually located under that bed.
The closet consists of four hangers on a rod and a small compartment, with a shelf on top of the unit.
A desk and three chairs were in the room. On the desk were three glasses on top of three napkins.
The room in which I was assigned did not have a toilet or a bathtub or a shower; but it did have a wash basin with soap. Each room without a private bath is equipped with a sink; and a private bath is available in some rooms. Toilets and showers are available in a shared bathroom.
The above photograph was taken at 11:53 in the evening — yes, seven minutes before midnight — after returning from Húsavík and the sailing of whale watching.
The view from the window of the room — which was captured the next morning before breakfast — consists of the area where the two hot tubs and changing cabins are located.
Breakfast
Plenty of seating was available in the restaurant area for breakfast…
…as well as plenty of seats by the windows — for guests like me who prefer window seats.
At one table, sliced Swiss cheese, ham and two other kinds of sliced processed meats, sliced cucumbers, tomato wedges, three types of dry cereals, water, milk, and a bowl of skyr or “Icelandic sour milk” — which is a type of curd cheese that is consumed similarly to yogurt — were available to guests.
Homemade rúgbrauð — which is a dark rye bread that a sign warned is not suitable for the toaster — was available with a choice of two other types of bread. Next to that was a basket of some sort of Icelandic crisps.
Apple juice and orange juice — as well as assorted condiments — were offered for guests. A full-service bar is available; but I did not see anyone tend it during breakfast time.
If homemade Kæfa — or a paté of liver and other meat of lamb — does not whet your appetite, indulge in some homemade orange marmalade, homemade rhubarb jelly, crowberry jelly, raisins, or Maille original traditional dijon mustard.
A bowl of batter and two waffle irons await guests who want to create their own freshly prepared waffles. A toaster for bread is adjacent to the waffle irons.
On another table was coffee, hot water, assorted teas, and assorted condiments for hot beverages — as well as cups, saucers, spoons, and napkins.
Hot Tub Area
Two hot tubs are available to all guests of Guesthouse Stöng and Cottage in an area that is mostly surrounded by a wooden fence…
…as well as two small buildings where guests can change clothes.
Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to try out either of the hot tubs. I was too busy watching whales; and I needed to leave the next morning.
Final Boarding Call
If you are expecting fancy lodging or are used to luxury, this is not the place. Then again, there are few lodging options that offer upscale accommodations.
The total rate for a one bedroom non-smoking room which can accommodate three people in the old house was $105.60; and no refunds were permitted once paid. Access to the Internet via Wi-Fi and Breakfast were included in the rate.
Cottages are also available instead of rooms; but because they are equipped with kitchens, breakfast is not include in the rate.
I did not dine in the restaurant for lunch or dinner; so I cannot comment on it.
I recommend staying at Guesthouse Stöng and Cottage if you plan on being in either Mývatn or heading on towards Húsavík. The room and guesthouse were quite clean, quiet, and rather comfortable. You can even sample some traditional Icelandic food at breakfast — some of which is homemade.
Give yourself at least five hours and 48 minutes if you plan on driving the approximately 473 kilometers from Reykjavik — unless you are willing to pay approximately $12.60 one way to pay the toll for using the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel to save yourself eleven minutes and 16 kilometers.
Guesthouse Stöng and Cottages
Stöng, Myvatn 0660
Iceland
+354 089 66074 or +354 464 4252
All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.
This article is part of a series of articles by Brian Cohen pertaining to experiencing Iceland in eleven days. Please refer to the Iceland: Itinerary and Master Guide for links to additional articles which have been completed in this series.
