As I’ve already covered, we’re currently taking a trip to Iceland (even if it didn’t totally work out as planned), and spent a couple of nights at Marriott’s Reykjavik EDITION. While I’ll have a full review when I return home, I’d like to share some brief thoughts on our stay, as I was curious how this property would stack up. I’m rather critical of the EDITION brand, for reasons I’ve explained in the past.
However, I really enjoyed the Reykjavik EDITION. It’s generally considered to be the city’s best hotel, and I’d say it’s also one of my favorite EDITION properties I’ve stayed at. Let me share a few random thoughts, and again, I’ll have a much more detailed review soon.
In this post:
The EDITION aesthetic works really well for Iceland
One of my complaints about the EDITION brand is that I find the property design to be uber-minimalist, in a way that feels like they’re trying to save on costs, while passing it off as luxury and design-forward. So in that sense, I liked the design of the Reykjavik EDITION.
For one, I thought the design was a little more elevated than some other EDITION properties. Furthermore, the EDITION aesthetic just seems a lot more appropriate in a Nordic country, where minimalist design is the norm, and anything else would feel quite out of place.
Based on my Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador status, we were upgraded to a corner suite. It wasn’t huge, but had a great view, and functional design.
There are definitely some aspects of the EDITION design aesthetic that I still can’t get behind, like the bathroom tiles, but hey, that’s minor in the scheme of things, and a personal preference.
The Reykjavik EDITION has great food and beverage outlets
The Reykjavik EDITION has an impressive selection of food and beverage outlets, and that’s despite the fact that two of the five were closed during our stay. EDITION seems to typically close its specialty outlets on Mondays and Tuesdays, and coincidentally, I typically stay at EDITION properties on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The EDITION’s lobby bar is pretty lively, and has a great selection of (pricey) cocktails.
As someone who loves good coffee, I also like how there’s TIDES Cafe, a proper coffee shop with barista coffee, pastries, sandwiches, etc.
Meanwhile TIDES is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, and there’s a good breakfast buffet (by Icelandic standards), as well as a high quality (but very, very pricey) lunch and dinner. I have a story about that, which I’ll cover in a separate post.
The hotel also has a rooftop bar and lounge, which apparently has nice views and a good vibe. However, sadly it was closed on both of the nights we were there. Lastly, the hotel has a speakeasy that’s supposedly exclusively for suite guests. So while we would’ve had access to that, it only seems to be open on weekends, so we couldn’t check it out.
EDITION service, destination fees, and friction
I found the staff at the EDITION to be friendly across the board. Virtually everyone working at the hotel is a foreigner, but that seems to be pretty common in Iceland, and frankly, it bothers me less than in a place like Japan (not to dismiss the value of interactions with locals in Iceland, but for me, Japan is 80% about the people and the food).
I was amazed by how international the staff were, since each staff member seemed to be from a different country — Brazil, Germany, South Africa, Spain, Ukraine, etc. They were all super friendly and well intentioned.
Now, there are a couple of quirks we experienced at the EDITION, and I’d describe them as things that added friction, in totally unnecessary ways. That’s one of my general issues with Marriott, is that it’s just not a company that tries to make things easy.
Let me give one minor example. The property has a destination fee of 7,000 ISK (~$56) per night, and for that, you receive access to the wellness area (which is beautiful), and a 7,000 ISK credit to use at the restaurant and cafe.
Upon entering the spa area, we were informed by the friendly receptionist that we weren’t eligible for access because it was our departure day. There was only one issue… it wasn’t our departure day, as we had a single reservation booked for two nights, and this was on the middle day of our stay. Even when I explained that to her, she doubled down, and only after I showed her our reservation confirmation did she acknowledge she was looking at the wrong guest.
But here’s the bigger issue — this just seems like such an unnecessary restriction. When you arrive at the hotel, you get a welcome letter explaining the destination fee, and it doesn’t state that you don’t receive spa access on your departure day (it explains the food and beverage credit isn’t valid on the departure day, but says nothing of the wellness area access). So imagine if it had been our departure day, we showed up in our bathrobes, and we were turned away. That would probably leave us disappointed and with a bad impression, no?
Meanwhile the food and beverage credit is an interesting one. It exclusively works in the lobby coffee shop and the main restaurant, but it doesn’t work in the lobby bar.
The hotel is strategic here. In the restaurant, it can only be applied to lunch and dinner (and not to breakfast), or to drinks at the restaurant bar.
While everything in Iceland is expensive, it sure feels like the lunch and dinner pricing at TIDES sort of has prices that are inflated to reflect that most people dining there are hotel guests who have a destination fee credit to spend. Even if you’re from Miami or New York, you might get sticker shock. We’re talking $59 for lasagna and $64 for a locally caught cod.
I get it, the whole thing just leaves a slightly bad taste in my mouth, and feels a bit like a “gotcha.” Fortunately the credit can be used for drinks in the restaurant’s (rather small) bar, so as you’d expect, that tends to get very busy, since the credit will cover most of two drinks.
Let me give one more example of friction. Our rate included breakfast (we booked through Marriott STARS), and when you show up at the entrance (before being seated), you’re asked to first fill out a slip to “acknowledge your attendance.”
There’s a line there to add tip, and while tipping isn’t standard in Iceland, EDITION is an American hotel chain, and many/most Americans do tip out of habit. So it feels awfully strange to be asked to tip in advance, and on top of that, it creates a bottleneck for getting into the restaurant, since there’s not actually any good surface on which to fill out the check. And let’s be honest, the only reason they have you sign this is in order to get a tip.
These are all minor things, but as someone who is detail oriented, they do stand out to me…
Bottom line
The Reykjavik EDITION is a great hotel, and arguably the best hotel in Iceland’s capital. The property has a convenient location, nice design, friendly service, and solid food and beverage outlets. There are some quirks to the experience, but all things considered, I’d definitely recommend this property, and I think it’s one of the brand’s better ones.
What’s your take on the Reykjavik EDITION?
I keep hoping one day I’ll run in to you. We were at the Edition last month. Our room for the first 2 nights was very small and dark. We were able to use NUA s for the 2nd 2 nights. All the difference with big windows, lots of space , and views of the harbor. Trying to use the resort fee drove us crazy. Just annoying.
Regarding the weird breakfast experience: I assume it's because (a) some guests have tried cheating and eating breakfast twice, (b) some guests have impersonated other guests or (c) people from outside the hotel have walked in and grabbed breakfast, pretending to be guests
Several points:
The exterior architecture and design look more like a Courtyard, Moxy, or Aloft than a luxury hotel building.
Who is the idiot who thought a white sofa in a hotel room was a good idea? That's impossible to keep clean given how many guests "do things" on it or spill coffee or wine.
In the bathroom, the toiletry selection is not what you'd expect for a brand that Marriott markets as...
Several points:
The exterior architecture and design look more like a Courtyard, Moxy, or Aloft than a luxury hotel building.
Who is the idiot who thought a white sofa in a hotel room was a good idea? That's impossible to keep clean given how many guests "do things" on it or spill coffee or wine.
In the bathroom, the toiletry selection is not what you'd expect for a brand that Marriott markets as a younger version of Ritz-Carlton. Only one bar of soap for two sink basins—there should be two. I also don't see any dental kits, mouthwash, etc. There also doesn't appear to be a towel hook or bar for hand towels, etc.
The destination fee at a European hotel (Iceland is, after all, in Europe) is absurd. It tells me that 99% of the clientele are Americans, not Europeans. Does the destination fee include internet access? If so, did you request the replacement benefit that you're entitled to receive?
The staff are international because of a local workforce shortage. When you go to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and such, the hotel staff—especially in more remote areas—are almost always Thai, Filipino, and other international staff. Locals with any education and any English fluency can make more money elsewhere.
All things considered, that looks like a nice hotel, but it doesn't seem comparable to a Ritz-Carlton for millennials, which is what Edition was designed to be. It looks more like a Design hotel or maybe a nice Autograph Collection/Tribute Portfolio property.
Family and I stayed here in August.
The rooftop lounge and bar has great views. However the furniture is REALLY beaten up.
I suspect this is because during a lot of the year, folks are wearing heavy weather boots etc., in order to take advantage of the outdoor area the lounge offers.
It's too bad because the frayed nature of the rooftop lounge does not reflect the decor standard of the rest of the hotel.
Typically scammy Marriott
It's ridiculous you can't use the spa area on the date of checkout. What if you were just staying 1 night? This "benefit" would only apply to half of your stay?
This is a very expensive hotel already, and Editions look like they were furnished by IKEA. With the friction around the spa-access, the inflated restaurant prices, and the food credit not being usable for breakfast, this makes it a very hard "no way I'll ever stay there!" in my book.
I can't stand friction like this at hotels. I don't enjoy being made to feel nickel and dimed especially at a luxury property.
At higher Elite levels, removal of friction should be the focus. Marriott doesn't get it. Or maybe their structure no longer lets them control these things.
I know people love to clown on Marriott but this is a hospitality issue across the board. We put hotels and restaurants into those respective categories. But they are all in the hospitality industry. Which we and they forget.
Ben, I have to ask - did you eat dinner at Tides just for the purpose of the review? The hotel is walking distance to pretty much everything and Reykjavik actually has a great food and bar scene. As for the hotel itself - totally agree with you and many of your notes reflect why I am not a fan of the brand (and I do think this is one of the better properties). It's fine for a night or two, but that's it.
@ pstm91 -- Excellent question, which I'll address in a post that's being published very shortly.
We stayed at the Canopy in Reykjavik when we visited 6 years ago and greatly enjoyed it. The room was on the small side but for the two of us it was not an issue given that we spent most of our time out. The hotel had some character and did not feel like it could be just anywhere. And, on top of that, both of us greatly enjoyed the breakfast buffet every morning of...
We stayed at the Canopy in Reykjavik when we visited 6 years ago and greatly enjoyed it. The room was on the small side but for the two of us it was not an issue given that we spent most of our time out. The hotel had some character and did not feel like it could be just anywhere. And, on top of that, both of us greatly enjoyed the breakfast buffet every morning of our stay. We experienced none of the "friction" you describe here. An underrated aspect of luxury is not having to deal with the mental burden put in place just trying to enjoy your vacation, and it seems that the Edition fails in that category (while being more expensive). We would not hesitate to stay at the Canopy again.
This is my issue now with the Edition and other pseudo luxury places...you aren't getting much beyond a nice space to sleep. They nickel and dime and they provide rule-obsessed restrictions that do not contribute to a quality experience.
If I'm spending >$600 a night I'm going to be hold off and stay at quality properties like a 4S
Going to Iceland and reporting the prices are high is a bit like going to Scotland and reporting the weather is bad.
Such a dull comment !
Your proper suggestion has to be not to report pricing then at all ?
Get a partner and/or a glass of wine , please ..
can't wait to read your review!
I stayed at another hotel 50m from yours and i was considering rebooking it but i might try this one.
The room looks like your average AirBnB.
Thank you Ben, for providing the readers with another wonderful insight into your world. As the articles are published one’s opinions are confirmed.
$59 for a lasagna and $64 for a cod sounds extremely hard to justify… those menu descriptions must be interesting. Curious how different the price is within the country’s context and how hard it is to get to a decent nearby restaurant. It sounds like another “gotcha’ strategy.
Iceland is extremely expensive, especially restaurants in Reykjavík. Given this is a higher end hotel these prices are not surprising. However there are many wonderful restaurants immediately nearby, and no one is charging $56 for lasagna. More like $40. Cod could easily be $50-55 at a nearby restaurant. This differential seems in line with what Edition upcharges elsewhere.
Iceland is expensive, but not enough to justify that pricing. It's out of line with even high quality local restaurants.
This nonsense about filling a slip for attendance and tips even happens at the Geneva Marriott and Zurich Marriott at breakfast. I usually just confirm my attendance and put nothing or nonsense for other questions and put a zero tip.
After the breakfast is done and I’m happy with their service and if I have time then I go back to the hostess and tell her that I want to update my slip with a...
This nonsense about filling a slip for attendance and tips even happens at the Geneva Marriott and Zurich Marriott at breakfast. I usually just confirm my attendance and put nothing or nonsense for other questions and put a zero tip.
After the breakfast is done and I’m happy with their service and if I have time then I go back to the hostess and tell her that I want to update my slip with a tip and she usually asks me how much verbally and she changes it in front of me.
My philosophy is ask for stupidity then receive stupid answers!
I assume it's because (a) some guests have tried cheating and eating breakfast twice, (b) some guests have impersonated other guests or (c) people from outside the hotel have walked in and grabbed breakfast, pretending to be guests.
$59 lasagne!!!! It has to be the best lasagne you ever had that makes you think of your childhood and your mum and brings tears to your eyes, to warrant such a ridiculous price
Seafood are expensive so is not justifiable but considering cod are pretty cheap compared to others, and especially considering fishing is very big in Iceland, it does seem like a cash grab
Overall, looks like a cute property but the...
$59 lasagne!!!! It has to be the best lasagne you ever had that makes you think of your childhood and your mum and brings tears to your eyes, to warrant such a ridiculous price
Seafood are expensive so is not justifiable but considering cod are pretty cheap compared to others, and especially considering fishing is very big in Iceland, it does seem like a cash grab
Overall, looks like a cute property but the prices and weird rules are indeed very poor showing. This is why i never liked Edition, you pay luxury price for IKEA room and a coffee shop vibe. The only saving grace is the usually gorgeous lobbies but that’s about it
And almost certainly the $59 lasagne is a frozen, pre-made lasagne shipped into Iceland and then nuked in a microwave.
I'm sorry to add to Ben's growing list of necessary confrontations, but my response to the form is to refuse to fill it out. Just as I always, without exception, refuse to wear hotel bracelets. Sadly, one is often dealing with someone too low-ranked to make exception or handle my refusal, but at some point hotels need to learn: the true existence of a real problem does NOT justify a bad solution.
At Aloft Playa...
I'm sorry to add to Ben's growing list of necessary confrontations, but my response to the form is to refuse to fill it out. Just as I always, without exception, refuse to wear hotel bracelets. Sadly, one is often dealing with someone too low-ranked to make exception or handle my refusal, but at some point hotels need to learn: the true existence of a real problem does NOT justify a bad solution.
At Aloft Playa del Carmen, I was "required" to leave my foreign ID ("drivers licence or passport will be fine, Sir") at the main front desk, after standing in a queue behind other guests checking in or out, for the purpose of...
... borrowing a pool towel. None was provided at poolside on the roof. Once wet, one was expected to return the wet towel to the front desk in the ground floor lobby, or presumably one's ID would be kept indefinitely. I don't know whether they're still trying to use this absurd system; I haven't returned to the property. I get the problem they were trying to solve. I don't deny the existence of the problem, yet the solution is still unacceptable.
Just Say No.