Vik Tröll Hotel (formerly known as Puffin Hotel Vík): A Practical Base for South Iceland’s Black Sand Coast
Vik Tröll Hotel sits in the centre of Vík í Mýrdal, Southern Iceland’s most visited coastal village, directly beside the Katla Geopark Museum and the local tourist information centre. It is a straightforward, well-run property — clean rooms, a good breakfast, free parking, and a location that puts Reynisfjara black sand beach ten minutes away on foot. For Ring Road travelers, it is one of the most reliable overnight stops on the South Coast.
Location
Vík is the natural stopping point between Reykjavík and the eastern highlands, and the hotel’s central position makes it easy to reach everything the village offers. Reynisfjara beach, with its basalt columns and sea stacks, is a short walk. The public swimming pool — a genuine Icelandic experience — is also within ten minutes on foot. Supermarket, bank with ATM, restaurants, and cafés are all nearby.
The hotel staff can arrange glacier tours, Super Jeep excursions to Katla, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking, and birdwatching — worth sorting on arrival or in advance during busy seasons. Come in winter and the area is well-placed for Northern Lights viewing.
Rooms
The hotel offers double, twin, and triple rooms in the main building, plus ground-floor apartments. Rooms are simply furnished across parquet floors, each with a private bathroom, walk-in shower, toiletries, hairdryer, towels, heating, and a clothes rack. The apartments add a kitchen with oven, refrigerator, coffee machine, and kitchenware — the better choice for families or anyone staying more than a night or two.
Rooms are clean and functional rather than designed. Walls are thin and noise from neighbouring rooms can carry. Upper floors are accessible by stairs only — there is no lift, which matters if you are arriving with heavy luggage or have mobility concerns. The building has been in use since 1997, with a newer wing added in 2011; the newer rooms are more contemporary in feel.
Check-in is self-service outside staffed hours — a door code is provided in advance, which works smoothly as long as you have the details to hand before arrival.
Food and Drink
Breakfast is complimentary and served from 7am to 9am in the hotel’s dining room, with no to-go service. The buffet is great — freshly baked banana bread and spice bread are particular highlights — and the kitchen accommodates vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free diets on request. A tea and coffee station in the hallway is available throughout the day.
For dinner, Ströndin Pub and Smiðjan Brugghús are good options within easy walking distance.
Facilities and Service
Beyond the breakfast room, facilities are minimal — this is a practical hotel. Free Wi-Fi and free private parking are standard throughout. Staff are experienced in the local area, helpful with tour recommendations, and consistently warm and attentive during staffed hours.
Pros and Cons
✔ Central Vík location — ten minutes’ walk from Reynisfjara beach
✔ Free parking and free Wi-Fi
✔ Good complimentary breakfast with freshly baked bread
✔ Directly beside Katla Geopark Museum and tourist information
✔ Staff knowledgeable about local tours and activities
✔ Ground-floor apartments available for families or self-catering
✔ Well-placed for Northern Lights in winter
✘ No lift — upper floors by stairs only
✘ Thin walls between rooms
✘ Self-check-in outside staffed hours can be confusing on first arrival
✘ Rooms are basic and the building shows its age in places
✘ Breakfast served until 9am only — early finish for late risers
Overall
Vik Tröll Hotel is exactly what a South Coast road trip needs: a clean, well-located overnight stop with a good breakfast, free parking, and staff who know the area. It is not a destination hotel, but it does not need to be — Vík and its surroundings provide everything else.
Book a ground-floor apartment if you are traveling with luggage or children, sort your glacier tour through the hotel, and make time for the banana bread at breakfast.