Hotel Borg
Pósthússtræti 9-11, POBox 200, 121 Reykjavìk, Iceland
Tel: 00 354 551 1440
fax 00 354 551 1420
The Place
Opened 1930 owned by wrestler Johannes Josepsson, fabulously art deco hotel in a city not known for the characterful splendour of its hotels. The Borg harks back to glamourous days gone by, having played host to stars such as Marlene Deitrich, Tyrone Powers and William Faulkner and being the centre of festivities during WWII. After Josepsson’s retirement in 1960, the hotel fell into decades of decline, halted only in 1990s when bought by (Hard Rock café owner) Tomasson and interior decorator wife Pálmadottir. There may be more obvious luxury in town, but the Borg is not to be missed.
Indulge Me
All parquet floors, a wonderful Palm Court restaurant and a tiny lounge decorated with fantastic black and white photos of Josepsson in all sorts of guises, the Borg boasts modern ameneties in its ?? rooms as well as antique furniture and marvellous art-deco bathrooms.
The neighbourhood
Probably the best location in Reykjavìk, overlooking a quiet square off the hip city’s trendiest area. Prices in the city are a challenge, but Reykjavìks lively cafÄ culture, bars packed with the most beautiful people on earth and fabulous shops make it a compulsory visit. There is a real sense of ebullient confidence here. And some of the world’s most weird and wonderful scenery to be taken in outside the city.
The flightpath
National Carrier: Iceland Air Nearest Airport: Reykjavìk. Go fly daily from London Stanstead; British Midland from London Heathrow. Tours:Arctic Expeditions are the experts and can tailor-make itineraries which are worth considering in this very expensive country.