Black Pearl Luxury Apartments

Rooms and decor

Picture a dark, understated Nordic apartment building on Tryggvagata in the heart of Reykjavik's 101 district. Open the door and you find units that run noticeably bigger than most hotel rooms in this city — that's the whole appeal of Black Pearl Luxury Apartments. The roughly 35 units lean contemporary Nordic: pale wood tones against clean white walls, some with a stone or dark-wood accent wall for that warm cold-country feel. They range from compact studios for two up to 2-bedroom apartments with a sofa bed in the living room that sleep four to six. King beds come dressed in soft eiderdown duvets and premium pillows that reviewers single out for an especially good night's sleep, even when it's below freezing outside. The modern grey-tiled bathrooms have underfloor heating in some units, a strong rain shower, and a washer-dryer in selected apartments. Pull back the curtains and some rooms look out over the brightly painted old-town rooftops; others catch the harbour and distant Mount Esja. If you prefer the feel of a home over a hotel, this lands well.

Food and amenities

The thing that sets this place apart from other 4-star options in town is a full kitchen in every single unit — not a token hot plate and microwave. You get an electric oven, a ceramic cooktop, a microwave, a dishwasher, a full-size fridge with a freezer, and the crowd favorite: a Nespresso machine with capsules to brew your morning coffee. The drawers hold plates, bowls, glasses, knives, a cutting board, pots and pans — enough to cook a proper meal. Anyone who's been to Iceland knows eating out is brutally expensive: a basic sit-down meal starts around 30 euros, so a real kitchen saves hundreds over a stay. Walk to the nearby Bonus or Kronan supermarket and you can stock up on salmon, lamb, vegetables and milk and cook it yourself. Beyond the kitchen there's free high-speed Wi-Fi, an elevator to every floor, bathroom heating, and paid parking nearby for anyone renting a car. What you won't find is a breakfast buffet, spa or in-house restaurant — normal for an apartment-hotel, and the trade is far more space and privacy.

Location and getting there

Location is the other reason the 9.1/10 score makes sense. The building sits on Tryggvagata in central 101 Reykjavik, the old-town core where everything is walkable. Step out and it's about 5 minutes to Harpa, the iconic colored-glass concert hall on the waterfront; a touch further to the Old Harbour for whale and northern-lights trips; 7 minutes to the main Laugavegur shopping street lined with restaurants, pubs and Icelandic wool shops; and around 12 minutes to the landmark Hallgrimskirkja church. Viking and photography museums and small galleries are scattered all around. For airport transfers, the Flybus from Keflavik International Airport stops at Harpa, a 5-minute walk away, with the ride taking about 50 minutes. Renting a car works fine too. A location this central means you barely need a car in town, and when you head out to the Golden Circle or the Blue Lagoon, tours can pick you up right outside.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk before you book. The most common gripe is that there's no 24-hour staffed front desk — at many hours check-in runs on a door code or key box. If your flight lands late and you want immediate help, it's less convenient than a full-service hotel, so it pays to email your arrival time ahead and have the team send your code and entry directions in advance. The second point: no breakfast buffet, spa or in-house restaurant. If you like heading down to a lobby for hot coffee in the morning, you'll feel that gap — though 101 is full of cafes and bakeries within a short walk. Some units facing the street or near a pub can catch late noise on Friday and Saturday nights, since the nightlife here is busy; light sleepers should ask for a higher floor or a unit at the back. Finally, parking: the building has none of its own, so you're on nearby paid public parking that can be hard to find. If you're renting a car, plan for that ahead of time.

Our take

After reading through real reviews from guests worldwide, Black Pearl Luxury Apartments sells roomy units, a full kitchen and a central old-town location with full confidence. If your Iceland trip means traveling as a family or a group, wanting a shared space to eat together, cooking your own breakfasts and dinners to save money, then heading out to explore on foot all day — this is about as good a fit as you'll find at a price that's still reachable. Couples settling in for a 4-to-7-night stay, or road-trippers who want a comfortable base in central Reykjavik, are just as well served. But if you expect 5-star service with a 24-hour concierge, breakfast buffet and in-house spa, this isn't your pick. Overall we give it 9.1/10 — best for families and couples who'd rather live in Reykjavik like a local than be a guest in a hotel.