KEX Hostel in Reykjavik, Iceland – Organic Concept Design & Top Location for Social Butterflies

KEX. It’s the word for biscuit in Icelandic, and the name of a social hostel in downtown Reykjavik. What’s not to love?

KEX Hostel is, in fact, housed in an old biscuit factory. Though you may no longer whiff that sweet smell of biscuit dough, there are tons of amenities and spaces to feast your eyes on.

Welcome to our one and only 5 Star Hostel in Iceland.

The infobox on KEX Hostel ⭐

Furnished with salvaged materials and found objects from goodness knows where, KEX Hostel is an organic concept mixing an industrial feel with a dash of contemporary design.

It’s the best hostel in town for meeting people, too.

For starters, there are enough dorms and private rooms to house 215 guests. Wowsers.

Whether you choose to hang out in the lounge area or bar, or keep fit in the old school gym; fun is never far off.

Oh and you’ll be walking distance from shops, nightlife, restaurants. Basically; everything you could possibly need is under one roof, and then some.

This hand-picked 5 star hostel is part of our ultimate guide to the best hostels in Iceland.

If you want to compare, we suggest checking out our collection of the best hostels in Reykjavik.

We are Hostelgeeks. We collect the most amazing Hostels around the world: the 5 Star Hostels.

Our awarded hostels tick all the boxes of our transparent rating criteria. We care about:

1. Sustainability
2. Design
3. What makes it Unique
4. Social Vibes and
5. Staff

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Europe is huge and so is our hostel collection. Check out the best hostels in Europe here.

KEX Hostel in Review

Get your walking shoes on and prepare to enjoy KEX and everything Reykjavik has to offer within walking distance. KEX Hostel is a 5 Star Hostel in Reykjavik because…

1. Up-Cycled & Fun

Remember earlier when we mentioned salvaged furniture and materials? Well, we weren’t exaggerating:

Every piece of decor has a story to tell.

This hostel oozes personality and soul, and that’s primarily thanks to the Eco-friendly design.

If you’re a fan of recycling created with an artistic flair, you’re really going to enjoy taking a slow wander around this hostel in search of cute details.

This organic concept has snippets of Iceland’s past and dashes of modern tone. The vintage additives give it that homely, eclectic feel.

Just for fun: see how many old-style bird cages you can spot dotted around.

2. Designed with YOU in mind

Who, me? Yes you – KEX Hostel is a splendid pick whether you’re a weary solo traveller, a family with small children or a lady looking for that perfect female dorm.

Dorms are kept simple, encouraging that social interaction.

For families of 4-6, a crib can be arranged and children under 3yrs stay for free. It’s details like this that create a welcoming atmosphere everyone deserves.

To help keep up with the amount of guests, KEX has included not one but two kitchens to help your cooking experience run smoother.

But honestly, we think you’d be daft not to check out the Sæmundur í Sparifötunum.

Ok ok, just call it ‘gastro pub’ for short.

This is where typical Icelandic food is served, and the place to sip a delicious pint of local craft beer (or two).

It’s an on-site bistro that’s like the sweet cream filling of a sandwich biscuit.

More inclusions that support a fabulous design:

• Book exchange
• Fun event calendar
• Bike rental
• Meeting & lounge room
• Outdoor heated patio
• ‘Gym & Tonic’ multifunctional hall
• Raxtor Salon – get a haircut!

Which brings us swiftly on to what makes KEX unique.

3. Unique in Consistency

Quite frankly, we’re blown away by how consistent this hostel is with impressing travellers passing through.

When you fall upon a hostel that has literally thousands of reviews and (impressive) high scores across the board, it’s impossible not to take notice.

It means the staff work hard to create that memorable hostel experience.

Most importantly, it shows they care what you have to say. And they act on it!

This then, is what makes KEX unique. Pure and simple, and very important criteria for a 5 Star Hostel.

4. Social Vibes coming out of your Ears

So we’ve already covered the extensive amenities and spaces this awesome hostel has to offer.

Yet there is one extra ingredient we need to mention. To help the social vibes kick start, this added spice is important.

We’re talking about hostel events and trips!

Forget wandering in to town looking for entertainment. You can enjoy all sorts of fun activities at KEX.

Make sure you ask staff what is happening during your stay. One thing’s for sure; there is a Jazz evening every Tuesday!

Alternatively, meet up with KEXLAND’s tour experts.

You’ll spot them next to the reception, and they love to help you plan your Icelandic adventures. Anything from horse riding, Golden Circle and glacier exploration.

Looking for a more chilled social environment? Head to the pub!

Luckily for you KEX Hostel is right in the centre of Reykjavik. Buzzing nightlife, restaurants and cultural attractions are all close by, allowing for a wide scope of social opportunities.

5. Staff worth a High-Five

Respectful, friendly and helpful – that deserves three high-fives, wouldn’t you say?

It’s certainly what you’d expect from a 5 Star Hostel, and the staff surely do deliver.

Ask any question and expect to receive local knowledge in return. They’re certainly the go-to if you’re looking to intimately get to know Reykjavik.

Tip: we suggest heading to the dining area to enjoy a BAXTUR breakfast buffet. Pre-book for a fairer price and use the time to chat to staff and plan your day.

Summary

All right dear readers, there you have it. KEX Hostel in Reykjavik is unique, chilled and most certainly the one and only answer on where to stay in Iceland.

Don’t forget to check out all of the best hostels in Iceland if you’re exploring the island – it’s highly recommended.

It includes all of the major destinations and a very handy map to make your planning easier.

Psst! You could follow in the footsteps of Kelly and spend 4 weeks Bicycling around Iceland.

So make sure you give it a thorough read and save precious time!