Iceland in November and December? Really? I saw an Icelandair promotion on Instagram which I couldn’t resist. The catch? It had to be late November to the start of December 2022. But I could – easily – enthuse Oriol to come along for a road trip in the South and West of Iceland. 

Another town, another guesthouse. Guesthouse Bjarg in Borgarnes. “A small and cosy family-run guesthouse at a beautiful location by the ocean, on the outskirts of town Borgarnes. The town is the service- and shopping centre of this Southwest Iceland region, located 74 km / 46 mi from capital Reykjavík. The guesthouse is a renovated farmhouse on an old farm. The surroundings are peaceful, but all services are very close by. You can enjoy many outdoor activities and day tours in the region and beyond.”

From Húsafell we called ahead to let them know we could be late, but that was not an issue. Reception was warm and informal. The attendant showed us our quarters and contrary to her counterpart at Guesthouse Flúðir, she did tell us we would be alone for our two overnight stay.

Location

I believe Bjarg is the name of the area where the guesthouse is. It’s a viewpoint on the water. Unfortunately we only saw it in the dark. 

The room

The room oozes boarding school. Two separate beds and a bunkbed, a desk, a few power outlets, a small wardrobe. It’s clearly geared towards people with children or groups.  If we had been four, it would have been cramped. 

Shower and toilet are separate. There is also a kitchen(ette) with some basic provisions such as coffee and tea, sugar and olive oil. People have prepared meals here.

It’s less homely than Guesthouse Flúðir but more functional. 

There is a lack of sinks in the compound. One in the toilet room, one in the kitchen. None in he shower. I don’t brush my teeth in the shower. So I used the kitchen sink. As such that is okay. But if the other room had been occupied, it would have been a logistical challenge. 

As in Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík, there was no soap. Luckily we had bought shower gel.

Breakfast

The breakfast room is quite large, which means Bjarg has quite a capacity. 

The breakfast offering is pretty decent with juices, cold cuts and cheese, bread, cereals, yoghurt and some sweet options. Obviously you can have tea and coffee and hot chocolate. 

Noteworthy are the selection of jams, including tomato jam and two different types of cocoa powder for chocolate milk. 

The attendant was chatty and told us about the thirteen Santas and the Christmas Cat. How living with so much darkness and so much light is.

So?

Guesthouse Bjarg is a nice place to stay with a warm atmosphere. 

Iceland, November & December 2022

1. REVIEW | Icelandair Brussels Airport (Zaventem) to Reykjavík (Keflavík International Airport) on Boeing 737 MAX 8 in Economy.
2. ICELAND | Kevlavík – Bridge Between Continents – Reykjanesviti Lighthouse – Reykjanestá – Gunnuhver Hot Springs – Grindavík – Reykjavík.
3. REVIEW | Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík.
4. ICELAND | Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – Skógafoss – Sólheimajökull – Dyrhólaeyjarviti – Reynisfjara – Vík.
5. REVIEW | Hotel Katla in Vík.
6. ICELAND | Skeiðará Bridge – Diamond Beach – Jökulsárlón – Skaftafellsjökull – Dverghamrar – Kirkjugólf – Fjaðrárgljúlfur – Skaftáreldahraun.
7. ICELAND | Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík.
8. ICELAND | Fjaðrárgljúlfur – DC-3 Plane Wreck at Sólheimasandur – Geysir – Gullfoss.
9. ICELAND | Secret Lagoon in Flúðir.
10. REVIEW | Guesthouse Flúðir.
11. ICELAND | Þingvellir or Thingvellir National Park – Hvalfjörður Fjord – Húsafell.