About Us
About the hotel
Located in the South-Eastern part of Iceland, right opposite Eldhraun lava fields, Hotel Klaustur opened its doors in 1993. Ever since, our emphasis was to provide a warm welcome to a variety of guests, including celebrity movie directors, photographers, and travelers pursuing the magical views of local nature.
The hotel has acquired the name of its charming village – Kirkjubaejarklaustur, or „Klaustur“ as it is usually referred to by locals, a hometown to the most acclaimed Icelandic artists, Kjarval and Erró. Situated right between the two of Iceland´s famous glaciers, Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, Klaustur itself is surrounded by natural wonders of the Land of Fire and Ice. Famous Laki Craters formed in one of the world´s largest erruptions in the recorded history are only 50 kilometers South of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, not to mention the whole area is a part of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark.
Hótel Klaustur is a modern hotel featuring 57 rooms, and KLAUSTUR Restaurant offering a taste of present-day Icelandic cuisine with international twist. Modern design and eco-frinedly concept: the hotel operates using hydroelectric power only, its key location on the Ring Road, makes the property a popular place to stay while travelling around Iceland. One may find spectacular Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon within just 12 kilometers away from the hotel, and will be happily welcomed overnight on one´s way from Reykjavik to Jökullsárlon, a glacier lagoon featured in the two of James Bond movies: A View to a Kill (1985) and Die Another Day (2002).
About Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Kirkjubaejarklaustur, or “Klaustur” as it is usually referred to by locals, is a small town in the south of Iceland and is home to about 120 people. The town is located on road no. 1, also known as the Ring Road, and it is the only place between Vík in Mýrdal and Höfn that offers services. Those services include a fuel station, a bank, a post office and a supermarket.
The geographical location of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is unique in the way that it sits between two of Iceland’s most famous glaciers, Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Several tourist attractions are situated near the town, including Vatnajökull national park, the canyon Fjadrargljufur, the Laki craters, the Church floor, the Dwarf Rocks and the Glacial Lagoon. Furthermore, while making the drive to Klaustur, travellers will pass by stunning sites, such as Seljalandsfoss, Skógarfoss and Reynisfjara.
The town itself has a rich history, dating back to even before the first Norse settlement in Iceland, when Irish monks are thought to have lived there. The town’s original name was ‘Kirkjubær’ which literally means ‘Church town’. In the year 1186 a convent of Benedictine nuns settled in Kirkjubær and remained there until the Reformation in 1550. The word ‘klaustur’ meaning ‘convent’ was therefore added to the town’s name. Many local landmarks have names referring to the convent’s history, such as: Systrastapi (“the Rock of the Sisters”), Systrafoss (“the Waterfall of the Sisters) and Systravatn (“the Water of the Sisters”)
The road to Kirkjubæjarklaustur
On the journey from Reykjavík to Klaustur there are many beautiful sights to see, such as Seljalandsfoss, Skógarfoss and Eyjafjallajökull. Take a look!