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Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 15:32:00 -
[1]
As a native of Iceland and a veteran of the hospitality business for several years I've decided to put together a small guide to help the fanfest attendants from abroad find their way around Reykjavik. I've put this together to help those who for any reason don't choose the package deal from Icelandair or want to have a go at a bit more than just the Fanfest. Rest assured we can throw one helluva party up here.
Now, first thing's first: Getting here. We have two native airlines flying to Europe and America, Icelandair and Iceland Express. Recently British Airways started flying here. I won't go into flights and booking but these airlines are the best choices.
http://www.flybus.is/index.html handles the easiest mode of transportation from the airport to Reykjavik (short of bribing a corpie to pick you up ;))
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 15:32:00 -
[2]
Edited by: Jinx Denton on 20/07/2007 15:32:56
As a native of Iceland and a veteran of the hospitality business for several years I've decided to put together a small guide to help the fanfest attendants from abroad find their way around Reykjavik. I've put this together to help those who for any reason don't choose the package deal from Icelandair or want to have a go at a bit more than just the Fanfest. Rest assured we can throw one helluva party up here.
Now, first thing's first: Getting here. We have two native airlines flying to Europe and America, Icelandair and Iceland Express. Recently British Airways started flying here. I won't go into flights and booking but these airlines are the best choices.
http://www.flybus.is/index.html handles the easiest mode of transportation from the airport to Reykjavik (short of bribing a corpie to pick you up ;))
Secondly: Accommodation. There's a lot of hotels in Iceland, tourism is a huge business but the hotels remain relatively empty during winter. There are expensive hotels, cheap hotels and everything in between. I'm going to name a few hotels that might suit the needs of the foreign capsuleers.
The first group of hotels I'll mention are those nearest to the Fanfest venue. They are 5-10 minutes walking distance from the Laugardalsh÷ll where the Festorz goes down.
1. Grand Hotel Reykjavik http://www.reykjavikhotels.is/grand_hotel/english/ This one was recently expanded and bumped up a class, certainly a good choice. 2. Nordica Hotel http://www.nordicahotelreykjavik.com/ This is probably the best hotel in Iceland. Food is awesome, best brunch in the country on Sundays and just as close as grand hotel (one street above it). A bit expensive and probably only used by those on package deals. 3. The Park Inn Island Not as good as the other two, cheaper and just as close. Decent rock bar next door.
The second group are the for those who plan to party. These hotels are downtown and in close proximity to the bars and nightclubs. 20-30 minute walk to the Laugardalsh÷ll and easy to get back to when drunk. (The whole of Reykjavik is built in a slope or another, pick a bar higher up than your hotel, get drunk and get your ass rolled back when you get too drunk.)
1. 101 Hotel http://www.101hotel.is/ The essential downtown hotel. Expensive and it shows. Everything from doorknobs to curtains is some arty-assed design. 2. Hotel Plaza http://www.plaza.is/ 20paces from the entrance to the official centerpoint of Reykjavfk. It's not cheap but a definite good choice. 3. H=tel Borghttp://www.hotelborg.is/ Not the assimilating kind but the Icelandic for City kind. Top location, next door to the parliament and close to everything Reykjavik has to offer. 4. Center Hotel Kl÷pp http://www.centerhotels.com/content/view/17/33/ Affordable and well placed. Literally next door to CCP HQ, bring a periscope and try to sneak a peek at Oveur nerfing your newly trained ship ;D
The third group of hotels are located somewhere in between the downtown and the venue. Most of these are affordable and are 15-20 minutes from both the Fanfest or downtown.
1. Fosshotel Baron http://www.fosshotel.is/en/hotel/reykjavik_hotels.html This is affordable and located next to a pair of 24/7 shops. Close to everything, including the city main bus terminal (Hlemmur). A definite good choice for any capsuleer. 2. Fosshotel Lind http://www.fosshotel.is/en/hotel/hotel_in_reykjavik.html Close to Baron, bit smaller, same things apply. 3. 4thFloorHotel http://www.4thfloorhotel.is/ New, good location, bus terminal right next door.
Further ideas for hotels, guesthouses and Inns can be found at http://hotel.is/.
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 15:32:00 -
[3]
Edited by: Jinx Denton on 20/07/2007 15:33:22 Transportation: I have mentioned bus terminals here, by that I refer to Hlemmur, the main station for the public transport http://bus.is/english called Strµt=. Their site has a search function to find out where you're going and how to get there. There is another main terminal called BS- http://bsi.is/ but that handles out of town and airport connections. The easiest way to get around Reykjavfk, short of having a personal driver, is probably http://hreyfill.is/Is/ The main Taxi company around. A bit expensive but if you're hungry, drunk and cold It's a definite temptation. The cheapest way to get anywhere you want in Reykjavfk is definetly http://borgarhjol.net/, bike-rental. Be advised that Reykjavfk is constantly uphill and windy.
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 15:33:00 -
[4]
Edited by: Jinx Denton on 20/07/2007 15:34:13 Now that you've got here, found a place to stay and how to get around now you're probably getting hungry. We have everything from our favorite hot-dog stand to fine dining. Given my job as a chef I happen to have some opinions on dining in Reykjavfk. I'll break this down into a few categories:
Fine dining. If you're looking for something to please the significant other you dragged to the end of the world to attend a party of geeks talking spaceships, there's no better way than 5 courses with paired wines.
1. Vox. http://www.voxrestaurant.com/ Located at nordica hotel. The specialty is Scandinavian food and the winter/fall season is a good one for that. There's both a lighter bistro and the fine a'la carte. Order a table, ask for the chef's menu with paired wines, hand over your creditcard and be forgiven all transgressions. The brunch also bears mention if your flight is in the evening or afternoon, only on Sundays and a definite hangover cure. 2. Grilli= http://eng.grillid.is/ Standing on top of Radison SAS Hotel Saga, the Grill is the most respected restaurant in Iceland. More classic French than most, old-school deco and breathtaking view will make the perfect romantic meal or serious dinner meeting. 3. The Seafood cellar http://www.sjavarkjallarinn.is/index_en.html Fusion, modern decorations in an old stone cellar across the street from the center of the city. The food is excellent, modern and will give you a pleasant surprise. Definite choice for anyone willing to one of the best seafood restaurants I've ever been to.
Now, you're hungry and you just want something decent to eat. We have plenty of those places, I'll name a few worth your hard earned ISK.
1. Horni= http://www.hornid.is/ One of the oldest restaurants in Reykjavfk in its original image. It's mainly Italian and serves excellent pizzas and pasta that will leave anyone with a feeling of money well spent after the meal. Located next to the rising opera-hall by the harbor. 2. Laugaßs. http://www.laugaas.is/ Another oldie, small, cozy and very tourist friendly, not to mention close to the Fanfest.Definite bang for your buck. I give this restaurant my highest recommendation. Just walk down the street with the swimming pool, turn left and keep going up the hill for a few minutes, it's just past the hostel and camping area. 3. Bµjarins Bestu A hotdog stand. The best hot dog stand in the world. Ask for one with all, cheap effective and fast. Located right behind Horni=
The third and last class of eateries I'll mention are those places drunk people will gravitate to after midnight. Because you will get drunk, wind up downtown and probably need a nibble before bed. Directions aren't needed since you'll probably be lost in your stupor anyway...
1. Bµjarins Bestu A hot-dog before bed will take the edge of your hangover. 2. Nonnabiti Sloppy subs and burgers. Cheap and effective hangover-busters. I won't say anything about it's effects on your tormented bowels. 3. Hl÷llabßtar http://hlolli.is/ The other slopjoint. Same as Nonni but further down the street. 4. Pizza King http://pizzaking.is/ Decent pizzas. Sold either whole or by the slice, cheap but fairly decent. 5. Habibi Kebabs, schwarmas and suchlike. Edible food and always a laugh to watch arabic music videos on a big screen plasma, while drunk and spilling a kebab down your shirt.
Not really worth mentioning but we have all the major chains such as McDeath, Slobway and Pizzahut. Don't really need to explain those to you.
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 15:34:00 -
[5]
reserved
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
|
Posted - 2007.07.20 15:34:00 -
[6]
reserved
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
|
Posted - 2007.07.20 15:36:00 -
[7]
Edited by: Jinx Denton on 20/07/2007 15:37:06 Now, a few hints for those heading to the Reykjavfk nightlife or Iceland in general.
Try to dress at least half decent if you plan to go into anything but the rockbars. Dress like a ******* banker if you plan on getting into any of the more pretentious places. If you're paying cash have a bunch of 500 isk bills and some 100 kr=na coins, beer's usually from 5-700 so this will save valuable drinking time. Smoking is illegal on any premises with staff. You gotta smoke outside, so bring something warm enough to be able to stand outside in for a few minutes. If you're drinking with icelanders be sure to bring a good coat. We tend to move alot between places. If you smoke be sure to buy yourself a carton of smokes in the duty free. If you don't buy me a carton of camel naturals ;) When you enter the country be sure to buy the maximum legal amount of booze at the duty free store, this will provide cheap booze to get you going for the night. The maximum legal amounts are: * 1 litre of spirits & 1 litre of wine or * 1 litre of spirits & 6 litres of beer or * 1 litre of wine & 6 litres of beer or * 2,25 litres of wine
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
|
Posted - 2007.07.20 15:39:00 -
[8]
Finally I'd like to point out this is a work in process, I'd appreciate any hints, questions, additional info and ISK donations
Feel free to drop me an evemail or post here if you need to know something.
ps. I'll make this more readable soon enough with bigger lettering, bolds and italics and such. Don't fear the wall of text
---------- "May your traditional food be dumbed down and sold to westerners in small, easily carried parcels."
-The other famous Chinese curse. |
Ultroth
Veto. Academy Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 18:26:00 -
[9]
Jinx FTW!! "This is my sig, there are none like it, thats why its mine"
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Kalazar
Amarr Veto. Academy Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 18:32:00 -
[10]
Mucho <3 Jinx ^^ ----------------------------------------------
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J4m Z
Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.20 20:08:00 -
[11]
Concerning bellies, It's the only bar in Reykjavik, where you can walk in and the music is at a volume that you can continue conversing without screaming yourself hoarse just to be heard by the guy who has his ear in your mouth. Yes the beer is the cheapest in town. Usually have specials (bree + shot) going cheap. I've seen more then a few guy's wear eve/ccp labelled clothing there... ----
Be careful you have just entered Terrorbear stomping grounds.... |
Beastoria
Sniggerdly Pandemic Legion
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Posted - 2007.07.22 18:05:00 -
[12]
You forgot about Nasa ... www.nasa.is ... It hold quite a lot of larger events (concerts and large dj nights and such) It's quite nice when there's something going on --------------------------------------------------
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Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.22 20:57:00 -
[13]
Originally by: Beastoria You forgot about Nasa ... www.nasa.is ... It hold quite a lot of larger events (concerts and large dj nights and such) It's quite nice when there's something going on
I didn't forget Nasa. The thing is you go there for some event, you don't just wander in there for a drink. ---------- Going to the fanfest? Check my Fanfest Guide |
Flaming Lemming
Caldari Puppeteer Press
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Posted - 2007.07.25 17:34:00 -
[14]
Lord Thunderin' Jesus....sweet guide! No such thing as bad press! |
Gunstar Zero
Caldari Reikoku Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2007.07.26 15:12:00 -
[15]
Nice work, this should be stickied - invaluable!
I can add that the Reykjavik Centrum (funnily enough right in the city centre) is also very nice - quality wise it's on a par with the nordica (imo) though not as 'Grand'. Cheaper too.
I stayed in the Park Inn last year - it's nice, simply a bit dated. Very clean and comfortable.
Nordica is lovely, probably the nicest hotel I've stayed in. Breakfast is fantastic.
p.s. Dont take a taxi from the airport as I did one year you may not have any holiday money left afterwards. ended up close to ú100 for me. Flybus all the way.
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belzebub1
Gallente The Funkalistic SMASH Alliance
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Posted - 2007.07.26 19:52:00 -
[16]
Nice guide,
I am hopping to end up in the rock bars Rgds
Belz
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Tarantelita
Ragna Rok Corp
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Posted - 2007.07.26 20:41:00 -
[17]
Hi!
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Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.08.03 01:46:00 -
[18]
Originally by: Gunstar Zero Nice work, this should be stickied - invaluable!
Thanks
Originally by: Gunstar Zero
Nordica is lovely, probably the nicest hotel I've stayed in. Breakfast is fantastic.
Heh, I used to work there during my apprentice years If you liked the breakfast, try the brunch, It's Corpum-A of lunches.
Originally by: Gunstar Zero
Dont take a taxi from the airport as I did one year you may not have any holiday money left afterwards. ended up close to ú100 for me. Flybus all the way.
Taxis in Iceland will nos your wallet in 0.5 sec flat. ---------- Going to the fanfest? Check my Fanfest Guide |
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CCP Lingorm
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Posted - 2007.08.03 16:50:00 -
[19]
Nice Guide.
You should also add Hotel Vik
Stayed there last Fan Fest (before Dev-Hood). Nice and comfortable, wireless internet, quiet pub downstairs with good prices and walking distance to the Fan Fest Location. CCP Lingorm CCP Quality Assurance QA Engineering Team Leader
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CCP Garthagk
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Posted - 2007.08.04 01:29:00 -
[20]
Very useful, even to us devs that aren't from around these parts. I've applied the requisite glue.
Also, I think most of us have sworn off Bellies. Something about the beer being too cheap and GM Voodoo spending a long night clutching the porcelain god afterwards...
-------------- Garthagk - EVE Web Guy
To err is human to really ***** up takes admins. -Hellmar |
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Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.08.05 06:15:00 -
[21]
zomg! 2 Devposts in my thread
I R almost celeb!
And regarding belly's: Have you guys ever gone there sober and had a beer? It's quite awful tbh, only go there under the alcohol of influence. ---------- Going to the fanfest? Check my Fanfest Guide |
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CCP Ginger
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Posted - 2007.08.14 11:00:00 -
[22]
Yes, the beer there has gone downhill their somewhat im afraid to say, which is a damn shame.
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Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.08.20 01:29:00 -
[23]
Originally by: CCP Ginger Yes, the beer there has gone downhill their somewhat im afraid to say, which is a damn shame.
AH-AH! I have now with my awesome masterplan managed to lure Ginger in here!
Now where's my damn gold magnate?
Going to the fanfest? Check my Fanfest Guide |
Destiny Calling
Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.08.22 06:31:00 -
[24]
Good info Jinx, i am going to work the magic with interweb and see if I can get it together.
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Max Torps
Gallente eXceed Inc. INVICTUS.
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Posted - 2007.08.31 22:52:00 -
[25]
*A* Jinx Denton Nice one!
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Lynndia
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Posted - 2007.09.02 14:58:00 -
[26]
Great job with the guide, thank you. Just one more thing I would like to know: I am planning on spending a week in Iceland and would like to know about some other things that are fun to do during the day when not drunk Can you please suggest some day trips or other cool "must see" things?
Thank you,
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Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.09.02 20:11:00 -
[27]
Originally by: Lynndia Great job with the guide, thank you. Just one more thing I would like to know: I am planning on spending a week in Iceland and would like to know about some other things that are fun to do during the day when not drunk Can you please suggest some day trips or other cool "must see" things?
Thank you,
http://www.re.is/ This is the most commonly used day tour service.
Even if you choose not to use them the site has some great ideas for places to visit.
Of the top of my head I suggest the Blue lagoon, whale watching, the golden circle (awesome waterfall, geysers and the national park) and maybe some highland or glazier jeep tours.
Going to the fanfest? Check my Fanfest Guide |
Able Citizen
Gallente Jericho Fraction The Star Fraction
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Posted - 2007.09.17 16:17:00 -
[28]
I noticed that the Hotel Cabin is conspicuously absent from the list... That's where I have a reservation. Is it THAT bad?
Great guide, BTW. A hearty "thank you" from this Yank...
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Jinx Denton
Minmatar Veto. Veto Corp
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Posted - 2007.09.17 23:14:00 -
[29]
Originally by: Able Citizen I noticed that the Hotel Cabin is conspicuously absent from the list... That's where I have a reservation. Is it THAT bad?
Great guide, BTW. A hearty "thank you" from this Yank...
Great location but a slightly worn house. I didn't comment since I've had no experience at all with it. But the hotel is located just 5 minutes on foot from the fanfest venue.
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Cuebick
Caldari The Collective Against ALL Authorities
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Posted - 2007.10.23 01:36:00 -
[30]
Try buying alcohol at Rfki= (www.atvr.is) rather than the bars :) That alone will save you sooo much money.. so if you are going downtown.. drink before you go and arrive drunk.. thats how we roll =) The younger people like to hang out in Priki=, Hverfisbarinn and S=lon alot =) Barinn has great music and there are very many clubs/bars around there that are great =P But be careful on bars.. I spent 3000kr ($50)for three drinks last weekend. Try walking and having a good chat rather than spending a ****load on cabs aswell.. they are NOT cheap
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