Last Updated on June 21, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
One of the hardest things we had to decide on was where to stay on our bucket list holiday to Iceland. My Mum kindly offered to treat us and I was given the instructions to find somewhere decent as we were going to Iceland so let’s go in style. I spent a long time looking and researching. I came to the conclusion that a base in Reykjavik wasn’t for us and that it would be nice to be out in the countryside.
As I had a day out visiting the south of Iceland in my sights I wanted the location to be good for also visiting the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle and Reykjavik for the day. After reading many blog reviews I kept seeing Hotel Ranga come up again and again. When I looked it up I could see why it is so popular with near to perfect reviews across the board.
The Northern Lights at Hotel Ranga
Hotel Ranga is not far from a small village called Hella. It is, however, situated well out into the countryside that any street lights don’t affect the sky at night. Because of this Hotel Ranga is billed as one of the best hotels to see the Northern lights in Iceland. So not only was it an ideal base but we were also excited about the prospect of seeing the northern lights.
Another great thing about Hotel Ranga is that when you go to bed each night you can request an Aurora wake-up call. Basically if the hotel night ‘watchman’ spots the northern lights they will ring you up. We stayed for 5 nights and 1 night we had a wake-up call where we literally just missed the lights.
But the night after the call came and we got outside just in time to see the northern lights. They weren’t at their brightest but it was still an amazing sight. Sadly I didn’t get a decent photo. They do have some amazing Aurora photos on their website though.
If you have a room facing towards the river you will need to go out the front of the hotel to see the northern lights. If you try and look out your window it is more than likely that you won’t be able to see the lights.
Hotel Ranga also has a stargazing observatory.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 1 These benches are perfect for sitting on to watch the Northern Lights](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010575-1024x769.jpg)
Our Bedroom at Hotel Ranga
At Hotel Ranga they have standard rooms, deluxe rooms, deluxe superior and two types of suites. My Mum booked us into a deluxe room each. Ours had two singles and hers had a large double. A deluxe room including breakfast costs around £400 a night. In any other country, I would say this was overpriced. In Iceland, though it was an acceptable price to pay. They have basic rooms for around £240 a night. It is a 4* hotel.
Our deluxe room had a large wardrobe with dressing gowns, slippers, a safe, ironing board, a fridge and more. They had drinks and snacks in the fridge. They weren’t complimentary but they were priced at the same price as the bar.
The room had tea and coffee-making facilities, a phone, a TV with plenty of English language channels, a small table and a chair. Plus a sofa and coffee table. Another smaller chair and table and a stool. The rooms have free Wi-Fi.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 2 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010320-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 3 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010322-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 4 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010324-1024x769.jpg)
We had a river-side view and we were directly opposite one of the 3 hot tubs at Hotel Ranga. The hot tubs were rarely used and there was no one in any of them when we went in.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 5 Looking out towards the river and hot tub](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010323-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 6 Our view](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010337-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 7 Having fun in the hot tub](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/G0041185-1024x768.jpg)
Our bathroom was very large and it even had a spa bath. This had an overhead shower, but no shower curtain! There was a good selection of toiletries in the bathroom which were topped up every day. We were also given chocolate every day which my son was delighted about.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 8 Our bathroom with spa bath](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010321-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 9 P1010326](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010326-1024x769.jpg)
It is free to park at the hotel and reservation was not needed.
Around the Hotel
As mentioned above there are three hot tubs for everyone to use at Hotel Ranga. You are welcome to wander around and down to the river but do be careful with children as there is a small pond as well as the river.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 10 The wooden cabin style rooms at Hotel Ranga](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010404-1024x769.jpg)
The hotel is in the style of a log cabin. It has a wonderful large glassed room coming off the central part which is where the restaurant is. This is also where breakfast is served.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 11 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010405-1024x769.jpg)
The restaurant at Hotel Ranga is like the rest of Iceland far from cheap. The food, however, was absolutely wonderful and of Michelin-star quality. We ate incredibly well during our stay at the hotel and my son had some wonderful large portions of food every night. My favourite two dishes were the langoustine starter and the lamb main course. Both were incredibly tasty and bursting with fantastic flavours.
The staff were very attentive and friendly. We started the meal off every night with some wonderful complimentary bread and lemon butter. The owner even came to talk to us a couple of times and made my son feel very special.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 12 Inside the restaurant at Hotel Ranga](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010327-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 13 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010329-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 14 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010606-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 15 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010331-1024x769.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 16 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010332-1024x769.jpg)
Breakfast was always a wonderful choice of food. You could choose from the buffet which included cereal, fresh fruit, bread, meats, cheeses, yoghurt and much more. You could even make your own waffles. My Mum and I opted to have something cooked every morning.
I had a couple of omelettes and I also tried the scrambled eggs which were really good. My Mum opted for mushrooms, tomatoes and bacon. There was even a bottle of champagne out every morning.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 17 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010335-1024x769.jpg)
The hotel has a small lounge bar area upstairs. They also have a big telescope up here and a chair that plays like a harp.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 18 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010399-1024x769.jpg)
The hotel also has a few nice touches. Such as pens in the rooms that say ‘stolen from Hotel Ranga’ on them. There are a few lounge areas around the hotel and my son loved the polar bear and wicker chair that was like a den to him.
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 19 Hotel Ranga Iceland | One of the best Hotels to see the Northern Lights | Review](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010580-e1557841619280-769x1024.jpg)
![Hotel Ranga Iceland Review Best Hotel Northern Lights 20 We loved these bar stools](https://wheretogowithkids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P1010398-e1557841641183-769x1024.jpg)
BOOK a Stay or Compare Prices at Hotel Ranga, Iceland
We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Ranga. It was an ideal base for us. The rooms were spacious and always clean. The food in the restaurant and at breakfast was wonderful and the staff were all friendly and helpful. Plus we saw the Northern Lights. We wouldn’t hesitate to return.
For ideas on things to do in Iceland please see – South Iceland Top Points of Interest | One Day Itinerary and Golden Circle Iceland | One Day Self Drive Ultimate Itinerary.
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