Kex Hostel

Official pages rechecked 2 November 2026. Prices and policies are dated observations; unresolved details and booking-specific conditions are qualified below.

KEX Hostel: book the bathroom and room type you actually want

KEX is a hostel and hotel at Skulagata 28, 101 Reykjavik, in a former biscuit factory. Its room mix spans shared dorm beds, private hostel rooms with shared bathrooms, and hotel rooms with private bathrooms. A "private room" therefore does not automatically mean an ensuite bathroom. That is the most useful distinction to settle before comparing its prices. Hostel rooms Hotel rooms

The atmosphere is explicitly social, with an on-site bar, shared kitchens, lounges and common areas. A traveller looking for communal facilities can use them without choosing a dorm; a traveller who wants a private bathroom should select the hotel inventory. The brand's older "hostel" name alone does not describe the full current accommodation offer. Official amenities

Compare room categories

Room sizes are operator approximations, not measurements made by this directory. A family suite sleeping eight does not establish that every bed is suitable for every age or that baby cots are unlimited. Reserve for the actual occupants and request any cot or bedding arrangement in writing. Hostel categories Hotel specifications

The dorm page lists 4-, 6-, 8-, 16- and 42-bed categories and a six-bed female dorm. Some numeric badges on the page disagree with their adjacent room headings; use the booking category and written confirmation for the exact room capacity. Lower bunks in several dorm categories have privacy curtains, with reading lights, plugs and personal lockers also described. Do not assume every bunk in every category has a curtain. Dorm details

Children and shared-room eligibility

KEX states that under-18 s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, that under-16 s cannot stay in shared dorms, and that children "over 16" can stay in dorms with a guardian. The wording leaves age 16 itself unclear, so a family with a 16-year-old should confirm eligibility directly. Children under three are welcomed without an extra accommodation charge in private rooms, with cots on request and subject to availability. Age policies

For a family, a four- or six-bed private hostel room may offer exclusive sleeping space but still requires a shared bathroom. A hotel family room or suite gives a different bathroom arrangement. Compare the total family rate and facilities rather than treating all listings containing "family" as equivalent. Room comparison Hotel rooms

Food, self-catering and laundry

The laundry page says detergent is supplied automatically. Kitchens include cooking equipment and a fridge; food should be labelled with name and checkout date. KEX prohibits food in bedrooms and directs guests to the kitchens/common dining options instead. Personal lockers are listed in dorms; padlocks are sold at reception, so confirm whether to bring your own. Services and house rules

The check-in page carries an undated notice saying both the bar and restaurant are closed for a few weeks for renovation, with entrance works on weekdays from 09:00-17:00. Amenities still advertises bar service until 23:00, while the food page refers to a summer 2025 restaurant reopening. These pages do not establish the actual completion date. Neither bar nor full restaurant service should be relied on without confirmation. Breakfast is separately advertised. Current food notice

Arrival, parking and check-in

Guaranteed check-in is 15:00 and checkout is 11:00. An earlier room depends on availability; free luggage storage is the fallback described by the property. The address and phone are Skulagata 28 and +3545616060. The legal page identifies kexhostel@kexhostel.is; the footer also displays an address on kexrvk.is, so the legal contact and phone are the clearer verified structured contacts here. Services Legal identification

KEX has no designated parking. It identifies nearby on-street spaces as the P3 zone. Check the current municipal rules and payment instructions rather than assuming a hotel stay includes parking. Airport-transfer links are available through the property; those links are not evidence of a free shuttle or transport included in your room rate. Parking and transfers

Payment, cancellation and room rules

The published individual payment policy covers one to nine people and says the full amount is charged three days before arrival using the guarantee card. For ten or more people, a 30% confirmation deposit and full payment at least four weeks before arrival are described. These are payment timings, not a verified free-cancellation window. Use the cancellation rule attached to your actual rate; the reviewed legal page does not establish a universal refundable deadline. Payment terms

Guest rooms and common guest areas are restricted to registered guests. Smoking/vaping is prohibited indoors, food is not allowed in rooms and noise should be kept down outside the bar. KEX asks departing guests to remove their bed linen and place it in the hallway hamper. These operating rules are useful for a hostel stay and should not be confused with hotel-style daily room service. House rules

Frequently asked questions

Does a private KEX room have its own bathroom? Hotel rooms do; private hostel double/twin and family rooms use hallway bathrooms. Check the category before booking. Hostel Hotel

Can a child use a dorm bed? Under 16 s cannot. Under 18 s require a guardian, and age 16 itself needs clarification because of the site's wording. Age rules

Is there a kitchen? Yes, shared guest kitchens are listed on the third and fourth floors. Amenities

Does KEX offer free parking? It does not have designated parking; nearby public street spaces have their own rules. Arrival information

Official pages checked 1 November 2026. Exact rates, restaurant reopening and room-specific access arrangements require a dated confirmation.

Map/database provenance: OpenStreetMap, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Factual visitor guidance is independently written from the cited sources.

Transfer and storage details that change planning

The dedicated airport-arrival instructions identify Bus Stop 9, Snorrabraut, about 400 metres from KEX. Departure instructions also identify that stop, although some general wording describes pickup at KEX or outside the property. Use your transport voucher's actual stop and pickup time; do not assume a coach can collect you at the entrance. The published transfer examples do not establish a current fare, a guaranteed connection or transport included in your room rate. Airport to KEX KEX to airport

Free luggage storage is limited to one day, before check-in or after checkout, with staff access available around the clock. Dorm lockers and private room lockers are described separately; reception lists padlocks for sale. Ask about oversized bags rather than assuming every bag will fit a dorm locker. Amenities and storage

The breakfast page advertises vegan and gluten-free options. This is an offer description, not a guarantee against cross-contact: discuss a serious allergy directly. Tours booked through the site's partner links are subject to the provider's terms; a KEX booking link alone does not make KEX the tour operator. Food Terms

The November 2 review found conflicting, undated renovation information. Current room availability, operational completion dates and a particular rate's cancellation rights were not established.

Visitor-information graphic

Original Iceland.org research graphic, not a venue photograph. No business endorsement is implied. Its facts are also provided here as readable text:

• Address: Skulagata 28, Reykjavik, in a former biscuit factory. Source.
• Hostel choice: Dorm beds and private hostel rooms use shared facilities. Source.
• Hotel choice: Hotel-category rooms have private shower bathrooms. Source.

Visual credit: original Iceland.org information graphic, prepared from the cited factual sources. No third-party photograph, artwork or logo is used.