Accommodation
34 double/twin rooms, either with an en-suite bathroom or shared bathroom. The rooms sleep from two people up to six (family rooms), in separate buildings. Also there are three double rooms with en-suite bathrooms in separate cottages (15 m2/ 161 f2). Free Wi-Fi in the reception and the restaurant, but for internet connection in the rooms the fee is 1000 ISK.
Vatnsholt is open for individuals from 1. February to 15. November. Open all year round for groups.
Board
Large dining hall that sits up to 225 people. Hot and light meals. Local ingredients are used as much as possible. Ideal for groups and individuals. Grill on patio by the main house.
Service and recreation
There is a good playground by the farm. Guests are welcome to meet the animals; the horses, sheep, goats, hens, pigs, cats and dogs. Bike rental. Boat rental and fishing permits in lake Villingaholtsvatn. Hikes. Horse rentals (15 km / 9 mi). An ideal place for gazing at the northern lights during clear winter nights. The nearest town is Selfoss (16 km / 10 mi) where visitors will find a swimming pool, supermarkets, tourist information and a 9-hole golf course. The Icelandic Wonders Museum, where guests can learn about elves, trolls and the northern lights, is located in town Stokkseyri, 21 km (13 mi) away. There, visitors will also find kayaking tours. The local heritage museum can be found at The House at Eyrarbakki, 28 km (17 mi) away. The Geothermal Park in village Hveragerði, where greenhouses heated with geothermal energy are a prominent feature, is 30 km (18.5 mi) away.
Unparalleled panoramic views and the most voluminous waterfall
Vatnsholt is close to a small lake on the lowlands, west of glacial river Þjórsá. The view is extensive and from this vantage point, guests can enjoy the view over encircling mountain ridges from the east, north, west and even the south. The volcano Hekla and glacier Eyjafjallajökull are quite prominent features of this unmatched view. In the south, island group Westman Islands can be seen lingering on the horizon. The region is rather flat and cycling tours around the region are quite enjoyable. The waterfall Urriðafoss in river Þjórsá (10 km / 6 mi) is the country’s most voluminous waterfall and tumbles over a 6-m-high lava cliff in a beautiful and peaceful environment.
The shore, trolls, elves and northern lights
The southern shore west of the river Þjórsá is close by (16 km / 10 mi). Ocean waves crash on black sand beaches and lava scurries that guard the shores. Two villages nest by the shore – Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki. At Stokkseyri, 21 km (13 mi) away, visitors will find the Icelandic Wonders Museum, where guests can learn about the supernatural beings of Icelandic folklore as well as the northern lights. Kayak tours are also available from Stokkseyri. At Eyrarbakki (28 km / 17 mi), which was once the region’s most important commercial port, visitors will encounter the Heritage Museum, located in a building known as The House of Eyrarbakki, which was a merchant’s dwelling in its time and is one of the country’s oldest houses, dating back to 1765.
The Golden Circle and the Westman Islands
Vatnsholt is centrally located in the region and is a good base if the intention is to explore attractions of the area, such as the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle includes Þingvellir National Park (60 km / 37 mi), Gullfoss Waterfall (75 km / 46 mi) and Geysir geothermal area (70 km 43.5 mi). Furthermore, Þjórsárdalur valley is 74 km (46 mi) away and is a rather unique natural paradise, located by the foothills of the highlands, close to volcano Hekla. Travel 50 km (31 mi) west to find the Icelandic Saga Centre and 98 km (61 mi) to find Skógafoss waterfall. From Landeyjahöfn harbour (79 km / 49 mi), it is possible to board a ferry to the Westman Islands in the morning, and return in the evening.
Hosts: Margrét and Jóhann