Hotel Ranga

Only about 90 minutes from Reykjavik, the hotel's picturesque surroundings include views of the volcano Hekla to the north, a range of mountains and glaciers to the east, and the Vestmannaeyjar Islands to the south.

There are 51 cosy rooms, ranging from simple standard rooms to the suites, designed to represent the seven continents, so prepare yourself for zebra skin wall hangings or Japanese calligraphy depending on which suite you're in. The hotel's restaurant serves fine food combining Mediterranean flavours with a modern Scandinavian touch.

A variety of leisure activities are available nearby, including world-class fishing for salmon, trout and char, riding or trekking through beautiful landscapes, snowmobile excursions, white water rafting and super-jeep tours to see Southern Iceland off the (already barely) beaten track. Finally, one of Iceland's best 18-hole golf courses is a matter of minutes away from the hotel, although keeping the ball straight in the Icelandic weather conditions is a good challenge for your game.