Annabelle Hood checked into the Icelandic capital's cool-as-ice hotel slap bang in the city centre

LOCATION LOCATION

If you want to feel at the heart of the action, the superior four-star Radisson SAS 1919 is ideally located in downtown Reykjavik. The city centre, with its villagey ambience and charm, is not vast, so it's nice to be able to stroll straight out of your hotel in to a vibrant melee of boutiques, restaurants, bars and the city's extensive cultural offering, without having to catch a cab. Conveniently, the attractive white hotel has two entrances - facing the old harbour on one side, and the other, towards the Parliament building, old town square and famous shopping street, Laugavegur, which is festooned with bars and chic boutiques. The historic 1919 building was once the offices of Eimskipafelag Islands, the first shipping line in Iceland. This characterful hotel has sensitively kept the shipping theme alive with photos and nautically named meeting rooms.

ROOMS & SUITES

The handsome 1919 hotel has just 88 rooms (30 standard; 39 deluxe, 17 junior suites, plus two luxury suites) giving it an intimate boutique feel that contrasts with its huge-scale sister hotel, the Radisson SAS SAGA, which is better suited to huge corporate groups and only a short drive away.

EAT

Gullfoss restaurant (formerly called Salt) is the 1919's popular signature restaurant, headed by French Chef Nicolas Vergnaud. He produces mouthwateringly tasty and stunningly presented dishes - style which fits in snugly with the restaurant's stunning candle-lit L-shaped decor. Scandinavians really know about tasteful and original interior design, and this place is no exception. Gullfoss comes into its own at weekends, so be sure to reserve well in advance for larger groups. Its trendy reputation should come as no surprise, since Gullfoss is owned by the founder of the achingly hip Apotek restaurant- night club just up the road.

The adjoining Gullfoss Lounge boasts a modern - place and vast screens projecting contemporary Orb-style video art, a state-of-the-art wine-conservation fridge built into the wall, and an open-plan kitchen-hatch through which you can watch your meal being rustled up. The bar is fantastic for people-watching, sipping cocktails and soaking up the place's vibrant vibe.

WORK & MEETINGS

The hotel's business desk offers a computer for guests use, with free Internet, and you can even print documents if you don't have a laptop. A third meeting room is due to be added, which can accommodate groups of up to 30 people. The existing two rooms cater for 6 and 20 delegates.

REST & RELAX

The hi-tech and well-equipped 'bijoux' gym is whereto go for the burn. And both the hotel's 'luxury' suites boast their own Jacuzzi... These suites were booked when we visited the hotel, but we were reliably assured they are the perfect retreat when on business in Reykjavik.