This family-run guest house is located in a former farmhouse, 6 km from the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. It offers basic rooms with private or shared bathroom facilities. Relaxation options include a terrace with a hot tub. A farm church is also found at Guesthouse Gamli Bær. Free tea and coffee is available at all times and breakfast is available every morning. The nearest restaurant is a 5-minute walk away. The 9-hole Húsafell Golf Club is a 10-minute walk away. The Surtshellir caves are 14 km away, while Reykholt village is 25 km from Gamli Bær Guesthouse.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.4 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Property highlights

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.4)

Free private parking available on-site


Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
9.9
Facilities
8.9
Cleanliness
9.2
Comfort
9.3
Value for money
9.7
Location
9.4
Free WiFi
9.7
High score for Húsafell
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Guests who stayed here loved

  • Wong
    Malaysia Malaysia
    The owner prepared vege soup n bread for dinner. Good experience of home cooked food for tourist. Breakfast is good.
  • Romana
    Czech Republic Czech Republic
    Such a nice place. Cozy, authentic islandic home and homeowner. He invited all the guests for a dinner, vegetable soup, so we spent a nice evening talking to other travellers. In the morning, he cooked 5 different porridges, waffles, homemade...
  • Maurilio
    Italy Italy
    Great ancient house and great host! He offered us tea and waffle and a fine dinner with a variety of soups. Nice homemade icelandic breakfast, too.
  • A
    Andrew
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    Excellent host, accomadating,friendly service and great breakfasts/evening soups
  • Hermine
    Belgium Belgium
    A typical Islandic house with a typical Icelandic host. Saemi provides a warm welcome and delicious homecooked food. We would love to come back sometime!
  • Patrick
    Belgium Belgium
    Semmi, the owner, was really the best, most generous and kind person during our 15+ day trip through Iceland. He baked fresh waffles with wonderfull cream, served us delicious soup and full breakfast. We enjoyed Evert second in his delightful...
  • A
    Alex
    Germany Germany
    This guesthouse is a wonderful and unique experience! On arrival we were greeted by a lovely young lady and an invitation to some freshly made waffles. We decided to wait for more guests to arrive, so we could share. And thats what we did! The...
  • Claudia
    Germany Germany
    The host was so good, after arriving he served fresh waffles, for dinner fresh cooked soups and the breakfast was really good. We got a lot of information and insights and recommendations for our iceland trip. Also for kids, really really good stay.
  • Tatsiana
    Germany Germany
    The lovely host cooked the vegetable soup for his guests ❤️
  • Frank
    Germany Germany
    We lived in a historic house next to the church. The host is the local artist who produces faces on rocks which you can see everywhere in Husafell. It was a great stay with a delicious breakfast (especially the traditional Havragrautur). And Pall...

Property questions and answers
Browse questions from guests for anything extra you want to know about the property
The property usually replies within a few days

  • is the road to guesthouse accesible by 2wd cars ?

    Yes, the road is accessible for all cars.
    Answered on 22 May 2023
  • Do you have WiFi? If not, is there a way to connect with the internet?

    We have WiFi now
    Answered on 9 June 2021
  • Do you have any breakfast foods that a diabetic could eat? (No sugar or breads) We are looking for a room for tomorrow night (Sept. 12). Thank you.

    I got oatmeal pudding.
    Answered on 12 September 2024
  • is laundry additional charge?

    No, not if the washing machines are not busy. We do not operate the machines during the nights.
    Answered on 15 October 2024

Managed by Sæmundur (Sæmi)

Company review score: 9.9Based on 668 reviews from 1 property
1 managed property

Company information

My name is Sæmi, I am running Gamlibær more or less alone in my spare time, after I am finished with my full-time job (for more than 50 years) as a federal employed electrician. I have a passion for collecting old things, that's how I came across buying this farm house, once upon a time. Ever since I am trying to add more and more items for an authentic and yet comfortable look of the house, which is not so easy in a country like Iceland. My second passion is to meet new people and learn about different cultures and give my insights into the Icelandic way of living. Although this can be a tricky attempt, due to my limited communication skills in secondary languages, for which I am very sorry. But I believe in the power of waffles, tea and coffee, to break the ice.... And a dictionary. But the only really important thing for me is, that you don't feel like a guest in some guesthouse, but like a friend on a stay at a my second home.

Neighbourhood information

Húsafell is the closest stay on your travels to Eriks- and Langjökull. "Into the glacier" tours and numerous glacier adventures have their start close by at the luxurious Hótel Húsafell. There you can also find the only mini market in the village, which is even more pricey than any other food market (we recommend shopping at the nearest in Borgarnes), a golf course and a swimming pool. Besides the hotels restaurant (expensive but tasty), you can dine at Húsafell Bistro, which is more budget friendly, but closes rather early. Other natural wonders - other than the recently melted OK (former glacier) - are the lava tunnels of Súrts- & Stefánshellir and the cave. But you can also find all sorts of small nature gems in close distance to Gamlibær. Blueberry fields, small waterfalls, easy hiking paths, a hot spring (not for bathing) and the local stonemason next door. And don't forget to stop by in Reykholt, at the goat farm and at Hraunfossar on your way to or from Húsafell.

Languages spoken

English,Icelandic

Property surroundings

Restaurants
2 restaurants on site

  • Hotel Húsafell
    • Cuisine
      Local • International
    • Open for
      Lunch • Dinner
    • Ambiance
      Modern
  • Húsafell Bistró
    • Cuisine
      European
    • Open for
      Brunch • High tea

Facilities of Guesthouse Gamli Bær
Great facilities! Review score, 8.9

Most popular facilities
  • 2 restaurants
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
Bathroom
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Hairdryer
Bedroom
  • Linen
  • Wardrobe or closet
View
  • Garden view
  • View
Outdoors
  • Picnic area
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Sun terrace
  • Barbecue
  • BBQ facilities
  • Terrace
  • Garden
Kitchen
  • Shared kitchen
  • Children's high chair
  • Dining table
  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Kitchenware
  • Kitchen
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
Room Amenities
  • Socket near the bed
  • Clothes rack
Activities
  • Hiking
  • Hot tub
  • Golf course (within 3 km)
    Additional charge
Living Area
  • Dining area
Media & Technology
  • DVD player
Food & Drink
  • Restaurant
Internet
WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking
Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).
  • Accessible parking
Services
  • Shared lounge/TV area
  • Private check-in/check-out
  • Express check-in/check-out
  • Laundry
Entertainment and family services
  • Kids' outdoor play equipment
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Board games/puzzles
Safety & security
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access
General
  • Designated smoking area
  • Non-smoking throughout
  • Heating
  • Carpeted
  • Family rooms
  • Non-smoking rooms
Accessibility
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Wellness
  • Hot tub/Jacuzzi
Languages spoken
  • English
  • Icelandic

House rules
Guesthouse Gamli Bær takes special requests - add in the next step!

Check-in
From 16:00 to 20:00
Check-out
Until 11:00
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.
Children and beds

Child policies

Children of any age are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.

Cot and extra bed policies

0 - 3 years
Cot upon request
Free

The number of cots allowed is dependent on the option you choose. Please check your selected option for more information.

There are no extra beds available at this property.

All cots are subject to availability.

Age restriction
The minimum age for check-in is 18
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Accepted payment methods
VisaMastercardCash
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Parties
Parties/events are not allowed
Quiet hours
Guests must be quiet between 22:00 and 08:00.

The fine print
Need-to-know information for guests at this property

If you expect to arrive outside check-in hours, please inform Guesthouse Gamli Bær in advance.

This property will not accommodate hen, stag or similar parties.

Quiet hours are between 22:00:00 and 08:00:00.