The Nest Guesthouse

The Nest A House Full of Stories

The Nest is a small, family-run guesthouse located in the peaceful village of Raufarhöfn in Northeast Iceland. It is not simply a place to stay ? it is an old house filled with stories, memories and a strong connection to the history of the village.

The house is one of Iceland?s distinctive ?Sigvaldi houses?, designed by the Icelandic architect Sigvaldi Thordarson. It was built in two stages: the first two floors were completed in 1943, and the third floor was added in 1945.

During its early years, the building was home to several local families. Children grew up here, everyday life filled the rooms and the house became part of the close-knit community of Raufarhöfn.

Over the years, the building took on many different roles. It housed offices for several companies and organisations, including RARIK and SRS, and for a time the local telephone exchange was also located here.

For Angela, the history of the house is especially personal. Her grandmother worked here as a telephone operator during the days when every call had to be connected by hand. Knowing that her grandmother once worked within these walls makes caring for the house today feel like preserving a small part of her own family history.

As the years passed, the building continued to change along with the village. It has witnessed busy working days, family life, the prosperous herring years and quieter times. The voices, footsteps and stories of generations have all left their mark.

Today, this historic building has been given a new purpose as The Nest Guesthouse. Although the house may appear weathered from the outside after decades of Icelandic wind and sea air, behind its doors guests will find a warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere.

We have been the owners of The Nest for the past two years and are slowly bringing new life to the building while respecting its history and character. There is always something to repair, improve or restore, but this is much more than a business to us. It is a project of love, preservation and hope for the future.

The Nest offers single, double and triple rooms, as well as a studio apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen. Most rooms have access to shared bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and comfortable common areas. Guests also have access to free Wi-Fi and free parking.

Please keep in mind that The Nest is a guesthouse rather than a hotel. We are a small family-run business and do not offer the same range of services as a larger hotel. What we do offer is personal hospitality, a cosy atmosphere and the opportunity to stay in a house that has been part of life in Raufarhöfn for more than eighty years.

When you stay at The Nest, you are not simply staying in a room. You are becoming a small part of the continuing story of this remarkable old house.