Stay in Iceland’s Converted Water Tower
A converted water tower has become one of Iceland’s most unique rental homes.
The Tower is located on the outskirts of the small town of Grindavik. It’s on the southern coast of the Rekjanes Penninsula, which is a short drive from Reykjavik.
The water tower itself was built in the 1960s, and only recently turned into a three-story home.
After construction in 2017, the owners lived in the Tower themselves, before turning it into a rental home for visitors.
It features 1100 square feat of living space, beginning with a bedroom and bathroom on the bottom level, along with a large deck leading to the backyard.
The second floor houses the main bedroom, along with another bathroom.
It’s spacious enough for a sitting area, next to floor-to-ceiling windows in the corner.
I love the mix of warm wood tones on the floors, and industrial concrete on the walls and ceilings.
The top floor is the most spectacular, featuring a wide-open, loft-type space. It includes a full kitchen, dining area, and living room setup.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and doors line the south side of the top floor, with sweeping views of the coastline and Atlantic Ocean.
Other windows open to mountains to the north, and surrounding farms and lava fields on the east and west.
An outdoor deck wraps around half of the top floor, providing unobstructed views when the wind isn’t howling!
Speaking of the wind, it was severe during part of our stay, but we didn’t feel a single drafty spot and the Tower warmed nicely.
The area is full of natural and geological wonders, making the Tower a great place to base yourself.
Brimketill is a spot on the jagged coastline, featuring huge waves crashing against jet-black rocks.
An area known as Gunnhuverr is nearby, but looks like it’s worlds away. The soil is a reddish-orange, and you’ll see huge steam vents and boiling mud pits.
Other nearby attractions include lighthouses and a spot known as “Bridge Between Continents.” A footbridge was built over a fissure, to symbolize a connection between Europe and North America.
You’re also minutes away from the famous Blue Lagoon, which is possibly Iceland’s most popular attraction.
It’s man-made, and uses water runoff from an adjacent power plant to create a unique bathing experience.
A series of “before-and-after” construction photos on the Tower’s website shows the process of converting the structure into a home.
A night’s stay will set you back more than $500. But it’s large enough to split with another couple, and still have plenty of space without feeling cramped.
I still remember walking up to the third floor, being blown away by the efficient design, attention to detail, and brilliant, modern use of this old towering building!
Check out another cool rental we’ve stayed in: a farm silo converted to a two-story home in Montana!
