Our Story

Hotel Breiðdalsvík in East Iceland is the heart of a regional tourism vision launched by local resident and entrepreneur Friðrik Árnason. Originally from Njarðvík in southwest Iceland, Friðrik first fell in love with the tiny town of Breiðdalsvík when he moved his family there to renovate and re-open the historic hotel.

With over twenty years of experience in Iceland’s travel industry, he saw the potential of Breiðdalsvík as a stand-alone destination for visitors seeking off-the-beaten-path travel in unspoiled nature. Today the Breiðdalsvík family of brands includes the 37-room Hotel Breiðdalsvík, Hotel Post, Bjálki Cabin Lodge, Bláfell Restaurant, Beljandi Brewery, Kaupfjelagið General Store, Frystihúsið event venue and Travel East Iceland tour operator.

Friðrik splits his time between Reykjavík and Breiðdalsvík, continually working to enhance the guest experience and to support the community’s long-term development through a sustainable, year-round tourism strategy.