Reviews of The Old School House - Gaulverjaskoli
Gaulverjaskóli, 801 Selfoss, Iceland

Loading
Guests also reviewed these properties:
Bormio, Italy
Prague, Czech Republic
San Gil, Colombia
Rome, Italy
Kössen, Austria
Madrid, Spain
Haapsalu, Estonia
Albury, Australia
How guest reviews work
Each review score is between 1-10. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores we’ve received and divide that total by the number of review scores we’ve received. We use a weighted review system which means that the more recent the review, the bigger the impact on the total review score calculation. In addition, guests can give separate ‘subscores’ in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so there’s no direct link between them.
You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didn’t actually stay there. To edit a review you’ve already submitted, please contact our Customer Service team.
We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible.
Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate.
Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. However, we won’t display any review that includes or refers to (among other things):
- Politically sensitive comments
- Promotional content
- Illegal activities
- Personal or sensitive information (e.g. emails, phone numbers or credit card info)
- Swear words, sexual references, hate speech, discriminatory remarks, threats, or references to violence
- Spam and fake content
- Animal cruelty
- Impersonation (e.g. if the writer is claiming to be someone else)
- Any violation of our review guidelines.
To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once they’re 36 months old – or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership.
An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review.
When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether it’s just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.).
We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. We make it clear when we’ve done this.
Guidelines and standards for Reviews
These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment.
Contributions should be travel related. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. Please don’t include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.com’s services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams.
Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include 'hate speech', discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, and the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted.
All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. Your contribution should be yours. Booking.com property partners should not post on behalf of guests or offer incentives in exchange for reviews. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated.
Respect the privacy of others. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details.
The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses.
By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Additional sorting options may be available (by type of traveller, by score, etc.).
Translations disclaimer
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

Reviewed: 16 October 2025 · Stayed in October 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 14 October 2025 · Stayed in October 2025
Verified reviewRoom was comfortable and spacious. Area to make breakfast was open and had good amenities. Inner garden area was lovely. Host was pleasant upon our arrival and showed us around, with another couple. The only place we stayed where the outlets were vertical, not horizontal. Very much out in the country and quiet. Car was frosted over in the morning! Tiles in bathroom were warm from radiator, which was lovely!
While the property was easy to find from Selfoss, it’s a bit off the beaten path. We were unsure which route to take to get back up to the Ring Road the next morning and chose wrong…we should have taken 33 back up but took 308, which was a gravel road for kilometer after kilometer. Wish we had been able to chat with the host prior to leaving about which road to take! The shower was a bit of a learning curve for us and we ended up with water on the floor despite our best intentions!
Reviewed: 13 October 2025 · Stayed in October 2025
Verified reviewAccess to a full working kitchen was great. The owners were very welcoming and offered dinner recommendations. The room was comfortable and quiet.
Reviewed: 2 October 2025 · Stayed in October 2025
Verified reviewThe host, Greg, met us when we arrived and gave us a tour and history of the location. Room was great, comfortable and clean. Newly renovated last year. Would highly recommend
Nothing, everything was great
Reviewed: 15 September 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 2 September 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewBoth hosts were very welcoming. Each of them gave us such great recommendations on what to do in the area. It was such a great stay.
Reviewed: 31 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe owners have created a home with a lovely, warm, welcoming vibe - it feels like you're an honored guest at a special hidden villa. The rooms are small, but scrupulously clean and cleverly laid out so there's plenty of room to relax. Beds are very cozy and comfortable, and the views across the field in the morning is stunning. By far the most magical place is the garden "room" - really a huge greenhouse linking the main house to the kitchen. It's just gorgeous, with flowers and vines and greenery everywhere you look, little twinkly lights, and sitting areas for eating, gathering with a big group, or just curling up with a book.
(really this was my own fault for being unprepared) There is a large communal kitchen which is currently meant for self-catering, ie, bring and prepare your own food. I didn't realize this until it was too late (in Selfoss, a traditional small town, things close on the early side) so we had morning tea and went to a bakery in town for breakfast (GK Bakeri, btw, was great). Next time I'll take better advantage of the kitchen and really enjoy the morning light and plants and farm life in the distance...
Reviewed: 31 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewBeautiful greenhouse area for lounging around
Nothing!
Reviewed: 27 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe property is really beautiful - the decor is tasteful,warm and friendly. It has a hot tub and a cold plunge and a huge kitchen. There is a garden/conservatory linking the kitchen to the house which is simply wonderful filled with amazing plants with lots of seating. It is nothing like anywhere else we have stayed and stands out from the rest of the accommodation available in Iceland.
Nothing it was all great
Reviewed: 24 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewSuch a lovely, cozy place with welcoming hosts.
Reviewed: 24 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified review.
I’m sorry to say that my experience at this property was disappointing. The atmosphere felt restrictive rather than welcoming, and I did not feel the stay was worth the money. The room itself felt claustrophobic—almost like being in a prison. The mattress was extremely uncomfortable, and the bed made loud noises every time I moved. Bathrooms lacked any space for toiletries or cosmetics, and the rooms were poorly refurbished. We were asked to take off our shoes as soon as we entered, which felt inappropriate for paying guests in a guest house. Every door was labelled with reminders to close them quietly. While I understand the intention behind these policies, they collectively made us feel quite unwelcome and uncomfortable. My parents even felt they had to whisper during their stay. When we left, we all felt relieved to get back to the car and drive away. I genuinely dislike leaving negative reviews, but in this case, I feel it’s necessary for the benefit of future guests and for the host to be aware of these issues
Dear Daniel, When we first read your review, we were half-convinced you had stayed somewhere else entirely! We’re truly sorry that your experience wasn’t what you’d hoped for, as our aim is always to offer a warm and authentic stay — though we must admit, the comparison to a prison gave us quite the chuckle. Our request to remove shoes or hiking boots indoors is simply an Icelandic custom — and a very practical one for keeping mud, snow, and volcanic ash out of the house :) The two small door signs are not rules to monitor anyone, but gentle reminders to help keep things peaceful in a shared space. We did notice your parents were very quiet, and assumed it was simply due to language barriers or shyness — we respect that each guest brings their own vibe. As for the rooms, they are intentionally simple — more “Scandi/English cottage charm” than modern hotel style. While this may not be to everyone’s taste, many of our guests tell us they find it cozy and authentic. We’ll certainly take on board your comments about the mattress and bathroom storage — those are practical points we can improve on. Every guest arrives with different expectations, and it’s clear that our guesthouse wasn’t the right match for you. Still, we sincerely wish you happier travels ahead.
Dear Daniel, When we first read your review, we were half-convinced you had stayed somewhere else entirely! We’re truly sorry that your experience wasn’t what you’d hoped for, as our aim is always to offer a warm and authentic stay — though… Show more
Reviewed: 19 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe rooms are cozy, well maintained and equipped. Beds are superb. The kitchen and sitting area offer room for homely interaction with other guests. No dinner or breakfast but this is known beforehand. A very relaxed place to start your golden circle adventure! Take some supplies with you. There are fridges at the hotel and a supermarket 15 minutes away.
Nothing
Reviewed: 17 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe staff was incredibly friendly, the garden was breathtaking, and the kitchen was very clean and spacious.
Reviewed: 15 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 12 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 27 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewA beautifully charming remodeled old building with perfectly decorated rooms at a peaceful location. The owners are very welcoming and helpful. We also appreciated the kitchen we could use despite a late arrival .
Thank you Joerg - glad you liked it - we enjoyed having you stay here! 😊
Reviewed: 25 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewVery well appointed . Roomy. Owners personable and helpful.Good, typically Icelandic building.Reasonable distance from Keflavik airport.
No issues.
Thank you John - we are glad you liked it here! 😊
Reviewed: 24 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewAn amazing bed and breakfast self breakfast not a host breakfast.
The cleanliness her plans it was just amazing
Thank you Cynthia!! We enjoyed your stay with us!! 😊
Reviewed: 23 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewRemodeled comfortable and unique included patio space.
Nothing
Thank you Rebecca!! We are so happy you enjoyed your stay here 😊
Reviewed: 18 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThe house is so unique and beautifully designed. I felt at home and relaxed. The garden and kitchen are the main attractions. I love having the huge kitchen space and dining area to use. It was very surreal siting in the garden with the midnight light and contemplated on life. The hosts are very welcoming and helpful.
If there is an improvement, the mattress is very soft and the bed makes lots of noise with the slightest move. Other than that, everything is perfect.
Thank you for choosing to stay with us - so glad you enjoyed it!! 😊 We appreciate the feedback ! We are so lost with people and mattresses - sometimes one person says too soft and few weeks later someone else says too hard 😆🤷♀️ but 99.9% people don't mention it at all ... so we just go with that.
Thank you for choosing to stay with us - so glad you enjoyed it!! 😊 We appreciate the feedback ! We are so lost with people and mattresses - sometimes one person says too soft and few weeks later someone else says too hard 😆🤷♀️ but 99.… Show more
Reviewed: 16 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewWe had such a wonderful stay at the Old School House. Honestly, part of me wants to gatekeep this place – but of course I won’t. As a half-Icelandic person, this has definitely become one of my new favorite spots to stay in the countryside. We loved the garden, which was open for everyone to use. We actually ended up staying in for both dinner and breakfast, even though we had plans to go out and eat at restaurants. But the garden was just too cozy – we couldn’t resist. We also really enjoyed the hot tub and had an amazing evening watching the sunset. The kitchen and bedrooms were super clean and comfortable. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone traveling to Iceland. Magnea and Greg were so lovely and welcoming. You can really feel that they care and want you to have the best stay possible. 10/10, would recommend!:))
The Wifi was a bit slow at times, but nothing major.
It was a pleasure having you stay with us - thank you so much !! 😊
Reviewed: 12 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewMany thanks for choosing to stay here - so happy you enjoyed it!! 😊
Reviewed: 9 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewLovely owners and absolutely charming little hotel/hostel with much attention to detail and a personal touch to everything. Our kids loved the hot and cold tub. The Old School House features a stunning greenhouse sitting area, perfect for relaxing, reading and chatting (under a heating lamp when it gets too cool). Beds were very comfy. Good distance from sweet little town of Selfoss and good location for exploring the Golden Triangle on your way back to Reykjavik if that's were you are heading.
Shampoo in the bathrooms would be nice
Thank you so much for staying and for your kind words! 😊
Reviewed: 8 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThe place was clearly very thoughtfully designed, decorated, and well cared for. The plants in the greenhouse porch area were amazing!! That whole space was so calming and beautiful. The kitchen was very spacious and impeccably cleaned. Hosts were very friendly and kind. We didn’t get a chance to try the hot tub and cold plunge but I was happy they were there.
Thank you for your kind words - it was a pleasure having you stay here.
Reviewed: 6 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewVery good location for doing the golden circle route. The property is well maintained and nicely decorated. The owners stay at the property. They were very welcoming and helped us settle down. Our room had one queen bed and two built in bunk beds for the kids. The kids loved their bunk beds. They have a nice glass house, hot tub and a big kitchen to accommodate the guests. Overall a fantastic stay.
No complaints.
Thank you for your kind words - it was a pleasure having you stay here.