FIVE PLACES TO STAY WITH KIDS

Kex Hostel, Reykjavik

The words “biscuit factory” should do it for the kids. This insanely brilliant downtown Reykjavik hostel (more a boutique hotel, really) is housed in the former Fron milk biscuit HQ and comes with family rooms with made-up bunks. The real treats are the cracking restaurant, guest kitchens and design – vintage bric-a-brac with industrial steampunk. Family room from £139, room only; kexhostel.is

Torfhus Retreat, Selfoss

Your base for an adventure on the Golden Circle is this collection of stone and wooden houses – the sell is that they are turf-topped and inspired by the Viking farm remains at nearby Stong. Location-wise, it’s hard to beat (15 minutes either way to both Geysir and Gullfoss), and joyous activities abound: book a super jeep tour into the highlands or pony ride on one of Torfhus’s shaggyhaired family members. The chalet-like houses fit four across two bedrooms and come with a kitchen and a basalt stone hot pool. Family room from £809, B&B, two-night minimum stay; torfhus.is

Fjorukrain Viking Village, Hafnafjorour

Almost everyone in Iceland has Viking blood (two-thirds are of Norse descent), so this themed hotel with medieval banquet hall and the sort of fixtures and fittings you might find in Valhalla fits the mood. It’s kitsch, yes, but geared for families with all the shields, swords and sentiment little warriors could ever want. The Viking houses are creaky wooden affairs with box bunk beds. Viking cottage from £239, room only; fjorukrain.is

Hotel Aldan, Seydisfjordur

At the intersection of all village life, this three-star hotel is spread across several beautifully restored wooden houses: the mere idea of picking between the old schoolhouse, the bank, or the post office should be enough for it to catch on with your kids. Also utterly brilliant is the first-floor restaurant of the main building: Noro Austur, a superb sushi restaurant with an Icelandic twist. Family room from £139, room only; hotelaldan.is

Fossatun Camping Pods, Fossatun

What was once a peaceful roadside stop is now a centre of troll folklore thanks to owner and local musician Steinar Berg who has gone on to write bestselling troll novels and create a half-mad troll garden full of games around a hotel, campsite and glamping pods (left) on the road to the Westfjords. Also here is the Rock ’n’ Troll Coffee Shop, with more than 8,000 records and CDs – ask nicely and Steinar will spin your family’s favourite. Campsite pitches from £30, glamping pods from £68, room only; fossatun.is