Our Hotels
Keahotels is one of the largest hotel chains in Iceland operating ten hotels. Together the hotels provide over 800 rooms and service travelers, local and foreign, all year round.
Reykjavík — Capital
Vík — South Iceland
Akureyri — North Iceland
Siglufjörður — North Iceland
Grímsnes — South Iceland
The Icelandic yule lads
In Iceland, the holiday season is made magical by the Yule Lads, 13 mischievous brothers who visit children one by one in the 13 days before Christmas. Each night, kids place a shoe on their windowsill, hoping to find a treat if they’ve been good—or perhaps a potato if they’ve been a bit naughty. Here below you can read about each of the Icelandic yule lads and their quirks.
Stekkjastaur & Giljagaur
Stekkjastaur, known as "Sheep-Cote Clod" arrives on December 12th. Known for his peculiar interest in sheep, he’s often found attempting to steal milk from ewes, though he struggles due to his stiff legs. His name refers to his habit of pestering sheep and sneaking into barns, though he rarely succeeds due to his clumsy, stiff-legged gait.
Giljagaur, known as "Gully Gawk" arrives on December 13th. He is known for lurking in mountain gullies and hiding in barns, hoping to steal milk from unsuspecting cows. He’s sneaky and quiet, blending into the shadows, but his shy demeanor often leaves him unsuccessful. He’s fascinated by milk and dairy, often getting himself stuck in tight spaces in his attempts to find it.
Stúfur & Þvörusleikir
Stúfur, also known as the "Stubby" arrives on December 14th. He is the shortest yule lad and lives up to his name with his small stature. His specialty is scraping leftover food from pots and pans. Children might find their cookware suspiciously cleaner than expected after he visits. Though tiny, he’s known for his remarkable ability to reach hidden or forgotten pots with ease.
Þvörusleikir, known as "Spoon-Licker" arrives on December 15th, he has an unusual obsession with licking wooden spoons, especially those used for stirring food. He sneaks around, hoping to find spoons left out, leaving them suspiciously clean. His unique habit makes him one of the more peculiar characters of the Yule Lads.
Pottaskefill & Askasleikir
Pottaskefill, also known as the "Pot-Scraper" arrives on December 16th. He has an insatiable appetite for scraping leftover food from pots. He’s often found waiting near kitchens, hoping someone will leave a pot unattended. Known for his messy approach, he sometimes leaves behind traces of his midnight snack, but he’s always thrilled by any remaining scraps.
Askasleikir, also known as the "Bowl-licker" arrives on December 17th. He hides under beds, eagerly awaiting the chance to snatch up "askur" (traditional Icelandic bowls). Whenever he finds one, he licks it clean, leaving no morsel behind. Known for his patience, he’s often missed by children who might wonder where their food has mysteriously disappeared to.
Hurðaskellir & Skyrgámur
Hurðaskellir, also known as the "Door-slammer" arrives on December 18th. He is notorious for his loud and disruptive habit—slamming doors, especially at night. He delights in startling people, especially when they’re asleep, causing a ruckus wherever he goes. Known for his mischievous smile, Hurðaskellir’s favorite thing is to slam a door just when silence falls.
Skyrgámur, also known as the "Skyr-Gobbler" arrives on December 19th. He is famous for his love of skyr, a thick Icelandic dairy product similar to yogurt. With an insatiable appetite, he devours every skyr container he can find. His cravings are so strong that he’ll go to great lengths to sneak into kitchens or cellars to satisfy his desire for this Icelandic delicacy.
Bjúgnakrækir & Gluggagægir
Bjúgnakrækir, also known as the "Sausage-Swiper" arrives on December 20th. He has a particular fondness for sausages. Known for his skill in swiping them from pantries or kitchens, he’ll often hang from rafters to avoid detection. His stealthy approach and sausage obsession make him one of the sneakiest of the Yule Lads.
Gluggagægir, also known as the "Window-peeper" arrives on December 21st. He is a true voyeur, known for peering through windows. Though he rarely takes anything, his habit of spying on people is unsettling. He’s a curious Lad, always on the lookout for something interesting, and enjoys catching glimpses of what others are doing from the outside.
Gáttaþefur & Ketkrókur
Gáttaþefur, also known as the "Doorway-Sniffer" arrives on December 22nd. He has an extraordinarily keen sense of smell, which he uses to sniff out delicious foods, particularly laufabrauð (traditional Icelandic leaf bread). His large nose helps him detect scents from far away, and he follows his nose from house to house, hoping for a taste.
Ketkrókur, also known as the "Meat-Hook," arrives on December 23rd. With his trusty hook, Ketkrókur is trying to snatch meat, especially smoked lamb. He uses his hook to reach high places or slide through open windows. His clever tactics and love of meat make him a particularly cunning Yule Lad, though he’s often caught by his distinctive hook.
Kertasníkir
Kertasníkir, also known as the "Candle-Stealer," is the last of the 13 Yule Lads to visit children in Iceland, arriving on Christmas Eve, December 24.He has a particular fondness for candles, which were traditionally made from tallow, making them both a source of light and a tasty treat. In the past, candles were a precious commodity, so his theft was a significant mischief.
