Hofdi House
Hofdi House
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
535 reviews
Excellent
113
Very good
220
Average
182
Poor
20
Terrible
0
Mel_CanJamusa
Tallahassee, FL64 contributions
Aug 2019
Although, we weren't able to do a tour inside the house, it was great to visit because I like history. U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev met at this house from October 11-12, 1986 to explore the possibility of limiting each country’s strategic nuclear weapons to create momentum in ongoing arms-control negotiations. The 1986 Reykjavík Summit almost resulted in a sweeping nuclear arms-control agreement in which the nuclear weapons of both sides would be dismantled. Although no agreement was reached, many historians and government officials, including Gorbachev himself, later considered the 1986 Reykjavík summit a turning point in the Cold War.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah D
Denver, CO273 contributions
Aug 2019
One of the first things my dad mentioned when we arrived in Reykjavik was that that's where Reagan met Gorbachev during the Cold War. I hadn't known this, but I'm a bit of a history buff so I was quickly intrigued. We quickly looked up the location of this meeting and knew we had to stop here just to see it. It's pretty much just a house that sits looking over the ocean. It's right on the main street that goes up the coast into Reykjavik so you don't have to go out of your way to see it, it's just a quick stop and there's a parking lot there. In fact, we stopped on our way to the airport, it took about 10 minutes to read the plaques there and look around and then we headed out. If you don't care much about history this probably will be a boring stop, but if you do this is a must-see. It was so neat to see where such an important meeting was held.
Written August 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mridula-A
Somerset, NJ308 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Flanked by Icelandic waterfront on one side and heart of downtown on other this rather nondescript building was the meeting place for the historical summit that put an end to cold war. The lawn and the sculptures both old and new including the Blue German sculpture located on intersection is worth a quick look.
Written January 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wesley C
Tucson, AZ10,285 contributions
Aug 2021
Built in 1909 as the residence of the French consul. Now an elegant location for official state functions. Not open to the public -- supposed to be spectacular inside. In 1986, it was the location for the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wanderlust152015
United Kingdom114 contributions
Mar 2020
Although the house is not open to the public, it was amazing to stand outside it, knowing that such an important event took place there. The information board outside was useful, and there's even a small chunk of the Berlin Wall in the grounds of the house.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ervin A
317 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
This is not just a nice villa of French design on the coast of the ocean and till the busy street, than also house of historical significance.
The most important thing about this house is the meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in October 1986.That event marked the end of the Cold War between the United States and the SSSR.
For a time, this house was also a French consulate, and in time it hosted many heads of state, including Queen of England and Winston Churchill.
The house is open only for special events and some TV shows.
Look at my photos and see how it looks inside.I haven't photographed many parts, but something is better than nothing :)
The most important thing about this house is the meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in October 1986.That event marked the end of the Cold War between the United States and the SSSR.
For a time, this house was also a French consulate, and in time it hosted many heads of state, including Queen of England and Winston Churchill.
The house is open only for special events and some TV shows.
Look at my photos and see how it looks inside.I haven't photographed many parts, but something is better than nothing :)
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boeing747-8I
Freeport, NY153 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
It was wonderful to be able to view this particularly important site for someone who grew up during an amazing time of U.S./Soviet(Russia) relations. Though we were not able to go inside, it was still awesome to view it from the outside. I hope the Icelandic government will spend funds towards the upkeep of this historical landmark - on the outside it is showing signs of deterioration.
Written July 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marty Bielicki
Stuart, FL15,469 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
When I first saw this house that was built in 1909, I was not impressed. When I came back for a second look, the place “enamored” me.
It is actually located off the waterfront as “Seabraut” Road is between the home and the sea. It is about a 20 minute walk from the Harpa Center.
Snow covered the area. The house sits by itself in this bustling city. There is strength, a majestic beauty as you walk around the home. It is actually a symbol, a moment of time, when two nations agreed to have peace with each other.
What I have read, it is only opened during special functions. Two flags are cross-hung with each other inside: the Soviet Union and the United States of America. It was the first step ending what was known as the Cold War. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to what has become known as the Reykjavik Summit back in 1986.
There is apparently a “ghost” that lives in Hofdi. The British consulate sold the house to move elsewhere back in the 1950’s due to the “ghost’s” activities. It was also the French Embassy and a private residence of a poet for a number of years. It is today owned by the Icelandic government today.
Anyone who has appreciation of modern history would be interested in seeing this house.
If you found this review “helpful” in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.
It is actually located off the waterfront as “Seabraut” Road is between the home and the sea. It is about a 20 minute walk from the Harpa Center.
Snow covered the area. The house sits by itself in this bustling city. There is strength, a majestic beauty as you walk around the home. It is actually a symbol, a moment of time, when two nations agreed to have peace with each other.
What I have read, it is only opened during special functions. Two flags are cross-hung with each other inside: the Soviet Union and the United States of America. It was the first step ending what was known as the Cold War. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to what has become known as the Reykjavik Summit back in 1986.
There is apparently a “ghost” that lives in Hofdi. The British consulate sold the house to move elsewhere back in the 1950’s due to the “ghost’s” activities. It was also the French Embassy and a private residence of a poet for a number of years. It is today owned by the Icelandic government today.
Anyone who has appreciation of modern history would be interested in seeing this house.
If you found this review “helpful” in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.
Written February 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff
Parksville, Canada1,664 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This was a really enjoyable visit for us. There’s a ton of history here and the house is located away from the centre of town too so it made for a nice 30 minute walk along the water for us.
Check it out, it is well worth seeing, especially for students of Cold War history.
Check it out, it is well worth seeing, especially for students of Cold War history.
Written October 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paolo b
Arezzo, Italy1,754 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
...and really scared. Cold War was at its best, and here in Italy have ss20 cruises pointed to our house.
This two men, smiling in their coats: you know it history. We hope they would keep in touch... and they did.
This was the place. A nice victorian house, by the sea. We were the only tourist: take a look inside from the rear window, reconize the stairs... the doors.
Moving.
This two men, smiling in their coats: you know it history. We hope they would keep in touch... and they did.
This was the place. A nice victorian house, by the sea. We were the only tourist: take a look inside from the rear window, reconize the stairs... the doors.
Moving.
Written September 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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