HotelChatter

As you’ve no doubt heard, Iceland is weathering an all-out financial collapse (one so severe it makes the rest of us look like whining pansies). That puts the Icelandic kronur at around 126 to the dollar, compared to the much less dollar-friendly rate just six months ago of 78 kronur to the dollar. Unfortunately the Hotel Borg seems to charge euros for its rooms, making the favorable exchange rate all but irrelevant. According to Bruni, weekend rates for a double room in late January start at 195 euros ($263).

Surprisingly, Bruni didn’t mention the hotel’s Silfur restaurant. Considering he is the Times’ restaurant critic, we’d have expected at least a mention of it — called by some among the city’s best restaurants. If you go, check out live music club NASA, which is perched near the hotel on the same grassy square. No promises that like Bruni, you’ll get to hear a cover of Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You, Babe” in Icelandic, though.