Butler & Hospitality Professional · Reykjavík, Iceland
Erlingur
Gunnarsson
Certified butler, hospitality leader, and service educator — delivering exceptional, bespoke experiences across Iceland and internationally.
View my workAbout
Precision, discretion
and dedication
A professional butler and hospitality leader who brings together old-world service craft, operational discipline, and a genuine instinct for making people feel looked after — before they even know they need it.
With over 10 years of experience spanning private household service, luxury hotel operations, banquet management, and expedition hospitality, I work at the intersection of personal service and professional management.
Every engagement begins long before arrival — with detailed guest profiling, personalised preparation, and a commitment to anticipating needs rather than reacting to them. Whether coordinating a team of 20 for a synchronized wedding service at 200 covers, or managing a bespoke breakfast ritual for a private family of five, the standard of care remains the same.
A graduate of The International Butler Academy — where I ranked top of my cohort — and holder of a Master Craftmanship Diploma and Presidential Medal for wine knowledge, I combine formal training with the kind of practical judgment that only comes with experience.
Elected to represent Iceland's service professionals at a national level — advocating for craft, education, and the recognition of hospitality as a skilled profession.
Journeyman Awards Ceremony 2026 — President's address
Outside work
Golf
Competing regularly on the course.
Salmon fishing
Fly fishing Iceland's rivers.
CrossFit & outdoors
CrossFit, swimming and the Icelandic outdoors.
What I offer
Services & specialisms
Each engagement is different. Below are the core areas where I operate — delivered with full discretion, preparation, and the quiet professionalism that defines exceptional private service.
Private Household Butler
Full-service private butler for villa, estate, or residential stays. Guest profiling before arrival, handwritten welcome rituals, bespoke room preparation, luggage service, and ghost-style in-house presence throughout the stay.
Formal Dining & Table Service
Silver service, French service, Russian service, and synchronized plating for private dinners and high-protocol events. Bespoke menu planning, wine pairing, and napkin artistry to a standard befitting any principal.
Bespoke Breakfast & Meal Service
Timed, personalised morning service tailored to each guest's dietary preferences, wake times, and rituals — from precision-timed porridge and fresh juice routines to full plated breakfasts with handcrafted table settings.
Event & Banquet Coordination
Leading service teams of 10–40 for events from intimate private dinners to 1,000-cover banquets. Choreographed synchronized service, pre-event briefings, and seamless execution across all phases of the event.
Hospitality Training & Instruction
Designing and delivering butler and service training programmes for hospitality teams. SOP development, on-the-floor instruction, and the kind of coaching that elevates an entire team's standard — not just individual performance.
Expedition & Travel Hospitality
Private butler and service lead for expedition travel — aboard vessels or in remote settings. Coordinating itineraries, excursions, and onboard hospitality for principals requiring complete discretion and seamless logistical support.
Selected Work
Projects & engagements
01
Luxury Hotel · Ongoing
The Retreat Hotel — Blue Lagoon Iceland
Leading hospitality project development at one of Iceland's most prestigious luxury properties. Responsibilities include process improvement, service elevation, staff recruitment, training, and acting as Hospitality Instructor for new employees.
Project ManagementButler ServiceTraining
02
Private Service · Iceland
Private Household Butler — Icelandic Villa
Full-service private butler engagement for high-profile international guests. Guest profiling, bespoke arrival preparation, personalised dining service, staff coordination, and complete household management across multi-day stays.
Private ButlerEstate ManagementGuest Experience
03
Private Expedition · International
Discovery True North — Expedition Service Lead
Delivering discreet, personalised service for private families and principals aboard luxury expedition vessels. Coordinating daily schedules, excursions, and onboard hospitality in remote settings with strict confidentiality protocols.
Expedition ServiceVIP PrincipalsConfidentiality
04
Formal Dining · Netherlands
The International Butler Academy — Fine Dining Events
Formal silver service and tableside butler duties at high-protocol private dinners. Graduated top of cohort with a Merit diploma and Presidential Medal for outstanding performance in wine knowledge.
Silver ServiceFine DiningWine Service
05
Banquet Management · Reykjavík
Hilton Nordica — Banquet Manager
Overseeing all aspects of banquet operations for events from 10 to 1,000 guests. Leading and coordinating teams of 10–40 service professionals in close collaboration with event management.
BanquetingTeam LeadershipEvents 1000+
06
Premium Lifestyle · International
Inlux — Private Host & VIP Lifestyle Services
Delivering premium lifestyle and hospitality services to VIP clientele. Supporting private travel, residential service, and bespoke experiences for high-net-worth individuals and their families.
VIP LifestylePrivate TravelResidential Service
Curriculum Vitae
Experience & expertise
Download CV— Present
President
Waiter Association of Iceland — Þjónarafélag Íslands
Elected President of the Waiter Association of Iceland. Representing the profession at a national level, advocating for service standards, education, and the recognition of hospitality craftsmanship across Iceland.
— Present
Owner & Operational Manager
Viking World — Víkingaheimar
Acquired and operate a Viking heritage museum. Managing 12+ tour operator and DMC accounts — annual rate cards, contracts, invoicing, and revenue reporting. Leading the museum's repositioning into an immersive visitor attraction with rebuilt digital and booking platform. Built new revenue streams: private events, hall rental, and group dining with contracted F&B partners.
— 2026
Hospitality Project Manager
The Retreat Hotel — Blue Lagoon Iceland
Identifying and developing process improvement opportunities to enhance operational efficiency. Improving overall service levels, overseeing recruitment and training, and serving as Hospitality Instructor for new employees.
— Present
Private Butler
Hliðin Countryhouse ehf.
Delivering discreet, personalised service for private families and principals. Coordinating daily schedules, excursions, and hospitality services with strict confidentiality and security protocols.
— Present
Private Butler & Service Lead
Discovery True North
Delivering discreet, personalised service for private families and principals on luxury expedition engagements. Coordinating schedules, excursions, and onboard hospitality with strict confidentiality protocols.
— Present
Private Host
Inlux
Delivering premium lifestyle and hospitality services to VIP clients. Supporting private travel arrangements and residential service requirements.
— Feb 2024
Senior Host
The Retreat Hotel — Blue Lagoon Iceland
Managing smooth daily operations, ensuring maximised guest experience and satisfaction, resolving issues efficiently, and leading diverse teams to maintain exceptional service standards.
— Jun 2022
Banquet Manager
Reykjavík Hilton Nordica
Overseeing all aspects of banquet operations. Leading teams of 10–40 service staff for events accommodating 10–1,000 guests.
— Nov 2021
General Manager
Berjaya Hotels — Hótel Hérað
Full operational oversight including HR, finance, marketing, and departmental performance management using H3, MTP, and Adaco systems.
— Jun 2021
Host & Butler
The Retreat Hotel — Blue Lagoon Iceland
Butler for the Presidential Blue Lagoon Suite. Full guest profiling, arrival preparation, welcome rituals, facility orientation, and seamless check-in and checkout procedures.
Get in touch
Let's discuss
your project
Available for private household placements, luxury hospitality consultancy, project management engagements, expedition service, and bespoke event delivery. Based in Iceland — open to international opportunities.
Phone
+354 893 8383Location
Reykjavík, Iceland
