Heritage Hotel Madrid

Europe's capital cities are crammed with luxury hotels these days, but if you want to steer clear of the big name chains, then this is a good place to start! We've scoured the streets of Paris, London, Rome, Madrid and many others to select a comprehensive list of the best hotels in Europe's top cities. As well as elegant Grand dames, you'll find gorgeous boutique hotels, and cosy B&Bs which not only offer a personalised touch, but also won't break the bank. Browse our list and start planning your grand tour!

European Capital Cities — Our 20 Best Hotels

The Gore Hotel, Starhotels Collezione

London (Kensington)

A quintessentially British townhouse that prides itself on spectacular service with laid back vibes. Classic-styled rooms house period pictures, antiques & comfortable beds. Restaurant 190 Queen's Gate offers contemporary classic dishes and Bar 190 superb G&Ts! Spot on location for city exploring

  • Restaurant - Restaurant 190 Queen's Gate is overseen by Michelin starred chef Daniel Galmiche.
  • Sights nearby - Great location for the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park.
  • Romantic
  • Full of character
from $241 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Dylan Hotel

Amsterdam (Grachtengordel-Canal Ring)

One of Amsterdam's coolest canal-side hotels. The contemporary interior design complements a classical exterior. The individually designed suites exude character and luxury. Don't miss the Michelin-starred restaurant or sophisticated lounge bar—a vibrant city escape.

  • City Style - A wonderfully balanced design hotel with the perfect mix of style and practicality, ideally set within the grachtengordel
  • Foodies - Michelin starred Vinkeles restaurant serves impeccable cuisine and the lounge bar is one of the hottest spots in the city
  • Close to nightlife - Located on one of the city's most beautiful canals, packed with chic cafes, hip bars and trendy restaurants
  • Great walks - Soak up the atmosphere of Amsterdam by walking through the different districts
from $473 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Hotel de Rome

Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt)

One of Rocco Forte's finest hotels. Architectural splendour and grand interiors that ooze contemporary elegance. Sleek rooms and suites in blues, reds and beiges. Fantastic roof top terrace bar/lounge with unrivalled views of Berlin, great spa. An ultra-stylish spot for any city visitor.

  • Sights nearby - Explore the city by hopping on the metro at U Hausvogteiplatz
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor Pool
  • Four poster beds
  • Full of character
from $542 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Hotel Bourg Tibourg

Paris (Le Marais)

A handsome Parisian townhouse turned sultry Moorish palace. The heavily adorned, compact boudoirs boast rich fabrics & innumerable tassels whilst Junior Suites offer a more sleek contemporary vibe. Communal areas are full of character too, plus there's a welcome courtyard garden. A hidden gem.

  • Romantic Break - An opulent and sultry love nest, think miles of red velvet, subdued lighting and Byzantine alcoves with mosaic-tile tubs.
  • City Style - With Jacques Garcia behind the design of Hotel Bourg Tibourg you are guaranteed a seriously stylish stay!
  • Sights nearby - Marais is brimming with galleries, historic sights and museums, the most notable, Notre Dame, is just down the road.
  • Lively area - In the heart of the Marais.
from $263 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Pestana Palace

Lisbon

An opulent extravaganza of stained glass, parquet floors, stucco work and painted rococo ceilings in this 19th Century Palace. Rooms ooze classical elegance and romance with views of the Tagus River from private balconies. Enjoy the fantastic fine dining cuisine, sleek bar, pool and spa.

  • Total relaxation - Indulge in a truly regal stay- lavish suites filled with fine antiques and rich fabrics, lush gardens and wonderful food.
  • Sights nearby - The fascinating Hieronymites Monastery is just two minutes down the road, trace the history of the Order of Saint Jerome.
  • Great walks - The sprawling sub tropical gardens are well worth exploring, they have even been declared a National Monument.
  • Swimming Pool - Two lovely pools.
from $209 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Berkeley

London (Knightsbridge)

Stunning Grand Dame with impeccable service opposite Hyde Park, offering beautiful rooms and suites, some with terraces and many with great views, a rooftop pool, iconic bar, pampering spa and gourmet dining. The perfect luxury city break.

  • Spa breaks - As well as fabulous treatments at the Bamford Wellness Spa, there's a rooftop pool with retracting roof for summer months
  • Bar - The Blue Bar, a fashionable Art Deco institution popular with celebs
  • Restaurant - The Collins Room restaurant and fabulous traditional afternoon tea
  • Swimming Pool - Outdoor Pool with great views
from $609 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Le Bristol

Paris (Faubourg St Honore)

Opulence and luxury in the heart of Paris' designer district. Outstanding service from super friendly staff. Rooms are stuffed with antiques and original artworks and bedrooms are huge. Michelin starred dining and the only hotel rooftop pool in Paris.

  • Restaurant - The Epicure has three Michelin Stars and 114 Faubourg has one.
  • Designer Shopping - Located on the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré
  • Garden - Stunning courtyard garden
  • Gourmet
from $910 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Michelberger Hotel

Berlin (Friedrichshain)

The bare necessities in a hip, urban, youthful hotel. Rooms designed according to themes - think flea market collectibles scattered through 'the library' or 'the chalet', for example. Inexpensive and cool.

  • Lively - Trendy, urban, youthful.
  • Value chic
  • City Style
  • Restaurant
from $88 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
SP34

Copenhagen (Nansensgade)

A wonderful boutique hotel in Copenhagen's funky Latin Quarter. Stylish rooms, suites, and a penthouse in muted natural colours with all the mod cons. Two restaurants, four bars and a roof top terrace. A characterful choice with plenty to do for couples and families.

  • City Style - Leading the pack, the hotel is frequented by creatives and artists drawn by the pared-down Nordic style and vibrant social scene
  • Close to nightlife - Friday nights are when this place comes alive, with live DJ sets and free concerts and a trendy crowd of locals
  • Hotel Entertainment - The small in house cinema offers a cosy screening and the lobby bar has a wine hour every evening from 5pm.
  • Foodies - With three distinct and excellent restaurants, a rooftop bar and a port collection that is hard to rival.
from $230 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Baltazar Hotel

Budapest (Országház utca 31)

A retro boutique hotel on the Buda side of the river. Rooms and suites based on artist themes, from Vermeer to Keith Haring, have all the mod cons and sultry lit spaces. Fantastic Budapest themed street food in the restaurant and a great wine selection. Very trendy.

  • City Style - A tour de force in style and imagination — posh street food, a lively bar and an eclectic mix of antiques and contemporary art
  • Families - The Family loft offers 2 rooms both with double beds and a large sitting room — perfect for a chic family city break
  • Close to nightlife - Located right in the heart of the Gastronomic Quarter of Budapest, with plenty of bars and restaurants
  • Restaurant - Humming with activity as guests & locals sip on Carpatian wines and feast on an upscale version of Budapest's famed street food
from $155 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
d'Angleterre

Copenhagen (Indre By)

Stunning 5* city hotel. Elegant rooms have chandeliers, silk furnishings, enormous marble bathrooms and contemporary touches. Full spa, indoor pool and gym. Sublime cuisine in Michelin-starred restaurant, and opulent champagne bar. Luxurious, plush and exclusive.

  • Families - Every child is given a Lego toy at check in, and extra kids beds are set up in an in room tent complete with duck soft-toy.
  • City Style - Set in a former palace, with views of many of the city's sights from the roof terrace, this is a luxurious choice.
  • Foodies - Do not missed the Michelin starred restaurant Marchal which champions classic French cuisine
  • Great walks - Take an evening walk from Kongens Nytorv to the harbour front just south of the Royal Playhouse.
from $710 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
The Guest House

Vienna (Innere Stadt)

Contemporary 5* hotel. Large bedrooms have modern furniture, Bang & Olufsen electronics, stunning city views and big grey marble bathrooms. Delightful brasserie designed by Sir Terence Conran offers updated traditional dishes. Private, chic and central.

  • Local exploring - With the feel of a private apartment, but with 5* hotel service, a chic base to explore Vienna's streets
  • Sights nearby - Hofburg Imperial Palace & St Stephen's Cathedral
  • Great walks - Five minute walk from Burggarten Park
  • Views
from $247 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Dean

Dublin (St Kevin's)

Stylish, vibrant hotel in Dublin's city centre. Offering a selection of chic rooms and three bars, the Dean aims to reinvigorate it's Georgian setting with a modern twist. A stone's throw from a host of clubs and bars, it's the perfect launching pad for a lively weekend in Dublin.

  • City Style - A cool contemporary hotel in the heart of the city
  • Sights nearby - Fifteen minutes walk from the world famous Guinness Storehouse.
  • Lively area
  • Lively
from $210 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Lumiares

Lisbon (Misericordia)

Occupying a beautifully renovated 18th-century palace set on an old cobblestone street in the lively Barrio Alto district, this boutique hotel offers chic, mini-apartment style rooms, a restaurant, rooftop bar, gym and spa, and is easy walking distance from the city’s main attractions.

  • Spa breaks - The spa boasts a gym, sauna, steam room and a variety of massage and beauty treatments.
  • Sights nearby - The Carmo Convent, a ruined old monastery, is a short walk away.
  • Views -
  • Spa -
from $189 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
CoolRooms Atocha

Madrid (Barrio de las Letras)

A restored 19th-century palace in the city's lively literary quarter. Original features have been modernised with additional art deco fittings creating a timeless elegance. Expect innovative tapas at the restaurant, a pool and refreshing terrace. Rooms are spacious and sophisticated. A real gem!

  • Local exploring - In the buzzing Las Letras area, with shops and bars on the doorstep, and many of Madrid’s must-sees are within a 10-minute walk
  • Local markets - Wander around El Rastro market, held every Sunday and known as Spain´s most popular open air flea market
  • Sights nearby - Lots of nearby sights such as Puerta del Sol, the arcaded Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace
  • Great walks - The Buen Retiro Park is a great spot for pleasant rambles
from $246 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Christiania Teater

Oslo

A quirky hotel in a historic old theatre bang in the centre. Stylish interiors have parquet floors and marble panels, with a wacky bar and restaurant featuring an eclectic mix of patterns and decor. Elegant rooms have colourful classic furniture and eye-catching wallpapers. A hip and happening base!

  • Local exploring - Situated just by Oslo's main street, within delightfully easy distance of the main sights and buzzing bars
  • Sights nearby - The Royal Palace, the Parliament buildings and City Hall are around the corner
  • Romantic
  • Views
from $180 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Heritage Madrid Hotel

Madrid (Salamanca)

An impeccably stylish hotel in a listed building with a roof terrace offering great city views. Decadent interiors feature beautiful tiling and sumptuous patterned fabrics, while luxurious rooms have fabulous designer wallpaper and indulgent bathrooms. A superb city bolt-hole for couples.

  • Romantic Break - This hotel with a belle-époque design is ideal for a sumptuous romantic getaway with its air of indulgence and luxury
  • Local markets - Find bargains at El Rastro, Madrid's oldest street market
  • Great walks - Go for a relaxing stroll in in El Retiro park
  • Romantic
from $252 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Foundry

Athens (Psyrri)

Ideally located, close to the centre of Athens, in the historic district of Psyrri, this elegant, industrial-style 12-suite boutique hotel provides space and light and a divine rooftop bar/café - for individuals, architectural-lovers, couples and families. A unique urban hotel.

  • City Style - Located in a former industrial building with custom-made design pieces, this hotel has reams of contemporary style
  • Local exploring - With its central location, this hotel is the perfect starting point for your local exploring in Athens
  • Groups - The hotel's spacious apartments are perfect for groups and can sleep up to four people
  • Local markets - See how the local shop with a trip to the Central Municipal Athens Market, a bustling fruit and vegetable market
from $142 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Relais Rione Ponte

Rome (Piazza Navona)

A new arrival to Rome, art hotel Relais Rione Ponte is a cheeky affordable boutique hotel with 9 rooms right in the heart of the Eternal City with a permanent art exhibition on show. A great choice if you're on a budget but looking for luxury.

  • City Style - Sleek, modern rooms and suites are beautifully appointed and all feature original contemporary artworks
  • Local exploring - With its central location on the Piazza Navona, most of Rome's highlights are accessible on foot
  • Views - Rooms overlook the Piazza di Tor Sanguigna and Piazza delle Cinque Lune
  • Value chic - A great value option in the heart of Rome
from $189 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Palazzo Ripetta

Rome (Piazza del Popolo)

Elegant independently owned 5-star hotel in a former convent near the Piazza del Popolo, with beautifully designed, spacious bedrooms, a charming courtyard garden, and a fine restaurant and bar. Highly recommended for a chic Roman holiday.

  • Families - Adjoining rooms can be grouped together around a hallway with private access — ideal for families or small groups
  • Honeymoons - An excellent city honeymoon option, with beautiful interiors and luxurious touches and a great central location
  • Local exploring - Its superb location means easy access on foot to many of Rome's highlights
  • Restaurant - San Baylon Restaurant for superb traditional cuisine and Piazzetta Ripetta for relaxed all day dining
from $368 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Written by Sarah Empson

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