Berlin
Catalan shoemaker Camper has translated its concept of chic yet sensible footwear into this style-pit for trend-conscious global nomads. Minimalist-mod…
Must-see hotels in Central Europe
Central Switzerland
Run by sociable Swedish skiers, this delightful, centrally located lodge fuses art nouveau flair with 21st-century comforts in smart rooms (including…
Valais
From the coffee tables on each balcony, fashioned from cut-off tree trunks on wheels, to the five-star spa, this sophisticated hotel near the Médran cable…
Kreuzberg
Cocktails in the library bar? Check. Free German lessons? Got ’em. Canal views? Yep. Ensconced in a fully renovated 1870s building, the ‘five-star’ Grand…
Heidelberg
This charmer is a winning blend of historic setting and sleek contemporary design. Equipped with huge bathrooms (tubs!), the 24 rooms are spacious and…
Goodbye Lenin Revolution Hostel
Kraków
The folks at Kazimierz's 'Goodbye Lenin' have opened up a second location here, just across the street from the bars and nights spots of the Tytano…
Warsaw
An elegant pre-WWII building (thus no lift) on vibrant ul Poznańska houses this fine hostel. All rooms are pleasantly decorated in a cool, Scandi style…
Prague
This historic building in a quiet corner of Hradčany is intentionally nondescript and understated out front, hinting that peace and privacy are its top…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
One of Stralsund's most appealing places to stay, the Scheelehof's 94 rooms are all individually decorated and scattered about several adjoining historic…
Vienna
This rambling former palace, with all the marble and majesty of the Habsburg era, has service as polished as its crystal. Suites are filled with 19th…
Trier
You can begin the day with sparkling wine over breakfast at this chic 1914-built hillside villa, and end it luxuriating in the indoor or rooftop pools and…
Kraków
Each of the 78 rooms at this four-storey hotel in an 18th-century aristocratic residence is individually designed and exudes charm. Period details, like…
Central Switzerland
At this stylish eco-hotel in a 250-year-old building, the Swiss-American owners have used local materials to create unique and beautiful rooms with inlaid…
Eastern Kraków
Everything you want in a hotel and nothing you don't need might be a suitable motto for this clean, modern, minimalist boutique chain. The bedrooms are…
Munich
Around since 1841, this is one of the grande dames of the Munich hotel world. Rooms come in a number of styles, from busy Laura Ashley to minimalist…
Hohe Tauern National Park
Colourful prayer flags flutter at this farmhouse, a tribute to the Tibetan monks who once stayed here. All cosy nooks, warm wood and open fireplaces, this…
Upper Austria
Tucked behind the church in Christkindl, this boutique hotel has contemporary, warm-coloured rooms, many with balconies overlooking the river. Candles…
Locarno
With lake and mountain views to swoon over, this18th-century house turned B&B reclines in flower-draped gardens on a hill above Locarno. The bright, wood…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
This grand old dame of the Baltic Coast wears lightly its long history as one of northern Germany's most distinguished hotels. The public areas are rich…
Graubünden
Perched at 3000m at the top of the Diavolezza cable car, this mountain hotel offers both dormitory and private rooms, an excellent restaurant, sun terrace…
The Romantic Road
One of the most truly romantic places to stay on the RR, part of Harburg Castle has been transformed into a very comfortable hotel which combines the…
Brno
Set in the heart of the Old Town, this clean and stylish hostel still smells and looks brand new, though it's been going for several years now. The rooms…
Poznań
Inside this remarkable 17th-century house you will find 46 rooms in tasteful dark hues complementing the wooden ceilings on some floors. These are offset…
Triglav National Park
The enchanting Kekčeva Domačija, off the main road and 700m past the source of the Soča, has rooms named after characters in the Kekec children’s tales …
Bernese Oberland
It’s the little touches that count at this boutique-chic hotel, from the designer furnishings in your room to the mountain views and room service. Simon…
Hohe Tauern National Park
The name says it all: the view of the Alps and deep into the Gastein Valley is phenomenal from this panoramically perched hotel at the foot of the…
Fairy-Tale Road
This lovely Relais & Chateaux hotel, 13km north of Göttingen, sits on Count von Hardenberg’s estate, beneath the ruins of Hardenberg castle. The spacious…
The Engadine
Each of the light-filled rooms is different at the Engiadina – some whitewashed, some vaulted and some with intricate timber ceilings. Best of all is the…
Northern Germany
If you have your own wheels and don't mind being 8km northeast of Ludwigslust, this castle-hotel is easily the most romantic choice in the area. The…
Prenzlauer Berg
An excellent choice for solo travellers, this small indie hostel has personable staff who go out of their way to make all feel welcome. Make new friends…
Łódź
Part of the red-brick 19th-century Manufaktura factory complex, this postmodern palace easily qualifies as Łódź' poshest hotel. The sleek lobby wows on…
Dresden
This romantic castle set in its own riverside park east of the Neustadt is a breathtaking place to stay. Rooms in the Schloss itself are pricier and have…
Vevey
One of Switzerland's finest hotels, the 1868 Grand Hotel du Lac, still fresh from a stunning renovation by Pierre-Yves Rochon, impresses at every level…
Ptuj
This quirky cracker of a place is tucked away off Jadranska ulica. Each room is idiosyncratically decorated with lashings of retro chic by the hotel's…
Liechtenstein
Tots in tow? This is your place. Kids are kept amused with a playground, petting zoo and activities. Parents, meanwhile, can enjoy a lie-in with the (like…
Hamburg
This has to be Hamburg's premier address, inside the lower half of the daring new Elbphilharmonie. It's definitely worth paying extra for a room with a…
Komfort-Hotel Garni Christinenhof
Fairy-Tale Road
Historic outside, modern within, this superwelcoming hotel has a tiny swimming pool in the vaulted cellar, a sauna, and compact (but pleasant and…
Kraków
Part of the InterContinental chain, the Indigo occupies a 19th-century townhouse once lived in by Polish painter Jan Matejko. The eye-popping room design…
České Budějovice
This cleverly adapted historic building on a peaceful street offers smart, stylish and good-value accommodation, ranging from pension-style bedrooms …
Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof
Leipzig
Behind the imposing historic facade of a 1909 municipal trading hall, this exclusive boutique-luxury joint outclasses most of Leipzig's hotels with its…
