Styria
Baderhaus quite literally used to be the local bathhouse, and you can still see the soot marks on some of the bricks salvaged from one of the city fires…
Must-see hotels in Europe
Pistoia
This boutique guesthouse is everything one would expect of an address in the family palazzo where wealthy Pistoian philanthropist and merchant Niccolò…
The West End
What was once the grand Pearl Assurance building (dating from 1914) houses the stunning Rosewood hotel, where an artful marriage of period and modern…
Côte d’Opale
Built between 1924 and 1928, Le Touquet's best-known hotel is a town landmark with a magnificent red-brick art deco façade. Named for the Duchess of…
The Midlands & the Marches
Stunningly restored in 2017, this whitewashed 19th-century inn 6.5 miles west of Derby has solid oak floors, stone walls and timber-lined ceilings. Its 12…
County Meath
The 19th-century Kilmessan train station ceased operations in 1947 and now houses this atmospheric hotel. Antique-filled rooms are spacious; the signal…
Milan
One of the best addresses in Milan, the Four Seasons sits within a 15th-century convent wrapped around a delightful colonnaded garden. Original frescoes,…
Northern Armenia
Ashot and Marine run Vanadzor's best accommodation, so you'll need to book ahead to score one of their nine rooms. The rooms are all different sizes,…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
This luxurious hideaway in a 19th-century townhouse in the trendy 10e is exquisite. Its 18 bohemian-chic rooms have rich House of Hackney velvet wallpaper…
Göreme
Local guru Ali Yavuz leads a charming team at one of Göreme's original boutique hotels, which has seen a travel industry virtually spring from beneath its…
The Far North
Yes, the prices are steep but you'll remember the occasion for life. And bear in mind that 25 tonnes of ice and 15,000 cu metres of snow are shifted each…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
Occupying two chicly reimagined palaces from the 12th and 18th centuries, backing onto Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, this tranquil designer beauty wins…
Temple Bar
This 18th-century heritage house has been gloriously restored to the highest standard by the Irish Landmark Trust. Furnished with tasteful antiques and…
Central Norway
This extraordinary old hostelry looks for all the world like something out of Tolkien's notebook. Accessed through wooden gates, the hotel's timber…
The Trossachs
Splendidly set in secluded rural surrounds, all forest and stream, but just three miles from Aberfoyle, this castle is a treat, with four sumptuous rooms,…
North Macedonia
Sensitively designed in the image of a traditional Macedonian (Ottoman) house, Hotel Teatar is without doubt one of the loveliest hotels in the country…
Iraklio
This chic, contemporary hotel is probably Iraklio's hippest digs. Clean rooms feature minimalistic white and olive-green decor, with separate shower and…
Western Canal Ring
Named for Amsterdam's waterways, the eight rooms in this charming 17th-century canal house are individually decorated with black-and-white sketches of old…
Lanzarote
On a sprawling wine estate at the heart of the island, 2km south of Masdache, this Manrique-style oasis makes the perfect escape. The seven self-catering…
Valle d'Aosta
Overlooking meadows, this green-shuttered mountain hideaway evokes its 1920s origins with romantic canopied timber 'cabin beds', weighty cowbells strung…
Northeastern Switzerland
As the name suggests, this hotel has zero stars – apart from the ones twinkling above you, that is… In one of Switzerland's most romantic ventures, you'll…
The Midlands
At the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, this vast, opulent Regency mansion on a 248-hectare estate is one of Ireland's most luxurious properties…
Naples
Contemporary artworks, cultural soirées and impeccable hospitality plug you straight into Naples' cultural scene at Magma. Its eight rooms – each designed…
Alto Alentejo
Mother Superior may not have approved of this out-of-town luxury sleeping option, but we do. This renovated former convent has an austere white exterior,…
Mull
This brilliant complex near Calgary beach offers a number of fantastic apartments, cottages and houses, beautifully designed and fitted out with timber…
North Iceland
Fjalladýrð is the name of the tourist service at Möðrudalur farm, and it has a wide array of excellent accommodation spread over various buildings and…
Kuşadası
Run by the ever-hospitable Hasan 'Mr Happy' Değirmenci, the Harbour Hotel has been a mecca for independent travellers for decades. The 14 rooms (accessed…
Umbria
Everything else seems a world away as you settle into this charming farm stay, high in the hills between Gubbio and Perugia. Surrounded by wooded slopes…
Tröllaskagi
This is, for our money, one of Iceland’s best hostels, and certainly its prettiest – it’s more like a boutique guesthouse than a budgeteer’s bunkhouse…
The Westfjords
Welcome to one of the Westfjords most appealing retreats. Amid mountain-framed plains, an old school has been converted into a smart but relaxed hotel…
The Alentejo
One of Portugal's top sleeps, Sublime stays true to its name, revamping a former rice-storing warehouse tucked away in a dramatic landscape of cork trees…
Oltrarno
This romantic midrange hotel overlooking Florence's liveliest summertime square is legendary – Zeffirelli shot scenes from Tea with Mussolini here. Housed…
Marsala
Wake up to an invigorating view of colourful kites dancing above the pretty waters of Lo Stagnone lagoon at this bright and modern three-star hotel run by…
Orkney
No timetables reign at this imposing house with arcing coastal vistas; make your own breakfast when you feel like it. Your welcoming hosts have introduced…
North & West Coast
The Albannach combines old-fashioned country-house elements – steep creaky stairs, stuffed animals, fireplaces and noble antique furniture – with…
Sevilla Province
Make it to this blissful rural retreat – signposted off the A432, 3km south of Cazalla – and you won't want to leave. Immersed in silence, it's housed in…
The Salzkammergut
Seehotel Das Traunsee is the prime address in Traunkirchen. It's contemporary, bright and with a stunning location on the lake, where you can relax on…
Picos de Europa
This remarkable, English-run spot, in a beautiful valley 3km north of Arriondas, is not only a charming 12-room rural retreat and a wonderful walking base…
İzmir & the North Aegean
Located in the quiet end of the village just below the Temple of Athena, this lovely hotel has just five rooms, guaranteeing stellar service from Ece, the…
Umbria
Some 3km from Spello, this medieval farmstead is a delight. Surrounded by silent olive groves on the slopes of Monte Subasio, it commands stirring views…
