Andalucía
Hidden in a sea of olive groves, this gorgeous farmstead dating to the 16th century has been beautifully restored by welcoming Dutch-Austrian owners and…
Must-see hotels in Mediterranean Europe
Aragón
Resembling an alpine chalet, Viñas de Lárrede makes a wonderfully comfortable and aesthetic rural base. The 17 rooms are all different but – like the very…
Amalfi
Worth perusing even if you're not staying here, if only to engage in a little Ferrari-spotting in the car park, the Santa Caterina is an Amalfi landmark…
Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo
Urbino
You can't help but unwind the minute you check into this gorgeous country retreat. Surrounded by vineyards, aromatic gardens and verdant hills, it sits in…
The Mani
Run by knowledgeable Mina and Giorgios, this beautiful tower house, 1.5km south of Areopoli, seamlessly blends the historic (centuries-old vaulted…
Salerno & the Cilento
For tranquillity and fabulous food, head to this family-run agriturismo 1.5km west of Casal Velino. The setting is bucolic: rolling hills interspersed…
Rethymno Province
In the quiet hills above Bali, the traditional rooms here feel like your own small Cretan house. The village features 38 carefully crafted apartments with…
Genoa
In a once derelict palazzo, Genovese locals Matteo and Laura have created the extraordinary place to stay that Genoa has been crying out for. Stunning…
Nafplio
Vibrant Pension Marianna is one of Nafplio's long-standing and outstanding favourites; you can't get better for value, Greek authenticity, and setting …
Barcelona
Set across two reimagined historic buildings, Casa Gràcia raised the bar for Barcelona budget accommodation. Crisp white-design dorms sleeping four or six…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Built around a 17th-century olive-oil mill and surrounded by organic olive and citrus groves, this serene hillside agriturismo 9km south of Castel di Tusa…
Barcelona
Hemingway is among the former guests of this magnificent 1920s-built property atop Tibidabo, which had a designer makeover this century. Chilli-red…
Salina
Star attractions at this peach of a family-run hotel beside Malfa's town square include the delightful grassy lounge and bar area and the outdoor deck…
Malta
Run by a couple who work in aviation, this place has 10 rooms in a converted townhouse set in central Naxxar, with Indonesian and Moroccan furniture and…
Lanzarote
A soul-stirring Manrique-inspired creativity and ecological ethos hangs in the air at this highly original, plastic-free, design-led hideaway, tucked away…
Rethymno Province
Once a hamlet whose olives supplied nearby Moni Arkadiou, this village has now been entirely converted into charming, stylish villas. The 12 original and…
Palma de Mallorca
Welcome to one of Palma's most romantic boutique boltholes, entered via a traditional Mallorcan pati, where cobbles have been worn smooth over 400 years…
Málaga
Managed by an enthusiastic young team and delightfully situated in a pedestrianised plaza overlooking a red-brick church, Dulces (sweet) Dreams is a great…
Rethymno Province
These five balconied rooms are quiet, spotless and simply furnished, but it’s the charming and softly spoken Heracles himself who makes the place so…
Palma de Mallorca
This boutique stunner sits right on the Old Town walls, with dazzling sea views in one direction, and close-ups of some of Palma's main sights in the…
Cantabria
This two-towered stone mansion dating from 1610, 6km west of Ramales de la Victoria, has been remodelled into a deluxe hotel without losing its wonderful…
Southern Tuscany
If only all accommodation could be as sustainable and comfortable as this. Set on an organic multicrop farm, it offers individually designed bedrooms in a…
Ronda
If you hate off-the-rack, middle-of-the-road hotels, you’ll love this place. The first hint of its personality greets you at the reception desk: the front…
Le Marche
Quite the rural idyll, this 17th-century farmhouse resides in 10 hectares of orchards, vines and woodlands just outside Sarnano. Besides its spotless…
Tyrrhenian Coast
At the foot of the Madonie, only 7km from the A19, owners Fabiola and Giancorrado have converted this 300-hectare fattoria (fortified country estate) into…
Córdoba
An inspired conversion of a 15th-century hospital building, Viento10 has just eight relaxing, comfortable rooms, in a beautiful, bright, clean-lined style…
Western Sicily
Lovingly landscaped with bougainvillea, palms and herbs, this hillside complex south of the port is ideal for families or anyone wishing to linger a while…
Costa da Morte
This delightful little family-run hotel sits at the top of town, with fantastic westward ocean views from the big windows and terraces of its six rooms…
Le Marche
Set back from Sirolo's beaches and surrounded by cornfields, meadows and olive groves, this converted farmhouse is a gorgeous country hideaway. Named…
Val d'Orcia
Sophisticated urban style melds with stupendous scenery at this rural retreat in one of the most stunning sections of the Val d'Orcia. Owned and operated…
Northeastern Mallorca
Jardi d´Artà, a thoroughly-refurbished manor house, enchants with its flowery gardens and romantic nooks. Richly hued fabrics add a dash of glamour to…
Iraklio Province
This delightful family-run wood-and-stone place sits in one of wine country's most scenic spots, with expansive views from the highly recommended on-site…
Mount Etna
This is one of Sicily's top boutique hotels, set in a winery on Mt Etna's eastern flank, halfway between Catania and Taormina. The 27 rooms and suites –…
Dénia
This delightful hotel, tastefully furnished in period style, occupies a lovably attractive, 19th-century bourgeois mansion. Rooms surround a tranquil…
Madrid
The grand old lady of Madrid, the Hotel Ritz is the height of exclusivity. One of the most lavish buildings in the city, it has classic style and…
South Aegean
Just a few steps from the Temple of Apollo, this lovingly restored 150-year-old Greek stone home, and a more recently built annexe, offers 10 pleasant…
Urbino
What a delight this organic farm is, with bright, immaculate rooms and lovely, soothing views across wooded hills to the mountains beyond. Whether you…
Turquoise Coast
This fine boutique resort consists of self-catering villas hidden within lush gardens and set around a shimmering pool. Some of the villas have both front…
Lake Maggiore West Bank
If you want to join a guestbook that includes Hemingway, GB Shaw, D'Annunzio and British royalty, head for this rust-red hotel set at the southern tip of…
Safranbolu
From the engraved banisters to the carved ceilings, this welcoming hotel, run by Hakan and Nihal, offers a step-back-in-time experience for lovers of…
