8 Simply Amazing European Hotels
Embark on a virtual journey that spans the stunning landscapes of Europe as we explore eight simply amazing European hotels. Let your inner wanderlust run wild with these exquisite accommodations that embody the finest of European hospitality design, showcasing both modern luxury and timeless elegance. From the historic streets of Paris to the mesmerizing coastal regions of Italy, each hotel offers a unique experience infused with the local culture and design. Discover breathtaking architecture, unparalleled comfort, and attention to detail that sets these European hotels apart as destinations of grandeur and relaxation. Immerse yourself in the inspiration drawn from the rich traditions and contemporary innovations of European hospitality. For more travel and design ideas, and to continue fueling your passion for extraordinary European travel destinations, explore our extensive hospitality board on Pinterest.
Top European Hotels Showcasing Elegance in Design
1. La Dimora di Metello Hotel by Manca Studio
Situated in Matera, Italy, a town dominated by the indigenous volcanic rock, tufa, this extraordinary hotel by Manca Studio, a brother-sister firm, stands as a beacon of unique European hotel design. It places the quaint town prominently on the global map for travelers seeking exceptional European hospitality and design. Abiding by strict municipal regulations, the architectural additions were meticulously limited, further highlighting the commitment to preserving and celebrating historical elegance in design. Each accommodation within the hotel is distinctively unique, bearing its own Roman and female name, underlining the diversity and individuality that European hotels offer. The walls and arched ceilings, intricately carved out of tufa, define each room, presenting a stunning display of natural beauty and architectural brilliance. As Marina Manca beautifully puts it, the place resonates with a “rigorous and intrepid beauty,” reflecting the finest elements of design and hospitality in Europe.
2. Monverde Wine Experience Hotel by FCC Architecture and Paulo Lobo Interior Design
FCC Architecture and Paulo Lobo Interior Design commissioned sculptor Paulo Neves for an installation of 366 carved cedar grape leaves dangling from a 34-by-39-foot skylight in the Amarante, Portugal hotel’s lobby—the project’s signature moment. Against a backdrop of predominantly clear-finished pine, the colors are earthy, dappled with the vineyard’s springtime green and autumnal russet, all Pantone-matched to vine leaves.
3. Radisson Blu Hotel by Graft
Constructed in 1902 as a gristmill and later succumbing to a destructive fire in the 1980s, this Belgrade hotel by Graft stands as a testament to the city’s compelling narrative of destruction and rebirth, reflecting Europe’s rich historical and architectural tapestry. Visitors are warmly welcomed in the lobby by a standout piece of stepped seating, exuding European design excellence with its organic curves that gracefully descend from the rear wall, winding around a line of columns. The hotel interior is a harmonious blend of past and present, where salvaged materials take center stage. Guest rooms thoughtfully mix reclaimed pine with new wood, meticulously wire-brushed and stained to match, showcasing a commitment to exceptional design and paying tribute to Europe’s amazing hospitality and resilient spirit.
4. Hôtel du Ministère by Agence François Champsaur
“Art is what inspires me the most, because it’s much less formatted than design today,” François Champsaur says. Walls in his Hôtel du Ministère near the heart of Paris are pure Piet Mondrian, whose colorful motifs manifest in the exuberant red and yellow upholstery of Franco Albini’s armchairs. Romantic artist-studio skylights let natural light flood inside guest suites.
5. Room Mate Giulia Hotel by Patricia Urquiola
Nestled in a historic five-story bank building from 1910, the Room Mate Giulia Hotel stands as a symbol of exquisite European hotel design in the heart of Milan. This city, also the hometown of renowned designer Patricia Urquiola, is a global epicenter for exceptional design and European hospitality. The hotel’s 85 guest rooms and suites, each unique and individually designed, offer guests a diverse array of experiences within the same architectural marvel. No two rooms are alike, yet Urquiola has meticulously color-coded them in shades of blue, green, or orange, further enhancing the aesthetic appeal and design brilliance. Each room is adorned with vibrant upholstery on the furniture, predominantly featuring Urquiola’s renowned production pieces, harmoniously blended with modern classics and custom designs. This synchronization showcases the hotel’s commitment to offering a remarkable and personalized hospitality experience, reflecting the finest traditions of European hotel elegance and design innovation.
6. Sobreiras-Alentejo Country Hotel by FAT—Future Architecture Thinking
An unexpected minimalist oasis in a fragile, savannalike, arid landscape, Future Architecture Thinking‘s Sobreiras-Alentejo Country Hotel emerged as a vision of founding principal Miguel Correia’s model of earth-friendly elegance. Correia rhythmically scattered an irregular grouping of eight simple structures across 62 acres near Grândola, Portugal to let the landscape’s trees breathe. A neutral palette, established in the lobby, extends to the guest rooms, where botanical illustrations from old science books allude to local vegetation.
7. Hotel Ambassador & Spa by Ali Tayar
The late Ali Tayar oversaw a sweeping gut-renovation of the Hotel Ambassador & Spa’s two lower levels, lending an unmistakably Japanese aesthetic to the 1970s property in Bern, Switzerland. Red carries through as the primary accent, most notable in the powder-coated cylindrical ceiling fixtures angled over the bar and Arper Catifa 80 lounge chairs anchoring reception.
8. Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku
France’s Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud has the distinction of being one of the largest medieval monasteries to have survived essentially intact. Jouin Manku‘s renovation honors the original priory, all creamy white tufa stone with Romanesque and Gothic architecture that is striking for its purity. The designers confined themselves to a mostly organic palette of wood, linen, wool, and leather, accented by blackened steel, all to maintain the serene atmosphere.
