The 50 best boutique hotels in Europe
Boutique hotels are the catwalk models of the accommodation world: sleek, sexy, dressed to impress and Instagrammable at every turn. Whether in the city or the country, beside the sea or in the mountains, with four bedrooms or 45 (though no more than that), the best of them are cool and stylish, glossy and bespoke, designed to pique the interest, stimulate the senses and make serious hotel junkies of us all.
Hotels were never desirable before boutiques hit the scene. You could be impressed or comforted by them but you never wanted to inhabit them, to take them home. But that’s the point: successful boutique hotels have all the qualities of home, only lovelier, and without the work. They are the ultimate in lifestyle living.
It’s just shy of 40 years ago that the breed was born. It was London, 1978, and celebrity designer Anouska Hempel unveiled Blakes, at the time something so desirable, bold, seductive, edgy and intimate that the stars of the day flocked to the moody bedrooms whose minibars were quickly emptied of their Champagne, Beluga caviar and personal oxygen canisters. And when in 1984, Steve Rubell compared Morgan’s, the cutting edge, oh-so-cool New York hotel he opened with Ian Schrager, to a boutique, the term stuck.
Brilliant boutique hotels aren’t just about looks; they’re about how we live now, and so you are as likely to find a yoga or cookery class, a library of interesting books, an all-day grazing menu or a curated cocktail as you are a chaise longue or chandelier that you are desperate to have at home. And don’t be put off if you are a dyed-in-the-wool aficionado of large hotels… the boutique hotels on our list have just the right dose of privacy and friendly service. No hotel, boutique or otherwise, can be truly lovable without warmth, character and a sense of place though. That’s what you’ll find in these boutique beauties in Europe, all gems that should be on your hotel wish list this summer and beyond.
ISLANDS
Little Green Bay
Hvar, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
“Less is more” is the motto at Croatia’s hottest new boutique hotel. Built on the site of an old farmhouse and nestled in an isolated pine-scented bay, the stone façades hide slick interiors of polished concrete painted in earthy tones, with big wickerwork lampshades, grainy linen textiles, and considerable attention to detail. This is barefoot-chic at its best. Rooms: 15. Read expert review From £356 per night
• The best hotels on the Croatian Islands
La Granja
Ibiza, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
This 16th-century farmhouse exudes private-retreat vibe thanks to earthy hues, concrete floors, minimalist décor, heavy wood-and-metal furniture, complemented by decorative sprigs of fragrant lavender and L’Occitane products in the bathroom. A traditional Bedouin tent on the property hosts parties, meditations and gatherings of like-minded people. Rooms: 10. Read expert review From £290 per night
• The best boutique hotels in Ibiza
Ammos Hotel
Chania, Crete, Greece
8Telegraph expert rating
A seaside hotel that’s both family-friendly and style-conscious is surprisingly hard to find. This cute little number ticks all the boxes: cool but unstuffy design, sandy beach, heated pool, babysitters on tap, and home-cooked Cretan food that will keep even the pickiest of eaters happy. Facilities are especially great for younger children. There’s yoga lessons and top-notch massages for parents. Rooms: 33. Read expert review From £106 per night
• The best Greek Island hotels
Monaci delle Terre Nere
Zafferana Etnea, Sicily, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
Located on the fertile slopes of Mount Etna, the mood is adventurous eco-chic, with the looming volcano conferring a special energy. Rooms are stylish dens, some with wood-burning stoves, exposed lava-stone walls and weathered ceiling beams, others fresh and bright, with contemporary artworks playing off against Sicilian antiques. Rooms: 12. Read expert review From £162 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Perivolas
Santorini, Greece
9Telegraph expert rating
The hotel that put Oia on the map and spawned countless imitators, Perivolas is in a league of its own. Minimalist suites carved from the cliffs are almost as dazzling as the sea views. The infinity pool is the stuff of honeymooners’ dreams - everyone looks like a swimwear model in this fabulous setting. Rooms: 21. Read expert review From £388 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Santorini
Torralbenc
Cala'n Porter, Menorca, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
Traditional Menorcan dry-stone walls and olive trees set the tone for a series of white buildings dressed in natural tones and floaty fabrics. Stylishly smooth rather than full-on rustic, and on the smart side of the boho-ometer, Torralbenc is a masterclass in modern Mediterranean good taste. Rooms: 27. Read expert review From £138 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Bill & Coo Suites and Lounge
Mykonos, Greece
9Telegraph expert rating
Luxurious simplicity sets the mood here where pool, lounge and restaurant spaces are centred around a stunning view of the Aegean Sea. The minimalist suites feature a sea-view balcony and several have private pools. The hotel is also home to one of the best restaurants on the island. Rooms: 32. Read expert review From £254 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
J.K. Place Capri
Capri, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
A hotel that embodies Capri as it should be, but rarely is: not a beautiful but fragile community bursting at the seams with summer day-trippers, but a stylish refuge full of dolce vita class, combining impeccable taste with seaside nonchalance. There’s also a lovely heated outdoor pool and small but well-appointed spa. Rooms: 22. Read expert review From £717 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The 50 greatest hotels in Italy for summer
Cas Xorc
Sóller, Majorca, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
An imaginatively restored 18th-century olive mill that oozes character and rustic-chic charm. Natural stone walls, heavy beams and traditional Majorcan floor tiles all pay homage to its origins, while Moroccan artefacts and plenty of chill-out areas add a touch of the bohemian. The beautifully designed gardens are cradled between rugged mountains and views to the sea. Rooms: 15. Read expert review From £176 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Majorca
Cas Gasi
Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, Ibiza, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Tucked away in a lush valley and surrounded by orchards and olive groves, it is a nigh-on perfect spot for a romantic, indulgent, relaxing holiday. The ultimate in boho chic, the gorgeous rooms are decorated in natural tones with beamed ceilings, thick walls and terracotta floors. There’s also yoga and a small spa on offer. Rooms: 17. Read expert review From £312 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best agriturismo hotels in Ibiza
Kensho
Mykonos, Greece
8Telegraph expert rating
On an island full of archetypal white villas, Kensho must be one of the most beautiful, thanks to its contemporary take on Cycladic chic. Whitewashed walls and stone floors are complemented by blonde wood, stone walls and neutral décor, with modern art and design throughout. In the restaurant, a 10-course gastronomy menu offers a contemporary take on Greek fine dining. Rooms: 35. Read expert review From £246 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best beach hotels in Greece
Gecko Hotel & Beach Club
Formentera, Ibiza, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Yoga devotees flock to this charming hotel flanked by a pool, lawns and terraces with jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean. All of the rooms have outdoor space and some boast a private plunge pool. Indulge in a massage by the pool or stock up on bikinis, sarongs and all manner of jangly jewellery at the on-site boutique. Rooms: 30. Read expert review From £186 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in Formentera
Los Enamorados
Portinatx, Ibiza, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
With a luxe but quirky vibe, romantic seaside location and a mish-mash of world styles, there’s nowhere like Los Enamorados anywhere else on Ibiza. This is a Balearic original in the making (the hotel opened in July 2016) so go before everyone else does. Be warned, though: the on-site boutique sells an irresistible range of knick-knacks, furniture and fashion. Rooms: 9. Read expert review From £195 per night
• The best beach hotels in Ibiza
Hotel San Roque
Tenerife, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
An immaculately restored 18th-century manor house and watchtower built in traditional Canarian style around a large, open courtyard. Ochre-coloured walls and polished wooden floors are juxtaposed with contemporary art and a superb collection of Bauhaus, Rennie Mackintosh and Josef Hoffmann furniture. The elegant courtyard pool is the perfect spot to unwind. Rooms: 20. Read expert review From £167 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
COAST
Casa Privata
Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
Hidden away in the back lanes of low-key Praiano, set in dreamy, rambling gardens. It is the sort of bucolic retreat that can be hard to come by on the tourist-frenzied Amalfi Coast. Curl up with a book on the shady terrace, by the pool or down on the rocky private beach. Bliss. Rooms: 20. Read expert review From £324 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels on the Amalfi Coast
Vila Joya
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
9Telegraph expert rating
The Algarve’s most hedonistic retreat, set on cliffs overlooking the sea, offers two-star Michelin cuisine, a beautiful spa and wonderfully luxurious rooms. The hotel has the feel of a private villa and decoration follows suit, with antique furnishings and plenty of places for contemplation. Lush gardens, filled with palms and bougainvillea, lead to the beach. Rooms: 22. Read expert review From £265 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in the Algarve
La Co(o)rniche
Pyla-sur-Mer, Aquitaine, France
8Telegraph expert rating
The height of seaside sophistication: every room is dazzling with snow-white linens, white-washed woodwork and clever use of mirrors. There's also a stylish infinity pool with incredible sea views just moments from the public beach. There are 11 spacious rooms in the main building and 18 cabins inspired by oyster fishermen cabanes in the adjoining grounds. Rooms: 29. Read expert review From £334 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The 50 best hotels in France for summer
3 Cabos
Valdés, Asturias, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
Bold modern design is fused with the charm of a 100-year-old farmhouse. Cosy but stylish interiors combine striking contemporary décor with tile-patterned bathrooms, original features (such as open-stone walls) and superb views. The excellent restaurant serves breakfast and dinner in the glass-walled lounge or on the lawn. Rooms: 6. Read expert review From £100 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The 50 best hotels in Spain for summer
Don Ferrante
Monopoli, Puglia, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
All the action takes place on the rooftop, which acts as restaurant, bar and relaxation area, complete with infinity pool. Rooms are haven of cool with washed wooden furniture, stone floors, crisp white and grey monogrammed bed sheets and flowing linen curtains. In summer, head to the roof for spa treatments under canvas. Rooms: 10. Read expert review From £109 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Pastis Hotel
St Tropez, Provence, France
8Telegraph expert rating
A terrace awaits for aperitifs and, beyond that, a Provençal garden from central casting. Rooms are spacious, airy and filled with interesting art; while Baroque mirrors sit happily with whitened oak floors and contemporary banquettes. A lovely pool extends amid huge palms, fig trees, lavender and other aromatic herbs. Rooms: 10. Read expert review From £228 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best luxury hotels in St Tropez
Casa Angelina
Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
Uncompromisingly white, with gleaming walls, beds, fabrics and furniture in pristine condition. The hotel’s biggest draw is the exceptional view, taking in Positano, Capri, and the Li Galli islands. There’s also an outdoor pool and a stylish cocktail terrace. Rooms: 39. Read expert review From £368 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best Amalfi Coast hotels with pools
Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel
Cap d'Antibes, Provence, France
9Telegraph expert rating
This 35-room beauty is home to a silky beach and glorious infinity pool. All rooms feature bold design and private terraces. Added wow-factor comes in the form of the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. There’s also a lovely beachside restaurant for champagne and suntanning. Rooms: 35. Read expert review From £213 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best Cote d'Azur hotels with pools
Masseria Trapanà
Surbo, Puglia, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
A 16th-century farmhouse transformed into a sophisticated hotel with an excellent restaurant specialising in cucina povera (peasant cooking). A choice of six walled gardens are dotted with colourful hammocks, a serene pool, firepit and croquet lawn (floppy sunhats are available). Inside, four-poster beds, patterned rugs and huge outdoor bathtubs complete the elegant look. Rooms: 10. Read expert review From £258 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best masseria hotels in Puglia
Hotel Adriatic
Rovinj, Istria, Croatia
9Telegraph expert rating
The look is retro-chic, with specially commissioned artwork lending a contemporary edge. Rooms feature high ceilings with original cornicing, big mirrors, wooden floors, giant comfy beds with lots of pillows, and subtle lighting. The ground-floor Cafe Adriatic and Brasserie Adriatic, both part of the hotel, are excellent. Rooms: 18. Read expert review From £83 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Dubrovnik
COUNTRY
Mas Vivent
Vilamaniscle, Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
This converted 18th-century farmhouse with spectacular views of pine and cork forests is the perfect rural hideaway. Rooms are super-smart and half have private terraces. The communal lounge area with wood-burning stove is a sweet spot come evening. There’s a series of walks direct from the door and picnics can be arranged. Rooms: 8. Read expert review From £116 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best four-star hotels on the Costa Brava
Borgo Santo Pietro
Chiusdino, Tuscany, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
There’s a weekend house-party vibe at this romantic, out-of-the-way country house hotel, with a stunning pool and spa. It’s a sophisticated place, with tasteful, antique filled rooms that also manage to hit a hi-tech note: guests are presented with pre-loaded iPads on arrival. The Borgo’s lovely spa is basically a whole Tuscan farmhouse in the garden. Rooms: 16 (increasing to 20 from July 2017). Read expert review From £994 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The 50 greatest hotels in Italy
Le Vieux Castillon
Castillon-du-Gard, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
9Telegraph expert rating
This is boutique chic with a designer label screaming ‘Relax!’. It’s impossible not to kick back and zen out, pastis or rosé in hand, at this bucolic hideaway wrapped around patio gardens and terraces perfumed with lemon, olive, fig and cypress trees. Dining is either overlooking the pool or in the beautiful all-white restaurant. Rooms: 34. Read expert review From £112 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in Languedoc-Rousillon
Fazenda Nova Country House
Algarve, Portugal
9Telegraph expert rating
Interiors are warm yet simple, with Balinese-style beds and furniture, underfloor heating, cement walls in the bathroom and luxurious rain showers with delicious Ren amenities. All rooms have private terraces or gardens. There’s also a well-stocked library and the bar/restaurant area doubles as a hearthside gathering point. Rooms: 10. Read expert review From £168 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The most romantic hotels in Lisbon
Hotel Villa Arcadio
Salo, Lake Garda, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
Housed in a former convent dating from the 13th century, some of the rooms have original frescos, while others are embellished with works of art. Activities on offer include vineyard tours, walking trails, yoga, pilates and an inviting swimming pool with lovely lake views. In the restaurant, seasonal dishes with a twist are prepared using fresh ingredients from the hotel’s vegetable and herb garden. Rooms: 18. Read expert review From £236 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in the Italian Lakes
Casa La Siesta
Vejer de La Frontera, Cadiz, Spain
Relax to the sounds of calandra larks and a faint bustle in the kitchen as the cooks attend to a menu where the offering changes daily, but invariably involves local wines and fish and seafood from the coast nearby. Rooms are unusually large and airy with large beds and private terraces. The two pools, edged with pomegranate flowers, are a wonderfully tranquil spot. Rooms: 9.
From
£200 per night
Villa Làrio Lake Como
Lake Como, Italy
8Telegraph expert rating
Sophisticated, contemporary and stylish – a welcome change from the lake’s historic establishments filled with antiques and heavy drapes. The attractive and stylish interiors feel almost Mediterranean: neat and tidy palettes of soft greys and whites, while large windows allow for plenty of light. There are no TVs – the idea is for guests to switch off and focus on the beauty of the surroundings (all rooms have wonderful lake views). Rooms: 6. Read expert review From £380 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
La Bastide de Gordes
Gordes, Provence, France
9Telegraph expert rating
Were Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress, to show up at the Bastide, she’d feel nobly at ease amid the escritoires, classical portraits and 18th-century chairs. But happily the atmosphere is not at all stuffy at this upmarket family-friendly option. The 21st-century takes the form of a Sisley spa, choice of pools and an excellent fine dining restaurant. Rooms: 40. Read expert review From £337 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Provence
Lupaia
Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
Huge beds take centre stage in romantic rooms decorated in comforting shades of cream and grey. Most also have pretty garden areas to meditate on the spectacular vistas. A pretty infinity pool overlooks nearby Montepulciano. Guests are invited to learn the basics of Tuscan cooking in the open-plan restaurant with a daily changing menu. Rooms: 11. Read expert review From £215 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best honeymoon hotels in Florence
Pensão Agricola
Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
8Telegraph expert rating
Converted with great style and authenticity, this one-storey farmhouse has varnished cement floors topped with woven rugs, and traditional reed ceilings. Rooms are enlivened with contemporary art and open onto a herb-framed terrace and pool beyond. There’s fabulous home cooking at dinner. Rooms: 6. Read expert review From £136 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine
Valladolid, Castilla y Léon, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
When a spa is surrounded by vineyards, it is only logical to introduce the concept of a spa sommelier really, isn’t it? The fabulous vinotherapy treatments here can be tailored to your favourite tipple. Afterwards, retire to your room for magical views over the vineyards and a complimentary bottle of the the estate’s own label. Chin-chin! Rooms: 30. Read expert review From £352 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best places and cities to visit in Spain – and where to stay
Hotel Fragsburg
Merano, South Tyrol, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
Located in a historic hunting lodge that dating from the 17th-century, the property is surrounded by orchards, forests and wild grape vines, lending the hotel an intimate and exclusive feel. Interiors feature a harmonious blend of Alpine and Mediterranean, with antique furniture and contemporary fittings. The Michelin-starred food is served on the panoramic terrace in summer. Rooms: 20. Read expert review From £326 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in the Dolomites
TOWNS & CITIES
The Dylan
Amsterdam, Netherlands
8Telegraph expert rating
Period charm meets contemporary styling in a prime location at this lovely hotel housed in a former almhouse. Michelin-starred chef Dennis Kuipers presides over the hotel’s Vinkeles restaurant, with its original cast-iron stoves, and Occo Brasserie, a romantic spot in a secluded garden courtyard. There’s also a stylish bar for top-notch cocktails. Rooms: 40. Read expert review From £285 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Amsterdam
St. Joseph's
Dubrovnik, Croatia
9Telegraph expert rating
In a beautifully restored 16th-century building in the heart of the bustling Old Town. The décor is predominantly white, with fabrics in earthy shades of cream and beige, and the furnishing is up-market, with Baroque references - crystal chandeliers, silver candlesticks and sumptuous armchairs. Breakfast in bed adds to the romance. Rooms: 6. Read expert review From £147 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• Where to stay in Dubrovnik: hotels by district
Brody House
Budapest, Hungary
7Telegraph expert rating
The imaginatively decorated interiors live up to the hotel’s reputation as the ‘coolest place to stay’ in the Hungarian capital. The house dates from the 1850s and self-consciously exudes faded grandeur to dramatic effect. Think exposed walls with old, stripped, wooden doors of varying sizes pinned to them. Wacky but utterly memorable. Rooms: 11. Read expert review From £71 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Dubrovnik
Corte di Gabriela
Venice, Veneto, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
Venice habitués weary of the omnipresent brocade-and-Murano-glass combo, take note: the Corte di Gabriela successfully foists very contemporary décor onto an historic framework, creating a stylish look with startling colours, great textures and some serious pieces of designer furniture. Chic it may be, but it’s also intimate and welcoming. Rooms: 11. Read expert review From £167 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Venice
AdAstra
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
The owners have taken the period features (frescoes, vast chandeliers, fine stucco-work and creaky original parquet floors) and added a quirky yet convincing mix of up-cyled and reclaimed furniture, objéts and knick knacks from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies. The result is classy, comfortable and highly original. The hotel also has a wonderfully large walled garden. Rooms: 9. Read expert review From £105 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Florence
Balcón de Córdoba
Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
A dazzling revamp of a 17th-century monastery, with gloriously private rooms and a sensational rooftop bar, all a stone’s throw from the city’s majestic Mezquita cathedral. The careful conversion skilfully mixes original open-brick walls, heavy wooden doors and thick pillars with sleek contemporary design. Rooms: 10. Read expert review From £125 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Fifteen Keys
Rome, Lazio, Italy
9Telegraph expert rating
You need to ring the bell to gain admittance to this tall, pale-cream-hued townhouse, converted into an utterly charming urban refuge with a cool retro feel. Grown-up colour schemes, 1950s-style armchairs and vintage light fittings set the tone of a cool insider address for plugged-in independent travellers. Rooms: 15. Read expert review From £139 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Rome
Hotel The Serras
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
Sunny, friendly and supremely comfortable, this is one of a new breed of stylish and unstuffy five-stars changing the face of the Barcelona hotel scene. Its decked rooftop bar and pool area, with views across the port, is worth a visit even for non-guests. Standard rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, and beds (mattresses by appointment to Queen Elizabeth II, no less). Rooms: 28. Read expert review From £210 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Barcelona
Vander Urbani Resort
Ljubljana, Slovenia
8Telegraph expert rating
The hotel’s trendy cocktail bar and restaurant spill out onto the street at this riverside spot in the shadow of the city’s imposing castle. The traditional facade belies a contemporary and sophisticated interior where minimalist design meets Baroque charm. Pack a cossie for a dip in the cute rooftop pool. Rooms: 20. Read expert review From £74 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in Ljubljana
Valverde Hotel
Lisbon, Portugal
9Telegraph expert rating
Interiors celebrate the best of Portugal with porcelain from Braz Gil Studio and art from Vieira da Silva set against a backdrop of heavy fabrics, geometric rugs and retro furniture. The Sítio restaurant, on the ground floor, has an elegantly relaxed, brasserie feel with views of the hotel’s tree-filled interior courtyard. Rooms: 25. Read expert review From £153 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Lisbon
Sant Francesc Hotel Singular
Palma, Majorca, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
A five-star beauty in an elegant mansion with stylish rooms, a calm atmosphere and attentive service. The city’s major sights and the Mediterranean are a short walk away. The rooftop pool and bar make the hotel particularly attractive in summer. The hotel’s laidback Quadrat restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Rooms: 42. Read expert review From £148 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Majorca
Hotel Particulier Montmartre
Paris, France
8Telegraph expert rating
This hidden 19th-century mansion, bejewelled with a beautiful walled garden in hilltop Montmartre, is the last word in Parisian chic. Suites are spacious and eclectic, and the fashionable cocktail bar and restaurant, with dreamy summer seating, is in the little black book of every Parisian A-lister. Rooms: 5. Read expert review From £188 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Paris
La Casa del Califa
Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
North African and Andalusian artefacts create a seductive, exotic atmosphere at this lovely hotel that sprawls through 10 adjoining 500-year-old houses. All of the rooms are different and decorated in warm tones with antiques and Moroccan touches. The rooftop bar is a lovely spot for cocktails. Rooms: 21. Read expert review From £55 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Nimb Hotel
Copenhagen, Denmark
9Telegraph expert rating
Located in the leafy Tivoli Gardens, the exterior of this ‘Arabian fantasy castle’ dating from 1909 features striking Taj Mahal-style turrets and lightbulbs that bring the place to life at night. Interiors are reassuringly Danish, with Douglas pinewood floors and Øland granite stonework. Rooms have a wonderfully hygge feel with open fires for cool summer evenings. Rooms: 17. Read expert review From £319 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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