Best hotels in Europe

Palé Hall

Hotel Llandderfel, Gwynedd, Wales

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Queen Victoria and Churchill have both sojourned at this fantasy Victorian mansion on the fringes of the Berwyn Mountains and Snowdonia National Park. It's furnished it with impeccable style, wows diners with imaginative riffs on regional, seasonal ingredients, and holds Wales’ first Michelin Green Star. Read expert review

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£ 222

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Ballyfin

Hotel County Laois, Ireland

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Splendid Ballyfin is one of Ireland’s finest country houses, now restored to elegant and graceful life, and reopened as a luxurious hotel. The beauty of the great house and its spacious demesne and lake, and the stratospheric standards of hospitality here, makes this hotel a truly remarkable place. Read expert review

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£ 700

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Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof

Hotel Hinterthiersee, Tyrol, Austria

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

A tonic for mind, body and soul, a stay at the family-run Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof is as uplifting as the surround views of the Austrian Alps. Come to clean your chakras, detox and tank up on good energy, and leave as if walking on air. Read expert review

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£ 230

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Santa Ponsa

Hotel Menorca, Spain

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

The centuries-old history of a Menorcan country palace meets modern luxury at this 22-room hotel. Lush Moorish gardens descend in traditional terraces to a dazzling spa, housed in an ancient cistern. Between the fabulous indoor and outdoor pools and the excellent restaurant, there’s plenty to do. Read expert review

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£ 159

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Belmond Hotel Cipriani

Hotel Giudecca, Venice, Italy

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

With sweeping views across the Venetian lagoon, the 96-room Belmond Hotel Cipriani is the definition of luxurious perfection. Guests can count on stellar – and discreet – service at this five-star resort in addition to Michelin-starred dining, an Olympic-sized pool filtered with seawater and gorgeous grounds. Read expert review

From

£ 865

per person

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Les Hortensias du Lac

Hotel Hossegor, Aquitaine, France

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

This upscale, 25-room surf lodge combines a relaxed atmosphere with top-of-the-line luxury. Enjoy lakefront views from the heated pool under the pines, relax in the 450-square-metre spa, or paddle on the lake before dinner at the lovely restaurant, one of the area’s most refined. Read expert review

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£ 189

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Le Chardon Mountain Lodges

Hotel Val d'Isere, Rhône-Alpes, France

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Five Scottish-owned chalets - Chardon is French for thistle - sleeping from eight to 20, all with outstanding cuisine and service, some with wonderful views. A favourite with celebrities, being secluded and discreet. Read expert review

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£ 142

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Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

Hotel Berlin, Germany

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Berlin’s most glamorous hotel address has hosted Michael Jackson and Her Majesty the Queen, among other luminaries. Overlooking the Brandenburg Gate, the hotel's prestigious location is matched to top-notch facilities (a two-floor spa, several restaurants) and flawless service. Read expert review

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£ 357

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Terre Blanche

Hotel Tourrettes, Provence, France

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Set in wine and walking country, this swish hotel, spa and golf resort is popular with the Monaco set. Surprisingly, Terre Blanche also suits families, drawn by the sprawling grounds and smooth service in a sleepy part of Provence. From city-slickers to cool kids, it’s a clever trick to pull off. Read expert review

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£ 463

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The Gritti Palace

Hotel Venice, Veneto, Italy

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

The Gritti – in an enviable spot on the lower reaches of the Grand Canal – has been a favourite with top-tier travellers since the 15th-century palazzo became a hotel in 1895. The splendid interior is packed with antiques, frescoes and neatly concealed technology. There's also a cooking school and an exquisite spa. Read expert review

From

£ 1,064

per person

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Il San Pietro di Positano

Hotel Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Often included in 'World's Best' lists and frequented by such stars as George Clooney and Julia Roberts, the legendary and oh-so-glam San Pietro lives up to its reputation. But the luxuriousness and spectacular setting belie what is, at the heart, a family operation, so the five-star service comes with genuine warmth. Read expert review

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£ 520

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Chateau de Berne

Hotel Lorgues, Provence, France

10 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Indulge your fantasies as Count of Provence in a postcard-perfect estate that serves as a model for wine resorts well beyond the Riviera. From grand living and fine-dining to country pursuits and spa-wallowing, it’s fit for a countess too. The mood is as quaffable as the estate’s best-selling rosé. Read expert review

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£ 253

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Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel

Hotel Cap d'Antibes, Provence, France

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

The Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel offers five-star luxury on the sandy sea shore, topped by a Michelin-starred restaurant in the form of Les Pêcheurs. A film set cast of staff curate this astounding emplacement in France’s sunniest, chicest – and costliest – corner. Read expert review

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£ 217

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Rock House

Hotel Edinburgh, Scotland

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

A heavenly 18th-century house hidden on Calton Hill with a courtyard garden to the front, a pretty and surprisingly large walled garden to the rear, a striking separate Belvedere studio and a self-contained annexe. It offers unusually flexible accommodation, tremendous views and an enviable city-centre location. Read expert review

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£ 465

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Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace

Hotel St Petersburg, Russia

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

This five-star palace hotel, situated right on St Isaac’s square, not only enjoys a prestigious location but is also pitch perfect in pretty much every regard. Rooms are immaculately appointed, the restaurants are sumptuous as well as sexy, there’s a gorgeous spa, and service is effortlessly slick. Read expert review

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Arbaso

Hotel San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Live and breathe Basque tradition in luxury at this 50-room hotel. Natural textures such as Markina marble form the fabulous backdrop for a slew of designer furniture, while bespoke activities from farmhouse visits to tuna fishing and a restaurant buzzing at all hours make it easy to immerse yourself in local culture. Read expert review

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£ 90

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HUUS Gstaad

Hotel Gstaad, Switzerland

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

A perfect marriage between Alpine hut and luxury design hotel. HUUS Gstaad melds an unmatched package of outdoor activities with a well appointed family-friendly spa and “the world’s best beds”. Two Range Rover convertibles for complimentary hire top off the visionary concept. Read expert review

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£ 226

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Cheval Old Town Chambers

Hotel Edinburgh, Scotland

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

It’s easy to run out of superlatives describing this remarkable collection of slick, stylish serviced apartments in a series of historic buildings off the busy Royal Mile. With a classy restaurant and bar it feels more good hotel than aparthotel: a holiday hideaway steps away but far removed from the maddening crowds. Read expert review

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£ 173

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Bayerischer Hof

Hotel Munich, Germany

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Munich famously steers a path between the modern and traditional, and few places better reflect this than the outstanding Bayerischer Hof. It dates back to 1841, and cherishes its history while recognising that visitors demand super-modern amenities. Read expert review

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£ 371

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Domaine Les Crayeres

Hotel Reims, Champagne, France

9 /10 Telegraph expert rating

Possibly the château of your wildest French dreams. Les Crayères is a class act from start to finish. Walk in manicured grounds, book Champagne cellar tours and tastings, dine in two-Michelin-starred finery, and drink deep of the regal ambience of this hyper-luxe Reims retreat. Read expert review

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£ 371

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