The Best Hotels
in

Europe

AfricaAsiaAustralia & the Pacificthe CaribbeanMexico & Central Americathe Middle EastSouth AmericaUSA & Canada

The 5-star Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg is housed inside one of Germany’s largest Baroque palaces in the Cologne countryside. Originally constructed as a hunting lodge by Prince-Elector Johann Wilhelm II of Duesseldorf for his wife, Maria-Luisa of the Medici family, each of the rooms at this palatial hotel oozes elegance and sophistication, something that has not gone unnoticed as the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg has been awarded for its interior design.

Recognized on last year’s Fodor’s Finest Hotel Awards List, the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg continues to offer guests a royal stay in a palatial setting overlooking the city of Cologne. Plush upholstery and the finest fabrics are paired with wood accents and pops of crimson red, giving each room a luxurious feel, enhanced by modern amenities and spacious bathrooms fit for a queen.

Of course, with such royal accommodations, one expects the royal treatment, and in this, the Schloss Bensberg doesn’t disappoint. Its 4 elements spa brings treatments inspired by the elements of fire, earth, wind, and water. On the dining front, the star is its two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Vendôme, which is overseen by one of Germany’s top chefs, Joachim Wissler.

In January 2026, Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg is expanding its offerings to include an exclusive health retreat set against the backdrop of the castle. In collaboration with the UNIQ Institute, this tailor-made program redefines holistic health with personalized therapy plans, cutting-edge longevity technologies, and the luxury rejuvenation that makes Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg such a winner in our book. 

Perched high above Cappadocia’s honeycombed valleys, Argos in Cappadocia appears less like a hotel and more like an extension of the land itself. Built into the remains of a 2,000-year-old monastery, its walls of volcanic tuff and natural stone rise seamlessly from the fairy chimneys and spires that punctuate the region’s otherworldly landscape. Accommodations here span the full spectrum, from intimate stone-carved rooms with traditional furnishings to luxe, cavernous dwellings with private hot tubs.

The newly opened Argos Spa—the largest cave spa in Turkey—spans 17,244 square feet within vaulted stone chambers. Treatments range from traditional Turkish hammams to contemporary wellness rituals. Alongside the spa are 20 new guest rooms and suites with vaulted ceilings, original stonework, and organic textures.

Every experience here is anchored in Cappadocia’s unique terrain and heritage. At dawn, hot-air balloons drift across the pastel skies. By afternoon, guests can explore the ancient valleys on horseback or on foot. In between, the heated rooftop pool offers a serene pause alongside panoramic vistas. At Seki Restaurant, menus are shaped by the hotel’s gardens and neighboring farms, a “zero-mile food” philosophy best enjoyed on the sunlit terraces. And the 22,000-bottle wine cellar, stocked with vintages that include Argos’s own vineyards, is a marvel.

The newest property in the Bulgari hotel portfolio is its crown jewel. It stands in the heart of Campo Marzio, a stone’s throw from some of the city’s main attractions, including the Spanish Steps, Via del Corso, and the luxury boutiques that line Via dei Condotti, such as the Bulgari jewelry flagship. Local architecture firm ACPV is responsible for the property’s signature understated, yet opulent touch. Rooms are appointed with all Italian-made furnishings and upholstery. The bathrooms might be the best part—spacious, with white marble, and featuring soaking tubs and custom bath products. Although gorgeous from top to bottom, the hotel could be just as prized for its service, which is white glove at every turn.

Dining and wellness both shine at Bulgari Hotel Rome. Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito oversees Il Ristorante, the hotel’s contemporary Italian spot. Five more dining concepts include the Bulgari Bar and La Terrazza, a rooftop lounge that shares the same menu of Italian bites like fritto misto, buffalo mozzarella, and interpretations of classic cocktails like palomas and cosmopolitans. If you’re looking to enhance your stay, book a spa treatment. The pool is modeled after ancient Roman baths, featuring columns, a waterfall wall, and loungers throughout.

Thanks to the 2026 Winter Olympics, all eyes are on the Dolomites, but this rugged region in northeastern Italy has been drawing travelers for centuries. Nestled in the mountains above Brixen, FORESTIS is a haven for travelers seeking a respite from the hectic pace of everyday life. The oldest part of the property dates back to 1912, when the Hapsburgs built the chalet as a tuberculosis sanatorium. (At the time, South Tyrol was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.)

Local hotelier Alois Hinteregger spotted the neglected building on a hike and decided to give it a new life. His son, Stefan, and Stefan’s partner, Teresa Unterthiner, took over the project, adding three modern towers that now house most of the rooms and suites. A sleek, minimalist aesthetic prevails, with pine-clad, glass-walled suites, a fine dining restaurant with a unique, amphitheater-esque design, and a massive spa spread over two floors, with an indoor/outdoor pool, four saunas, relaxation rooms, and a room dedicated to wyda, an ancient Celtic form of yoga. Every aspect of the hotel aims to immerse you in the forest, from the healing wood massage at the spa to the cocktails that incorporate local herbs, berries, and bark. Think of it as forest bathing at its finest.

When headed to a place as glamorous as St. Moritz, there’s a level of expectation one has for their accommodations. One would expect a St. Moritz hotel to exude a level of luxury and indulgence worthy of such a place. The Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in St. Moritz got the assignment and aced it, providing guests with a palatial stay where you’re just as likely to find yourself enjoying “a bump” of caviar as you are to find yourself enjoying the convenience of being right next to the Corviglia ski lifts.

Housed in a historic building dating back to 1864, the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski boasts over 200 rooms and suites. The hotel itself resembles a dramatic castle, with bright blue shutters and interiors that pay homage to traditional Swiss Alpine aesthetics. Most notably, the hotel is situated right at the famed Mauritius Spring, whose iron-rich waters have long been reputed to possess healing properties. This healing spring is woven right into the hotel’s luxury spa, where guests can enjoy Alpine-inspired treatments, swim in an indoor (or outdoor) pool, and even sip water from the historic Mauritius Spring. Worth noting is the spa’s sauna journey, a trip through multiple saunas, including a Finnish sauna, herbal sauna, and stone sauna. 

Outside of the spa, an expansive culinary portfolio promises everything from the low-key (like pizza at Les Saisons & the Lobby Bar) to the elegant  (such as Neora, the first Greek restaurant in the Engadine Valley). Meanwhile, Billionaire St. Moritz promises an experience best described as Cirque du Soleil meets fine dining. But what really makes The Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in St. Moritz a must for Switzerland-bound travelers is how set up the hotel is for skiers, whether it’s the direct access to the cable cars serving the Corviglia ski area, the ski-in/ski-out option, or the on-site ski shop ready to outfit guests with everything needed for a day on the slopes. 

Perched above the village of Puigpunyent in the Tramuntana Mountains, Grand Hotel Son Net is Mallorca at its most majestic. This 17th-century estate, with ivy-clad archways and Renaissance frescoes, has long promised a regal escape. Today, its character feels richer still, thanks to interiors by Lorenzo Castillo, who layered bold florals, velvet, antique furniture, and baroque paintings into a maximalist ode to Mediterranean glamour.

One of Son Net’s must-visit sites is its enormous spa, carved in dark red tones and filled with sunlight. Here, you’ll drift between a saltwater pool, thermal circuit, and serene treatment rooms, with yoga on the terrace and mountain views as constant companions. Beyond the spa, life spills into citrus-scented courtyards, a private vineyard, and manicured gardens, where a 30-meter pool offers sweeping views of the UNESCO-listed Tramuntana range.

Dining remains a celebration of the island. At Mar & Duix, in the heart of the former olive press, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant brings a refined take on Mallorcan cuisine—served among historic stone and timber architecture. Other options include El Gazebo, perfect for leisurely lunches beneath the palms, and Green Bar, with an impressive wine list. Grand Hotel Son Net feels at once rooted in history and alive with the kind of contemporary elegance that makes Mallorca eternally irresistible.

The Paris of artists of bygone bohemian days meets Wes Anderson-esque whimsy at Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin. This warm, inviting, and maximalist property ticks all the boxes for a perfect Parisian getaway, whether you’re a veteran visitor to the City of Light or enjoying it for the first time. It all starts with a speedy and courteous check-in, complete with friendly bellhops in regal plum uniforms, all while a spicy signature fragrance perfumes the air.

The razzle dazzle doesn’t stop there, as Le Grand Mazarin’s rooms feel gorgeously transportive, from the lush textiles to the fanciful patterns fit for a queen. Luxe details, such as tapestry canopies, deep soaking tubs, and in-room saunas, along with Diptyque amenities, can be found en suite. Even the smaller rooms (the Classic comes in at 215 sq ft.) feel more like a chic pied-à-terre than a standard hotel room.

Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin features a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant, Boubalé, plus a rowdy basement cabaret-style lounge, Le Petit Bazar, and a bar that has been repeatedly lauded for its sustainability efforts. During your stay, prioritize a visit to the property’s pool and hammam area tout suite. A soak and float underneath a celestial canopy painted by artist Jacques Merle is an absolute must.

Discreetly tucked behind Copenhagen’s Royal Theater, Hotel Sanders welcomes guests into an intimate, residential-style haven known for its personalized, attentive service. The ground floor resembles an inviting living room: shelves of cracked-spine novels and Danish modern chairs contrast with velvet sofas, while brass lamps cast a soft glow. The courtyard offers a year-round sanctuary, filled with palms and vines, creating an open-air summer oasis that transforms into a glass-topped, heated retreat in winter. The location offers central convenience and calm, allowing guests to unwind in quiet surroundings while being just steps from museums, theaters, shops, and public transportation.

Rooms are thoughtfully designed to maximize space, with singles and doubles offering smart layouts and organic cotton bedding. Suites offer indulgent amenities unique to each room, including private balconies or fireplaces. Artful Danish decor, along with heated-floor marble bathrooms, lends warmth. Curating a distinctive local touch, signature Danish snacks are replenished on request, and breakfast also leans heavily on local and seasonal Scandinavian fare. When evening falls, the hotel’s TATA bar draws theatergoers with inventive cocktails. By 2026, a rooftop menu expansion will further distinguish Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen’s hospitality scene.

There are plenty of luxurious five-star hotels on Italy’s glamorous Amalfi Coast, but Hotel Santa Caterina is the OG of them all. Originally the holiday home of the aristocratic Gambardella family, which still operates the hotel, it first opened its doors in 1904 and has garnered a loyal following over the past century. This is a place where guests return year after year and always want the same room. It has also been known to host celebrities looking for privacy in its romantic cliffside suites, some of which have a private pool or garden.

A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Santa Caterina immerses you not only in the destination but also in nostalgia for a time when the maître d’ knew his guests by name and they might receive a call on the hotel’s rotary phone. Retro style is de rigueur here, from the lobby with its antiques and hand-painted tile floors to the plates emblazoned with the Gambardella family’s crest.

One of the biggest selling points is the beach club, featuring a saltwater pool and a sunbathing platform carved directly into the rock. Don’t underestimate the restaurants, though. The spaghetti al limone at the casual Restaurant Al Mare is a must, while the Michelin-starred Glicine is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. New this year is the rooftop restaurant, Senzafine, a sushi bar, and Mediterranean grill.

Found in the heart of Engelberg in Central Switzerland, the Kempinski Palace Engelberg is the first and only five-star resort in the region. With a claim to fame like that, and virtually no nearby competition, it would be all too easy for the Kempinski Palace Engelberg to sit back on its laurels, but instead, it seems to compete with itself, setting the standard for hospitality year after year.

Housed within a historic Belle Époque structure dating back nearly a century, the hotel feels relatively new, thanks to a major restoration and expansion that saw it reopen its doors in 2021. To stay at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg is to appreciate the dance between old and new, vintage and contemporary, woven throughout the hotel’s design. Crown molding and wood paneling details pair beautifully with bespoke amenities in rooms that showcase the stunning mountain views just outside. 

Resting at the foot of Mount Titlis, Engelberg—like much of Switzerland—is a popular winter destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The Kempinski Palace Engelberg is perfectly located, giving guests access to the gondola lifts running to the top of Mount Titlis and the Benedictine monastery from which Engelberg sprung forth (don’t miss its cheese shop!). So, it comes as no surprise that the Kempinski Palace Engelberg emphasizes wellness and alpine immersion throughout its hotel.

The luxury spa, for example, features a rooftop pool enclosed in a glass room, offering swimmers panoramic views of the surrounding Alps. On the dining front, the hotel’s Catanni Restaurant gives a brasserie-inspired dining experience with French-Swiss influences, while the Wintergarden afternoon tea is a true display of culinary beauty set against a light-filled room lined with panoramic windows. For cocktails, the Palace Bar (built in the early 1900s) is like a time capsule of Switzerland’s Belle Époque and the perfect place to unwind with a flawlessly-made martini—perfect for sipping after a day spent hitting the slopes. 

Tucked into the northern coast of Bodrum’s peninsula, Maçakızı is the defining jewel of Türkbükü bay. First opened in 1977 by Ayla Emiroğlu as a bohemian refuge for artists and intellectuals, many of whom paid for their stays with art, the property has evolved into a glamorous boutique hotel that retains its enchanting, creative spirit and understated opulence.

A Land Rover Defender picks you up at the airport and delivers you in style to the hillside setting that’s so secluded you might miss it. Labyrinthic pathways tangled in bougainvillea and olive trees ensconce the two-story villas of guest rooms, each with a private garden or sea-facing balcony. At the water’s edge lies the hotel’s legendary teak beach club deck: a sanctuary for deep leisure and equally a social stage for an afternoon swell of Riviera-style energy.

Michelin-starred Chef Aret Sahakyan is at the helm of the culinary program: the flagship Maçakızı Restaurant, plus Ayla, a tribute to the hotel’s founder, plucking ingredients right from the property’s own gardens. Amenities such as a spa offering a traditional Turkish Hamam, a fitness center, and even a movie theater are housed in airy pavilions and seamlessly integrated into the natural surroundings, creating a grand escape from the bustle of life.

There are many hotels to choose from in London, especially in the uber-posh neighborhood of Mayfair. Tucked behind Shepherd Market in the heart of the Mayfair neighborhood, on the quiet Half Moon Street, rests The five-star Mayfair Townhouse, a boutique hotel that embodies British luxury. Surprisingly spacious suites and interconnecting rooms make this hotel one of the better options in the neighborhood for a stay that doesn’t feel cramped (a real win in a city like London, where the average room size is about 120 square feet).

Called The Mayfair Townhouse because the hotel is comprised of fifteen interconnected Georgian townhouses, the design of the hotel is one that is playful and elegant, giving a nod to the “dandy” aesthetic. Think thoughtful art pieces mixed with rich textures and pops of colors that lend the space an eclectic yet chic feel. The on-site Dandy Bar is worth an evening spent imbibing in expertly crafted cocktails or enjoying the thoughtfully curated menu, where you can expect to find British classics, such as fish and chips.

Of all the reasons to book a room at The Mayfair Townhouse, by far the most compelling, in this writer’s opinion, is how the hotel offers a respite from the bustling streets of Mayfair. The Mayfair Townhouse is right around the corner from the Green Park Underground Station and within reach of many of the city’s main attractions, including Buckingham Palace. And yet, despite being in the center of everything, turning onto Half Moon Street and approaching The Mayfair Townhouse feels like you’ve stepped through a portal into an oasis of calm.

Sheltered in the bucolic countryside of Somerset in western England, ultra-luxurious country house hotel The Newt has the feeling of a place that stands outside of time. The ruins of a Roman villa and a working cider apple orchard are among the curiosities guests can explore in the grounds of the sprawling Hadspen Estate, while accommodation is split between the 18th-century Hadspen House and various outbuildings. Rooms in the Farmyard and Stable Yard buildings have a rustic-luxury feel, with timber beams, exposed stone, and wood-burning stoves. Rooms in the main house have a classy Georgian feel, albeit with a modern twist—angular four-posters, mid-century lamps, and chairs.

The activities and dining options offer a similar sweep through history. Guests can play croquet on the lawn, work out in the state-of-the-art gym, and relax in one of the UK’s most luxurious spas, while food offerings include afternoon tea inside a classic train carriage and exquisite classic British dishes in the glasshouse of the Botanical Rooms. But The Newt’s greatest charms are the ones you’ll find nowhere else: exploring ancient ruins, joining a beekeeping workshop, or viewing deer from a treetop walkway through the estate’s woodlands.

History abounds at Madrid’s Palace Hotel, a historic building dating back to 1912 where Spain’s leading intellectuals—such as painter Salvador Dalí, film director Luis Buñuel, and poet Federico García Lorca—once gathered to raise a glass. At the on-site 27 Club, keep an eye out for an old guest book propped open to reveal the signature of a well-known former guest, Pablo Picasso.

The Palace is a hotel that has set many firsts for the country: it was Spain’s first hotel to introduce private toilets in each room and the first to install telephones in every room, establishing a standard for both engineering and luxury. Today, The Palace continues to uphold a legacy of superb hospitality, breathtaking design, and unparalleled attention to detail.

Step past the regal facade, and inside, you’ll be greeted by an expansive lobby leading to the on-site restaurant and bar, La Cupula, which is truly worth a visit in its own right thanks to a menu crafted by the Michelin-starred chef of La Casa de Manolo Franco. Resting beneath a massive glass and wrought iron dome dating back to the early 1900s, La Cupula was lovingly restored, with nearly 2,000 pieces of glass carefully dismantled and repaired, with some of the more complicated pieces being sent to Barcelona to be cared for by the same studio working on the La Sagrada Familia restoration project.

Beyond its stellar dining, The Palace boasts rooms that are as elegant and thoughtfully designed as the rest of the hotel. Nods to Madrid’s Retiro Park are evident throughout the rooms, with Retiro Park-inspired art and wallpaper incorporated into the design. Each room is elegant with an Art Deco sensibility, blending a neutral palette with pops of color and lush textures (think blue velvet or crimson). All of the rooms are gorgeous, spacious, and offer views of Madrid or the Cupula dome.

On Lake Como, there are five-star luxury hotels, and then there is Passalacqua, which is in a class of its own. Run by Valentina De Santis and her family, who are also behind the Grand Hotel Tremezzo just 30 minutes up the lake’s western shore, Passalacqua epitomizes il dolce far niente. Built in 1787 for Count Andrea Lucini-Passalacqua, the grand villa once hosted luminaries including composer Vincenzo Bellini (the suite named after him is the hotel’s largest and most opulent). Its interiors have been lovingly restored and filled with the finest antiques, Fortuny silk lamps from Venice, Murano chandeliers, and Ginori porcelain.

But for all its grandeur, Passalacqua is surprisingly intimate. Staying here feels more like staying at the home of a very chic Milanese family than at a hotel. In the mornings, guests wander into the kitchen, where freshly baked cakes, quiches, homemade jams, local cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal fruit are laid out on the counters. In the evenings, a pianist serenades guests dining in the elegant restaurant. In between, you can relax by the pool, with its jaunty green umbrellas designed by J.J. Martin, unwind at the spa, or go for a spin around the lake aboard one of the hotel’s vintage boats. This is about as close to George Clooney’s Lake Como life as mere mortals can get.

A kind of humble B&B commonly found during the 20th century, a “pensione” as a type of lodging doesn’t really exist anymore in contemporary Italy, but the choice to keep the word as part of this new member of the Leading Hotels of the World’s name was a deliberate one. That’s because Sara Maestrelli and her family—the hoteliers behind the property—wanted to evoke a nostalgic vision of what Pensione America might have been like when it welcomed guests in the 1920s. The reborn adults-only retreat is decorated in a timeless Italian coastal style, with wicker and bamboo furniture, huge potted plants, hand-painted ceramic tiles, and cushions featuring prints of the area’s iconic umbrella pines.

Guests are encouraged to explore the upscale seaside town—sometimes called Tuscany’s answer to the Hamptons—with the hotel’s complimentary bicycles. Guests also get privileged access to the family’s beach club, Bagno Assunta, where they can relax on vintage wooden sunbeds and twirl strands of spaghetti alle arselle (little local clams). Or they can post up by the pool with a book and sip a ginger-laced Aperol Spritz. Either way, this is the ideal place to savor Italian summertime pleasures away from the crowds.

Wholesome luxury is the vibe at Stanglwirt, a five-star wellness resort in the Austrian Alps famous for its out-of-this-world spa. Founded 400 years ago as an organic farm and inn, the Stanglwirt has a long roster of celebrity fans, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose portrait, signed “I’ll be back,” hangs in the gym. The resort’s pastoral roots are still very much present—an on-site dairy produces award-winning organic cheese, and the children’s farm encourages little ones to brush ponies and collect fresh eggs. But Stanglwirt is modern and innovative, too; the hotel has been generating CO2-free energy via its own biomass heating plant since the 80s.

Rooms here have a cozy alpine aesthetic and feel permanently awash with sunshine thanks to wood-burning fireplaces and abundant golden-blonde wood (local Arolla Pine that never loses its foresty scent). Outside, the spectacular Wilder Kaiser mountains tower over Stanglwirt’s famed 130,000 sq. ft. spa complex, encompassing five saunas, three steam baths, and a variety of hot and cold pools (the natural lake, filled with icy mountain water, is a post-sauna treat). Complete your holistic wellness experience with a spa treatment, sports training, or even a session with Stanglwirt’s on-site mental health therapist.

Nestled within a private country estate, the quintessential British getaway—rolling hills and expansive farmland; exposed brick and built-in fireplaces; glassy lakes—exists at The Tempus hotel at Charlton Hall Estate.

Surrounded by acres of land in Northumberland and just 15 minutes from the historic center of Alnwick, the Tempus Hotel has given new meaning to relaxing retreats. Part of the Charlton Hall Estate, the hotel’s chapter began in 2017 when Richard Shell took over the property and transformed it into what it is today. Incorporating original stone, slate, and timber from the estate’s former farm buildings, the hotel opened in 2023 and was thoughtfully designed to preserve its rich sense of history.

Barnwood ceilings, exposed brick, whimsical wallpapers, and soaking tubs- across the Estate, there are 52 bedrooms and suites, each with its own unique style. Wake up with the sunrise and humming of the birds, or unwind in an outdoor tub and drink under the stars in one of the newly added lakeside cabins or yurts. Just beyond the glittering disco balls, topiaries, and bold patterns lies the Orangery. The heart of the hotel is a beautiful gathering space for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner.