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Seaside hotels, spa resorts, boutique hotels in the world’s coolest cities – what are the best hotels in Europe to book right now? Some of them just sit head and shoulders above the rest, offering unforgettable experiences from the moment you walk through their grand doors. Our pick of Europe’s (and the UK’s) most magnificent luxury stays is here. We hope it inspires you to stop dreaming, and book that Luxury Gold journey to Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland or Sweden.

Four Seasons Firenze, Florence

A true classic – there’s scarcely a list of luxury hotels the Four Seasons Firenze doesn’t appear on. The building itself is a restored 15th century palazzo and it sits surrounded by Florence’s largest private garden – flamboyant with fountains, statues, umbrella pines, yews and sweeping beeches. Some rooms have views of the Duomo and the interiors are opulence itself: dramatic bouquets, frescoes, bronze sculptures, mosaics, moldings – the full Italian Renaissance.

 

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Le Bristol, Paris

Another icon in the world of luxury hotels, Le Bristol has been offering a haven to luxury-loving artists since 1925. Among the people to have graced its sumptuously oversized suites: Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, Christian Lacroix. The rooms are full of light, as well as period furniture and antique mirrors. Close to the Champs-Élysées, Le Bristol’s courtyard is the ideal escape, with its serene white and green palette. And the restaurant – Epicure – has three Michelin stars.

 

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You may also enjoy reading: 10 Most Exciting Hotel Openings of 2025

Raffles London at the OWO, London

The Old War Office (OWO) on Whitehall is now (as of 2023) one of the best hotels in Europe – a super-sumptuous luxury stay imbibed with history and subterfuge (there’s a hidden bar in the underground interrogation rooms once used by MI5 agents, for instance). Over an eight-year renovation, the original floors and staircase were preserved – where Winston Churchill delivered his wartime announcements. The rooms are nothing short of spectacular.

 

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Passalacqua, Lake Como

This 18th century villa opened as a hotel in 2022 and has quickly emerged as one of the most idyllic luxury stays in the world. Surrounded by the impossible blues, greens and turquoises of Lake Como, the hotel is resplendent with Murano chandeliers, gilded mirrors, original frescoes and manicured gardens. The pool scene has to be one of the most glamorous in the world, with its pine green loungers and lily-petal parasols, against the lake backdrop.

 

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Adare Manor, Ireland

This neo-Gothic manor house sits within 840 acres of formal French gardens, parklands and the River Maigue and is quietly one of the best resorts in Europe. Activities on offer include falconry, fishing and archery, and the spa is world-class. The padel club is tucked in the woods, with a gym, sauna, steam room and enormous swimming pool alongside the courts. The interiors are all oak, leather, monumental stone-vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and red velvet. Adare’s got it all (including a chocolate shop). If you’re enamored with our Castles & Kingdoms journey, you’ll adore it here.

 

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For more breathtaking stays read: How You Can Stay in Europe’s Finest Private Castles

Gran Hotel Ingles, Madrid

This boutique hotel in the middle of Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras is tucked down a narrow street – soothing, but full of life. At its heart, the glamorous lobby is abundant with gold, bronze and velvet; it has a central bar surrounded by cocktail lounge space, designed as a gathering space, inspired by the Café Inglés of the 19th century, which attracted writers and artists. The rooms are white and grey with lots of straight lines and sharp angles.

 

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Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi

If Amalfi isn’t on your luxury hotels bucketlist, put the Borgo Santandrea on there right now, truly one of the best beach hotels in Europe. Built dramatically into the rockface (as only the Amalfi Coast knows how), looming directly over the glimmering sea, with a private beach club, suitably serene white and blue rooms and all the Negronis and fritto misto you could dream of, this address is simply special.

 

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Kalesma, Mykonos

Another of the most glorious beach hotels in Europe, Kalesma sits up a Mykonian hill, out of reach of the parties, surrounded by olive trees, bougainvillea and the scent of rosemary, basil and lavender. With only 25 suites and two villas, this luxury boutique hotel is arranged across gorgeous whitewashed buildings, inspired by Cycladic architecture, but with chic, modern interiors. The dining options – meze, pool bar, sunset lounge and private dining – make it difficult to leave.

 

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Experimental Chalet Verbier

Soul-reviving views of snow-capped peaks, tartiflette by Gregory Marchand, an epic hammam, cosy rooms with mountain terraces, and Winter Cup cocktails (Pimm’s, Fino sherry, lemon, cucumber, bitters) make this one of the best hotels in Europe. From outside, it looks like a regular luxury chalet, but the flashes of scarlet on the shutters let you know that what lurks within is far more stylish than all of the others, bar none.

 

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Bookmark for later: How to Spend 48 Hours in One of Norway’s Most Scenic Hotels

Hjortviken Country Club, Sweden

One of the hot new boutique hotels of the year, this unique escape just outside of Gothenburg is worth having on your list, particularly if you’re considering our Timeless Scandinavia journey, which starts in Copenhagen. Low-key glamor is the vibe – there’s cross-country skiing in winter, lake activity in summer, and plenty of lounging under coral, fringed parasols, plus a Swedish brasserie, some Cali-inspired tapas and an eighties New York City-style nightclub.

 

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Discover how magnificent stays bookend each day on every Luxury Gold journey.

Scotland has the sheer personality that makes for a trip of a lifetime. The most beautiful places in Scotland include its castles, world famous lochs, national parks, buzzy cities, historic towns, white sand island hideaways and natural wonders. You can visit Scotland with Luxury Gold as part of either our British Royale or our Castles & Kingdoms journeys – both of these travel from Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England, across the border to Edinburgh, where we take in Edinburgh castle, a whisky tasting and the 17th century Mary King’s Close. And you could easily extend your journey to fit in some of the special Scotland attractions below.

Edinburgh

It’s hard to believe Edinburgh is real until you’re within it, meandering its cobbled streets and otherworldly nooks in search of ice cream or Harry Potter or whisky or books or vintage clothes, while the castle looms above you, as though it’s floating in the clouds, and the sound of bagpipes drifts on the wind. Edinburgh’s dazzling array of architectural styles makes it one of the most beautiful cities on earth to behold. See it all on a Scotland luxury tour.

2. Isle of Skye

Were you to ask, what is the prettiest part of Scotland?, many people will respond: the Isle of Skye. The largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago is a dramatic, rugged, 50-mile beauty, graced with nature’s most bountiful riches: mountains, volcanic rock formations, craggy coastline, shimmering lochs and heather-covered hills. Despite all the drama, it’s a distinctly serene place, ideal for those seeking a quiet, restorative Scotland trip.

You may also enjoy reading: The 10 Most Scenic Train Rides in Europe: From Switzerland to Scotland.

3. Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is the largest of the lakes of mainland Britain but only the second most famous lake in Scotland (after Loch Ness, of course). Alongside the area of wooded glens and braes that surround it (the Trossachs) this is a scenic area with a little bit of everything to offer. You can take a waterbus from various piers around the loch and explore the landscape – and you’re rarely more than an hour from Glasgow.

4. Cairngorms National Park

What is the most magical place in Scotland? Well, this national park in northeast Scotland looks like an ice queen took up residence centuries ago. The mountains that give the national park its name provide a unique arctic-alpine environment, with snowy peaks and reindeer at large. It’s a semi-tundra moorland habitat, home to ospreys, golden eagles, snow buntings, crested tits and many more rare species of wildlife. They’re not Scotland’s highest mountains, but they’re easily the wildest.

Bookmark for later: The Great Clans of Scotland

5. Stirling

There is something very special and uniquely Scottish about this little city that sits surrounded by swathes of gorgeous scenery, with a mighty castle sitting on an intrusive crag. The Old Town offers cobbled streets and historic buildings, and the castle ramparts have seen attacks, sieges and royal business dating back to the 12th century. You can look out from them, over the Forth Valley, the National Wallace Monument and the strategic approach to the castle gates.

6. The Argyll Peninsulas

There is a deliciously protected little microclimate in this glittering, oasis-like area of the west coast, where so many little nuggets of land jut out into the sea that Argyll comprises 3,000 miles of coastline, about the same as the whole of France. There are castles and forts aplenty and some incredible wildlife to spot too, including basking sharks, otters and white-tailed eagles.

You may also like to read: The 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World You Need to Visit

7. The Highlands

People travel to Scotland on the sleeper train in order to fall asleep in one magical European city (London) and wake up in another (Edinburgh), but also because the views out of the window of the Highlands are spectacular – it feels like the most beautiful places in Scotland are flashing through your window. There’s the wilderness of Rannoch Moor and then lochs and glens all the way to the Glenfinnan Viaduct – the one from the Hogwarts Express.

8. Ben Nevis

This one is Scotland’s highest mountain, and the wider UK’s highest mountain too. And on a clear, crisp day the views from the top are electric, making the climb well worthwhile. If you don’t fancy the six to nine-hour hike, though, you can take the gondola up Aonach Mor next door. It’s intended for use by hill walkers looking to reach specific routes, but it offers panoramic views of the Scottish Highlands up and down, all year long, including the Great Glen and Ben Nevis himself.

Discover what’s so special about your Luxury Gold Travel Concierge: How Travel Concierge Shona Goes Above and Beyond

9. Isle of Mull

Embrace nature on Mull in the Inner Hebrides, where crags of solid black basalt sit against Maldives-esque white sand and whales, dolphins and porpoises can be spotted off the coast. The main town, Tobermory, is as beautiful as it sounds, too, with its row of colourful houses on a sheltered bay – a place to slow down, pottering in the old pub, tea room, cheese shop and mini distillery.

10. The Borders

The much-contested border between England and Scotland is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland for some leisurely sightseeing, with its unique blend of Scottish and Northern English charm, majestic landscapes and historical landmarks. Pretty towns here bustle with independent shops and cafes, which sit almost impossibly between castles and ruins. Particularly atmospheric is Jedburgh, a picturesque town which boasts the ruins of a Romanesque and early Gothic abbey, a brilliant castle-turned-jail-turned-museum.

Bookmark for later: Meet Andy Coulter, the Highland Piper with Royal Connections

11. Fingal’s Cave

A short boat ride from Mull, this enchanting sea cave is found on the uninhabited isle of Staffa, in the Inner Hebrides. Formed over 50 million years ago, Fingal’s Cave is similar in structure to Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, sculpted entirely by nature from hexagonal basalt columns which appear to rise directly from the sea. The volcanic columns are home to black guillemots and puffins, creating a scene that is pure fantasy.

12. Isle of Barra

In the Outer Hebrides, Barra is a rugged beauty that has been jokingly referred to as Barradise and Barrabados – for its white sands, turquoise waters, but also its hills, machair and moor, not to mention the sight of planes landing on the hard-sand beach at low tide. There are epic adventures to be had on Barra, including sea kayaking trips, surf lessons. snorkelling with seals and coasteering.

For the ultimate luxury tour to Britain, including Scotland, take a look at our British Royale or our Castles & Kingdoms small-group journeys.

The great thing about bucket lists is that every single one is different. Your particular bucket list may be about unique places to stay or unique places to eat, it may centre around traditional local cultures or culinary experiences, you may be in the market for outdoor activities, or you may just want to add some breathtaking views to the memory bank. Wherever your travel interests lie, we know that as a Luxury Gold guest, you will want to do it in style. Here are 10 unique vacations of the moment.

1. Chase the Northern Lights

Scientists think the furthest south the aurora borealis has been spotted is in Honolulu, and over recent years parts of Europe have had surprise sightings. But if you want to be fully immersed in the holographic splendor of the sun and earth’s clashing magnetic fields, you will have to commit more time and patience to the experience. To “chase” the northern lights, your best bet is to head to northern Norway, somewhere like Tromsö, where your probability of seeing the sky lit up with blues, greens and purples is 70-90% in cloudless conditions between August and April.

You may also enjoy reading:Unusual Architecture: Design Marvels Across Europe

2. Receive a Shaman’s Welcome in the Sacred Valley

Our Treasures of the Incas journey is one of our most unique vacations; once you’ve met a local artist in Lima, it’s time to venture into the Sacred Valley in the Andes of Peru, north of the Inca capital of Cusco. Here, a local shaman will perform a welcoming ceremony, designed to connect you to this magical, mystical place of natural beauty, before you head on to the travel bucket list classic, Machu Picchu. Dating back to pre-historic times, the welcome ceremony is a way to celebrate and show gratitude to Pachamama, the only goddess revered by the Indigenous people of the Andes. The journey continues on to Buenos Aires and to Rio de Janeiro for cocktails on Copacabana Beach.

3. Sleep Under the Stars in California

Don’t overlook what’s on your doorstep in favor of getting off the beaten path to find the world’s “hidden gems”. California’s National Parks are home to some of the most iconic views and landscapes on the planet. Yosemite is popular because it’s special – it has glacier-sculpted geology, fairytale sequoias, jewel-like lakes and so much more. Everyone who enters falls in love, particularly if they stay at one of 13 campgrounds, with access to a campfire.

4. Enjoy a Soothing, Open-air Onsen in Japan

Hot springs and the bathing facilities around them are called “onsen” in Japan, where they constitute an important part of daily life and are deeply rooted in the culture. Benefits of bathing in hot springs include relaxation, improved sleep, improved circulation, less joint pain, better skin and a clearer mind. Onsen etiquette usually requires full nudity and no tattoos. Our Majestic Japan journey features the Oirase Keiryu Hotel, one of our most unique places to stay, thanks to its onsen deep within the forest.

Bookmark for later: These Are The Most Unique Romantic Getaways The World Has To Offer

5. Get a Taste for the Wine Life in South Africa

South Africa is home to some of the most breathtaking views in the world. It’s a wildly diverse place to travel, with culinary experiences, wildlife spotting and outdoor activities all on the agenda. Those looking for unique family vacations choose the safari, but if following the vines has always appealed to you, this is the place to do that, too. On our Spectacular South Africa journey, we head to the historic Cape Winelands, where we travel by chauffeured vintage car to indulge in a wine tasting at Vergelegen Estate and a farm-to-table lunch at Boschendal Wine Estate. Sip a delicious Pinotage surrounded by astounding natural beauty – it’s one for the books.

6. Behold an Uluru Sunset

Two weeks in Australia – you’ve probably been meaning to do it for a while, if you haven’t already. Our luxury journey takes in some of the country’s more unusual vacation destinations, as well as classics like Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Barrier Reef. Near the centre of Australia is Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, a large sandstone monolith. It is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area, known as the Anangu. Stopping here to see the sun slip behind the rock is soul-stirring experience – this is a landscape of surreal proportions, awash with the pinks, purples and oranges that only the sun can conjure.

7. Spy the Elusive Tigers of Ranthambore

On the Essence of India, we take the Jan Shatabdi Express from historic Bharatpur to Ranthambore, one of our favorite and most unusual vacation destinations. It’s a vast expanse of wild jungle, with a 10th century palace at its centre, and it’s the greatest place to spot wild tigers. In the former private hunting grounds of the maharajahs of Jaipur, we join a Local Expert on a quest, exploring the fort’s crocodile-filled lakes and vine-laced chhatris (dome-shaped pavilions) along the way.

You may also like: Step Inside the Most Unique Luxury Retreats in India

8. Take the Orient Express to Venice

This one is high on many bucket lists, and rightfully so. It is simply one of the world’s most decadent ways to travel, and it seems fitting that you should take it between two similarly decadent destinations: Paris and Venice. The carriages on the world famous train date from the Golden Age of travel, the 1920s and 30s, and the art-deco features are a feast for the senses, even without the views through the windows. Every detail and moment of a journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has been carefully considered.

9. Go Whale Watching in Kaikoura

New Zealand dazzles from top to bottom, with the makings of unique vacations every stop of the way. Our luxury journey, The Long White Cloud, takes in the wilderness of Wanaka, the adventure of Queenstown, the mammoth serenity of the Fiordland National Park and sulphuric Rotorua, where we tour a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. There are nonstop bucket list ticks here, but Kaikoura often tops them all, particularly if you love wildlife spotting. Giant sperm whales live reasonably close to the shore of Kaikoura year-round, and there is little on earth that tops spying one of these glorious creatures from a catamaran.

More travel inspiration for those seeing a unique vacation: These Are The Most Unique Romantic Getaways The World Has To Offer

10. Dance at Mardi Gras in New Orleans

You are never short of unique things to do in New Orleans, and a trip here should be considered a bucket list trip anyway, particularly by those seeking new culinary experiences. But if you can make it here for Mardi Gras, there is simply nothing on earth like it. On Fat Tuesday, right before Ash Wednesday, it’s an epic carnival featuring parades and parties of pure, unadulterated revelry. And if you can’t make it in March, our Southern Grace journey includes a behind-the-scenes tour of Mardi Gras World’s Blaine Kern Studios, a workshop that has created floats, costumes and props since 1947. It’s a whirlwind of colour and culture.

Feeling inspired be there unique vacations? Take a look at our collection of small group luxury journeys.