For some people, a hotel is simply a place to rest their head at night. Yet for us, hotels are as integral to the journey as the culture, dining and driving. When you set your eyes on some of these luxury boutique hotels in Europe, you’ll understand what we mean.
Today, we are highlighting a mix of our favourite luxury hotels on the continent – the height of comfort and opulence. These exclusive destinations include grand rural properties, romantic five-star manors, and cosy little cabins, covering everywhere from Italy to Iceland.
In no particular order, here are our 12 of our favourite boutique hotels in Europe.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
The Chedi, Andermatt, Switzerland
The Chedi is an ultra-luxe ski chalet in the picturesque village of Andermatt. This hotel marries the unusual combination of authentic Alpine chic with Asian design elements for a striking and memorable stay in a breath-taking location.
Highlights include an abundance of cosy log fires, a fantastic restaurant with four show kitchens, an exceptional spa featuring Switzerland’s largest indoor pool, and even a dedicated cheese room with a five-metre-high cheese tower! You can enjoy retreating to The Chedi after a day of spectacular driving as part of our Self-Drive Tour of Switzerland.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Castello di Casole, Tuscany, Italy
Time truly stands still at Castello di Casole, which is undoubtedly one of the finest luxury hotels in Tuscany – and you will quickly understand why. Set on a historic sun-drenched estate covering 4,200 acres of gorgeous land, Castello di Casole really is rural Italy at its finest.
While the charm of the 10th-century castle remains, a loving restoration means that you can enjoy thousands of years of history while indulging in modern conveniences. For example, they have a wonderful spa and a heated infinity pool overlooking the Tuscan hills. Can you think of a better way to relax after a day of supercar driving?
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Hôtel Hermitage, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monaco is one of the world’s most affluent destinations, so a hotel really has to be special for it to stand out. That’s exactly what the Hôtel Hermitage in Monte Carlo offers, and it’s one of the reasons we include it in some of our tours.
The Hôtel Hermitage is a renovated 19th-century palace that oozes opulence, with flawless attention to detail, a 7000m² thermal spa, and a three-Michelin-starred restaurant… oh, and don’t forget free entry to the private Monte-Carlo Beach Club. The location is also hard to beat; set in the prestigious Carré d’Or district overlooking the superyacht-filled port, and less than a minute to the famous main square.
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The Retreat Hotel, Blue Lagoon, Iceland
After a day driving on the ice, there’s nothing more soothing than a long soak in the steamy natural geothermal spa at The Retreat Hotel in Iceland. This exclusive suite-only hotel is encircled by the Blue Lagoon’s restorative mineral-rich waters – a world-renowned natural wonder – which you can access directly from many rooms.
These rooms are modern, sophisticated and ultra-comfortable. The aptly named fine-dining restaurant Moss is another highlight, serving exquisite modern-Icelandic dishes and the finest wines. Spend the night at this unique bucket-list hotel as part of our Ice Driving Experience package.
Image: burgenstockresort.com
Bürgenstock Resort, Switzerland
Perched 500 metres above the gorgeous Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland, the sprawling Bürgenstock Resort is home to three hotels in one 60-acre playground. This includes the stunning Palace Hotel, which has featured on our European Supercar Tour. This breathtaking Art Nouveau hotel remains as impressive as when it first opened in 1903. Each room provides the utmost comfort, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows with outstanding views of the lake below.
The resort also boasts three luxury spas and 12 gourmet restaurants to sink your teeth into, including the distinctive Sharq, which sits in its own mountainside cube. It’s no wonder that big names such as Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren have flocked to Bürgenstock over the past century.
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Park Hotel Vitznau, Switzerland
If you prefer a more intimate experience with Lake Lucerne, then the exuberant Park Hotel Vitznau couldn’t be closer to the water. The individually decorated rooms overlook both the lake and private beach, while the opulent spa offers a heated infinity pool, a Finnish sauna and an ice grotto in which to relax and recharge – perfect after a long day of supercar driving.
Dining at the Park Hotel Vitznau is another treat with both one- and two-Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, as well as a delightful lakeside grill. If you fancy a glass of something to celebrate your journey, the hotel is also home to one of Switzerland’s biggest wine cellars. This magical residence often features on our Swiss Supercar Tour, and it’s easy to understand why.
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Manoir de Lebioles, Spa, Belgium
Sitting on the edge of the Ardennes forest in southeast Belgium, the striking Manoir de Lébioles is an ornate 19th century manor house turned sumptuous five-star hotel, which has recently undergone a historically-respectful renovation.
The hotel has just 16 rooms, which include four-poster beds and open fireplaces for the perfect mix of extravagance and cosiness. There are plenty of opportunities for relaxing, including at the excellent spa and gastronomic restaurant. Formula One fans take note: Manoir de Lébioles is just 13km away from Belgium’s iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Image: grandhoteletdemilan.it
Grand Hotel et de Milan, Milan, Italy
Whether it’s fun, fashion or fast cars, Milan ticks a lot of boxes – and the Grand Hotel et de Milan is an ideal base from which to explore this stylish Italian city. The hotel is right in the heart of city, in the famous Quadrilatero d’Oro and a stone’s throw from La Scala Opera House.
Run by the same family for three generations, the Grand Hotel et de Milan was designed by renowned architect Aldo Rossi and is as elegant and sophisticated as the city itself. Although steeped in history, rich fabrics and white marble, you can still expect all the modern comforts and conveniences, along with plenty of options to eat, drink, and relax.
Image: clarancehotel.com
Clarance Hôtel, Lille, France
Set among landscaped gardens in the historic city of Lille, Clarance Hôtel is a hidden gem with bags of character. This boutique hotel is a converted 18th-century townhouse, which seeps as much history as it does elegance. Enjoy staying in one of 19 individually-decorated rooms, each inspired by Baudelaire poems.
After a day exploring the nearby old town, Clarance Hôtel presents plenty of space to unwind in style, including a tranquil garden, a cosy library, and a gourmet Michelin-starred restaurant, La Table. This fabulous boutique hotel can be experienced as part of our Grand Tour of France.
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Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Lapland, Finland
While many on this list are perfect for enjoying the summer, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is a delightful winter’s dream. Just 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and surrounded by nature, Kakslauttanen gives you the rare opportunity to spend the night in a cosy glass igloo.
Even more rare, this unique setting allows you to enjoy the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. The magic doesn’t stop there, as this enchanting hotel also features the world’s largest smoke sauna, multiple gourmet restaurants, and even Santa’s house – because we are still all young at heart.
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La Réserve Paris, Paris, France
You will find the incredible La Réserve Paris in the most prestigious part of the city of love, just opposite the Champs-Élysées and in walking distance to a plethora of high-end dining spots. But it’s more than the perfect location that earns this hotel a place on this list.
Set inside a Haussmann-era mansion, La Réserve Paris boasts modern luxury and plush elegance in equal measure. You’ll find antique furniture and traditional Belle Époque style alongside iPads, TVs and Nespresso machines to make your stay extra comfortable. Don’t miss a dip in the candle-lit pool in the underground spa.
Image: the-connaught.co.uk
The Connaught, London, England
The Connaught is seen as one of the finest hotels in the world, let alone Europe. Set in the heart of London’s prestigious Mayfair, you can already feel the prestige of this immaculate hotel even before you step through the doors.
This established landmark is incredibly upscale, yet never feels pretentious. Experience fine-dining at Hélène Darroze’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant, chill out in the legendary Connaught Bar (they make a mean Martini), and relax in your gorgeous room knowing that 24-hour butler service comes as standard.
Discover Europe’s greatest boutique and luxurious hotels with Ultimate Driving Tours
So, from charming Italian castles to high-end log cabins in Santa’s backyard, isn’t it time you enjoyed staying in some of the best luxury boutique hotels in Europe?
At Ultimate Driving Tours, we incorporate many of these hotels into our exclusive driving packages, whether that’s trucking along Iceland’s frozen lakes to cruising in supercars on our magnificent luxury driving tour of Europe. Simply contact our friendly team today to learn more.
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