Europe’s 7 grandest hotels

If you liked Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel, then these fine European establishments will make the movie come to life for you. We’ve selected seven of Europe’s grandest hotels for you to head to next.*

Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Hungary

The Corinthia Hotel Budapest embodies old-world grace and grandeur. From the high ceilings and the endless marble to the centerpiece staircase and the ballroom, the whole thing is extravagant but still tasteful. Expect seamless service and impeccable facilities, namely the Royal Spa, where you can gaze up at the stained-glass ceiling while doing a length of backstroke.

Bellevue Syrene, Italy

High on a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Naples, Bellevue Syrene’s location couldn’t be any better. The hotel was built upon the ruins of a Roman villa and this reincarnation offers all of the luxury that would have been afforded to its Roman aristocratic residents. It retains plenty of rustic details, including frescoes and colonnades covered in jasmine and agapanthas. Best of all is its enchanting terrace, shaded by blooming wisteria and looking out to sea with Mount Vesuvius’ hazy outline in the background.

Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Switzerland

Said to have been inspiration for Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel, the historic Grand Hotel Kronenhof boasts all of the director’s charming pastel palettes and fairy-tale surrealism. Set amid the Swiss Alps and their evergreen pine forests, the views, the fresh mountain air and the stillness make a stay here both relaxing and refreshing. Be sure to make use of the state-of-the-art indoor infinity pool, with glass windows overlooking the mountains and underwater ambient music.

Beau-Rivage Palace, Switzerland

Right on the edge of Lake Geneva, in Lausanne, stands the Beau-Rivage Palace. The main building is an Art Deco mansion planted in the middle of acres of manicured gardens. You’ll also find two tennis courts, a gym, an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna and treatment rooms within the Cinq Mondes Spa. For gourmands, there is the two-star Michelin restaurant ‘Anne-Sophie Pic au Beau Rivage Palace’, the sushi-bar Miyako, the French deluxe brasserie ‘Café Beau-Rivage’ and the Italian ‘L’Accademia’.

Hotel Sacher Wien, Austria

Hotel Sacher Wein feels like a stately home. Located opposite Vienna’s Opera House, the ornate façade is eye-catching and once inside, the décor is equally grand. Vast chandeliers, velvet upholstery and wood panelling will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another era, not to mention the hotel’s own art gallery housing important 19th-century works. Finally, don’t leave without trying the Sachertorte, a chocolate cake filled with apricot that was invented at this very hotel.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, Germany

The original Hotel Adlon opened in Berlin in 1907 but was ravaged by fire at the end of WWII and didn’t reopen for 52 years. But the new version is the ideal tribute. Photos dating back to its opening adorn the walls and the aesthetic is all antique mahogany furniture and opulent fabrics. Step out of the old-fashioned but sophisticated cream marble lobby and you’ll be right on Pariser Platz staring up at the Brandenburg Gate.

Hôtel Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, France

Seconds from the Champs-Élysées, Le Royal Monceau has a glowing reputation as a luxurious and exclusive sanctuary in central Paris. Its roster of famous guests ranges from Winston Churchill to Madonna, though its atmosphere is low-key Parisian.

Le Palais Art Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

The recently renovated Palais Art Hotel Prague is a luxury spa hotel that was initially built as a residential palace. It’s a shining example of Belle Époque architecture and the inside is irresistibly decadent, with large bath tubs, balconies, and fireplaces in most rooms. Join the well-heeled diners in the in-house Artista restaurant for haute cuisine with exceptional views of the city.

The criteria accommodations needed to meet to be featured on this list were as follows: all accommodations are hotels, all accommodations have been on Booking.com for ten years or longer, all accommodations have a concierge, indoor pool, spa and wellness centre and a restaurant, all accommodations are in: France, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic.