Boutique hotels - chic stays in Europe
Boutique hotels are small, luxurious, intimate and effortlessly chic. They have a certain je ne c'est quoi that keeps visitors coming back for more every year. First appearing in London, New York and San Francisco, you can now find them in all sorts of fabulous locations around Europe that make them an ideal destination for an elegant holiday on the continent. Take a look at our top choices for holidaying in style.
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La Reserve, Paris
Cities don't come much more chic than Paris and if you have the cash to flash, then why not stay in this boutique hotel, which is more like a collection of luxury apartments. It is situated on the Place de Trocadéro with spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower. The rooms are fitted with indulgent bathrooms and cutting-edge technology. There is daily housekeeping, a chef and masseur, concierge and valet parking. But when prices start from £1,545 a night, you'd expect those kind of perks.
Hotel de Petit Moulin, Paris
If you love Parisian chic but have a smaller budget, head to the Hotel du Petit Moulin, a one-time boulangerie converted into an achingly sophisticated 17-bedroom boutique hotel designed by Christian Lacroix. Yes, Lacroix, sweetie. The result is a sumptuous blend of historic and modern design and architecture conveniently situated near the Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Bastille and Centre Pompidou. The hotel offers a limousine service, massages, flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi and a bar. Rates including breakfast are between £170 - £303 a night.
Hotel Signum, Salina, Aeolian Islands
If you want a Mediterranean escape, why not try this charming Sicilian family-run farmhouse. The hotel is a situated around tiled, landscaped terraces adorned with lime trees, honeysuckle and bougainvillea. Most of the rooms have their own private terraces with views of the sea. Visitors can lounge in the stunning infinity pool and then sample the hotel restaurant's delicious fish dishes and Malvesian wine. There is also a spa, solarium and library and visitors can hire Vespas to explore the surrounding area. A room for the night including breakfast costs between £108 - £333.
Q! Hotel, Berlin
If you want somewhere funky, try this futuristic-looking hotel. The rooms all contain flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations and Nintendo Wiis. The hotel's restaurant serves a fusion of Asian, Latin American and European cuisines. There is a spa with a Finnish sauna, steam bath and Japanese wash zone and there's also a reconstructed beach area with underfloor heating. Optional extras include valet parking, personal shopping, massage and cosmetics and you can also buy a personal Berlin club tour. A double room including breakfast starts from around £103 a night.
Escondrijo, Costa de la Luz, Spain
This intimate hotel nestles amongst the narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses of the town of Vejer in Spain's Cadiz province. The Moorish design with beautifully restored multi-coloured tiles and rich fabrics throughout the rooms create the relaxed environment of a private house rather than a hotel. The rooms have their own terraces with stunning sea views and to complete the feeling of being at home, the hotel operates an honesty bar, although if the owners are around they will mix a drink for you. Rooms start from £100 a night including breakfast during low season.
Have you stayed in a boutique hotel? Leave a comment and share your recommendations with us.
