6 Exquisite Boutique Hotels For A Unique European Stay

Set in a destination once fit for Roman emperors’ vacations, La Posta Vecchia offers a perfect outlook over the Tyrrhenian Sea from its coastal resort, just 40 minutes west of Rome. Part of the trio that includes Il Pellicano and Mezzatorre Hotels, this beguiling 17th-century Renaissance villa pays homage to its storied past. It features 21 rooms and suites – the most expansive views found in those perched high in the tower – each brimming with character and eye-catching detail. The marble staircase within the Medici Suite bathroom is particularly remarkable. Restored in the 1960s by Jean Paul Getty, whose collection of art and antiques still adorns the property, the hotel overflows with spaces so beautiful that photographs hardly do them justice. The indoor pool, illuminated by floor-to-ceiling arched windows that open onto the sea-facing terrace, is a true showstopper.

A honey-hued Menorcan manor dating back to the 18th century, Vestige Son Vell emerges at the end of a dusty track, surrounded by working farmlands, making for an extraordinary sight. The estate features 33 suites, both in the main house and scattered across fragrant Mediterranean gardens, where two sublime, cabana-lined outdoor swimming pools await. Inside, the design celebrates serene minimalism, complemented by bold furnishings and antique pieces, while the culinary offerings highlight Menorcan delicacies and ingredients – enjoyed alfresco at Sa Clarisa or accompanied by live music at Vermell after dark. A short walk – or horseback ride – from the hotel brings guests to Cala Vell, a dazzling, secluded cove. This year, Son Vell is joined on the Balearic island by its charming sister hotels, Son Ermita and Binidufa, both ultra-boutique 11-bedroom properties sharing an 800-acre farm estate.

A few converted red-brick townhouses in a tranquil Stockholm neighborhood make up Ett Hem, a low-key, design-forward hotel. Conceived by owner Jeanette Mix and brought to life by interior designer Ilse Crawford, the artful interiors and relaxed atmosphere give the feeling of staying in the home of your most stylish friend (the name literally translates to “a home”). Cozy, enveloping lounges feature statement lamps illuminating armchairs and plush sofas, bookcases stacked with board games and novels, and coffee tables adorned with sculptural ornaments. Guests can dine at their leisure, with the chef serving straightforward and delicious Swedish cuisine either at the communal kitchen table or in the flower-filled courtyard garden. The 25 rooms, suites and apartments each boast stunning individual details, from marble slipper baths and hidden rain showers to sleek seating draped with sumptuous sheepskins.

While Paris is often celebrated for its grand dames, the city also boasts equally enchanting, intimate boutique hotels that embrace its romantic allure. In the heart of Le Marais, Maison Proust is a hidden gem, inspired by 20th-century literary legend and socialite Marcel Proust. Its decadent, jewel-box design evokes the spirit of Belle Époque salons, from the resplendent lamplit bar and domed library to the winter garden and 23 bedrooms and suites – each named after a character from Proust’s works – adorned in opulent tones, patterns and textiles. Guests descending to the spa below can book private sessions to enjoy an hour alone in the remarkable columned swimming pool and hammam.

There are only nine suites in this mansion house, which has been gracefully restored into a distinctive Greek-island hideaway on the creative and colorful Cycladic island of Syros. Neoclassical and Art Deco architecture underpin the aesthetic, with striking features including the centerpiece marble staircase, Doric columns, vivid patterned tiling throughout, and the radiant green-and-yellow rooftop offering panoramic Aegean views. The beach is close by, as is the magnificent main square of Hermoupolis. Each suite has its own statement qualities, from sculpted bathtubs and bold bed linens to pastel-tiled plunge pools – apt, given the Aristide Hotel’s exciting art focus, with an impressive permanent collection displayed on the walls and a gallery hosting exhibitions by resident artists.

Despite being less than a two-hour drive from Venice and a gateway to Lake Garda and the Dolomites, Verona – rich in culture and history (it’s a Unesco World Heritage Site and the immortalized, romantic setting of Romeo and Juliet) – has remained relatively under the radar as an Italian city-break destination. In its historic center, just a few minutes’ walk from Juliet’s House, Vista Verona rises among the ancient architecture as a gleaming palazzo transformed into a luxurious 16-suite hotel. Here, old meets new in this 2,000-year-old city, with contemporary Italian craftsmanship infusing the interiors with elegant modernity. The rooftop bar offers panoramic views across Verona and the surrounding hills, while down in the basement, the ambient pool – complete with a jacuzzi carved into the wall and backdropped by a painting of the city’s star-crossed lovers – along with the sauna, steam room and treatment rooms, forms an atmospheric urban oasis.

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