Front-Row Seat on the Thames:
#1 Fulham Pier Hotel, London
“London’s fanciest new boutique hotel,” wrote the London daily The Times. In the Fulham neighborhood, west of Chelsea, the “Fulham Pier Hotel” is part of an architecturally striking urban development: it forms the new riverfront of Craven Cottage, the home stadium of the English soccer club Fulham FC. The former Riverside Stand has been completely redesigned and now incorporates the hotel. The thirteen rooms — all with floor-to-ceiling windows, some with balconies, and the penthouse suite even featuring its own rooftop terrace — offer unobstructed views of the River Thames. The only thing running in front of the building is the public riverside promenade, which is part of the scenic “Thames Path”. The hotel includes a brasserie and the private members’ club “Lighthouse Social”, to which overnight guests have complimentary access. Notably, you’ll hardly notice the stadium behind you. For dining, a top recommendation is the long-standing favorite “The River Café”, reachable on foot along the Thames Path in about fifteen minutes. (Double room from approx. £180 = €208)

Slow Living in Croatia:
#2 Hotel Katarina, Orebić / Pelješac
The Dalmatian Adriatic coast, with its interplay of islands, bays, and steep limestone slopes set amid evergreen, fragrant maquis, is no longer a hidden gem — yet there are still quiet corners to be found. One of them is the Pelješac Peninsula, located between Dubrovnik and Split. It has largely been spared from mass tourism, is considered one of Croatia’s top wine regions, and is also popular with surfers and sailors. In the medieval harbor town of Orebić, Lee and Penny Anderson, the American owners of the “Villa Korta Katarina & Winery”, have opened a sister property at the other end of town: the “Hotel Katarina”. It is set in a garden right by the sea. The eleven individually designed yet consistently comfortable rooms all offer views of the water. There is also a seafood restaurant with a beautiful summer terrace. The ferry port, with regular connections to the island of Korčula (travel time about ten minutes), is just a short walk away. (Double room from approx. €385)

Modernism with a Sea Breeze:
#3 Villa Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik
About a fifteen-minute walk outside the Old Town of Dubrovnik, perched on cliffs above the bay, sits the “Villa Dubrovnik” — a modernist landmark of the Dalmatian coast. Originally built as a hotel in 1961, its interiors were recently completely reimagined by the Brazilian studio “Studio Arthur Casas”. The 56 rooms, designed in warm sandy tones and styled with subtle color and furniture accents, exude a relaxed elegance. In the small spa, sun-stressed skin can be refreshed with a facial treatment, and after a hike up the nearby Mount Srđ, a massage revives tired calves. Culinarily, the hotel is versatile: from light bites to full tasting menus, there’s something for every mood. The rooftop bar is particularly spectacular. Anyone who experiences the sunset here will be left speechless — whether in Croatian, English, or Swiss German. (Double room from approx. €600)

Effortless all-inclusive indulgence in Kissamos Bay:
#4 Ikos Kissamos, Crete
Ikos Resorts are redefining the all-inclusive experience in the Mediterranean—with a fresh, modern take that goes far beyond the usual buffet clichés. Exceptional dining and a premium selection of drinks are included around the clock, while higher room categories come with added perks like private airport transfers and soothing spa treatments. With “Ikos Kissamos”, the brand’s eighth and newest property, Ikos has claimed a prime spot along Kissamos Bay on Crete’s unspoiled northwest coast. Compared to many other parts of the island, the area feels refreshingly laid-back and largely untouched by overdevelopment. Set within 42 acres of lush, landscaped gardens, the resort features 414 stylish, contemporary rooms, seven restaurants, and a long stretch of sandy beach. (Double rooms from approx. €670, all-inclusive)

A stage for the good life:
#5 The Lake Como EDITION, Cadenabbia/Lake Como
“A great hotel should always unsettle people — just a little,” says Ian Schrager, a pioneer of club culture in hospitality. Together with hospitality giant “Marriott”, he founded the brand “EDITION” a few years ago. After establishing itself primarily in urban destinations from Tokyo to New York, the brand is set to unveil its 21st property in spring 2026 — this time on the western shores of Lake Como: “The Lake Como EDITION” in Cadenabbia, with sweeping views of the Bellagio peninsula across the water. The palazzo-style building along the lakeside road has been welcoming travelers for generations. In the late 19th century, it first opened as “The London”, later becoming “Hotel Britannia”. Today, behind its classic façade in soft cream and earthy tones, the brand’s signature minimalism and contemporary sensibility come to life. Guests can expect 148 rooms, several restaurants and bars designed for socializing, and a spa concept in tune with the times. The hotel caters to cosmopolitan hedonists who see a hotel not as a retreat, but as a stage for connection. (Double rooms from approx. €750)

Seine views on the Left Bank:
#6 Hôtel du Quai Voltaire, Paris
Exploring the French capital is always exhilarating — and sometimes a bit exhausting. All the more reason to have a place to catch your breath right in the heart of it all. “Hôtel du Quai Voltaire” on the Left Bank, near the “Musée d’Orsay” and just across from the “Louvre”, has been a charming base for Paris visitors since 1851. Over the years, it has hosted literary greats such as Charles Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway. Following an extensive renovation, the hotel now presents itself as timelessly elegant with a classic touch — without putting too much strain on guests’ budgets. Many of the 30 rooms offer views of the Seine, while others overlook a quiet inner courtyard. On the ground floor, a small café and bar invite guests to linger. And for those looking to venture beyond the obvious, the attentive hotel team is happy to share personal restaurant recommendations away from the tourist trail. (Double rooms from approx. €380)

Riviera Renaissance:
#7 COMO Le Beauvallon, Grimaud/French Riviera
Set amid lush gardens and overlooking the Bay of Saint-Tropez, the “Belle Époque Hotel”, built in 1914, once welcomed icons like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Audrey Hepburn. Over the past three decades, however, it lost some of its luster — until the “COMO Group” took over and brought it back to life. Today, the property strikes a harmonious balance between Riviera glamour and holistic wellness. Guests can expect 42 inviting rooms, a Mediterranean restaurant, a 25-meter outdoor pool, a private beach club, and daily yoga sessions. Those looking to visit Saint-Tropez can bypass the often nerve-racking summer traffic with ease: from the hotel’s private dock, it’s just an eight-minute ride by complimentary speedboat to the glitzy harbor town. There is one small drawback: a main road separates the hotel from the beach. But the expansive grounds — crowned by the terracotta-colored main building — more than make up for it. Adding to the atmosphere are around 300 artworks scattered across the property, including the 2002 Serpentine Gallery Summer Pavilion, designed by Toyo Ito and specially relocated to the Côte d’Azur. (Double rooms from approx. €620)

A private island between Marseille and Nice:
#8 Zannier Île de Bendor, Île de Bendor/French Riviera
In 1950, pastis producer and industrialist Paul Ricard acquired the then-uninhabited Île de Bendor, just 650 feet off the coast of Bandol near Marseille. He went on to create a village-like ensemble of villas, two hotels, restaurants, workshops, and galleries — defined by cultural exchange, a sense of community, and its immediate connection to the sea. The island became a refuge for the French bohemian set and a symbol of Mediterranean joie de vivre that shaped an entire generation. Seventy-five years later, Ricard’s great-grandson Marc de Jouffroy and hotelier Arnaud Zannier are bringing that vision back to life. Some 200 trees have been planted, while the landscape and architecture have been thoughtfully reimagined with a contemporary sensibility. Set to open in May 2026, the hotel “Zannier Île de Bendor” features 93 Provençal-style rooms spread across three locations on the seven-acre private island. The offering is rounded out by half a dozen restaurants and bars, three artisan ateliers, a kids’ club, and a concept store. At the spa — one of the largest in the region — traditional healing practices and modern wellness approaches come together to restore energy and balance. (Double rooms from approx. €620)

Bringing people together, not just serving them:
#9 Aethos Mallorca, Peguera/Mallorca
Modern hospitality is about more than just attentive service — it’s about creating genuine connections. That’s the philosophy behind “Aethos Hotels”, already brought to life across five properties in Italy and Portugal. In summer 2025, the brand expanded with “Aethos Mallorca”, a stylish new retreat on the southwest coast of the Balearic island. The trend-forward boutique hotel exudes energy, vibrancy, and a polished yet social atmosphere. Midcentury influences and earthy tones define the 61 rooms, many featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Mediterranean. The concept is complemented by a wide range of wellness and lifestyle experiences. Two restaurants celebrate authentic Mallorcan cuisine, while the rooftop bar sets the mood for the evening with carefully curated sounds and expertly crafted cocktails. Built into the cliffs, the property also offers direct access to the sea. (Double rooms from approx. €280)

Between vines and water:
#10 Ästad Vingård, Tvååker (Sweden)
The organic wines produced at “Ästad Vingård” rank among Sweden’s most acclaimed, shaped by demanding climatic and ecological conditions. While the estate has offered a handful of simple guest rooms and a farm restaurant for several years, it has quietly evolved into a refined Scandinavian retreat. Set by Lake Byasjön amid the gently rolling landscape of Halland, just south of Gothenburg, “Ästad Vingård” now welcomes guests with 24 charming rooms and a beautiful spa featuring multiple saunas and heated outdoor baths. An architectural as well as culinary highlight is the fully glass-enclosed, greenhouse-inspired restaurant “ÄNG”, set among meadows and vineyards and already awarded a Michelin star. More recently, “Ästad Vingård” has also taken over the management of the long-established “Varbergs Kusthotell”, located about a 30-minute drive away on Sweden’s west coast, adding it to its portfolio as a sister property. (Double rooms from approx. SEK 3,900 / €365)

Island retreat on the edge of the Arctic Circle:
#11 Ytri, Træna, near Bodø (Norway)
Off the Helgeland coast in northern Norway, the Træna archipelago rises dramatically from the deep blue sea, its jagged peaks creating a striking silhouette. At the heart of it lies Husøy, one of the country’s oldest fishing communities, where around 400 residents have lived in close harmony with nature and long-held traditions for generations. This deeply rooted cultural heritage shapes the “Relais & Châteaux Hotel Ytri”, set to open in April 2026. The name “Ytri” means “outermost edge” — and it’s hard to imagine a more remote setting. Designed by the studios “Vardehaugen” and “Bonaparte Interiør”, the timber architecture draws on the clean lines of traditional Norwegian fishermen’s cabins. Expansive windows in the 38 rooms, public spaces, and the seaside sauna blur the boundaries between indoors and out, framing sweeping views of a landscape shaped by wind, waves, and ever-changing weather. Alongside hiking, whale watching is a highlight for many guests — a quiet, almost meditative encounter with the raw beauty of this Arctic wilderness. (From approx. NOK 5,100 / €445)