Historic palaces fit for royalty?

Stately riverside mansions?

Lovely hideaway hotels away from the hustle and bustle?

As professional travel writers, we’ve set our suitcases down in some pretty fabulous hotels around the world (including beautiful villa resorts with private pools around the globe).

We’ve also stayed at many romantic hotels in Europe.

And we’re often asked for recommendations about which hotels to book.

Romantic hotels in Venice, Italy? Beautiful hotels in Germany? Gorgeous luxury hotels in Rome to celebrate an anniversary?

Well, we’ve got you covered.

Most romantic hotels in Europe

For the cultural continent across the pond from North America, here are some of our favorite romantic luxury Europe hotels.

1) Hotel Belle Epoque, Baden-Baden (Germany)

During Baden-Baden’s golden age as “the summer capital of Europe,” the continent’s rich and famous gathered here each summer to socialize and gamble in its glamorous casino.

In 1874, a duke built the neo-renaissance villa that’s now the exquisite Hotel Belle Epoque.

The hotel is located in the center of beautiful Baden-Baden, now a fashionable spa town – just a short walk from the opulent Friedrichsbad baths (where men and women bathe nude together and where we had to throw away our modesty).

A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Hotel Belle Epoque has two buildings, and its 22 rooms and suites are individually decorated.

We prefer the more atmospheric older building, where rooms are themed Louis XV, Victorian and so on.

If possible, look inside before you choose.

Our luxurious Louis IV suite had high ornamental ceilings, oak floors, burgundy silk lampshades, an enormous ornate gilt-framed picture of Louis IV over the carved king-bed headboard, and a little sitting room.

The bathroom had some quirks – we had to shower sitting down in the Jacuzzi tub.

But we had modern essentials like air-conditioning and complimentary in-room Internet.

Bottom line?

The Belle Epoque is easily one of the most romantic hotels in Europe.

And its charm far outweighs the minor quirks!

2) St. Regis Rome (Italy)

Imposing senators. Heroic gladiators. Victorious armies.

Rome captures the imagination with its past imperial grandeur, doesn’t it?

Whether you’re visiting Italy for the first time or the 10th, you’ll probably want to luxuriate in a Rome hotel that matches its grand past – one that oozes elegance and romance. The St. Regis Rome fits the bill.

Cesar Ritz opened the deluxe hotel (called the Grand Hotel) in 1894 to great acclaim throughout Europe.

The lobby featured cascading chandeliers and astonishing glass or trompe l’oeil (trick of the eye) ceilings.

A world first, it offered “private bathrooms and two electric lights in every room” as well as Rome’s first ballroom. Over the years, it hosted heads of state and celebrities galore.

Fast forward to 2019. After an extensive three-year $45+ million renovation, the St. Regis Rome unveiled a stunning new look.

Occupying a signature 19th century building, its 138 rooms and 23 suites reflect a palette of understated creams and powder blues.

Sketches evoke classical art and Murano glass chandeliers hang down from overheight ceilings.

There’s also the hotel’s butler service (of course!), as well as an Asian-themed spa, and a see-and-be-seen bar in the showstopping lobby, which serves up divine Bellinis.

3) Hotel Atlantic Kempinski, Hamburg (Germany)

The sumptuous Hotel Atlantic Kempinski is another one of those grand romantic hotels in Europe with a storied past.

For over a century, it’s been the digs of choice for royalty and celebrities visiting Hamburg.

Prince Charles, the late Shah of Iran, Michael Jackson, Madonna and the Rolling Stones have all bedded down here.

The hotel was even featured in the 1997 Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies (where Pierce Brosnan climbs from the plush Atlantic suite to the globe on the roof after killing his movie nemesis).

Today, after a total renovation from the ground up in 2012, its ornate white exterior and green roof is as fresh as it was back in 1909 – when the hotel opened as a stopover for first-class passengers sailing to America in luxury ocean liners.

The hotel has 221 completely redesigned rooms and suites.

Standard rooms are spacious (averaging 430 sq. ft.).

There are many room styles, but most are decorated with Murano glass chandeliers, polished wood headboards and plush drapes. Some have gas fireplaces; others have oak floors.

We stayed in a serene high-ceilinged junior suite, which came with a little sitting room with leather furniture.

All rooms, however, feature the latest technology – flat screen satellite TVs, individual air-conditioning and Nespresso coffee machines.

As for amenities, the hotel has several restaurants and bars, an indoor pool and even a private cinema where you can have an exclusive movie screening with dinner and drinks.

And, sure, you might spot the occasional dignitary.

But most guests today are couples on a romantic holiday. It’s also a popular venue for weddings.

4) One Aldwych, London (UK)

When in London, you want to stay smack-dab in its exciting heart.

But because you also want some place romantic, you want a quiet retreat to enjoy some respite from the hubbub outside.

Enter the elegant One Aldwych.

We like that One Aldwych has made serious efforts to be “green.”

Its natural REN bath products are chemical-free, and vacuum-oriented loos use 80% less water than normal.

A stunning blue-tiled swimming pool, which pipes in classical music underwater, is also chlorine-free.

In the evenings, the hotel’s capacious Lobby Bar is abuzz with hipsters, bankers, party-goers and couples having drinks after going to the theater.

The Indigo restaurant overlooks the lively scene, while the Axis restaurant is more formal.

One Aldwych consistently ranks among London’s best hotels – and we can see why.

5) Louis C. Jacob Hotel, Hamburg (Germany)

An early stomping ground of the Beatles, wealthy Hamburg is renowned for its shipbuilding prowess and sailor-friendly “Reeperbahn” red-light district.

It also entices with some fine hotel establishments like the gracious, mansion-like Louis C. Jacob (affectionately known as “the Jacob”).

Located in a secluded residential district on the Elbe river, this romantic luxury hotel in Hamburg offers 64 deluxe rooms and 21 suites.

All are unique, with oak floors, modern stone bathrooms, and special little touches – ours came with fresh flowers and a crystal decanter with help-yourself cream sherry.

For foodies, the Jacob offers haute cuisine in its Michelin-starred restaurant.

And well over 100 “Jacobines” (staff) give you a genuine taste of Hanseatic hospitality.

More romantic Europe hotels

Well, we can’t stop now!

We’ve also stayed at honeymoon hotels in Greece. Romantic boutique hotels in Turkey. Canoodle-worthy Spain and Norway hotels. 

So keep scrolling for more romantic hotels in Europe!

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Photo credits: 5, 22 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 1 Diplomat Hotel | Remaining photos courtesy the respective hotels

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We stayed as media guests of these beautiful hotels in Europe for various travel magazine articles and our blog. But we’re always free to write what we want without influence (and we point out flaws and annoyances when we encounter them).

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