10 Most Romantic Hotels in Europe for Couples
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As professional travel writers, we’ve set our suitcases down in some pretty fabulous hotels around the world – from romantic resorts with private pool suites in the USA to many of Bali’s most enchanting love nests.
Europe, though, always holds a special place in our hearts.
We love its wonderfully eclectic hotels. (Many are utterly swoon-worthy!) And we’re often asked which ones we’d recommend for a honeymoon, anniversary, special celebration or simply a romantic escape.
Beautiful hotels in Germany? A gorgeous luxury hotel in Rome? Honeymoon-worthy stays in Greece?
Here are 10 places we’ve personally checked into – and would happily book again.
Most romantic hotels in Europe?
These are three of our all-time favorites:💕
- Greece → Grace Hotel (Auberge Collection) for a romantic escape overlooking Santorini’s spectacular caldera.
- Germany → Hotel Belle Epoque for a romantic stay in the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden.
- Turkey → Argos in Cappadocia for a magical couples’ getaway among Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and cave dwellings.
👉 Pssst! Looking for romantic hotels in Venice? We’ve already rounded up our faves in our separate guide to the city’s most romantic places to stay.
Contents: 10 Romantic Europe hotels we love
Grace Hotel – Santorini (Greece)
Hotel Belle Epoque – Baden-Baden (Germany)
Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel – Lisbon (Portugal)
Argos in Cappadocia – Cappadocia (Turkey)
Louis C. Jacob – Hamburg (Germany)
Hotel Diplomat – Stockholm (Sweden)
The St. Regis Rome – Rome (Italy)
IKIES – Santorini (Greece)
One Aldwych – London (UK)
Hotel Atlantic – Hamburg (Germany)
1) Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection (Santorini, Greece)
Caldera views. Cloud-like beds. Service that remembers your name. The adults-only Grace Hotel Santorini gets just about everything right – the sort of place where you choose the fragrance for your in-room scent diffuser.
No wonder it’s one of Santorini’s top honeymoon hotels – and one of our favorite hotels anywhere!
Rooms and suites
The 21 rooms and suites are all white-on-white and enjoy sweeping sea views.
Many come with private heated plunge pools or hot tubs. The largest suites (more than 1,100 sq. ft.) boast private infinity pools and even in-room LED facial masks!
What makes the Grace special
The setting is hard to beat. Perched in Imerovigli, the highest village on Santorini’s caldera, the hotel serves up perhaps the island’s finest views. Its infinity pool is one of the largest on the island (and we found it almost impossible to tear ourselves away from it).
Best of all, the Santorini Grace is blissfully peaceful, yet restaurants and the spectacular Skaros Rock hike are just a short stroll away.
2) Hotel Belle Epoque (Baden-Baden, Germany)
During Baden-Baden’s golden age as “the summer capital of Europe,” the continent’s rich and famous flocked here each summer to soak in the thermal baths, mingle in elegant salons and try their luck at the casino.
Built in 1874 as a neo-Renaissance villa, today’s Hotel Belle Epoque lets you step back into that glamorous era.
Tucked in the heart of this fashionable spa town, it’s just a short stroll from the opulent Friedrichsbad baths (where men and women bathe nude together – and where we quickly had to throw away our modesty!).
Rooms and suites
Hotel Belle Epoque has 33 individually decorated rooms and suites spread across two buildings.
We prefer the more atmospheric original villa, where rooms are decorated in styles like Louis XV and Victorian.
If you can, ask to peek inside a few before deciding.
Our lavish 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 and a little sitting room.
The bathroom was a bit quirky. There was no stand-up shower, so we had to “shower” sitting down in the Jacuzzi tub using a hand-held shower wand.
But we had modern essentials like air-conditioning and complimentary WiFi.
Bottom line? The hotel is wonderfully romantic, and its timeless charm easily outweighs the occasional quirk.
What makes Hotel Belle Epoque special
Along with an excellent buffet breakfast, rates at Hotel Belle Epoque include complimentary afternoon tea.
One afternoon, we settled onto the hotel’s stone terrace as impeccably dressed waiters in pinstriped trousers and tails served cappuccinos, tea and delicate cakes on Royal Doulton china. For a little while, it felt as though we’d been transported back to Baden-Baden’s Belle Epoque heyday.
3) Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (Lisbon, Portugal)
Antiques and old-world elegance? Spacious rooms and suites with marble bathrooms? Impeccable service? Say hello to the honeymoon-worthy Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel!
Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century palace in Lisbon’s leafy embassy district, it overlooks the Tagus River and is surrounded by lush subtropical gardens.
It’s one of Europe’s loveliest urban hideaways.
Rooms and suites
Rooms and suites are individually decorated in styles ranging from Art Deco to neoclassical. Many have balconies overlooking the gardens or river too.
What makes Olissippo Lapa Palace special
After a day of traipsing around Lisbon, we couldn’t wait to unwind by the hotel’s large outdoor swimming pool, tucked among palm trees and flowering gardens.
The whole place feels more like your own secluded resort than a city hotel.
In fact, we’d return just to enjoy the Olissippo Lapa Palace, its glorious gardens and that seductive pool – never mind Lisbon!
4) Argos in Cappadocia (Uchisar, Turkey)
For a romantic getaway in Europe, it’s hard to top Cappadocia – and Argos in Cappadocia.
Imagine drifting over fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon at sunrise, hiking through rose-colored valleys, then retreating to a luxurious cave hotel a memorable dinner. That’s the Argos experience.
Rooms and suites
Argos in Cappadocia oozes romance with its rooms individually carved from original centuries-old caves.
They blend contemporary comforts with handcrafted Turkish furnishings, antique rugs, exposed stone walls and soaring stone arches. Many feature fireplaces, indoor Jacuzzis or private plunge pools.
What makes Argos in Cappadocia special
The hotel nails the atmosphere of its ancient underground city surroundings. Wandering through the hotel’s ancient tunnels and candlelit wine cellars and dining with a view of rock-cut Uchisar Castle felt magical.
It’s no surprise Argos in Cappadocia has earned two MICHELIN Keys and a string of accolades.
5) Louis C. Jacob Hotel (Hamburg, Germany)
Hamburg is known for many things. It was the Beatles’ early stomping ground. It’s where fortunes were made through ships and trade. And its “Reeperbahn” red-light district is one of Europe’s best-known nightlife hubs.
It also knows a thing or two about refined hotels.
Overlooking the Elbe River, the Louis C. Jacob (affectionately known as “the Jacob”) is one of the best luxury hotels in Europe for couples seeking old-world charm, exceptional dining and warm hospitality.
Rooms and suites
Tucked away in a peaceful residential neighborhood overlooking the Elbe River, the Jacob has 84 rooms and suites.
They’re spread between the beautifully restored main house (dating from 1791) and a contemporary building across the road, connected by an underground passage.
Each room is uniquely designed. But you can expect oak floors, modern stone bathrooms and special little touches – ours came with fresh flowers and a crystal decanter with help-yourself cream sherry.
Art, food and wine
The hotel is filled with original art – more than 500 paintings, drawings and sculptures – making it one of northern Germany’s largest privately owned collections open to the public.
Foodies shouldn’t miss the MICHELIN-starred Jacobs Restaurant offers French cuisine with a Hanseatic twist.
We particularly loved the hotel’s cozy little wine bar across the street. With its timber beams, wooden tables and welcome neighborhood feel, it exudes warmth.
We tucked into a delicious flammkuchen (Germany’s answer to thin crust wood-oven pizza) plus platters of truffle salami, thick slices of bread and pesto – accompanied by fine German wine, of course!e taste of Hanseatic hospitality.
What makes the Jacob special
The hotel’s loveliest spot is its riverside Linden Terrace. Shaded by ancient lime trees, it’s made for lingering over coffee, afternoon tea or a glass of wine while watching ships glide along the wide Elbe River.
We sat here for ages in the autumn sunshine, soaking up the peace and watching the river traffic drift by. It felt like discovering a secret side of the city.
Then there’s the service at Louis C. Jacob. More than 100 “Jacobines,” as the staff are known, deliver the kind of warm, polished Hanseatic hospitality that make you want to return to this romantic luxury hotel.
6) Hotel Diplomat (Stockholm, Sweden)
Family-owned since 1911, Hotel Diplomat is one of Stockholm’s classic luxury hotels – and we loved its gracious charm.
Set on the fashionable Strandvagen waterfront boulevard and recommended by the MICHELIN Guide, it’s the perfect base for exploring the Old Town, the Vasa Museum and Stockholm’s beautiful waterfront.
Rooms and suites
The 130 rooms and suites are calm and sophisticated, decorated in soft ivory and dove-gray tones with lofty ceilings and blonde wood furnishings.
The most romantic rooms have Juliet balconies overlooking the waterfront. Choose a Junior Sea View Suite for an oversize king bed, gorgeous harbor views and a welcome vase of fragrant fresh flowers.
What makes the Hotel Diplomat special
It’s the atmosphere that won us over – elegant but not stuffy.
Housed in a landmark Art Nouveau building, Hotel Diplomat is full of character, from its vintage birdcage elevator to its magnificent circular marble staircase wrapped with polished brass railings and stained-glass windows.
We also loved the buzzy restaurant bar, one of the city’s favorite dining spots. It’s a great place for couples to enjoy a leisurely lunch, afternoon tea or a stylish bistro dinner.
7) The St. Regis Rome (Italy)
Imposing senators. Heroic gladiators. Victorious armies. Rome captures the imagination with its imperial past, 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 the city’s grandeur – one that oozes elegance and romance. The St. Regis Rome fits the bill.
Cesar Ritz opened the deluxe hotel (then known as the Grand Hotel) in 1894 to great acclaim across Europe.
Its soaring lobby dazzled guests with glittering chandeliers and elaborate glass and trompe l’oeil (trick of the eye) ceilings. A world first at the time, the hotel even offered private bathrooms and two electric lights in every guest room. It also featured Rome’s first grand ballroom.
Over the years, it has welcomed royalty, heads of state and countless celebrities.
Beautiful renovation
Fast forward to 2018. After an extensive three-year renovation costing more than $45 million, The St. Regis Rome unveiled a stunning new look.
Occupying a landmark 19th-century palazzo, its 138 rooms and 23 suites now blend contemporary luxury with Belle Epoque glamour. Soft creams and powder blues, Murano glass chandeliers and artwork inspired by classical Rome create an atmosphere that’s both refined and inviting.
There’s also the hotel’s butler service (of course!), as well as a lovely spa – plus a see-and-be-seen bar in the showstopping lobby, where a Bellini is the perfect way to toast your Roman holiday.
What makes The St. Regis special
The St. Regis Rome is within easy walking distance of many of Rome’s best-loved attractions – including the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.
Via Veneto and Via Condotti are also close by for a little designer shopping. Now where’s that credit card?
8) IKIES Santorini (Oia, Santorini, Greece)
As one of the world’s favorite honeymoon destinations, Santorini is packed with dreamy places to stay (like the Grace Hotel, see #1 above).
But tucked into the quieter edge of Oia, IKIES Santorini has a different feel. With just 14 whitewashed rooms and suites, breakfasts for two served on your private terrace, and owners who can’t do enough to make you feel welcome, it’s warm, intimate and personal.
Rooms and suites
Each suite is individually designed in traditional Cycladic style, with curved white walls, built-in furnishings and private outdoor terraces.
Some feature outdoor hot tubs or plunge pools, while all offer uninterrupted views over Santorini’s spectacular volcanic caldera.
What makes IKIES special
The views are simply mesmerizing! We were perfectly happy lingering for hours on our private terrace with a glass of Santorini wine, watching cruise ships drift across the Aegean Sea below.
Pair that with the heartfelt hospitality of this family-run hotel, and it’s easy to see why this is one of our favorite romantic hotels in Greece.
We’re not the only ones who love it either. IKIES Santorini scores a perfect 10/10 on Expedia from hundreds of guest reviews. (Better still, it’s more affordable than the Santorini Grace covered in #1.)
9) One Aldwych (London, UK)
When you’re in London, you want to stay smack-dab in the heart of the action. But because you also fancy some place romantic, you want a peaceful retreat where you can escape the city’s buzz.
Enter the elegant One Aldwych.
Superbly located in Covent Garden, this classy boutique hotel is within easy walking distance of iconic sights like the British Museum, as well as West End theaters, galleries, shops and the nightlife of lively Soho.
Housed in a striking wedge-shaped Edwardian building dating from 1907, it skips over-the-top opulence in favor of understated luxury, contemporary design and exceptional comfort.
Rooms and suites
The 105 soundproof rooms and suites are decorated in soothing hues of pale coral, celadon green and lavender.
They’re beautifully appointed with tall windows that open, original contemporary art, Frette linens, goose down duvets, and fresh flowers and fruit changed daily.
More goodness
We also like that One Aldwych takes sustainability seriously.
It was London’s first 5-star hotel to earn B Corp certification, reflecting its long-standing commitment to responsible luxury.
The bathrooms are stocked with natural Mitchell and Peach toiletries, handcrafted in Kent, England, using botanical ingredients and essential oils sourced from the family’s estate. And vacuum-oriented loos use 80% less water than normal.
Its stunning blue-tiled swimming pool, which pipes in classical music underwater, is also chlorine-free.
In the evenings, the hotel’s capacious Lobby Bar hums with hipsters, bankers, party-goers and couples having drinks after going to the theater.
Overlooking all the action, its Indigo restaurant is an ideal spot for a pre-theater dinner or leisurely meal. We had as much fun people-watching as we did eating.
What makes One Aldwych special
One Aldwych consistently ranks among London’s finest hotels. The service is exceptional and highly professional, without any snootiness in sight.
10) Hotel Atlantic Hamburg (Germany)
The sumptuous Hotel Atlantic Hamburg is another one of those grand hotels with a storied past.
For over a century, it’s been the digs of choice for royalty and celebrities visiting Hamburg. King Charles, Michael Jackson, Madonna and the Rolling Stones have all bedded down here.
The hotel also starred in the 1997 Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies (where Pierce Brosnan famously climbs from the Atlantic Suite to the globe on the roof after dispatching Dr. Kaufman).
When it opened in 1909, the hotel welcomed first-class passengers sailing to America aboard transatlantic ocean liners. Today, with its stately white façade and distinctive green roof, it still looks every bit the grand dame.
Rooms and suites
The hotel has 221 spacious rooms and suites – standard rooms average a generous 430 sq. ft.
Most are kitted out 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 cozy sitting room furnish with leather furniture.
All rooms feature modern comforts, including flat-screen satellite TVs, individual climate control and Nespresso coffee machines.
Amenities galore
The hotel offers several restaurants and bars, an indoor pool – and even a private cinema where you can arrange an exclusive movie screening complete with dinner and drinks.
And yes, you might still spot the occasional dignitary.
But today, most guests are couples enjoying a romantic Hamburg getaway. It’s also a popular wedding venue.
What makes Hotel Atlantic special
Its MICHELIN-recommended Atlantic Restaurant is classic. With black-and-gold columns and huge arched windows overlooking the Outer Alster lake, you’ll feel like you’re on the set of a romantic vintage movie.
We tried a couple of excellent first-growth Rieslings from the hotel’s vineyard to go with our dinner – great choice!
Hotel Atlantic Hamburg is also very close to where sightseeing boats depart for cruises along the Alster River’s narrow canals. Gliding past weeping willows and white mansions is one of the prettiest ways to see Hamburg.
That’s our list of lovely Europe hotels for a romantic beak
Do any of these hotels make you want to grab your honey and say, “We’ve got to stay here!”?
Or have you stayed at other really romantic hotels on the continent?
Let us know in the Comments below!
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Photo credits: 5, 14 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 2 Diplomat Hotel | Remaining photos courtesy the respective hotels
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).
About the authors
I wish I would have found this before Valentine’s Day as we were in Europe and were a bit clueless on where to go and where to stay, though we stumbled into a bit of luxury ourselves in Brugges. The Jacob would have been perfect too as we were in Northern Europe and I have always wanted to learn more about Hamburg. Thanks for sharing and there is always next year, right?
Indeed! There is always another trip one can plan :-). And stay tuned, as we are always writing about the lovely hotels we come across in our travels…
How lucky to have stayed in hotels like these, places like this can really make a trip :-)
Give me hotels oozing with historic character and charm, over modern luxury anytime, although I have to say the swimming pool at One Aldwych looks very inviting! Looks like the perfect combination.
We too usually prefer old, historic places with loads of ambience – but are sometimes surprised by how some very modern hotels or villa resorts can be really appealing too.
What a great round up!! I’m a Londoner and can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked past One Aldwych but had no idea it had a bar or pool that looked like that – I guess I know where to go next time I’m looking for a great evening out! Lovely post!
The St. Regis in Rome looks fantastic! Of course all your recommendations look incredible, but that one in particular.
What lucky travelers!
Cheers,
Priscilla
Yes, we do count ourselves as very fortunate to be able to stay in some gorgeous places around the world :-).
Wow – what a great list of hotels! I would happily stay in any of these :) If I had to choose just one though, I think it would be the One Aldwych.
Great choice for a London hotel – don’t think anyone is ever disappointed staying there :-)
What a great list! I’d particularly like to try the hotel in Baden-Baden, it looks absolutely incredible and I’d like to visit there anyway…
Wow, wonderful places! I can absolutely agree – the Palazzo Abadessa is such a gem!
These places all look amazing!! I’d especially be keen to stay in the one in Venice. I love that city, and would never refuse a chance to stay in a former palace! :)
What a spectacular collection of hotels! They make me feel like packing my bags and taking a trip!