The 30 Best Hotels in Europe, According to Travel + Leisure Readers

Travel + Leisure readers can never get enough of Europe, and the competition for the top hotels across the continent is always fierce. Even though all eyes are on Paris right now as it prepares to host the Olympics, when it comes to hotels, London stole this year’s spotlight in the city category. Meanwhile, in the resort category, winners were more spread out, with hotels from Spain, Greece, Italy, and France nearly splitting things evenly. Overall, the winning hotels are ultra-luxe properties in excellent locations with tons of amenities and superb service, making them ideal places to rest after busy days of exploring.

How Voting Works

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:

Rooms/facilities
Location
Service
Food
Value

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

What Readers Loved About Europe City Hotels

London calling: England’s capital city was the clear winner this year, claiming a whopping eight spaces on the list — more than any other single city has won in this category in the last three years. In fact, fan-favorite cities like Paris, Milan, and Florence were completely shut out for 2024. Among London’s winners were several brand-new or new-to-the-list hotels, including headline-maker Raffles London at The OWO, which only opened at the end of September, yet still managed to nab the No. 3 spot. Readers praised everything from the staff to the spa. “The most beautiful luxury hotel I have ever visited,” one said. “The reception team and concierge [were] always eager to help and going [the] extra mile, and the dinner in Mauro [Colagreco] was just delicious.” Another winning hotel in a dramatic building is the Shangri-La The Shard, London, which landed at No. 9 this year. One voter summed it up by writing, “Amazing view, great location, super friendly staff.”

Still, none of the London hotels could claim the No. 1 spot, which went to a new hotel in Istanbul. Read the full list of winners for the best city hotels in Europe category below.

Europe City Hotels Winner

The Peninsula Istanbul: Istanbul, Turkey

Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels

While it’s not unusual for an Istanbul hotel to top this list, The Peninsula Istanbul, is making quite the debut this year after only opening in 2023. Its 177 spacious rooms are spread across four buildings — three of which are restored and protected heritage buildings — along the revitalized Karaköy waterfront. The design, which features local Turkish art, epitomizes understated elegance, and five-star service defines the guest experience. In fact, one reader called it “the most exceptional experience [they’ve] ever had.” A stunning rooftop restaurant with a local star chef, a second all-day restaurant with a knockout afternoon tea, and the massive, marble-clad wellness center with lavish hammams for men and women complete the offerings.

T+L Reader

The most exceptional experience I’ve ever had.

— T+L Reader

Europe City Hotels Full List

1. The Peninsula Istanbul: Istanbul, Turkey

Reader Score: 98.77

2. Flemings Mayfair: London, England

Reader Score: 98.50

3. Raffles London at The OWO: London, England

Reader Score: 98.40

4. The Egerton House Hotel: London, England

Reader Score: 98.25

5. J.K. Place Roma: Rome, Italy

Reader Score: 97.80

6. Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva: Geneva, Switzerland

Reader Score: 97.41

7. Hotel Café Royal: London, England

Reader Score: 97.40

8. Hotel 41: London, England

Reader Score: 97.35

9. Shangri-La The Shard, London: London, England

Reader Score: 97.18

10. (tie) Hotel Copernicus: Kraków, Poland

Reader Score: 97.07

10. (tie) The Milestone Hotel & Residences: London, England

Reader Score: 97.07

12. Cashel Palace: Tipperary, Ireland

Reader Score: 97.05

13. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London: London, England

Reader Score: 97.00

14. Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel: Rome, Italy

Reader Score: 96.95

15. Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Reader Score: 96.89

What Readers Loved About Europe Resorts

European waterfront resorts continue to capture our readers’ hearts, with the majority of this year’s winners located along the coast. In past years, Italy and Greece have dominated this list, but 2024 presents a new frontrunner in the category: Spain. While it may only hold three slots, this represents a 200-percent increase from years past. And, most importantly for Spain, it nabbed No. 1 this year.

Spain’s winners span the country, with No. 12 going to Cap Rocat on the island of Mallorca. “Cap Rocat is in its own category of hotels, unlike any other,” one reader said. Over in Costa del Sol, Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa appears on the list at No. 5. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, the grand dame resort was described as “an iconic luxury hotel.” Meanwhile, this year’s winner is in a wine region of Catalonia, just south of Barcelona.

Still, Italy’s Lake Como and Amalfi Coast continue to captivate, with three winners on this year’s list, and Mykonos and Santorini remain the perpetual favorite Greek islands of readers, with resorts there claiming the fourth, ninth, and 14th positions. Mountain resorts usually make a strong showing, but this year only one Alps resort made the list at No. 10.

One new winner was Argos in Cappadocia, coming in at No. 2, representing not only a fresh resort but also a new location for the list: geologically marvelous central Turkey. Below, find out which other resorts readers chose as the best in Europe.

Europe Resorts Winner

Gran Hotel Mas D’en Bruno: Priorat, Spain

Courtesy of Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno

Since opening in May 2023, Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno, in the relatively under-the-radar wine region of Priorat, Spain, has captured readers’ hearts. Set inside a 500-year-old building that has been restored and modernized (complete with a pool shaped like a wine bottle), guests are tucked into one of 24 suites, all of which have vineyard views from their outdoor spaces, ceilings with exposed wooden beams, and details like Catalonian alabaster lamps. The surrounding vineyards create a beautiful setting, and the resort’s gastronomy and wine programs are stellar. “Mas D’en Bruno provides an experience like no other,” gushed one guest. “The location, nestled in a picturesque vineyard, along with their delectable menu, fabulous atmosphere, and cozy rooms, makes this a must-visit for those that love great food, wine, and being catered to.”