Europe’s top new hotel openings for summer

In 2024, hotels are so much more than a place to rest your head: they pride themselves on sustainable practices, local craft, first-class dining and community events. This can be traced through the handmade ceramics that decorate guest rooms, on-site gardens growing fruits and vegetables put to good use in the kitchen, live music from an emerging artist, and in-house galleries championing the talent of tomorrow. These elements often take shape in the initial design and build of the hotel, when designers and architects have integrated elements of the local landscape and its people to create a space in keeping with that spirit.

This shift is embodied in the renovation of the Grand Hotel Belvedere in Wengen, which is due to open later this summer. Arnaud Christin of Geneva-based architecture studio Complete Works completed the renovated interiors. “It was essential for us to adopt the Alpine construction philosophy of today, particularly in the design of all the furniture,” he says.. Valéry Clavien of Clavien & Associates worked alongside Complete Works on the project. “The spa, although new to the building, was built to blend into the decor, like a brutalist vestige over which nature would have gradually reclaimed its rights,” he says.

Elsewhere in Europe the same concept can applied to the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Athens. Alphonse Sarthout, co-founder of design firm Ciguë, has remodelled the former Fenix Hotel into the chic coastal abode. “Our shared passion for craftsmanship, authenticity, and cultural resonance has resulted in creating a place that celebrates Greek modernism, contemporary design, and cutting-edge local arts,” he says.

Each of these new openings celebrate their surroundings and welcome tourists and locals alike. From the blonde dunes of Formentera to the hip streets of Helsinki, here is our pick of the 11 best European hotel openings worth travelling to this summer.

Locke de Santa Joana, Lisbon

Best for: City dwellers and an outdoor pool
Location: R Camilo Castelo Branco 18, 1150-084 Lisboa, Portugal

Leaders in long-stay hospitality properties, Locke is set to make its debut in Portugal this July with the opening of its 16th property in the heart of Lisbon. The aparthotel adopts a prime position on the edge of the boulevard Avenida da Liberdade and is complete with 370 rooms carefully imagined by Brooklyn-based design firm Post Company. Celebrating original elements of the 17th-century building, while honouring the modern fabric of Lisbon, guests will find locally sourced stone, colourful fabrics and handmade ceramics dotted throughout the hotel, from the slick co-working space to the ten dining spaces. There’s even a museum that displays artefacts uncovered during the building’s remodel. After a day spent exploring the city, dip into the swimming pool in the plant-filled courtyard.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Athens

Best for: Art-filled bedrooms and a rooftop restaurant
Location: Artemisiou 1, Glyfada 166 75, Athens, Greece

There’s a hotel revolution happening in Athens, with a new wave of stylish abodes opening their doors in the Greek capital in recent years – shoutouts to Mona, Gatsby and The Dolli. The latest opening marks an exciting return to Europe for US hotel group Ace with the launch of Ace Hotel & Swim Club on the Athens Riviera later this summer. The 120-key hotel boasts two pools, an all-day restaurant and bar, a rooftop lounge and a gallery space with an extensive art programme spotlighting emerging Athenian artists. The brutalist bones of the former Fenix Hotel have been sensitively retained by interior studio Ciguë, which has added bright pops of colour via abstract artworks, vibrant bedspreads and, of course, signature Ace trappings such as turntables and hand-picked vinyls.

Borneta, Barcelona

Best for: Individually designed rooms and seasonal menus 
Location: Passeig de Picasso, 26-30, Barcelona, Spain 08003

Miiro is the new lifestyle hotel group making serious waves on the accommodation scene, with a string of boutique hotels planned to open across Europe in the next few years. This summer, the rebirth of Hótel Cayré in Paris is followed by the launch of Borneta in Barcelona’s creative El Born neighbourhood on 1 August. Ninety-two individually designed rooms embody the spirit of the Mediterranean with colourful fabrics, standout printed headboards and local artworks – all applause to the talent behind London’s interior design firm Thurstan. A handful of rooms are fitted out with balconies overlooking the tapas restaurants and bars on the bustling street below, and the rooftop terrace with an outdoor pool and sweeping city views is a true delight. The hotel’s restaurant and bar Volta is set to become a popular hangout thanks to its seasonal menus and iconic location beneath the Porxos de Fontserè arches.

Grand Hotel Belvedere, Wengen

Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts seeking an off-grid mountain retreat 
Location: Galliweidli 1440E, Wengen, Bern 3823, Switzerland

Snug in the ski village of Wengen in the Bernese Oberland, Grand Hotel Belvedere has been reborn as a chic alpine escape with a state-of-the-art spa, mountain-facing rooms and two refined restaurants and bars. Hotel group Beaumier – who are also the brains behind a swathe of other successful alpine addresses, such as Le Fitz Roy in Val Thorens – have carefully renovated the property to restore its former art nouveau aesthetic. The newly built spa melds into the serene natural landscape with a dramatic brutalist design and features multiple pools, saunas, treatment rooms and a relaxation room with undisturbed views of the staggering Jungfrau. Head chef Will Gordon uses ingredients from the on-site garden alongside foraged finds to build seasonal menus at the classic brasserie and restaurant, while platters of charcuterie and fondues line the tables on the Sonnenbad terrace.

Casa Monti, Rome

Best for: Maximalist interiors and a rooftop spa
Location: Via di S. Martino Ai Monti, 22, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

Rome’s new hotel Casa Monti distils the very essence of sprezzatura – think bright, bold wallpapers, statement table lamps, fringed cushions, dazzling artwork and floor-length curtains you’d like in your own home. The hotel has 36 rooms, a flavour-packed restaurant serving classic Roman cuisine (the duck ragu is a winner), a top-floor bar with a stellar cocktail menu and a Susanne Kaufmann rooftop spa with 360-degree views of the Italian capital. As for the location, the hip Casa neighbourhood is known for its independent boutiques, galleries and restaurants along the nearby Via Panisperna.

Hotel Bella Grande, Copenhagen

Best for: Classic rooms and a shiny destination restaurant 
Location: Vester Voldgade 23, 1552 København V, Denmark

Hotel Bella Grande launched in the Danish capital this spring, and urbanites will no doubt recognise it as sibling property to Coco Hotel in the Vesterbro neighbourhood. Occupying an 18th-century building just a few steps away from the historic City Hall Square, 109 grand rooms are dressed in earth-toned materials with cloud-like beds, accent chairs and dome lampshades. Downstairs, a contrasting colourful palette decorates in-house Italian restaurant Donna, where pink checkerboard tiling, pin-striped banquettes and climbing plants are the setting for exceptional shrimp spaghetti, pillowy pizzas and pavlova. Foodies will love the three-course set menu hand-picked by the chef, and the extensive wine and cocktail offering.

Hôtel du Couvent, Nice

Best for: Organic eating and slower-paced hedonism 
Location: 1 Rue Honoré Ugo, 06300 Nice, France

It’s taken an entire decade to restore this former 17th-century convent in Nice, so you can expect super-luxe rooms and glorious grounds. Set back from the shimmering coast with views across the city’s terracotta rooftops, Hôtel du Couvent has been transformed by Valéry Grégo of Perseus Group, and Paris-based architecture and interior studio Festen. The result is 88 light-filled rooms defined by vaulted ceilings, stone floors and custom furnishings. Embracing its nature-rich location, the hotel grows its own herbs, fruits and vegetables, which guests and locals can pick up from a weekly food market held in the hotel courtyard, or taste in the two restaurants and cafe. The Roman baths are a highlight, inspired by the crumbling ruins in nearby Cimiez, and offer a welcome respite from the summer heat.

Wood Hotel Bodø, Norway

Best for: Nature-rich surrounds and pared-back Scandi interiors 
Location: Fjellveien 187, 8011 Bodø, Norway

Shaking off its reputation as a gateway town, Bodø was named the first European Capital of Culture north of the Arctic Circle earlier this year. Following this good news, Wood Hotel Bodø opened just outside the city centre in Rønvikfjellet. Constructed largely from timber to complement the surrounding natural landscape, each of Wood Hotel’s 177 rooms reveal breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, fjords and lakes. Award-winning chef Christian André Petterson heads up the restaurant, cafe and cocktail bar, plating up dishes inspired by traditional Norwegian culinary techniques. On the rooftop, a wellbeing area is decked out with a heated outdoor pool, sauna and steam room, and a fully equipped gym. The team are on hand to help with outdoor activities, from local hikes to setting sail across the mystical fjords.

Dunas de Formentera, Balearic Islands

Best for: Beachside bedrooms and open-flame cooking
Location: Lugar Venda De Ses Clotades, 4449, 07872 Formentera, Balearic Islands

Bookended by the white dunes and gin-clear waters of Migjorn beach, Ibiza’s boho little sister Formentera has seen the arrival of a new eco-conscious hideout just in time for summer. Brought to life by the same team behind Cap Rocat in Mallorca, this 44-room boutique property is a lesson in barefoot luxury with interiors courtesy of Palma-based design studio Antonio Obrador – all terracotta, wood and concrete bound together with airy linen and tasteful furnishings. Follow the boardwalks to the poolside loungers or bob in the gentle sea waves before refuelling at all-day restaurant Caliu. Here, Mediterranean classics are split by seafood-focused tapas, field-to-fork plates, grilled sandwiches and a solid selection of pizzas.

Hobo Hotel, Helsinki

Best for: Digital nomads and community-first events
Location: Kluuvikatu 4, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Hobo Hotel has opened its second outpost in the centre of the Finnish capital this spring, following the major success of its seven-storey address in Stockholm. Hobo aims to be a community pillar with an ever-changing roster of events including collaborations with local running clubs, comedy nights, DJ takeovers, and open mic sessions. This concept also plays out in the bar, where weekly-changing menus and playlists rotate alongside local art. Upstairs, 184 rooms reflect Helsinki’s creative spirit with bold colours and contemporary furnishings. There’s a fully equipped gym and a stylish co-working space for digital nomads, too.

Borgo Tre, Lake Garda, Italy

Best for: Lakeside location and earth-conscious practices 
Location: Rosone, 37010 Torri del Benaco VR, Italy

Hidden in the hills of Lake Garda amid staggering cypress and olive trees, Borgo Tre is a converted 18th-century farmhouse that reconnects guests with nature through its lakeside location and holistic experiences. Unwind between the cold water pool, sauna, gardens and dedicated yoga space, or borrow one of the hotel’s e-bikes to explore the landscape – the team can also recommend nearby hiking routes and boating services on request. Sustainability is stitched at the core of Borgo Tre: guests are encouraged to limit their use of air conditioning and water facilities and to bring along with them products that would otherwise be disposed of, such as slippers. There are just four apartments to choose from – each varying in size but sharing the same minimal style – so expect a blissfully quiet stay.