We’re always being asked where our favourite budget boutique hotel is – and the truth is we don’t really have one. We choose all of our hotels because there is just something special that we love about them. So, rather than a list of favourites, here we’ve shared 17 affordable hotels in Europe that we feel are particularly special. From a charming beach retreat on the crystal clear waters of Crete to the best value bed in Barcelona – here are some of our favourite budget-friendly hotels across Europe – all for around £100 per night.
1. Hotel Altstadt, Vienna
Located in Vienna’s Spittelberg district, Altstadt is ideal for art lovers – its bright, bold walls are adorned with works from Warhol, Liebowitz and Prachensky – to name but a few. Service is impeccable here – it feels like you’re staying in your very own Viennese pad and the beautiful city of Vienna is on your doorstep. Prices for a room including breakfast start from £75 per night.
2. 9Hotel Central, Brussels
Located a few minutes away from the central rail station – 9Hotel is the perfect place to stay for a visit to Brussels. Exposed brick walls, clean minimalist lines and good-sized rooms make for a chic and stylish boutique hotel. Staff are friendly and there’s a lovely little bar. And with prices from room-only from £74 per night it’s a great value place to stay for your visit to Brussels.
3. COQ Hotel, Paris
Slick and stylish, COQ hotel is a must for your next visit to Paris. Located in the up-and-coming 13th arrondissement, the Chic Retreat is just a meander away from the charming Jardin des Plantes, and a short bus ride from the city centre. From around £100 a night, it’s a rare bargain in France’s notoriously pricey capital.
4. Paradisos Hills, Cyprus
Delicious food, warm Cypriot hospitality and uninterrupted views of the Troodos Mountains make Paradisos Hills one of our favourite places to stay in Cyprus. The rooms at this boutique hotel have a charming, rustic feel and are great value too. Prices including breakfast start from £82 per night.
5. MOOo Living, Prague
Our favourite place to stay in Prague and it’s not even a hotel. MOOo Living offer beautifully decorated, apartments in a refurbished Art Deco building close to Prague’s Old Town. As you may have guessed there’s a bit of a bovine theme here – but thankfully it’s subtle and fun rather than overbearing. Prices for a 1 bedroom apartment start from £55 per night.
6. Hotel Alexandra, Copenhagen
Checking into the Hotel Alexandra in Copenhagen is like visiting a tasteful friend, a very tasteful friend indeed. Each room has been inspired by a different Danish designer including Arne Jacobsen, Ole Wanscher and Anders Petersen. You’ll feel immersed in Danish style – with simple curves, retro furniture and playful flashes of bold colour. The Dane’s are mad keen on cycling – so be sure to hop on one of the hotel’s bicycles while you’re there. You’ll be feeling like a local in no time. Prices for room-only from £90 per night.
7. Hotel du Temps – Paris, France
Finding charming rooms in Paris for around £100 a night is a pretty tricky task – so we think the Hotel du Temps is an absolute little gem. A short walk from the Gare du Nord, this is the perfect place to rest your weary head during a visit to Paris. There is an art deco feel here and a great little bar downstairs. Rooms are small, this is a converted townhouse in the middle of Paris afterall, but with prices from £100 per night we think it’s definitely worth it.
8. Chateau Les Oliviers de Salettes – Provence, France
We’ve been to some beautiful chateaux in our time and Oliviers de Salettes is up there as one of our favourites. Located in a stunning part of southern France, this small and charming hotel has it all. Incredible views out over La Drôme towards the Alps, a sensational swimming pool, spa and world-class restaurant. There’s even a collection of vintage cars available for rent. And with prices for room-only from £77 per night it’s great value too.
9. Hotel Artemisia – Corsica, France
There are many sides to Corsica other than the perfect beaches and crystal clear sea and a stay at Hotel Artemisia is a great way to experience them. Nestled up in the mountains around Bastileca sits this minimalist-design hotel with stunning views out over Corsica’s dramatic landscape. There is a family vibe here – with friendly service, a roaring fire during cooler months and delicious locally sourced Coriscan dishes served in the restaurant. Prices for room-only from £71 per night.
10. Arte Hotel Luise – Berlin, Germany
You’d be hard pushed to find better value accommodation in Berlin than at Arte Hotel Luise. You’re not in the sticks here either – the hotel is located in the heart of Berlin’s lively Mitte district. Despite a rather traditional looking façade, the inside has been given a thoroughly modern and stylish makeover – with bedrooms eached themed by a different artist from Manfred Heckmann to Patricia Waller. With rooms starting from £40 per night, this is a top value choice for your stay in Berlin.
11. Brody House – Budapest, Hungary
Sticking with the art theme is the gorgeous Brody House which we reckon is worth a trip to the beautiful city of Budapest alone. There’s a shabby-chic feeling throughout this small hotel, which has the vibe of a members-club whilst still being fun and friendly. The eleven bedrooms are beautifully decorated – with clawfoot baths, fabulous artwork adorning the walls and large comfortable beds. Room only rates start at £70 per night.
12. Elounda Island Villas – Crete, Greece
This is a pretty perfect Cretan experience: whitewashed cottages, crystal clear seas and a charming open-air taverna serving homemade dishes. It’s the place to head for some serious down-time – with great swimming right in front of the villas and self-catering facilities with each room should you decide you don’t want to venture out at all. With rooms rates starting from £60 per night, Elounda is a great value choice too.
13. 1880 Atypical Rooms – Rome, Italy
This is one of our favourite places to stay when in Rome. Set in a beautiful building, the six rooms at 1880 Atypical rooms have been given a thoroughly modern makeover – with crisp lines, chic décor and rather impressive glass-fronted bathrooms. It’s perfectly located on Via Nazionale in Rome’s historic Monti district – a short walk from most of the action in the centre of the city. Rooms including breakfast start from £73 per night.
14. Rosa Et Al – Porto, Portugal
Another gorgeous hotel with only 6 bedrooms, Rosa Et Al is the perfect place to stay for a weekend wandering through the historic city of Porto. The feeling of faded grandure stops the moment you step through the doors of this immaculately refurbished townhouse which has a chic, subtly retro aesthetic. It all fits rather well with the vibe of the surrounding Rua do Rosaria neighbourhood – which is brimming with arty cafes and vintage clothes shops. Service is super friendly and they do a mean eggs benedict in the morning too. Room only rates start from £72 per night.
15. Casa das Janelas – Lisbon, Portugal
Set in the bohemian Biarro Alto neighbourhood, this city boutique hotel is a charming base for your stay in Lisbon. Each of the 15 rooms here has been individually decorated, creating a wonderfully personable feel which is only intensified by the wonderful staff. For around £90 a night, it’s a no brainer.
16. Casa Mathilda – Barcelona, Spain
Nestled in the Eixample district, Casa Mathilda is a real gem in sun-soaked Barcelona. There are only 14 rooms here, all of which has been individually designed to be as sleek as they are stylish. Expect plenty of patterns, cool tones and a sweet little terrace – the perfect spot for a glass of something chilled. Enjoy.
17. Portus House – Istanbul, Turkey
Last but by no means least on our list comes the fabulous Portus House in Istanbul. Located in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district – you’re perfectly positioned to explore the city with the Galata Bridge just a short walk away. The vibe here is colourful and kooky – with each of the hotel’s ten rooms designed around a different theme. It’s a friendly place and, with rooms with shared bathrooms, starting at £28 per night – it’s unbeatable value too.
