10 Best Things for Couples to Do in Edinburgh
10 Best Beach Hotels in Europe
Discover the Perfect Place to Enjoy a Beach Getaway
Our list of the best beach hotels in Europe highlights some of the sun-soaked seaside resorts you’ll find toward the southern end of the continent. The Mediterranean Sea is certainly a great place to start when looking for a beautiful beach getaway, and many of the places on our list skirt its calm, azur waters.
While access to a pristine beach is generally the big selling point of any beach hotel, you’ll also find plenty of other reasons to pick these properties. Many have outstanding restaurants, excellent spa facilities and ideal locations close to local attractions, for those rare occasions when you get bored of the beach. Take a look and start planning your next summer escape.
1. Staycity London Dalston
London, England
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
The modern 4-star apartment hotel, Staycity London, is found in Dalston, a creative-cultural hub in East London. It’s a well-connected district popular for its trendy galleries showing the likes of street artist Banksy, vibrant live music scene, and excellent eateries. Mealtimes are a real highlight here. The choice is vast, with Turkish kebab joints coexisting with plant-based brunch spots and natural wine bars.
Staying in an apartment hotel offers all the independence of your own space combined with the convenience of hotel amenities, like the KRAFT Dalston Bar & Co., a well-equipped gym, and helpful staff available 24/7. After a long day of sightseeing, you could pick up a charcoal-grilled kebab from Abla Dalston to eat in your studio’s bright and airy dining space. Then, once refreshed, head out again to a local jazz club or bar hop along the LGBTQ-friendly high street.
Location: 130 Kingsland High St, Dalston, London, E8 2LQ, England
Staycity London Dalston
2. SO/ Paris Hotel
Paris, France
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Photo
Located right on the Seine, SO/ Paris embraces the heritage of fashion and art that the French capital is built on to offer a warm, contemporary environment from the moment you step into the stylish lobby. Each room offers romantic rooftop views, and the top 2 floors of the hotel are reserved for hospitality spaces with chic mid-century vibes decked out in autumnal hues. Hot tip: Book ahead to dine on the balcony with views of the Eiffel Tower.
Spend your days strolling between historic sights, from the Bastille to the fully-refurbished Notre-Dame, and sampling patisserie treats and fine cuisine. To relax and unwind, head to the hotel’s spa for a Turkish steam bath or personalized facial.
Location: 10 Rue Agrippa d’Aubigné, Paris, 75004, France
SO/ Paris Hotel
3. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu
Tokyo, Japan
Good for: Couples, Families, Group, Luxury
Rest your mind and body in a Garden Suite at the Capitol Hotel Tokyu. Pull back the traditional-style shoji (screen doors) for views of luscious greenery, unwind in your lounge furnished with calming blond wood, and relax in the spacious, deep-soak hot tub. If you can find the willpower to leave your room, try getting a couples’ massage at the spa before dining at one of the hotel’s 3 restaurants.
The hotel is in Akasaka, close to the Thousand Torii Gates and Hie Shrine. You’re within easy reach of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the lively neighborhood of Shinjuku. The Imperial Palace and surrounding gardens are within walking distance, and are a gorgeous setting for late summer picnics. For exploring further afield, take the Tokyo Metro from Tameike-sannō Station just outside the hotel.
Location: 2-10-3 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 100-0014, Japan
The Capitol Hotel Tokyu
4. Nobu Hotel Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
If you can count the number of times you’ve been to a rooftop bar this summer on one hand, it’s time to go to Nobu Hotel Barcelona. The Iberian sunshine is still streaming, so you can sunbathe by the plunge pool and sip cocktails into the evening at this stunning elevated location at the heart of the Catalonian capital. Soak up some culture too, with an architecture tour or trip to the Picasso Museum.
The Nobu brand is known for its Japanese influences, and you’ll find them here blended seamlessly with locally sourced, natural materials and Gaudí-inspired headboards. Book a suite to get an onsen-style soaking tub in addition to the standard rainfall shower, and enjoy premium sushi at the swanky rooftop restaurant.
Location: Avinguda de Roma 2-4, Barcelona, Barcelona, 08014, Spain
Nobu Hotel Barcelona
5. Montage Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Group, Luxury, Photo
The resort town of Cabo San Lucas can be found at the southern tip of Baja California, and tucked away in the exclusive bay of Bahia Santa Maria is the Montage Los Cabos resort. If you want to spend a little more time in your swimsuit before the end of summer, this is the one for you. Many of the rooms and casas come with private plunge pools, and renting a cabana on the glorious white sand beach includes complimentary refreshments.
This is a great destination for sporty types, with a world-class golf course on the doorstep, and its Compass sports center offering a range of experiences from diving to UTV off-roading, all of which is coordinated by the hotel.
Location: Carretera Transpeninsular Km 12.5 Int, Bahia Santa Maria Twin Dolphin, Cabo San Lucas, BCS, 23450, Mexico
Montage Los Cabos
6. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Dubai, UAE
Good for: Couples, Families, Group, Luxury, Photo
Picture a palm-lined pool overlooking the Arabian Gulf, where you’re relaxing on a cushioned lounger and being served phenomenal ice cream. Later, you’ll dine at a Michelin-star restaurant before retiring to your luxurious room with floor-to-ceiling views. You’ll have access to all the wonders of Dubai, but plenty of excuses to not leave the hotel.
If you’ve been busy nonstop this summer and are craving some personal time, consider booking a 3-day wellness retreat. You’ll benefit from yoga sessions and carefully designed nutrition, but still have plenty of time to do your own thing.
Location: Jumeirah 1, Jumeirah Road, Dubai
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
7. Stallmästaregården, Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels
Stockholm, Sweden
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
If the heat has been too much for you this summer, it might be time to try somewhere a little more temperate. Let the mild and pleasant climate in Sweden tempt you back outside, whether you prefer the large, green parks or exploring downtown Stockholm. You’ll find stunning lakeside views at a 17th-century farmhouse, Stallmästaregården, that’s now an elegant boutique hotel and restaurant with a comforting, homely feel.
You’ll sleep well in the large, cozy beds and be well nourished at the hotel’s eponymous restaurant, where the emphasis is placed on time-honored Swedish home cooking and seasonal, locally grown produce. The restaurant is beautiful too, decked out in warm copper accents that hint at the contemporary while being rooted in tradition.
Location: Norrtull, Stockholm, 113 47, Sweden
Stallmästaregården, Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels
8. Dubrovnik Palace
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Good for: Families, Luxury
Located on the stunning Babin Kuk peninsula, the Dubrovnik Palace offers easy access to the city’s famous Old Town while still being relatively isolated and exclusive. You can also enjoy the hotel’s many remarkable facilities, including both indoor and outdoor pools, four restaurants, and an excellent spa.
The design of the Dubrovnik Palace is appropriately palatial, with clean and elegant décor throughout the 308 guestrooms and the public spaces. Spectacular sunset views over the Adriatic and the Otočić Grebeni island are almost guaranteed during your stay in this west-facing hotel.
9. Kalesma Mykonos
Mykonos, Greece
Good for: Couples, Luxury
Kalesma Mykonos is a beautiful getaway resort on the western side of this Greek island hot spot. It has the feel of a remote village, albeit one that swapped the usual civic buildings for an infinity pool, a restaurant, a gym, spa services, and a terrace – magical sunset views included.
Continuing the village feel, there are only 27 guestrooms at Kalesma Mykonos. Each is decorated to resemble a traditional local home, with a few convenient additions like deep-soak bathtubs and private plunge pools. Situated up on a ridge, there isn’t really a sandy beach nearby, but the coastal setting is certainly striking.
10. H10 Port Vell
Barcelona, Spain
Good for: Families, Group
H10 Port Vell is a modern and stylish hotel located just across the road from a luxury marina, with Barcelona’s main passenger port and Barceloneta Beach in close proximity. Much like the city itself, the hotel combines sophisticated city chic with a breezy beach style.
Although the list of facilities available at the hotel is comparatively small, guests can find anything they might want in the city. However, they can still take a dip in the rooftop pool (while enjoying a drink from the poolside bar), dine in the restaurant, and work out in the fitness center between trips to the beach. It’s only about a 10-minute walk to reach the beach and get your toes in the sand or to reach the start of La Rambla – the iconic dining and nightlife hub of Barcelona.
Ben Reeves
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.