Old Grandeur with a Modern Twist:
#1 Palazzo Talìa, Rome
The Eternal City is known for its overwhelming simultaneity, where epochs and cultural influences from millennia intertwine. Many of the countless palazzos date back to the 16th century, including the "Palazzo Talìa" in the maze of alleys between the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza di Spagna. It once housed the renowned Collegio Nazareno, where aspiring scholars, nobles, and cardinals were educated before the imposing building fell into a slumber.

Now, with the creative input of Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino ("Call Me By Your Name"), Palazzo Talìa has risen like a phoenix from the ashes and transformed into a finely-run hotel. The original frescoes, vaulted ceilings, marble floors, and antique busts bring Roman history to life, while the colorful interiors of the 25 rooms and public spaces are vibrant yet not overwhelming, distinctly modern. The courtyard, planted with towering palm trees, offers a delightful refuge, while in the "Ristorante Tramae," Marco Coppola prepares local and seasonal dishes following the motto, "The Best from the Simple." The lively hotel bar, popular in the neighborhood, serves "Pasta alla Norma" even late into the night.
 

Family Charm in the "Serenissima":
#2 Violino d’Oro, Venice
The "Violino d’Oro" is not just another new hotel in Venice; it is a thoroughly Venetian hotel that exquisitely expresses local craftsmanship and heritage. The English travel magazine "Condé Nast Traveller" describes it as follows: "The overall vibe is elegant and eclectic, like the home of a chic Venetian art collector who loves antique markets as much as the Biennale." From the first moment, one feels the love and attention to detail in this charming accommodation in the Dorsoduro district near Piazza San Marco—right next to the legendary, currently closed Hotel Bauer, whose acquisition is being hotly contested among hospitality giants.

Sara Maestrelli, the Florentine owner with impeccable taste, placed great emphasis on Italian craftsmanship, from the vases and marble busts to the ubiquitous art (mostly from young talents) to the tableware in the restaurant, where the focus is on plant-based and gluten-free dishes of Italian origin. The lobby resembles a living room, and the 32 rooms offer guests everything they need without any unnecessary frills. The unobtrusively attentive staff makes every guest feel expected and especially welcome.
 

Homely "Anti-Hotel" in the Fashion District:
#3 Rocco Forte House Via Manzoni, Milan
On the northern edge of the "Quadrilatero della Moda" shopping district, at the corner of Via Manzoni and Via della Spiga, the Forte hotelier family has converted a 19th-century palazzo into "Rocco Forte House." The concept of this elegant guesthouse has already proven successful at its sister property in Rome. It appeals to seasoned travelers who do not want to feel like they are in a hotel, but rather appreciate a certain understatement and seek the privacy of an exclusive second home.

The Milan branch offers 11 apartments, ranging from 72 to 198 square meters, with one or two bedrooms and fully equipped kitchens, all arranged around a leafy courtyard. A rooftop terrace will be added in spring 2025. There is a fitness room in the basement, city bikes for exploring, and a house concierge always available to handle grocery shopping, laundry, or arranging restaurant reservations, opera tickets, and transfers upon request.

 

City Residence with Private Club Vibe:
#4 Hôtel 1 Place Vendôme, Paris
On the Monopoly board of the French capital, there could hardly be a more elegant location than this. At the corner of Rue Saint-Honoré and Place Vendôme—where the Chopard boutique shines on the ground floor—this exquisite hotel quietly opened in November 2023. The building belongs to the discreet Geneva-based Scheufele family, who also own the renowned watch and jewelry brand. The concept of "1 Place Vendôme" is centered around the ambiance of a semi-private family residence. It’s the epitome of "quiet luxury."

After passing through the blue main door and opening the wrought-iron gate, marked only by a subtle "C" hinting at the hotel, guests are warmly welcomed to the second floor. Here, the public spaces unfold like a city palace: a salon, library (with the Scheufele family’s favorite books), a winter garden, bar, and a Chinese-inspired smoking room hidden behind a wall of false bookshelves. Each of the ten suites and five rooms is a work of art in itself, some even featuring Chagalls and Warhols. The "1 Place Vendôme" is exclusive to overnight guests and their visitors—no casual drop-ins for drinks.

 

Revitalized Wine Merchant House:
#5 Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes, Bordeaux
Philippe Starck’s latest masterpiece, très genial! "The charm lay in reviving the nearly forgotten area around the iconic building and transforming it into a cheerful boutique hotel," says the world-famous French designer. The building, with its crenellated facade from 1871, served as a wine cellar and merchant house for Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, one of the few vineyards within city limits, for a century. A fire in the 1960s destroyed the cellars, and the château-like estate fell into a slumber.

Now, something exciting and new has emerged, successfully contrasting modern architecture with the neo-Gothic original structure. The extensive use of brick, wood, and natural materials exudes a sense of noble simplicity. The ground floor houses the realm of Japanese chef Masaharu Morimoto, whose fusion cuisine, using local resources, also attracts many locals. Also on the ground floor is a small spa with an indoor pool. The "Mondrian Les Carmes" is a contemporary urban oasis with the potential to propel the somewhat neglected Chartrons district between the city center and the wine experience center "Cité du Vin" (each a 25-minute walk along the Garonne River) into the 21st century.

 

Zeitgeist incarnation of the former "Königshof":
#6 Koenigshof, Munich
After sixteen years of stagnation at the high end of Munich’s hotel market, two spectacular openings have recently taken place: First, the new "Rosewood Munich" made headlines in autumn 2023, and then in summer 2024, the "Koenigshof" reopened as part of Marriott's Luxury Collection. The striking new building by the Spanish architectural firm Nieto Sobejano rises on the site of the former "Königshof" (then still spelled with an umlaut "ö") at Stachus, and it divides opinions among Munich residents. While some see the cubically staggered facade with its vertical slit in the middle as out of place in the central station district, others praise the long-awaited enhancement of this location at the main transportation hub of Bavaria’s capital and at the gateway to the pedestrian zone.

Upon entering the hotel, the 25-meter high atrium and the two lounges on the third floor, where the reception is also located, are immediately impressive. The 106 rooms are characterized by simple elegance in subtle tones. What was a rare feature in Europe ten years ago is now almost standard in Munich: a rooftop bar with surprising views over the city and surrounding areas. Also on the rooftop is the Latin American restaurant "Greta Oto."

 

Nordic chic in the Kruununhaka district:
#7 Hotel Maria, Helsinki
Opened in spring 2024, this hotel in the residential neighborhood of Kruununhaka combines four historic buildings into a complex with 117 homely, white-dominated rooms, two restaurants, and possibly the most attractive wellness area in Scandinavia. Samppa Lajunen, the founder and co-owner, is a three-time Olympic champion in Nordic combined and knows firsthand about the malleability of the human body and the power of targeted personal training. He is also convinced of the health benefits of the Finnish sauna culture and mindful eating.

In his new hotel, health and enjoyment are seamlessly combined. A "Wellness Concierge" is available to advise guests seeking to recharge and find balance. Of course, you can also just relax and enjoy modern comfort, friendly service, and top-quality regional cuisine. For those in reasonable shape, all of the city's sights are within walking distance. The only problem is that once you arrive at the Hotel Maria, you might not want to leave.

 

First all-suite hotel on the Thames:
#8 The Emory, London
The hotels of the Maybourne Group ("The Connaught," "Claridge's," "The Berkeley") have a fan base whose loyalty borders on the cult-like. In spring 2024, "The Emory" was added as a fourth London sibling hotel, located at Hyde Park Corner, right next to "The Berkeley" and a stone's throw from "The Peninsula London," which opened six months earlier. As the smallest of these famous houses, "The Emory" positions itself as a discreet retreat in the midst of the urban bustle.

While one side of the hotel faces a picturesque lane (Old Barrack Yard), the other side looks out over Hyde Park and the constantly buzzing main thoroughfare in Knightsbridge. The glass fronts are, however, superbly insulated. Over nine floors, there are 60 smart suites, designed by well-known designers such as André Fu, Rémi Tessier, and Patricia Urquiola. Guests dine in the trendy Manhattan outpost of Jean-Georges Vongerichten's "abc kitchen," enjoy panoramic views in the rooftop bar, or take advantage of access to the private members' wellbeing club "Surrenne," which spans four underground floors and features a 22-meter pool. Special touch: The hefty suite prices include airport transfers, free use of a hotel vehicle (subject to availability), and a fully stocked minibar.

 

A hotel gem with direct access to a private city garden:
#9 The Chelsea Townhouse, London
Each year, new hotels bring fresh dynamics to London's hotel scene. Among the boutique beauties, the "Chelsea Townhouse" in the Chelsea district, nestled between Knightsbridge and the northern bank of the Thames, currently holds the most enchantment potential. Formerly the "Draycott Hotel," consisting of three Victorian red-brick townhouses, it has been completely renovated but still boasts its signature feature: access to the enclosed Cadogan Place Gardens, one of the most prestigious private city gardens, located right in front of the hotel.

The 36 rooms are furnished in a British retro design, with a cozy dining room featuring a fireplace and a library with bay windows where afternoon tea is served. But the best part of "Chelsea Townhouse" is the personal service. Here, staff members not only remember the names of the guests but also effortlessly recall that you love grated ginger in your orange-carrot juice in the morning and prefer your Negroni without ice cubes in the evening. Tip: The Pavilion Road, a pedestrian street with charming restaurants, bars, and design shops, is just around the corner.

 

A truly Scottish experience:
#10 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh
Edinburgh is instantly recognizable, whether you're walking on cobblestone streets or grand avenues with bagpipers in plaid kilts. From the windows of "100 Princes Street" at its namesake address, the cityscape, dominated by the towering Edinburgh Castle, looks like something out of a historical drama. The newest boutique hotel in Scotland's capital belongs to the Red Carnation Collection, which also manages other tradition-rich properties.

The former headquarters of the Royal Overseas League, now extensively renovated, tells the story of the Scottish explorers who once gathered here. The five-story staircase is adorned with a massive hand-painted mural celebrating Scottish pioneers, and a glass chandelier in the shape of a hot air balloon floats above it all. The adventure continues in the 30 rooms, with experiences on offer such as creating your own gin at Kingsbarns Distillery or a fishing trip on the River Tweed. The best spot for a break from the daily explorations is the Princes Street Gardens, which act as a green lung through the city and are just across the street from the hotel.

A new star on the Danube:
#11 Dorothea Hotel, Budapest
The "Dorothea" in the central 5th district of the Hungarian capital is another outstanding new addition from the Marriott Group in this Hot List. It is part of the Autograph Collection, which markets 200 independent hotels worldwide under the hotel giant's umbrella. Italian architect Piero Lissoni was responsible for the design, merging three buildings from different eras (Neo-Renaissance, Art Nouveau, and Modernism with Art Deco and Bauhaus elements) into a harmonious whole.

With 216 rooms, you can choose between "contemporary" and "heritage" styles, both impeccably executed. The lifestyle hotel is centered around a generously greened courtyard with a huge glass roof, where the main restaurant with a botanical herb wall is located. The highlight, however, is on the roof: a rooftop brasserie serving Andalusian specialties, all at prices far more reasonable than those of other European cities.