25 Surprisingly Affordable Hotels in Europe

Yes, you could recline poolside for every waking moment of your holiday in Greece. But at this sun-drenched hotel on the island of Rhodes, it’s just one possible pastime. There’s a well-equipped gym, an indoor pool with mountain views, a full-service spa and regular yoga classes held in a purpose-built sala. Hotel staff can also book sailing adventures and hiking tours if you have the willpower to pull yourself away from a sun lounge.

This Amarante hotel puts you within toasting distance of the hotspot city of Porto and the undulating Douro Valley wine region. Explore the immediate vicinity first: set on the Quinta da Lixa vineyard, the property boasts views of its avesso vines and century-old chestnut trees, best enjoyed during a wine tour and tasting. Guests can also book a spa treatment featuring the estate’s unique wine-based products, purported to harness the molecular anti-aging properties of the fruit grown onsite.

Staying at this cheerful West London ‘hometel’ is akin to having your own pad around the clock. There’s a mattress menu to ensure the bed is as comfy as your own and rooms have a convenient kitchenette to help keep dining costs down. The décor feels personal and includes pieces from local artists (spot the bathroom mirrors of Kieran Letts, who works with sustainable timber). From historical buildings and landscaped gardens to local markets and independent shops, there’s plenty to explore in this picturesque part of West London.

Iceland is notoriously tough on travel budgets but if you’re willing to look beyond the capital, Reykjavík, there are bargains to be found. This collection of windswept wooden cottages is located in the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where lava caves, deep ravines and wild beaches abound. You’ll find this minimalist stay at the foot of Mount Stapafell – a pillow-lava mountain that soars more than 500 metres tall – near the statue of Bárður Snæfellsás, the legendary half-man, half-giant who is believed to have once roamed the area.

Whitewashed stone walls, a tumble of magenta bougainvillea and 19 rustic and relaxing rooms are the hallmarks of this villa in Puglia’s Ostuni. Although the ambience is similar to some of the country’s most luxurious properties, it costs just a fraction of the price (. The restaurant is a highlight – as you’d expect in this part of the world – with the entirely vegetarian menu sourced from Le Carrube’s own gardens, groves and orchards, as well as nearby farms and producers. You can also book cooking classes and tasting experiences (wine and olive oil) to round out your immersion in this Southern Italian region.

At the peak of the European summer, visitors are especially drawn to Croatia’s walled capital, Dubrovnik. Check in to Hotel Osmoliš – about a 20-minute drive away – where you can easily venture into the crowds to explore or just laze by the infinity pool as you savour uninterrupted views of the Adriatic and the scent of lemons, laurel and lavender lingering in the air. There’s also an onsite spa and fitness centre with a sauna and a second pool to help you while away the hours.

A haven of Menorcan hospitality, this sumptuously decorated 21-room hotel in the centre of Mahón feels like you’re visiting the home of your most stylish friend (if they had pillow menus and beds dressed with Egyptian cotton, that is). Antiques and vintage fabrics adorn almost every surface and chef Pau Sintes creates gastronomic magic at the restaurant, Cristine’s Kitchen. The terrace and garden are a pretty addition, providing an oasis for a drink and a dip in the outdoor pool.

The smallest room option in this brightly decorated Roman bolthole might be called the Shoebox but you won’t be disappointed. The spaces are light-filled and feature retro bathrooms straight from a scene in a mid-century Italian movie, while rooms in the Biggy category overlook the Eternal City’s terracotta roofs. Visit the nearby Villa Borghese a piedi and be sure to stop in at onsite restaurant Elio, which rocks a great cacio e pepe pasta – a steal at €16 (under $30).

Staying among the charming bistros, vintage stores and atmospheric theatres of the Grands Boulevards neighbourhood of Paris doesn’t have to take a chunk of your change. Accented by old-school telephones and vintage chairs, this property feels properly Parisian, with added Francophile touches such as Diptyque amenities and a lobby bar serving classic French breakfasts to help you keep track of your euros. Kids under two can also bunk here free of charge, when sharing a bed with a parent.

Miss Clara’s position on Sveavägen – a glamorous boulevard lined with upmarket boutiques – means many of Stockholm’s sights (the historic Gamla Stan precinct, namely) are less than two kilometres away. Inside, the walnut-hued herringbone flooring, complimentary sauna access and Byredo bathroom products all add to its should-cost-more vibe. The onsite pizzeria is also pleasingly reasonable, with delicious woodfired kids’ pizza for just 100 krona (about $16).

Artistic and epicurean, Nice is the jewel of the French Riviera. This delightful stay in Southern France has its own (affordable) sparkle, including its location – barely 150 metres away from the famed beach – a well-priced buffet breakfast and a relaxed honesty bar for those spontaneous coupes de champagne. If you prefer shopping over swimming, the hotel is close enough to some of the city’s best retail therapy – from the independent boutiques of the Avenue Jean Médecin to the luxury salons of Le Carré d’Or.

Leave the kids at home – this luxurious Spanish farmhouse is for grownups only. Located in the middle of a national park in Almería in the Andalusian region of Spain, the tranquil residence is all about the outlook, which captures seven kilometres of rocky Mediterranean coast and a skyline of volcanic mountains. Borrow snorkelling gear to get a glimpse of marine life right off the beach or grab a mountain bike to explore the region’s many cycling trails, both free of charge.

Situated amid the bustle of Palermo’s historic centre, L’Olivella might be the prettiest place to park your suitcase in the Sicilian capital. Originally an old silver factory, this 100-year-old villa has been reimagined as a storybook B&B, notable for its grand furnishings: four-poster beds, organza curtains and original tiled flooring. The cherry-on-top inclusion? A fresh regional breakfast daily, including pastries, cheeses, preserves and quality Italian coffee, of course.

Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, is an aesthete’s paradise – it was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2011. The Wiesler, which is filled with eclectic art (it even has a Banksy Room), is right at its heart – with the alien-like form of the Kunsthaus gallery and the Schloss Eggenberg castle a delightful hike away (45 minutes). In spite of the hotel’s modest rates, Mick Jagger, the Dalai Lama, Jennifer Lawrence and other famous guests have stayed there.

In the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre of Ribeira – Porto’s most vibrant neighbourhood – you’ll find this grand former goods-trading store that dates back to the 16th century. Each room here has its own character, swathed in sea blues, sandy hues and faded jewel tones that echo the colours of the town’s famous tiles. The property’s Restaurante Casario serves exceptional Portuguese cuisine in an elegant dégustation matched with wines from the renowned Douro Valley.

Undiscovered by the crowds, Kastellorizo is a rarity in the Greek Islands – as is this inviting former mansion, transformed into a waterfront hotel with colour-splashed décor that shines against the sapphire Aegean Sea outside. At €180 for a double, the Sea View Suites are worth that bit extra. Breakfast is served daily (for an additional €20, or $35) on the terrace overlooking the quaint harbour.

This vibrant little stay in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district is right beside the Bloemgracht canal, surrounded by cafés, bars and galleries. The rooms, decorated in shades of coffee and stroopwafel, have tons of luxe touches – from quality linen to Argan toiletries. They’ll even throw in a generous continental breakfast for less than €15 (about $25) when you book ahead.

Stylish and conveniently located, The Alex is a boutique property in Dublin’s city centre. Rooms and suites come with Irish-made king-sized mattresses – exactly what you need to sleep off the jet lag – and there are three eateries, including an outdoor terrace for relaxed cocktails, lunch or dinner among the flowers. The hotel doesn’t have an onsite gym but guests can use the 24-hour fitness centre at its sister property, a two-minute walk away.

It doesn’t get more remote than the Faroe Islands, a hauntingly beautiful archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean that lies between Norway and Iceland. Situated in a serene valley, Hotel Føroyar is a 15-minute walk from the capital, Tórshavn, where you can admire the colourful façades of buildings topped with grass roofs. If you’d rather stay put, we recommend booking a table at the onsite Ruts Restaurant, which serves simple seasonal Faroe produce and incredible views of the fjord.

A co-project between an interior architect and a seasoned hospitality professional, Hotel Pilar prides itself on offering “energetic hospitality”. Every room has a view of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and even the smaller spaces include a king-sized bed and rainwater shower. The ground-floor Foodbar, with its green outlook, is a lively spot for a morning coffee and pain perdu (French toast), while the building’s fire escape doubles as an art gallery that makes its pieces available for sale.

Take a dilapidated workshop, bring in a bunch of artists, designers and craftspeople and put them all to work. The result is a character-filled 45-room hotel and restaurant in a part of Paris known as Little Egypt. The lodgings are split across two buildings, while the ground-floor restaurant overlooks the leafy Place d’Alexandrie. With the Strasbourg–Saint-Denis metro station nearby (and the hip Le Marais quarter just a few blocks away), Edgar & Achille proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to see the best of the City of Light.

The first Design Hotels member in Scotland, this modern-meets-historic stay in Edinburgh welcomes guests with its warm and minimalist interiors. Surprisingly spacious, the entry-level Cozy room features a queen or king bed, complimentary minibar, a rainfall shower and Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. The Nor’ Loft rooftop champagne lounge and restaurant serves up city views, along with a fantastic champagne list and share plates. For a closer look at the sights, Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town’s Royal Mile are a short walk away.

This edgy 16-room boutique hotel, housed within a former textile mill in the happening Northern Quarter district of Manchester, ticks the boxes big-time. Plush, comfortable bed? Check. Fast wi-fi, daily complimentary prosecco and snacks? Another (big) tick. Its location is also a drawcard – you can easily follow the staff’s local-dining recommendations when hunger strikes.

The Mama Shelter brand launched in Paris in 2008, spearheading the “hip urban refuge” trend now found worldwide. Its Prague outpost is just outside the tourist trail but close enough that the sights are still accessible. There are 238 rooms across 10 floors, offering quirky art and free movies, plus many have views across the Czech capital’s rooftops. The best outlook, however, is from the sunny terrace bar, a sociable place to grab an afternoon spritz or a late-night pizza.

You’ll find this well-appointed hotel in the friendly Copenhagen neighbourhood of Vesterbro, a five-minute walk from the city’s main train station. Rooms at this family-run, Green Key-certified property are colourful and design-led but it’s the little things that make a big impact, such as the complimentary bar credit (if you forgo housekeeping), friendly staff and extensive breakfast buffet.

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