Seaside hotels, spa resorts, boutique hotels in the world’s coolest cities – what are the best hotels in Europe to book right now? Some of them just sit head and shoulders above the rest, offering unforgettable experiences from the moment you walk through their grand doors. Our pick of Europe’s (and the UK’s) most magnificent luxury stays is here. We hope it inspires you to stop dreaming, and book that Luxury Gold journey to Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland or Sweden.

Four Seasons Firenze, Florence

A true classic – there’s scarcely a list of luxury hotels the Four Seasons Firenze doesn’t appear on. The building itself is a restored 15th century palazzo and it sits surrounded by Florence’s largest private garden – flamboyant with fountains, statues, umbrella pines, yews and sweeping beeches. Some rooms have views of the Duomo and the interiors are opulence itself: dramatic bouquets, frescoes, bronze sculptures, mosaics, moldings – the full Italian Renaissance.

 

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Le Bristol, Paris

Another icon in the world of luxury hotels, Le Bristol has been offering a haven to luxury-loving artists since 1925. Among the people to have graced its sumptuously oversized suites: Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, Christian Lacroix. The rooms are full of light, as well as period furniture and antique mirrors. Close to the Champs-Élysées, Le Bristol’s courtyard is the ideal escape, with its serene white and green palette. And the restaurant – Epicure – has three Michelin stars.

 

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You may also enjoy reading: 10 Most Exciting Hotel Openings of 2025

Raffles London at the OWO, London

The Old War Office (OWO) on Whitehall is now (as of 2023) one of the best hotels in Europe – a super-sumptuous luxury stay imbibed with history and subterfuge (there’s a hidden bar in the underground interrogation rooms once used by MI5 agents, for instance). Over an eight-year renovation, the original floors and staircase were preserved – where Winston Churchill delivered his wartime announcements. The rooms are nothing short of spectacular.

 

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Passalacqua, Lake Como

This 18th century villa opened as a hotel in 2022 and has quickly emerged as one of the most idyllic luxury stays in the world. Surrounded by the impossible blues, greens and turquoises of Lake Como, the hotel is resplendent with Murano chandeliers, gilded mirrors, original frescoes and manicured gardens. The pool scene has to be one of the most glamorous in the world, with its pine green loungers and lily-petal parasols, against the lake backdrop.

 

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Adare Manor, Ireland

This neo-Gothic manor house sits within 840 acres of formal French gardens, parklands and the River Maigue and is quietly one of the best resorts in Europe. Activities on offer include falconry, fishing and archery, and the spa is world-class. The padel club is tucked in the woods, with a gym, sauna, steam room and enormous swimming pool alongside the courts. The interiors are all oak, leather, monumental stone-vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and red velvet. Adare’s got it all (including a chocolate shop). If you’re enamored with our Castles & Kingdoms journey, you’ll adore it here.

 

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For more breathtaking stays read: How You Can Stay in Europe’s Finest Private Castles

Gran Hotel Ingles, Madrid

This boutique hotel in the middle of Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras is tucked down a narrow street – soothing, but full of life. At its heart, the glamorous lobby is abundant with gold, bronze and velvet; it has a central bar surrounded by cocktail lounge space, designed as a gathering space, inspired by the Café Inglés of the 19th century, which attracted writers and artists. The rooms are white and grey with lots of straight lines and sharp angles.

 

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Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi

If Amalfi isn’t on your luxury hotels bucketlist, put the Borgo Santandrea on there right now, truly one of the best beach hotels in Europe. Built dramatically into the rockface (as only the Amalfi Coast knows how), looming directly over the glimmering sea, with a private beach club, suitably serene white and blue rooms and all the Negronis and fritto misto you could dream of, this address is simply special.

 

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Kalesma, Mykonos

Another of the most glorious beach hotels in Europe, Kalesma sits up a Mykonian hill, out of reach of the parties, surrounded by olive trees, bougainvillea and the scent of rosemary, basil and lavender. With only 25 suites and two villas, this luxury boutique hotel is arranged across gorgeous whitewashed buildings, inspired by Cycladic architecture, but with chic, modern interiors. The dining options – meze, pool bar, sunset lounge and private dining – make it difficult to leave.

 

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Experimental Chalet Verbier

Soul-reviving views of snow-capped peaks, tartiflette by Gregory Marchand, an epic hammam, cosy rooms with mountain terraces, and Winter Cup cocktails (Pimm’s, Fino sherry, lemon, cucumber, bitters) make this one of the best hotels in Europe. From outside, it looks like a regular luxury chalet, but the flashes of scarlet on the shutters let you know that what lurks within is far more stylish than all of the others, bar none.

 

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Bookmark for later: How to Spend 48 Hours in One of Norway’s Most Scenic Hotels

Hjortviken Country Club, Sweden

One of the hot new boutique hotels of the year, this unique escape just outside of Gothenburg is worth having on your list, particularly if you’re considering our Timeless Scandinavia journey, which starts in Copenhagen. Low-key glamor is the vibe – there’s cross-country skiing in winter, lake activity in summer, and plenty of lounging under coral, fringed parasols, plus a Swedish brasserie, some Cali-inspired tapas and an eighties New York City-style nightclub.

 

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Discover how magnificent stays bookend each day on every Luxury Gold journey.

Each year, Mercer, the consultancy focused on global economics, publishes its list of the most expensive cities in the world. The index lists 226 cities in the world in order, measuring how ‘expensive’ each one is by comparing the costs of more than 200 items in each location, including transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. Mercer says “the comprehensive ranking serves as a valuable compass, providing guidance through the intricate landscape of living expenses in cities worldwide”. At the other end of the Mercer list, the cities that ranked the lowest for living costs last year are Islamabad, Lagos and Abuja.

Mercer’s list of the most expensive cities in the world is aimed at companies with employees who are assigned internationally and it includes four Swiss cities (Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern). There are other similar lists, including one by The EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit), which publishes a worldwide cost of living survey naming its most expensive cities in the world each year. And there’s another, by Numbeo, which focuses on the prices of consumer goods such as food, restaurants, and transportation, but not housing. Below, we’ve combined our findings to make a list of the 10 most expensive cities in the world, which happen to make wonderful luxury travel destinations.

1. Singapore

Poised at the top of both lists, there is no denying this luxury paradise’s position as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Singapore has pizzazz in abundance – even its botanical garden is described by Lonely Planet as “a S$1 billion, 101-hectare fantasy land of space-age biodomes, high-tech Supertrees and whimsical sculptures”. The soothing Mandarin Oriental overlooks the Marina Bay Sands development – the crown jewel of the skyline, and the symbol of modern Singapore.

2. Hong Kong

This city wears its luxury credentials glamorously, via an iconic skyline, glittering harbour and spectacular restaurant scene. But there are lush green peaks all around, too, offering panoramic views, Hong Kong camellias and sightings of spoon-billed sandpipers. Stay at the Peninsula to absorb some old-world magic, right on the Kowloon waterfront, and dine at Wing, Vicky Cheng’s rule-free fine dining establishment, which celebrates the eight great Chinese cuisines to dazzling effect.

3. Zurich

Another long-term resident of the top 10 list, this Swiss city rides high as a result of expensive housing prices and high transportation costs. Our 10-day Majestic Switzerland journey begins and ends in Zurich, where we stay at the stunning art deco AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac on the shore of Lake Zurich, a short walk from the opera house.

4. Geneva

On the same captivating Switzerland journey, which sweeps round the country with a stint on the Glacier Express, we pause in Geneva for a stay at the uniquely grand but intimate Hotel d’Angleterre, on the shores of the lake. It’s a sumptuous address – lots of dark wood, soothing tones, rich fabrics and imposing drapery. The lake views from the restaurant are exquisite, making for a meal perfectly befitting one of the most expensive cities in the world.

5. Copenhagen

Number 8 on the EIU list, Denmark’s impossibly cool capital is well documented as an expensive destination to while away a weekend. It’s worth every penny. Our Timeless Scandinavia journey combines a divine mix of fjords, scenic railways, countryside abodes and dazzling cities, starting in Copenhagen. Our chosen city lodgings are the epitome of Scandi minimalism: 71 Nyhavn is made up of restored canalside warehouse buildings, originally built in the early 1800s. We dine at the Michelin-star Høst – on the best Nordic ingredients, meticulously assembled.

6. Paris

Naturalement, some of the world’s most fabulous vacations are taken in Paris. On our Ultimate France journey we luxuriate in Paris last of all, so you can also extend your trip and linger longer. We stay at the Hotel Napoleon, a romantic address in the city’s heart, a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe. At the very end, our guests reminisce over dinner on the Eiffel Tower, potentially the most alluring dining destination in the world.

7. New York City

We flock to the Big Apple to shop widely, dine opulently and sleep soundly in some of the world’s most exquisite boudoirs, amid the unmistakable buzz of one of the most expensive cities in the world. Our current hotel pick for sheer grandiosity is the Fifth Avenue Hotel, once part of the estate of a 19th century socialite, sensationally restored with a jewel box palette, elaborate wallpapers, ornate paneling and oysters à la pomme at Café Carmellini.

8. London

Maintaining its position in the top 10 thanks to enormous demand for a tightly constrained supply of city-centre property, London is still Europe’s biggest financial centre, and the average house costs around 850,000 USD. On our journey through the regal glory of Great Britain, we begin in London – very centrally – across the road from Buckingham Palace. The Rubens at the Palace is a riot of lavish Englishness, with four poster beds, doormen in tailcoats and afternoon tea.

9. Nassau

The high cost of living in Nassau is due to its status as a tourist destination and financial hub, and because of high demand for limited housing from both locals and expatriates. Modern Nassau is all high-end fashion designers, extremely fine dining and superyachts – all with that turquoise backdrop. Soak it up at the Rosewood Baha Mar, a haven of exclusivity, with a golf course, French restaurant and soothing, richly decorated residences, opening on to the powder white sands of Cable Beach.

10. Los Angeles

LA has higher than average costs for housing, taxes, food, transport, health care, and utilities. The most expensive neighbourhood is Bel-Air. If you’re in town, only the rose-coloured Hotel Bel-Air will do, set within 18 acres of bougainvillea, ficus, orange blossom and fern. This classic Hollywood hideaway makes guests feel like A-listers, and is a peaceful antidote to the traffic.

From how to dress for a Michelin star restaurant to what the stars mean, many diners have questions before their first Michelin meal. With several Michelin restaurants on our luxury tours, including luxury train travel, we want you to know what to expect at a Michelin star restaurant and that all essential Michelin star restaurant dress code. 

See how Exceptional Dining takes centre stage on every Luxury Gold journey.

What Is A Michelin Star Restaurant?

Yes, it’s that Michelin. The Michelin food guide originated in the early 1900s when the founders of the Michelin tire company wanted to encourage motorists to take road trips—and buy tires. So, they created a guide for those in search of good food on road trips. The guide started by offering a single star and expanded up to three stars. Discerning diners began to refer to the guide in the 1960s and 70s. It has since evolved into a guide that gives a restaurant its highest honor. As a prestigious recognition, fewer than 3,000 restaurants have received Michelin notoriety. 

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Enjoy seasonal produce and sensational views as you dine at Michelin-starred Le Monzù restaurant on the Italian Isle of Capri, on Ultimate Italy. 

Michelin Star Restaurant Criteria

To be considered for a Michelin star, a Michelin inspector uses the following criteria: 

1. Quality of products 
2. Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
3. Personality of chef in the cuisine 
4. “Wow” factor and harmony of flavors 
5. Consistency of food between inspectors’ visits 

You may also be interested to read further: How Do Restaurants Get Awarded a Michelin Star?

What Do The Michelin Stars Mean?

The Michelin star awards are issued yearly. A restaurant can both have a star added and taken away from year to year. Unlike other restaurant recognitions, Michelin stars are awarded for the food only. Restaurant style and degree of formality are not considered. An overview of the meaning of the stars: 

One star: high quality cooking 

Two stars: excellent cooking with the personality and talent of the chef evident in the dishes 

Three stars: exceptional cuisine of chefs at the peak of their profession where cooking is elevated to an art form  

You may also enjoy reading: 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants Around The World

Preparing For Your Meal

Now that you know what you have to look forward to, there’s a lot you can do in advance to make the most of your dining experience. Be sure to inform the restaurant of any dietary requirements or intolerances in advance. Michelin-starred restaurants are accustomed to accommodating vegetarian, vegan and gluten–free as well as other specific dietary requirements. When traveling with Luxury Gold, your travel concierge is also a great point of contact to share any dietary restrictions with. Then, of course, its time to turn your attention to the Michelin star restaurant dress code. 

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Taste the best of English cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurant The Olive Tree in Bath, on our British Royale journey.

What To Wear To A Michelin Star Restaurant

Dining at a Michelin Star restaurant is not just about enjoying exquisite cuisine; it’s also an experience that often calls for refined dress. While there is no official Michelin star restaurant dress code, and specific attire required depends on the restaurant and location, dressing smartly is generally the best approach.

For men, a tailored suit or dress pants paired with a crisp button-down collared shirt is a safe choice. A blazer adds sophistication, and a tie may be required at some establishments, so it’s wise to check the restaurant’s guidelines in advance. This can also apply for jeans. Opt for polished dress shoes to complete the look, avoiding overly casual footwear.

Women have a broader range of options but should aim for elegant attire, such as a sophisticated dress or a chic blouse paired with tailored pants or a skirt. Accessories like statement jewelry can always enhance any outfit, and this is the perfect reason to go bold. Heels or stylish flats are suitable for footwear, ensuring comfort without sacrificing style.

Regardless of your choice, keep it at least smart casual and avoid items like shorts, flip-flops or gym wear. Ultimately, the goal is to feel confident and comfortable while respecting the fine dining atmosphere of a Michelin Star restaurant.

Other top tips for a Michelin star restaurant dress code are:  

• When in doubt, dress a little nicer. Dining in a Michelin star restaurant is a special opportunity, so why not elevate your time with a bit dressier attire? 
• Consider the restaurant. Learning a bit about the style and décor or the restaurant will help you to select an outfit that matches the formality of the setting. 
• One strategy is align your dress to the star rating. This simple formula translates to more business casual for 1-star restaurants, while a 2 or 3-star restaurant might call for dressier attire. 
• Don’t be shy about contacting the restaurant. It’s perfectly common and acceptable to contact the restaurant to ask what type of attire patrons wear. Some restaurants even post their attire on their website. Or, ask your friendly travel concierge.

If you love fine dining you will enjoy reading: These Are Our 15 Favorite Michelin Star Restaurants in Italy 

Courses And Pairings

Now that you’ve found the right look for you and the restaurant, it’s time to focus on the meal. Many Michelin star restaurants will present you with a tasting menu and the choice of a drink pairing. A trained sommelier will have matched the beverages with each course to enhance the flavors of the dishes. Because of the multi-course menu, both the dishes and pours of these pairings will be less than a full main course dish and glass of wine. 

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On our Harmony of Central Europe luxury tour, enjoy Hungarian/French fusion Michelin-starred dining in Budapest at Borkonyha Winekitchen

The Service

Be prepared for attentive service. You should expect your waitstaff to often be close by, enhancing your experience.  Your waiter will fill your glass, replace your napkin should you step away, and probably clean the crumbs from the table at the end of the meal. 

How long do Michelin Star Meals Take?

A meal at a Michelin restaurant is an experience to remember. And part of that experience is taking your time and savoring each course. Most meals last at least two hours, and often three to four hours. Rest assured that the chef has your experience in mind and has thoughtfully paced the courses and wine pairings for your benefit. In short, settle in and relax into a decadent, memorable evening. 

Where will Michelin dining take you? Browse our collection of luxury small group journeys, many of which include Michelin starred dining.