City hotels
The growth of low-cost airlines - Ryanair, Easyjet, Go and Buzz - has encouraged travellers to take advantage of a cheap fare and find their own accommodation. Here are 10 ideas for the more popular cities:
1 Vienna
König von Ungarn
Schulerstrasse 10, 1010 Vienna, Austria.
Tel 0043 1 515 840, fax 515 848
hotel@kvu.at, www.kvu.at
Near St Stephan's cathedral and very good shopping; said to be the oldest hotel in Vienna. Pleasant atrium with greenery; vaulted restaurant. 32 bedrooms. B&B Sch1,195-1,690 (£55-£77). Set dinner Sch490 (£22). Airline: Buzz.
2 Carcassonne
Domaine d'Auriac
Route de St-Hilaire, BP 554, Carcassonne 11009 Aude, France.
Tel 00 33 4 6825 7222, fax 6847 3554
auriac@relaischateaux.fr, www.relaischateaux.fr
In park close to hilltop fortress: nineteenth-century classical mansion, elegant, luxurious but unostentatious. Michelin-starred restaurant; 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis. 26 bedrooms. D, B&B Fr600-1,500 (£58-£145). Airline: Ryanair.
3 Lyon
Cour des Loges
6 rue du Boeuf, 69005 Lyon Rhône.
Tel 00 33 4 7277 4444, fax 7240 9361
contact@courdesloges.com, www.courdesloges.com
In lively area of Vieux Lyon, an unusual luxury hotel: four old buildings with dramatic art deco interior, large atrium, modern paintings, roof garden, wine cellar, garage. 62 bedrooms. B&B 770-1,420 frs (£75-£135). Meal 350 frs (£33). Airlines: Buzz, Ryanair and Go.
4 Paris
Hôtel de l'Abbaye St-Germain
10 rue Cassette, 75006 Paris, France.
Tel 0033 1 4544 3811, fax 4548 0786
hotel.abbaye@wanadoo.fr, www.hotel-abbaye.com
Near St-Sulpice: former monastery, now elegant B&B hotel. Courtyard (with greenery and pond) for drinks and breakfast; conservatory. 46 bedrooms. B&B Fr610-1,220 (£59-£117). Airlines: Buzz and Ryanair (from Prestwick).
5 Berlin
Hecker's Hotel
Grolmanstrasse 35 10623 Berlin, Germany.
Tel 00 49 30 88900, fax 30 8890260
info@heckers-hotel.com, www.heckers-hotel.com
Good value for its central location in Charlottenburg area: stylish hotel with glossy modern decor, roof terrace, Mediterranean-style restaurant. 71 bedrooms. D, B&B Dm233-358 (£75-£115.) Airline: Buzz.
6 Nice
Le Grimaldi
15 rue Grimaldi, 06000 Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France.
Tel 00 33 4 93 16 00 24, fax 87 00 24
jlz@le-grimaldi.com, www.le-grimaldi.com
Yann and Joanna Zedde's B&B in belle époque town house with bright Provençal decor. On quiet street near old town, 10 minutes walk from beach. 23 bedrooms. Fr410-870 (£40-£85). Airline: EasyJet.
7 Bologna
Hotel Orologio
Via IV Novembre 10, 40123 Bologna, Italy.
Tel 00 39 051 231 253, fax 260 552
hotoro@tin.it, www.cnc.it/bologna
Central but quiet B&B hotel in tall building in pedestrianised zone near main square: good bedrooms; excellent buffet breakfast. 34 bedrooms. B&B Lr157,000-350,000 (£51-£114). Airline: Go.
8 Milan
Hotel Spadari al Duomo
Via Spadari 11, 20123 Milan, Italy.
Tel 00 39 02 7200 2371, fax 861 184
reservation@spadarihotel.com, www.spadarihotel.com
Stylish little B&B hotel in side street near duomo; modern-romantic decor; works of art, extravagant flower arrangements. Good breakfast and snacks, in bright bar. 39 bedrooms. B&B Lr130,000-368,000 (£42-£120). Airlines: Buzz and Go.
9 Venice
Agli Alboretti
Accademia 884, Dorsoduro, 30123 Venice, Italy.
Tel 00 39 041 5230 058, fax 5210 158
alborett@gpnet.it, www.logis.it
Unassuming little hotel, good value, near Gallerie dell'Accademia; simple decor; good food in ochre-walled courtyard, under a canopy of leaves and vines. 19 bedrooms. D, B&B L205,000-245,000 (£67-£80). Airlines: Buzz and Ryanair.
10 Lisbon
Lapa Palace
Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4, 1240-021 Lisbon, Portugal.
Tel 00 351 21 394 9494, fax 395 0665
info@hotelapa.com, www.orient-expresshotels.com
On hillside (fine views) in residential area; big, opulent hotel in beautiful gardens. Large outdoor swimming pool; health club; very good restaurant. 108 bedrooms. D, B&B 35,300-55,300 esc (£111-£174). Airline: Go.
Lakes and mountains
1 Tirol
Parkhotel am Tristachersee
Lienz, 9900 Tirol, Austria.
Tel 00 43 4852 67666, fax 4852 67699
tristachersee@osttirol.com, www.tophotels.com/tristachersee
On small lake beside wooded hills, with Dolomites in background: Kreuzer family's chalet-style hotel with simple, modern decor; large dining terrace above lake; indoor pool and spa; garden. 43 bedrooms. D, B&B Sch700-1,370 (£32-£63).
2 French Alps
Le Cordonant
Cordon, 74700 Haute-Savoie, France.
Tel 00 33 4 5058 3456, fax 5047 9557
Pretty chalet hotel in resort village west of Chamonix: views of Mt Blanc and ski slopes; rustic decor; very good food; terrace for summer meals; pleasant garden. 16 bedrooms. D, B&B Fr 260-410 (£25-£40).
3 Lake Constance
Seehotel Siber
Seestrasse 25, Konstanz, 78464 Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Tel 00 49 07531 63044, fax 07531 64813
seehotel.siber@t-online, www.integra.fr/relaischateaux/siber
Handsome white Jugendstil villa on shores of Lake Constance, with wide views to Swiss Alps: much panelling, stained glass, modern art; Michelin-starred restaurant; terrace for summer meals, Mediterranean-style gardens, lakeside footpath. 12 bedrooms. D, B&B Dm375-465 (£120-£150).
4 Lake Garda
Villa del Sogno
Via Zanardelli 107, Fasano del Garda, 25083 Brescia, Italy.
Tel 00 39 0365 290181, fax 0365 290230
villadelsogno@gardalake.it, www.gardalake.it/villadelsogno
Elegant hotel on Lake Garda. Lake views from flower-filled terrace where meals are served, and from large bedrooms. Large public rooms, elaborately decorated; garden with swimming pool, tennis. 31 bedrooms. D, B&B Lr230,000-305,000 (£75-£99).
5 Norang
Hotel Union Øye
Norangsfjorden, 6196 Norway.
Tel 00 47 7006 2100, fax 7006 2116.
post@unionoye.no, www.unionoye.no
Set in remote mountains in Norang valley: Swiss Gothic-style hotel (regularly visited by Kaiser Wilhelm and Conan Doyle); immaculately restored; efficient service; good dinners, huge breakfasts.26 bedrooms. D, B&B 1,005-1,205 Nkr (£77-£92).
6 Portugal
Quinta do Barranco da Estrada
Santa Clara-a-Velha, 7665-880 Beja, Portugal.
Tel/fax 00 351 283 93 39 01
paradiseinportugal@mail.telepac.pt, www.paradise-in-portugal.com
In the Alentejo: Frank and Lulu McClintock's family home, set amid orange and lemon trees and flowers, above huge, unpolluted lake. Lots of wildlife and bird-watching. Communal meals. Eight simple bedrooms. B&B 11,500-27,000 esc (£36-£85).
7 Lake Bled
Vila Bled
Cesta Svobode 26 , Bled, 4260 Gorenjska, Slovenia.
Tel 00386 04 5791 500, fax 5741 320
vilabled@robas.si, www.vilabled.robas.si
On low hill, former royal palace remodelled by Tito, now Slovenia's most sumptuous hotel; good restaurant; 13-acre park with private lido. 30 bedrooms. D, B&B (£64-£92).
8 Sweden
Toftaholm Herrgård
Lagan, 340 14 Småland, Sweden.
Tel 00 46 370 440 55, fax 370 440 45
frontoffice@toftaholmherrgard.com, www.toftaholmherrgard.com
Fourteenth-century manor house on shores of Lake Vidöstern: private beach, fishing, swimming. 45 bedrooms. D, B&B Skr952-1,425 (£69-£103).
9 Lake Maggiore
Casa Berno
Ascona 6612 Ticino, Switzerland.
Tel 00 41 91 791 3232, fax 792 1114
hotel@casaberno.ch, www.casaberno.ch
Well-run modern hotel above Lake Maggiore: great views from bedrooms and public rooms; swimming pool and lovely roof terrace (summer meal service).61 bedrooms. D, B&B SFr205-285 (£86-£119).
10 Swiss Alps
Relais du Belvédère
Champex-Lac, 1938 Valais, Switzerland.
Tel 0041 27 783 1114 fax 783 2576
belvedere@dransnet.ch
The Favre-Holsacker family's country inn sits amid pine-covered, snow-capped mountains in a charming family resort; spectacular views; Alpine decor, good food; near lake with boating, fishing, winter skating. Nine bedrooms. D, B&B SFr90-110 (£37-£46).
Child-friendly hotels
The following hotels are particularly good for a family holiday:
1 Austria
Hoteldorf Grüner Baum
Kötschachtal, Bad Gastein, 5640 Salzburger Land, Austria
Tel 00 43 6434 25160, fax 6434 251625
info@grunerbaum.com, www.grunerbaum.com
Set in the Hohe Tauern national park, a hunting lodge and surrounding chalets form the Blumschein family's village-style hotel: good family accommodation; family-friendly weeks (young children stay free); indoor and outdoor pools; adventure playground; 'cure centre' with thermal bath. 83 bedrooms. D, B&B Sch1,240-2,220 (£56-£100)
2 Austria
Hotel Madrisa
Gargellan, 6787 Vorarlberg, Austria.
Tel 00 43 5557 6331 fax 5557 633182
gast@madrisahotel.com, www.madrisahotel.com
Rhomberg family's informal hotel, near lifts and ski school in highest resort in Montafon valley: children's playroom; large indoor pool; free mountain bikes; good organic meals. 59 bedrooms. D, B&B Sch620-2,020 (£28.50-£93).
3 France
Auberge sur la Montagne
La Thuile, Ste-Foy-Tarantaise, France.
Tel 00 33 4 7906 9583, fax 4 7906 9596
lauberge@wanadoo.fr
Suzanne and Andy Mac's small hotel in a hamlet near Bourg-St-Maurice: relaxed style; sensational views; family suites, children's games; Savoyard specialities in restaurant; small garden; terrace; plunge pool. Seven bedrooms. D, B&B Fr275-675 frs (£26-£65).
4 Germany
Hotel Spielweg
Spielweg 61, Obermünstertal, Münstertal, 79244 Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Tel 00 49 7636 7090, fax 07636 70966
spielweg@romantik.de
Fuchs family's old hostelry, folksy but elegant, set in hilly meadows south of Freiburg; indoor and outdoor pools; children's play area. 42 bedrooms. D, B&B Dm170-340 (£55-£109).
5 Greece
Hotel Minoa
56 Actis, 210 56 Toló, Peloponnese, Greece.
Tel 00 30 752 59207, fax 752 59707
kingmino@otonet.gr, www.geocities.com/familygeorgidakis
Georgidakis family's hotel, on beach of popular resort with clean, shallow sea; water sports; boat trips; access to pool. 42 bedrooms. D, B&B 11,750-18,250 drs (£21-£34). Open 15 Mar-5 Nov.
6 Italy
Relais Torre Pratesi
Via Cavina 11, Brisighella, 48015 Ravenna, Italy.
Tel 00 39 0546 84545, fax 84558
torrep@tin.it
Pink-washed farmhouse, west of charming town (best rooms are in sixteenth-century fortified tower); music room, library; garden with pool, play area, mini-gym, goats and chickens. Good no-choice meals. Seven bedrooms. D, B&B (including wine) Lr200,000-230,000 (£65-£75).
7 Italy
Hotel Bad Ratzes
Via Ratzes 29, Siusi allo Sciliar, 39040 Bolzano, Italy.
Tel 00 39 0471 706131, fax 0471 707199
info@badratzes.it, www.badratzes.it
Cheerful chalet-style hotel has beautiful skiing in winter and is also a summer resort. Children of all ages welcomed: special menus, games, baby-sitters, entertainments, cookery classes. Large pool; huge garden; rich and delicious meals. 48 bedrooms (most are big, with balcony). D, B&B Lr 120,000-200,000 (£39-£65).
8 Portugal
Quinta do Pintor
Estrada dos Canaviais, Évora, 7000-804 Portugal.
Tel 00 351 266 706 915.
Antonio and Maria Rosado's simple, peaceful, farmhouse outside the superb old city; garden with pets, organic fruit and veg; set meals (by arrangement, minimum eight people) 3,500 esc (£11) per head. Five bedrooms. B&B 5,000-11,000 esc (£15-£35).
9 Majorca
Hotel Mar i Vent
Carrer Major 49, Bañalbufar, 07191 Majorca.
Tel 00 34 971 61 8000, fax 61 8201
marivent@bitel.es, www.fehm.es
Run for many years by the Vives family: modest hotel on north side of island, above steeply terraced, cultivated slopes and sea cove; good, straightforward cooking; tennis court, pool. 29 simple, bright bedrooms, with balcony. D, B&B Pts 10,750-16,000 (£41-£61). Closed Dec-Jan.
10 Switzerland
Hotel Beau-Site
Saas-Fee, 3906 Valais, Switzerland.
Tel 00 41 27 958 1560, fax 958 1565
hotel.beau-site@saas-fee.ch, www.romantikhotels.com/rhsaas
In a resort surrounded by some of the highest peaks of the Alps, this chalet has family suites (some with cooking area); children's menus; games room; indoor pool. 32 bedrooms. D, B&B SFr128-238 (£54-£100). Romantic hotels
Ten ideas just for the two of you.
1 Belgium
Hostellerie du Prieuré de Conques
2 rue de Conques, Herbeumont, 6820 Luxembourg Belge, Belgium.
Tel 00 32 6141 1417, fax 6141 2703
www.conques.be
In a wooded valley by River Semois: former Cistercian priory, tastefully converted; very peaceful; good Ardennes cooking. 18 bedrooms. D, B&B BFr3,200-5,100 (£50-£80).
2 Prague
Hotel U raka
Cernínská 10/93, Prague 1, 118 00 Czech Republic.
Tel 00 420 2 205 111 00, fax 105 11
uraka@login.cz, www.romantikhotels.com/prag
Stylish guest house up hill near castle. Elegant conversion of old buildings around courtyards: tiled floors, beamed ceilings, open hearths, modern furniture, paintings by local artists; kitchen/bar/ breakfast room with open fire; small Japanese-style garden; meals by arrangement. Six bedrooms. B&B 3,100-6,200 koruna (£55-£100).
3 Denmark
Steensgaard Herregårdspension
Millinge, 5642 Denmark.
Tel 00 45 62 61 9490, fax 6361 7861
steensgaard@herregardspension.dk, www.herregaardspension.dk
On island of Funen, in park with lake and reserve for deer and wild boar: perfectly preserved fourteenth-century moated manor house. Beautiful public rooms; good food; lovely garden. 14 bedrooms. D, B&B DKr850-1,210 (£70-£102).
4 France
Le Moulin de la Gorce
La Roche-l'Abeille, St-Yrieix-la-Perche, 87800 Haute-Vienne, France
Tel 00 33 5 5500 7066, fax 7657
moulingorce@relaischateaux.fr, www.relaischateaux.fr/moulingorce
In remote hilly country south of Limoges: elegant hotel composed of sixteenth-century mills and a millhouse. Michelin two-star restaurant. breakfast by pond with ducks. 10 bedrooms. D, B&B Fr 775-850 (£75-£82)
5 Italy
Luna Convento
Via Pantaleone Comite 33, Amalfi, 84011 Salerno, Italy.
00 39 089 871002, fax 089 871333
luna@amalficoast.it
High above gulf of Salerno: medieval convent founded by St Francis of Assisi, now a beautiful hotel. Quiet cloister with lemon and kumquat trees; panoramic dining room; restaurant in old Saracen fortress jutting into sea; swimming pool carved into rocks. 45 bedrooms. D, B&B Lr200,000-230,000 (£65-£75).
6 Italy
Villa San Michele
Via della Chiesa N.462, Massa Pisana, 55050 Lucca, Italy.
Tel 00 39 0583 370276 fax 0583 370277
htlvillasmichele@tin.it
4km from this wonderful walled city of Lucca: Giuseppe Santarelli's thirteenth-century villa in large grounds amid olive cork, oak and bay trees, old urns and moss-covered walls. Buffet breakfast in an old brick-floored kitchen. 30 bedrooms. B&B Lr150,000-315,000 (£48-£100).
7 Netherlands
Kaatje bij de Sluis
Brouwerstraat 20, Blokzijl, Overissjel, 8356 DV, The Netherlands.
Tel 00 31 527 291 833, fax 291 836
kaatje@planet.nl, www.kaatje.nl
By canal in small, lovely, old harbour town, Fons and Anneke von Groeningen's Michelin two-star restaurant, with eight bedrooms across a bridge. Al fresco meals on terrace; seven-course breakfast in garden room. D, B&B 282-405 gld (£80-£116).
8 Portugal
Convento de São Paulo
Aldeia de la Serra, Redondo, 7170 Évora, Portugal.
Tel 00 351 266 98 91 60, fax 99 91 04
hotelconvspaulo@mail.telepac.pt
Twelfth-century monastery on a hillside, in vast estate of olives and cork. Cloistered courtyard; wide corridors; public areas lined by huge collection of azulejos. Garden; pool, art gallery in former chapel. 23 bedrooms. D, B&B 22,100 esc (£70).
9 Portugal
Quinta das Sequóias
Casa da Tapada, Ap. 1004, 2710-500 Sintra, Portugal.
Tel 00 351 21 924 38 21, fax 923 03 42
candigonzalez@hotmail.com
Finely renovated manor house on wooded hill outside Sintra: superb views. Peaceful courtyard; public rooms full of art works; luxurious bedrooms. Buffet breakfast enhanced by live music. Arbour, flowery terraces, fountains, pool. Five bedrooms. B&B: 11,000-25,000 esc (£35-£80).
10 Spain
Casa de Carmona
Plaza de Lasso 1, Carmona, 41410 Sevilla, Spain.
Tel 00 34 95 419 1000, fax 419 0189
reserve@casadecarmona.com, www.casadecarmona.com
Renaissance palace, now a luxury hotel, sumptuously decorated yet intimate. Beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms. Courtyards with potted plants and fountain, ornamental Arab garden with orange trees, small swimming pool. 32 bedrooms. D, B&B Pts 18,000-43,000 (£68-£160).
Castle hotels
France and Spain have some particularly fine examples.
1 Belgium
Château d'Hassonville
Route d'Hassonville 105, Marche-en-Famenne, 6900 Luxembourg Belge, Belgium.
Tel 00 32 84 31 10 25, fax 84 31 60 27.
Seventeenth-century pepper-potted château in huge park with lake, gardens designed by Lenôtre; peacocks, geese, putting green. Seven-course dinner. 20 bedrooms. D, B&B BFr 5,450-8,450 (£85-£130).
2 France
Hostellerie du Château de Bellecroix
RN 6, Chagny, 71150 Saône-et-Loire, France.
Tel 00 33 3 8587 1386, fax 8591 2862.
Medieval castle, turreted and creeper-covered, near Beaune. In lovely park with swimming pool. Good dinners; breakfast alfresco, under trees. 20 bedrooms. D, B&B 610-1,140 (£60-£110).
3 France
Château de Madières
Madières, Ganges, 34190 Gard, France.
Tel 00 33 4 6773 8403, fax 6773 5571
madieres@wanadoo.fr, www.madieres.fr.st
In southern Cévennes, above gorge of river Vis: Mme Brucy's fourteenth-century château. Homely feel; beautiful bedrooms, pool, fitness room. 12 bedrooms. D, B&B Fr750-1,115 frs(£72-£107).
4 France
Château de Nieuil
Nieuil, 16270 Charente, France.
Tel 0033 5 4571 3638, fax 4571 4645
nieuil@relaischateaux.fr, www.relaischateaux.fr/nieuil
Moated former hunting lodge of François I, now M Bodinaud's luxurious hotel, in wooded park near Angoulème. Fine antiques; Michelin-starred restaurant; lovely gardens. 14 bedrooms. D, B&B Fr 870-1,700 (£83-£163).
5 Germany
Burghotel Auf Schönburg
Oberwesel, 55430 Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.
Tel 00 49 6744 93 930
huettl@hotel-schoenburg.com, www.hotel-schoenburg.com
Hüttl family's stylish conversion of medieval castle, high above the Rhine's west bank: superb views. Outwardly severe, intimate inside. 22 bedrooms. D, B&B Dm260-275 (£83-£88).
6 Italy
Castello di Ripa d'Orcia
San Quirico d'Orcia, 53023 Siena, Italy.
Tel 00 39 0577 897376, fax 898038
info@castelloripadorcia.com, www.castelloripadorcia.com
Magnificent medieval castle on steep hill above Orcia valley. Run by Aluffi Pentini family in house party style. Tranquil, simple, inexpensive, with good Tuscan cooking. Six bedrooms. D, B&B Lr135,000-163,000 (£44-£54).
7 Italy
Castel Pergine
Via al Castello 10, Pergine Valsugana, 38057 Trento, Italy.
Tel 00 39 0461 531158, fax 0461 531329
verena@castelpergine.it, www.castelpergine.it
Verena and Theo Scheider-Neff's medieval castle, in large grounds on hilltop. Marvellous views; good food. 21 bedrooms. D, B&B Lr 110,000-135,000 (£35-£44).
8 Slovenia
Golf Grad Mokrice
Rajec 4, Mokrice, 8261 Dolenjska, Slovenia.
Tel 00 386 7 457 4240, fax 495 7007
terme.catez@terme-catez.si, www.terme-catez.si
Wonderful old castle, sympathetically restored, now a resort hotel. Huge tower bedrooms with circular beds. 18-hole golf course, English-style gardens, lake (fishing, swimming). 28 bedrooms. D, B&B Dm118-209(£38-£68).
9 Spain
Parador de Jarandilla de la Vera
10450 Cáceres, Spain.
Tel 00 34 927 56 01 17, fax 56 00 88
jarandilla@parador.es
Fifteenth-century fortress in chestnut and oak woods. Round stone towers, drawbridge, galleried courtyard; garden with swimming pool amid olive trees. 53 bedrooms. D, B&B Pts 12,000-13,750 (£46-£52).
10 Spain
Parador Castillo de Sigüenza
Plaza del Castillo, Sigüenza, Spain.
Tel 00 34 949 39 01 00, fax 39 13 64
paradorsiguenza@parador.es
Twelfth-century castle (many uses, from Arab citadel to bishop's palace) dominating historic hilltop town. Vaulted restaurant, courtyard, small garden. 81 bedrooms. D, B&B Pts 10,450-15,700 (£40-£60).
· 'The Good Hotel 2001: Continental Europe', edited by Adam and Caroline Raphael (Ebury Press,£16.99).
