Eleven European hotels have earned places on Fodor’s Finest list for 2027, a global selection of 50 hotels recognised for their exceptional hospitality, distinctive character, design and ability to offer guests more than an ordinary hotel stay.
The latest edition of Fodor’s Finest highlights properties around the world that stand out for their service, facilities, atmosphere and connection to their destinations. Rather than focusing solely on luxury or expensive interiors, the selection recognises hotels that give travellers a particular reason to choose them when planning a trip.
Europe’s 11 entries include historic properties, design-led city hotels, wellness retreats and luxurious countryside escapes. Among the recognised names are Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Italy’s Lake Como, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo in Monaco and Orient Express La Minerva in Rome.
Scotland is represented by The Witchery, a distinctive hotel housed in a 16th-century building near the entrance to Edinburgh Castle. Known for its dramatic Gothic interiors and richly decorated rooms, the property offers an experience closely tied to the city’s historic character. Its inclusion reflects the appeal of hotels where the building and its surroundings are as much a part of the stay as the accommodation itself.
In Greece, Acro Suites Crete brings together resort-style luxury and wellness facilities. Opened in 2021, the property is designed around a contemporary retreat concept, with cave-style suites and private plunge pools offering guests a more secluded stay. Its presence on the list adds a modern Mediterranean wellness destination to Europe’s selection.
London’s Charlotte Street Hotel, located in the Fitzrovia neighbourhood, also features. The five-star property is known for its individually designed rooms, each with a distinct character. Beyond its accommodation, the hotel offers a library, drawing room and screening room, giving guests spaces to relax and enjoy films away from the busy streets of the British capital.
Italy has two entries on the list. Grand Hotel Tremezzo overlooks Lake Como and is recognised as one of the region’s prominent luxury hotel properties, while Orient Express La Minerva brings the hospitality brand’s identity to Rome. The latter is housed in a historic building near the Pantheon, placing guests within reach of some of the Italian capital’s best-known landmarks.
France also has two properties represented. Airelles La Bastide in Gordes offers a countryside hotel experience in Provence, while Maison Souquet in Paris provides a more intimate setting in the French capital. Their inclusion demonstrates the range of experiences represented in the European selection, from a Provençal retreat to a distinctive urban hideaway.
The remaining hotels are Argos in Cappadocia in Uçhisar, Türkiye; Hotel Pigalle in Gothenburg, Sweden; Pulitzer Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo in Monaco. Together, they bring different architectural styles, hospitality traditions and destination experiences to the list.
According to Jeremy Tarr, Editorial Director at Fodor’s Travel, the qualities that make a hotel extraordinary depend on what individual travellers value. He said a memorable stay could be defined by a strong sense of place, an exceptional level of personal service or a setting that changes how visitors experience a destination.
Tarr explained that limiting the 2027 selection to 50 properties allowed the publication to highlight hotels that stand apart and give travellers a compelling reason to visit.
The selection was curated by Fodor’s editors in collaboration with hundreds of hospitality experts. It covers different types of accommodation and price points, including historic hotels, design-focused city properties and smaller, more intimate retreats.
Fodor’s said its European choices share a strong sense of personality, with history, character and distinctive hospitality playing an important role in their appeal. The publication also stressed that the selection was not based simply on expensive interiors or luxury price tags. Instead, it sought properties with individual identities and stories that contribute to the wider travel experience.
For travellers planning European holidays in 2027, the list offers a starting point for discovering hotels that can become an important part of the journey rather than simply somewhere to sleep. From the shores of Lake Como and the landscapes of Provence to the historic streets of Edinburgh and Rome, the 11 selected properties reflect the different ways hotels can shape how visitors experience a destination.
