It’s not just about where you go — it’s how it makes you feel. We’ve all had those trips: the ones that stay with us long after the suitcase is unpacked. Not because of a famous landmark or a postcard-perfect view (though those help), but because of a moment, a feeling, a spark that made it extraordinary.
At Historic Hotels of Europe, you connect with places that are more than just beautiful buildings. They’re rooted in their communities, rich in character, and steeped in the kind of hospitality that transforms a stay into something unforgettable. We asked ourselves: what are the ingredients of a perfect holiday? Five ideas stood out. And we found five standout hotels that capture each of them.
Thoughtful details that feel like they were made just for you
YeeON Boutique Hotel, Gythio, Greece
Great service is easy to spot. But it’s the quieter touches that often linger longest. The kind welcome when you arrive hot and travel-worn. The playlist that sets the right tone over breakfast. The way your room just seems to get the light perfectly in the late afternoon.
YeeON, tucked away in the seaside town of Gythio, is a masterclass in understatement. There’s no need for fanfare here. Just clean-lines, considered design, welcoming staff and a feeling of calm that seems to settle over you within minutes. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and suddenly all you want to do is sit, breathe and soak it in. That kind of ease doesn’t happen by accident.
The feeling of being part of somewhere, not just passing through
Rio Art Hotel, Setúbal, Portugal
The most memorable holidays are the ones that ground you in the rhythm of a place. At Rio Art Hotel in Setúbal, that rhythm is unmistakably local. You wake to the sounds of the riverside market setting up for the day. You walk through town surrounded by street art and sea air. You eat freshly grilled choco frito by the harbour, then fall asleep with Portuguese paintings on the wall above your bed.
This boutique hotel doesn’t shield you from the city outside — it connects you to it. With just 23 rooms and a location that puts you in the heart of town, Rio Art Hotel invites you to experience Setúbal not as a visitor, but as part of the neighbourhood. And that, in the end, is what travel is all about.
A change of pace that lets your mind breathe
Nääs Fabriker Hotel & Restaurant, Tollered, Sweden
You arrive tense. You leave with your shoulders down. That’s the mark of a true escape, and Nääs Fabriker delivers it in spades. A 19th-century cotton mill turned lakeside retreat, this Swedish hotel combines soaring industrial architecture with Scandi-cosy interiors and a setting that begs you to slow down.
Here, days begin with coffee by the water and end with a swim in Lake Sävelången followed by a sauna session. You can wander the town, explore artisan shops, or simply do nothing at all. It’s the kind of place that gently shifts your internal gears, giving you the space to think clearly — or not think at all. When it’s time to go, you’ll realise you’ve been breathing differently.
Nature that reminds you what matters
Olandia, Prusim, Poland
It’s easy to forget how much we need stillness. Olandia remembers. Set on a vast estate in the Polish countryside, this former 18th-century settlement offers a private beach and lakeside views, a spa and even a winery. It’s not designed to just dazzle. It’s designed to slow your pulse.
There’s something grounding about being here — the quiet of the landscape, the simplicity of the buildings, the warmth of the hosts. You can immerse yourself (and the family) in water-based activities or walk for hours without seeing another soul. When the world feels noisy, Olandia offers a kind of reset: a reminder that rest is not just indulgent — it’s necessary.
Culture that stays with you
Dingle Benners Hotel, Kerry, Ireland
In Dingle, culture isn’t confined to galleries or museums — it’s in the music drifting from a pub doorway, the conversations shared over fresh seafood, the local tales passed on with a smile. At Dingle Benners Hotel, you’re wrapped in that atmosphere the moment you step inside.
This long-standing hotel in the heart of town has character in spades. Set on the wild Atlantic coast, its location makes it easy to dip into local life or disappear into the landscape, and the team’s local knowledge adds richness to every recommendation. Whether you’re swapping stories by the fire or hearing live trad on the street outside, the experience is unmistakably Dingle. And the warmth you feel here? That travels home with you.
