Cheap hotels in Europe for under £100

By Charles Starmer-Smith

So you fancy a break from the daily barrage of negative news in Britain? A bit of escapism from domestic concerns about house prices, belt-tightening, budget deficits and social unrest? Or are you simply fed up with shuffling up and down the high streets in search of inspiration or bargains for your partner this Christmas? Then why not treat yourself to a short break away from blighted Blighty?

 

It’s far too expensive, you may say. Yes, the Government continues to ignore the rights of holidaymakers by raising the rate of flight taxes at any available opportunity and, yes, the weak pound seems unable to recover against an even more impotent euro, but it is not all doom and gloom. Such is the competitiveness of the hotel market that there are bargains to be had even in the most popular destinations across Europe.

 

So while the European heads of state prevaricate on the small matter of plans to save the euro, our experts have been busy reaching a consensus on the finest affordable hotels in the Continent’s foremost destinations. From St Tropez to Sardinia and Brussels to Barcelona, here are 25 reasons to give yourself a break this Christmas – all for less than £100 a night.

 

All the following hotels can be booked for the guaranteed cheapest price, unless otherwise stated. The rate is based on two sharing a double room.

 

 

Brussels 

Welcome Hotel 

Situated in the area formerly occupied by the canal dock and fish market, within easy walking distance of the Grand Place, this small hotel of 17 rooms wins for its individualism – each room is themed to evoke exotic travel: Bali, Zanzibar, the Silk Road. It has recently added a family room for up to five people.

 

Location: 23 Quai au Bois-à-Brûler 

Price £89 

Other recommendations: Le Dixseptième (£89) 

Telegraph expert Antony Mason 

 

Dubrovnik 

Hotel Stari Grad 

Stari Grad means “old town” and that’s exactly where you’ll be staying if you book in at this small, comfortable three-star hotel. With just eight rooms, and more boutique b & b than hotel, Stari Grad occupies a refurbished 17th-century stone building in a narrow stone alley off Placa. The atmosphere is old-fashioned, romantic and welcoming.

 

Location: Od Sigurate 4, Old Town 

Price: £99 

Other recommendations: Hotel Lapad (£90), Berkeley (£99) 

Expert: Jane Foster 

 

Barcelona 

Villa Emilia 

A great-value boutique hotel that works hard to compensate for a slightly out-of-centre location (in the left of the Eixample, just off the Gran Via) with its winning blend of modern design and antique furnishings, attentive service and a secluded rooftop terrace.

 

Location Carrer Calàbria, Eixample 

Price £89 

Other recommendations Barcelo Raval (£94), Chic&Basic (£86), Hotel España (£80) 

Expert Sally Davies 

 

Prague 

The Savic 

This 17th-century house in the Old Town has been transformed from a neglected apartment building into one of Prague’s most gorgeous and in-demand properties. Thorough renovation has led to a walled-off feeling that wraps up its patrons in warm, understated charm. So effective has it been that you’ll need to book at least a month in advance, even in winter.

 

Location Jilská 7, Prague 1 

Price £75 

Other recommendations The Icon (£75), Hotel Yasmin (£78), Hotel Elite (£52), Hotel Josef (£91) 

Expert Will Tizard 

 

Nice 

Hotel Régence 

On Nice’s liveliest pedestrian street, the Régence has astonishing flair for a two-star. The lobby and lounge are as big as a ballroom and done out splendidly in bright, Art Deco style. The white columns and balustrades, swathes of red-pink ochre and swirls of frescoes and decorated glass require better behaviour than usually displayed in a budget hotel. Upstairs, the 61 rooms are less ornate but more than adequate.

 

Location 21 Rue Masséna 

Price £71 

Other recommendations Hotel Villa Rivoli (£56) 

Expert Anthony Peregrine 

 

St Tropez 

Hotel le Mouillage 

Here’s a lovely Provençal homestead of a palace, bright as a pin, colourful as a postcard. For St Tropez, its rates are modest, but it rambles hither and yon, with a lovely patio-cum-courtyard, a good pool, rooms – all different – which reflect the owner’s eclectic travel tastes. The comfort is three-star-plus, and there’s no doubting the owner really wants you to be content.

 

 Location Port-du-Pilon 

Price £88 

Other recommendations Hotel B Lodge (£70) 

Expert Anthony Peregrine 

 

Berlin 

Michelberger Hotel 

Although it falls into a budget category, the space has been designed by internationally known designer Werner Aisslinger, who has worked hard to make sure the whole place yells youthful creativity. There’s a courtyard that doubles as a beer garden/concert venue and the café/bar stays open all night long. Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms are individually designed in a dizzying variety of themes and contain plenty of “flea market” furniture and quirky fixtures such as mirrors dangling from ropes. You won’t find much formality; it’s more like being among helpful friends.

 

Location Warschauer Straße 39 

Price £49 

Other recommendations Weinmeister (£77) 

Expert Paul Sullivan 

Corfu 

Bella Venezia 

A 19th-century mansion converted into the town’s most consistently praised boutique hotel, in a quiet yet central position. The common areas, with carved wood ceilings and club-like bar area, remain plush without being chintzy, and rooms have contemporary touches.

 

Location Zambéli 4, Kérkyra Town 

Price £74 

Other recommendations Delfinia Hotel (£87), Fundana Villas (£59) 

Expert Marc Dubin 

 

Bordeaux 

Hotel Le Continental 

This bright, practical spot gets you a pied-à-terre right in Bordeaux’s Golden Triangle – the heart of the city – for the cost of a starter and main course in some of the nearby restaurants. It’s one of the best deals in town, and more refined and welcoming than you have any right to expect at two-star prices.

 

Location 10 rue Montesquieu 

Price £79 

Other recommendations Hotel Majestic (£74), Hotel La Tour Intendance (£77), Hotel L’Avant-Scene (£86) 

Expert Anthony Peregrine 

 

Florence 

La Dimora degli Angeli 

This six-room guesthouse, just off the cathedral square, feels more like a boutique hotel than a b & b, with its colourful, romantic décor and iconic centro storico views – most of the rooms have great views of the Duomo. The reception “desk” is only manned from 8am to 1pm, but there’s a phone number for emergencies and the owner, Claudio, is a thoughtful and helpful host.

 

Location Via de’ Brunelleschi 4 

Price £81 

Other recommendations Hotel Casci (£80) 

Expert Lee Marshall 

 

Venice 

AD Place 

On a canal by La Fenice Opera House, in the San Marco district, AD Place is blissfully quiet, except when the opera crowds gather below or gondoliers belt out songs as they pass. The attention to detail and friendly, well-informed staff make this a stylishly relaxing place to stay. The rooms vary in size but each is individually decorated and there’s a lovely roof terrace from which to survey the Venetian cityscape.

 

Location San Marco Fondamenta della Fenice 2557/A 

Price £100 

Other recommendations Al Ponte Mocenigo (£80) 

Expert Anne Hanley 

 

Rome 

Modigliani 

This charming hotel is a hybrid of a traditional Roman three-star and a funky boutique hotel. Central but secluded, it sits among neighbourly shops and bars in a quiet lane. Just down the road is the transport hub of Piazza Barberini, and the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and fashion district are a short walk away. The service is excellent, and the garden patio and playful modern-art theme are two unexpected plus factors.

 

Location Via della Purificazione 42 

Price £98 

Other recommendations Raffaello (£59) 

Expert Lee Marshall 

Majorca 

Hotel Feliz By Maxwell 

This new Palma property looks fresh and contemporary without being an “designer” hotel. There is a welcome absence of taupe, with armchairs in the bar upholstered in lime, violet and cerise velvet. The outdoor pool is small yet inviting, there are decked areas for lounging and a roof terrace with a Jacuzzi. Its 44 rooms and suites feature zesty colours against a white backdrop and all have balconies – many with Mediterranean views.

 

Location Joan Miró 74 

Price £70 

Other recommendations Colonia de Sant Jordi (£75), Hotel Es Port (£90) 

Expert Annie Bennett 

 

Menorca 

Alcaufar Vell 

This family-run hotel lies in a nature reserve about a mile from the island’s southeast coast, near some fabulous beaches. A pale stone mansion thought to date back to the 14th century, it has been extended, restored and rebuilt over the years in Neoclassical style, and is now an oasis of rural chic. Sunbathe on the lawn by the pool or walk in the extensive grounds. Much of the produce used in the superb restaurant is grown on the estate. But be warned, prices can rise sharply at peak times.

 

Location Carretera Cala Alcalfar 

Price £87 

Other recommendations Biniatram Hotel (£70) 

Expert Annie Bennett 

 

Sicily 

Palazzo Failla 

This elegant 10-room boutique hotel occupies a 19th-century aristocratic town house in the upper part of Modica, and still breathes the Gattopardo atmosphere of old Sicily, with its antique décor and courteous service. The rooms have changed little since the palazzo’s heyday, featuring Belle Époque tiled floors, heirloom furniture and elaborately frescoed ceilings – although they all come with satellite television, free Wi-Fi and instant hot water they never had back in the day. The hotel’s restaurant, La Gazza Ladra, a couple of doors down, has won plaudits – and a Michelin star.

 

 Location: Via Blandini 5 

Price £96 

Other recommendations L’Orto sul Tetto (£63) 

Expert: Lee Marshall 

Istanbul 

Ibrahim Pasa 

There are boutique hotels aplenty in Istanbul and, in an understated way, this is perhaps the best. It is fashioned from a pair of tall, early 20th-century town houses, and the contemporary makeover the interior has received enhances its Ottoman roots: think blonde-wood floors, oriental rugs and crisp white bed linen. Other bonuses are the views from the funky roof terrace and the intimate breakfast room.

 

 Location Terzihane Sok 7, Sultanahmet 

Price £94 

Other recommendations Richmond (£96), Empress Zoe Hotel (£45) 

Expert: Terry Richardson 

 

Lisbon 

LX Boutique 

Newly spruced up, bright, airy and modern, this hotel by the river offers the perfect urban retreat. It couldn’t be better placed for riverfront views and city-centre access. The five storeys are split between iconic Lisbon themes, such as a sultry fado floor, a literary floor and a boho Bairro Alto-themed floor. Plump for a front-facing room, with views over the terracotta rooftops.

 

 Location Rua do Alecrim 12 

Price £70 

Other recommendations Jeronimos 8 (£65), Hotel Florida (£39) 

Expert Guyan Mitra 

 

St Petersburg 

Vesta Hotel 

Perhaps St Petersburg’s best-value hotel, the functional Vesta is slap bang is the city centre. It is spacious enough, minimalist and decorated in what can only be described as Ikea style, but adequate if you simply need a place to rest your bones after a day’s sightseeing – and you can’t get more central than Nevsky Prospekt. The efficient staff make time for the hotel’s relatively small number of guests – they’ll even provide guides and interpreters.

 

 Location Nevsky Prospekt 92 

Price £65 

Other recommendations St Petersburg Hotel (£60) 

Expert Marc Bennetts 

Sardinia 

Hotel Domomea 

This property in a quiet neighbourhood in Alghero, five or 10 minutes’ walk from the old centre, embodies the best in modern Mediterranean lodging: clean, white walls and a nice rooftop pool. The unprepossessing exterior dampens expectations, but the inside reassures – there’s a cool, airy lounge, everything is spick and span, and rooms are large, with bold colours and flat-screen satellite televisions.

 

 Location Via V Veneto 47 

Price £73 

Other recommendations Hotel Miramare, Cagliari (£86) 

Expert Robert Andrews 

Madrid 

Vincci Via 

This original 1940s building on the Gran Vía has been dramatically revamped while retaining original features, including a curving marble staircase and stained-glass windows. There are fabulous views across the city to the Guadarrama mountains from the spectacular roof terrace, where there is also a small spa. The 116 rooms are decorated with sumptuous fabrics and huge black-and-white photographs. Top-quality soundproofing means there are no noise problems from the very busy avenue, and the British manager is fanatical about good service.

 

 Location Gran Via 66 

Price £89 

Other recommendations Petit Palace Art Gallery (£92), Room Mate Alicia (£70) 

Expert Annie Bennett 

 

Valencia 

Vincci Palace 

This former palace occupies a great central location. Its palatial façade suggests something classic and maybe a bit fusty, but inside is distinctly modern, with cream and chocolate furnishings and a nocturnal vibe. Plenty of original features have been retained in the handsome building, including the grand staircase. The 76 rooms have more than a hint of the boudoir about them, with fabrics in dusky mauve and burgundy, moody lighting and baroque flourishes.

 

Location Calle La Paz 42 

Price £62 

Other recommendations Ayre Astoria Palace (£60), Antigua Morellana (£46) 

Expert Annie Bennett 

Amsterdam 

Seven Bridges Hotel 

This 300-year-old canal house is beautifully furnished throughout with the owners’ impressive collection of antiques (a rare Dutch Empire récamier in reception; in the bedrooms, up a 15th-century oak staircase, a priceless little Louis XVI table and so on). The best rooms are those with canal views, though the ones at street level can be noisy. The hotel has expanded into a second 17th-century canal-house next door – and the service is pleasant and personal.

 

Location Reguliersgracht 31 

Price £99 

Other recommendations Hotel V (£71), Citizen M (£87) 

Expert Rodney Bolt 

Athens 

Ochre & Brown 

First impressions may be a little misleading, as the area appears seedy due to the nearby junk shops. In fact, the Ochre & Brown offers a great location for combining culture and nightlife: it lies midway between the Acropolis and Gazi, a 15-minute walk to each along lovely pedestrian-only promenades. Its stylish decor and endlessly helpful staff also impress. The 22 rooms and suites are furnished in contemporary style, with fabrics in earthy hues. You get great pillows and duvets, a DVD library, free Wi-Fi, Molton Brown toiletries, a good buffet breakfast and Mediterranean fare in the restaurant.

 

Location Leokoriou 7, Psiri 

Price £93 

Other recommendations Fresh Hotel (£91), Hotel Philippos (£69), Hotel Plaka (£91) 

Expert Jane Foster 

Lanzarote 

Finca de las Salinas 

Set in large grounds planted with exotic flowers, on the edge of the southern village of Yaiza, this pink 18th-century building looks rather like an elaborately iced cake. There is a mix of antique and modern furniture, plus contemporary artworks throughout the hotel. In the former stable blocks around the pool are 19 characterful rooms and one junior suite, each with a terrace, plus three suites in the main building that give onto the garden. There is also a rather swish spa, featuring a lot of natural stone and wood, tennis courts, an outdoor pool and a gym.

 

Location La Cuesta 17, Yaiza 

Price £78 

Other recommendations Caserío de Mozaga (£78), Finca de la Florida (£65) 

Expert Annie Bennett 

Crete 

Lato Hotel 

Futuristic rather than minimalist, with edgy furniture and bright splodges of colour throughout, the Lato makes a departure from the usual soothing earth tones of most “contemporary” Greek hotels. All 53 rooms have the usual mod cons and most have balconies. You can upgrade to “superior double” for more space and better views. A highlight is the trio of on-site restaurants, which celebrate Cretan cuisine, notably the Brilliant Gourmet and the more casual rooftop Herbs’ Garden, under the same chef’s supervision.

 

 Location Epimenídou 15, Heraklion 

Price £69 

Other recommendations Minoa Palace Resort & Spa (£95), Veneto Hotel (£94) 

Expert Marc Dubin 

Telegraph