Upgrading Your European Vacation? Here Are the Continent’s Most Extravagant Hotel Suites

A hotel room is usually a place for travelers to hang their hats. Unless, of course, it’s a suite. But while most luxury properties offer suites—that is, accommodations that include a separate bedroom and sitting area—all are not created equal.

Some are simply larger than a typical room while others are truly extravagant, with their striking décor, expensive finishes, and commanding views. 

“The most exceptional of suites are those that create their own destination within a hotel,” says Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal, president of the luxury travel and lifestyle company Fischer Travel Enterprises. “They allow for the opportunity to entertain, whether for personal or business, in your own private living room and dining room and usually have names.”

Luxury hotels around the world, most notably within Europe, are recognizing the importance of creating such palatial suites to meet the growing demand from elite travelers, Fischer-Rosenthal says. 

“Their experience begins from the moment they walk in and sets the mood to capture memories for a lifetime,” she says.

Here are some standout suites for your European travels.

Haute Couture Eiffel Suite, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris

The Apartment, The Connaught, London

Located on the top floor of the chic Connaught Hotel, The Apartment is a two-bedroom suite that features artistic carved entrance doors, a double height sitting room, and a chandelier by the sculptor Philippe Anthonioz. The more than 3,000-square-foot space has a blue, lavender, and gray palette with metallic accents and silk curtains. There are also two terraces and a separate dining room adorned with commissioned art where the Michelin-star chef Helene Darroze, who has a restaurant at the hotel, can serve guests dinner.   

Follia Amalfitana, Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi

It’s hard to match the incomparable setting of Follia Amalfitana at the family-run Santa Caterina. Surrounded by orange and lemon groves and colorful bougainvillea trees, the suite overlooks the sea. Guests can soak in the view on the large terrace with a pool or from the hot tub in the bathroom. The interiors, meanwhile, have a bright, uplifting feel with their emerald ceramic tiled floors juxtaposed against white walls and curtains. 

Sultan Suite, Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul 

Live the life of a Turkish royal with a stay in the opulent Sultan Suite at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski, dating back to the 17th century. Featuring 4,300 square feet of living space, the suite has direct views of the Bosporus, a dining area for 12 people, a traditional Turkish hammam and bathroom with a steam room, gold plated shower, and crystal bathtub faucets. Amenities for guests include a soap butler service where guests have their choice of handmade olive oil soap in 12 scents; a dedicated butler cuts a fresh piece for every use.

Palladio Suite, Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice

Set in a former 15th-century palace accessed by a flowered path, the Palladio Suite stands out for the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the waterways of Venice. It’s decked out in antique furniture and features frescoed ceilings, gilded gold finishes, and marble floors. There are two bathrooms, a spacious living room, large terrace with a plunge pool, and a private dock.

Penthouse Apartments, Hôtel Martinez, Cannes

New this year, these two penthouse apartments at the tony Hotel Martinez span a palatial 14,000 square feet apiece and command views of the Bay of Cannes. They were designed in collaboration with French movie icons Thierry Frémaux and Isabelle Huppert and have sprawling dining and living rooms, screening rooms, and studies. Fremaux and Huppert each led the design of one apartment: Huppert’s is decidedly feminine with its white and gold hues and silk bespoke rugs, while Fremaux features bolder colors and a more toned down aesthetic. Both selected the books, photos, playlists, and custom-made scents for their respective suites.

Panoramic Grand Suite, Hotel Eden Roc Ascona, Switzerland

This two-bedroom retreat at the Eden Roc Ascona, located on Lake Maggiore, was decorated by the notable local designer Carlo Rampazzi. Known for a style that borrows from different design aesthetics and eras, his work here favors cream tones, Tesserae stones, and furniture in different shapes and sizes. The spacious terrace with lake panoramas and mosaic in the bathroom are particularly impressive.

Hassler Penthouse, The Hassler, Rome

The legendary Hassler on top of the Spanish Steps has a namesake penthouse that is a generous 3,500 square feet. It overlooks Rome’s skyline and famous sites such as the Piazza di Spagna, the Barcaccia fountain, and the upscale shopping street Via Condotti. Other features include two marble terraces, a grand piano, custom-made contemporary furniture, and fine bone china—plus a fully stocked cocktail bar.

The Royal Suite, D’Angleterre, Copenhagen

Located in the city’s main square, D’Angleterre’s Royal Suite has hosted everyone from royalty to movie stars. The 1,600-square-foot space features hand-carved crystal chandeliers, gold trimmings, antique wood furniture, and intricate ceiling molds. The bathrooms are awash in alabaster marble. Views of the main square and Royal Theater can be had from the large balcony while the spacious living and dining areas are ideal for entertaining.