From Urban Oases to Seaside Retreats: 9 Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Europe

For many travellers, an ideal weekend getaway includes a mix of activities and relaxation. Some are drawn to cultural or adventure outings; for others, the perfect mini-break is lounging poolside with a good book. The key is selecting a hotel that caters to your particular needs while offering a variety of local experiences that enhance your stay. Here’s a selection of European hotels that will turn your weekend escape into a lifetime of memories.

The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection in Romania

Bucharest’s historic Old Town is filled with ancient treasures. Visitors can view artefacts at the National Museum of Romanian History; explore Curtea Veche, from where Vlad the Impaler once ruled; or behold the architectural beauty of Carturesti Carusel, a 19th-century bank-turned-bookshop.

The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection is a storied structure in its own right, with a history dating back to the Belle Epoque era. With ornate details like stained glass, wood panelling and marble tiles, the property’s dazzling design preserves its heritage as a 1912 bank.

The vintage theme continues in the evening with period-inspired French cuisine at Blank restaurant and cocktails at The Vault, a speakeasy-style bar set in the building’s original vault.

The hotel is a quick stroll from Bucharest’s old-world attractions, and you can also coordinate visits to other notable sites like Transylvania’s Bran Castle, the castle that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

W Ibiza in Spain

Soak up the sun at W Ibiza’s Wet DECK pool area (Photo: Marriott International)

Santa Eulalia, a resort town with more laid-back vibes than party-loving Ibiza Town, offers travellers a restful respite by the sea. Attractions of note include the 16th-century Puig de Missa church, a scenic promenade and a yacht-filled port.

At the south end of town, W Ibiza offers direct access to the Santa Eulalia promenade and is a short walk to the beach. Enjoy peace-inducing views of the Mediterranean Sea from the ground-floor Wet DECK pool area and the adults-only Glow – Rooftop with an infinity pool.

The guest rooms and suites have a relaxed, beachy vibe. You can continue the laid-back Balearic feel with in-suite AWAY Spa services, 24/7 FIT gym access, and al fresco meals and drinks while the sun sets.

Moxy Athens City in Greece

Moxy Athens City is the perfect stay for urban explorers (Photo: Marriott International)

For travellers who enjoy staying in charmingly quirky surrounds, Moxy Athens City provides urban artwork, clever signage, American-style eateries and sensational views of the Acropolis. 

And your weekend will surely be a well-rounded adventure with the hotel’s proximity to city attractions like neighbouring old town Plaka, a village-like district with cobbled streets lined with small shops and terrace cafés; local nightlife; and public transportation that links you to major archeological sites.

Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi in Georgia

Enjoy the beautiful views from Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi (Photo: Marriott International)

For a scenic outing through Tbilisi’s yesteryear, start your quest at Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi, which fronts its namesake square, the oldest in Georgia. From here, you can stroll in minutes to the Georgian National Museum or the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

When you’ve had your fill of Tbilisi’s treasures, indulge in a massage or swim in the heated indoor pool at Paragraph Spa, the hotel’s expansive three-floor spa. At meal times, try the international menu at Ostigan, or stop for a bite and a spectacular skyline view of the city at Chinari Bar & Lounge.

Malta Marriott Resort & Spa in Malta

Lounge by the pool at Malta Marriott Resort & Spa (Photo: Marriott International)

If a weekend of seaside cosmopolitan living is your dream, head to Malta Marriott Resort & Spa. Located in St. Julian’s, just north of the capital city of Valletta, the hotel invites visitors to a leisurely escape surrounded by Art Nouveau architecture and overlooking the clear waters of tiny Balluta Bay. 

Malta Marriott Resort & Spa has everything you need for a short holiday in the sun, from the hotel’s three pools (including an indoor spa option) to its five on-site restaurants (four of which offer outdoor dining). Plus, you can easily reach Balluta Bay Beach via a promenade. 

When you’re ready to adventure further, explore St. Julian’s lively food and nightclub scene, venture to Valletta to dig into the area’s history and culture, or book a boat trip around the Maltese Islands. 

Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa in Portugal

Take a dip at Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa after a long day of exploring (Photo: Marriott International)

Located in the city centre, the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa provides an ideal base for discovering Lisbon’s best offerings – whether that's touring the hilly streets of the Alfama district and listening to melancholic Fado music, venturing to Bairro Alto for gourmet eats and unusual wares, or walking around the always-buzzy Praça do Comércio square. 

After a rejuvenating dip in the hotel's sparkling outdoor pool, relive the day’s journey from the rooftop, which has panoramic views over the city and Tagus River. 

W Edinburgh in Scotland

Drink in style – and with panoramic views – at W Edinburgh (Photo: Marriott International)

With plenty of historic sites to visit, green spaces to explore, traditional food to try and much more, Edinburgh is a wonderful destination for a long weekend. The city is also very walkable – and from W Edinburgh, you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Old and New Towns.

If shopping is among your favourite weekend activities, head to the centrally located St. James Quarter to find items for all tastes – it boasts 80 shops, a collection of international places to eat, and fun activities like crazy golf and bowling.

After a day of exploring and shopping, indulge in spa treatments at AWAY Spa and grab a bite to eat at in-house Sushisamba, a restaurant specialising in Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavours.

Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection in Hungary

If you prefer a spa-filled weekend, look no further than Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection (Photo: Marriott International)

If spa lounging is more your speed, book a weekend at Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection, and kick back in the heated, 49-foot-long spa pool alongside a sleek, dark marble wall. The hotel also has a sizable gym, steam room, sauna and spa treatment spaces to level up your relaxation. 

Budapest is home to a host of soothing thermal baths, each offering a tranquil experience. For views over the Danube River, head to the Lukacs Baths, a short drive from Dorothea Hotel. Some, including the oldest bathhouse in Europe, Szechenyi Baths, host nighttime “sparties” complete with music and drinks.

Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection in Italy

Dine by the sea at Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection (Photo: Marriott International)

History buffs will appreciate the thoughtful design behind Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection in Italy. The former 1920s post office was reinvented as a hotel that honours the history of the building – a fitting base for exploring historic Syracuse, a city famed for its archeological sites and ancient relics.

From the hotel, you can visit many fascinating finds, including the rock-embedded tombs at the Necropolis of Pantalica, the fifth-century B.C.E. Temple of Athena and the Neapolis Archeological Park, where travellers can behold the remnants of a Roman amphitheatre.

During your stay at Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection, be sure to savour Mediterranean dishes at Il Cortile, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, and reserve time at the Ortea Spa’s mosaic-tiled indoor pool to complete your weekend getaway.

Published: October 07, 2024