Paris is the city of love, fashion and style and is a perfect destination for an exciting city break. But where to stay? The countless hotels in Paris have notoriously miniature rooms and can be rather overpriced. Sometimes its hard to trawl through the endless reviews weighing up the budget and style options.

Whilst boutique hotels in Paris can be forgiven for their century-old buildings and consequently not-so generous bedrooms, this doesn’t mean guests need to compromise on service and style. So if you want something special and authentic, you should pick a perfect Paris boutique hotel that really suits your own tastes, budget and location needs.

Whether down a cobbled street in Montmartre or an elegant townhouse overlooking Parisian life, these properties have been stylishly updated with unique touches. Many are small and intimate, and you’ll feel at home enjoying your morning croissant served by polite, attentive staff in an arty lobby. The designer flair of contributors like Christian Lacroix are fused with sumptuous fabrics and furniture from icons like Phillipe Starck to make for quirky, unusual bedrooms and public areas.

1. Hotel Beauchamps

Hotel Beauchamps

This modern design hotel with a beautiful retro style sits in of the most chic shopping quarters of Paris, the Triangle d’Or between the Champs Élysées, the Avenue Montaigne, and the Rue du Faubourg de Honoré.

2. Artus Hotel

Artus Hotel

The small, modern hotel is a very atmospheric place with a young and innovative décor. Enjoy the lively Quartier Latin with its historic architecture from here. A true design hotel, the fittings and furnishings are immaculately maintained and very unique.

3. Hotel de Banville

Hotel de Banville

You find this 4 star hotel near the Arc de Triomphe with all the theatres, shows and shopping centres of the Champs Elysées nearby, perfect for social butterflies and culture lovers. Enjoy the straight-forward, but distinctive design with hints of nostalgia and history.

4. The Five Hotel

The Five Hotel

The perfect place for lovers of trendy, colourful design and stylish lighting arrangements. Experience a refreshingly modern style with rooms in different colours, overwhelmingly red and purple. Clever light architecture bathe the rooms in sensual hues and you can select a personal scent for your room upon arrival.

5. Secret de Paris Design Boutique Hotel

Secret de Paris Design Boutique Hotel

This luxurious boutique hotel near Montmartre sits just near the Sacré Coeur and Opéra and the famous department stores like Galeries Lafayettes. With spa facilities including sauna, Hammam, and fitness room, it’s a place to feel fresh and healthy. Even the stylish rooms are all equipped with a hydro-massage bathtub or a rainforest shower.

6. Hotel de Latour Maubourg

Hotel de Latour Maubourg

Housed in a 19th century building, this small boutique hotel offers a truly romantic Paris experience. It combines fancy colours and period furniture, the glamour of days gone by with top of the range modern amenities.

7. Hotel San Regis

Hotel San Regis

Just a step away from the glamorous Avenue Montaigne, this 4 star accommodation breathes discreet luxury and fine style with fabrics from Pierre Frey, Manuel Canovas, and Braqueni as well as bath amenities from Hermès. Perfect for snuggling up after a long day moseying through Paris.

8. Hotel Sainte Beuve

Hotel Sainte Beuve

An interior in bright, warm colours, a comfortable lounge with voluminous cushions, sofas and armchairs to read in or just kick back and relax. The very friendly service makes this hotel a very pleasant place to stay in Paris.

9. Edouard VII Opera

Edouard VII Opera

Enjoy a unique Paris experience in the Edoaurd VII with its very attentive service and newly refurbished guest rooms. Near Opera, music and theatre lovers can enjoy various shows, and gourmet fans will love the well renowned hotel restaurant.

10. Hotel Recamier

Hotel Recamier

24 themed rooms designed by the interior designer Jean Louis Deniot fit perfectly into the chic Paris quarter St Germain. Near famous cafés including Café Flore and lots of charming boutiques and galleries, the hotel is the right place to experience the elegant side of the French capital.

This guest post was written by Holly Maguire from Escapio.com. Holly’s terribly itchy feet have found home soil in Berlin, though the next great escape is always in planning. Escapio is an online reservations portal offering luxury, boutique and design hotels to sophisticated travellers. Browse through the stylish selection and book your hotel with a best price guarantee.

What Next?
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan at Facebook
Subscribe to offtoeurope.com here

Puerto del Carmen

Lanzarote has been welcoming tourists for well over forty years. Ever since the country was opened up to the package holiday industry by General Franco in the 1970´s when he sought to attract much needed foreign currency to his ailing economy.

On Lanzarote the development of this new industry was carefully controlled. Thanks to the influence of a local artist called César Manrique. Manrique feared that his beloved birthplace might suffer the same sort of fate as some of the Spanish Costas, which were being buried beneath a sea of concrete during the late 1960´s.

Manrique successfully secured an outright ban on all high rise buildings on the island whilst also sowing the seeds for a coherent development plan, which was designed to ensure that the bulk of Lanzarote remained untouched by tourism. So ensuring that the three main resorts on the island were also built in a carefully self contained fashion to lessen their impact on the island’s unique volcanic terrain.

Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the oldest and largest resort on Lanzarote. This is the spot where the first package tourists stayed in apartments located in the Old Town harbour area. But since these early beginnings the resort has expanded enormously and now stretches some 8km in the direction of the airport at Arrecife. Largely absorbing the neighbouring resorts of Los Pocillos and Matagorda into the bargain.

Puerto del Carmen today still revolves around the organic hub of the Old Town harbour, which is now home to a wealth of restaurants and bars. Whilst the best beaches can be found in the New Town, which essentially runs parallel with the largest of these stretches of sand, the aptly named Playa Grande, along the main thoroughfare of the Avenida de las Playas.

Despite its size and popularity Puerto del Carmen is only serviced by two four star hotels. As the bulk of the accommodation is comprised of budget holiday apartments and holiday villas.

Over the last year the local authorities have pumped around €16 million into revitalising the resort and improving the overall tourist offering. Creating a new marina in the Old Town harbour and a much improved beachfront promenade.

Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca lies at the southern tip of the island and was just sleepy little fishing village whilst Puerto del Carmen was expanding. All that has changed over the last decade as Playa Blanca has emerged to become the second most popular destination on the island. Aided by its clement microclimate and beautiful beaches and widely regarded as the best on Lanzarote.

Playa Blanca essentially comprises three small bays set within a larger cove and as such is very sheltered. With the whole resort united by a delightful seafront promenade.

Thanks to the fact that many of the hotels and villas in Playa Blanca have been built in just the last decade the facilities and amenities here are all virtually as good as new. Making it the ideal choice for families and couples seeking a good value break.

Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is located towards the north of the island and was largely developed under the aegis of César Manrique in the 1980´s. As he sought to create a coastal sister resort to the former capital of Teguise located around 5km inland.

Costa Teguise was initially designed to be the upmarket relation to Puerto del Carmen. Anchored by the impressive five star Gran Melia Salinas hotel. And whilst initially this strategy paid off – with the resort attracting well heeled visitors from across Northern Europe – its appeal has faded a little in recent years. Not least as this part of the island can experience clouds and grey skies during the winter months whilst the south of the island is basking in sunshine.

This guest post was written by Nick Ball. Nick is the editor of Lanzarote Guidebook, the in-depth island information guide. Visit the site to download a free 96 page guidebook to the island and to book hotels, villas and apartments in Lanzarote.

Photo: World Marine Guide

What Next?
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan at Facebook
Subscribe to offtoeurope.com here

A guest room at Dublin's North Star Hotel

The color green, beer and leprechauns – that’s what one usually thinks of when Dublin is mentioned. A trip to the capital of Ireland isn’t complete without these three things. Literature buffs will also recognize Dublin as the breeding ground of writers such as William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, and Samuel Beckett. Dublin is also known for its vibrant nightlife and intense sport culture. One can’t overlook the shopping opportunities that abound in Dublin. After a long day of engaging in various activities, one needs a comfortable and affordable hotel to get a good night’s rest. Here is where we come in; we’ve come up with a list of the best cheap hotels in Dublin, which are great for those on a budget and still offer excellent accommodations. Take a look at these two and three star hotels in Dublin for yourself and make the right choice!

Lansdowne Hotel
Ideal for business and leisure travelers, the Lansdowne Hotel offers guests clean and affordable accommodation close to Dublin’s main business and shopping district. All rooms include a private bathroom and are equipped with wireless Internet, satellite TV and direct dial telephone. Non-smoking rooms are available on request.

Belvedere Hotel
The Belvedere Hotel is perfectly located in Dublin’s city centre and is a friendly place to stay for easy access to shopping, sightseeing, dining and nightlife. The rooms at the Belvedere Hotel are comfortable and clean and feature ensuite bathroom with bath and power shower, hairdryer, king and twin sized beds, direct dial telephone, electronic safe and TV. Free WiFi Internet access is available.

North Star Hotel
Situated on the north banks of the Liffey River, the North Star Hotel is an excellent three star hotel in delightful Dublin. Standard, executive and premium rooms are available and are all equipped with modern amenities. Hotel facilities include a gym, sauna, bar, restaurant and 24 hour reception. Wireless Internet access is available at the North Star Hotel.

Maldron Hotel Parnell Square
The Maldron Hotel Parnell Square is a new boutique hotel that offers a fantastic location in the city centre of Dublin. This three star hotel is suitable for both business and leisure travelers. Rooms at the Maldron Hotel Parnell Square are equipped with air conditioning, heating, satellite plasma TV, bathroom with bath, shower and hairdryer. This hotel also offers free wireless Internet access.

Roxford Lodge Hotel
Located close to Dublin’s main attractions and city centre, the Roxford Lodge Hotel is a popular boutique hotel that has excellent reviews. All single, double, triple and family rooms are beautifully furnished and feature a relaxing sauna, marble bath and jacuzzi. Hotel facilities include a lovely garden, laundry room, room service, reading lounge, bar, city guides and access for disabled.
 
Mespil Hotel
Dublin’s Mespil Hotel is a modern hotel with friendly staff. The hotel has a nice location overlooking the Grand Canal. Rooms at the Mespil Hotel are spacious and are equipped with a TV, telephone, radio and wireless Internet access. Hotel facilities include access for the disabled, room service, 24 hour reception, luggage room, tourist information, free parking, bar and restaurant. Non-smoking rooms are available on request.

What Next?
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan at Facebook
Subscribe to offtoeurope.com here

Hotel Bavaria is a popular cheap hotel that is located in the city center of Munich

Bavaria’s capital, Munich, is a beautiful 800 year old city that is located in southern Germany. Munich is one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations and offers its visitors a travel experience that will not be forgotten. From festivals and sightseeing to shopping and restaurants, Munich has it all! So, whether you are looking for a cheap hotel for the world-famous Oktoberfest or maybe budget hotel for a city break, you will find cheap accommodation from our list of the best cheap hotels in Munich.

Golden Leaf Hotel Perlach Allee
Located in a quiet and safe residential neighbourhood, about 15 minutes on the Metro from the city center, the Golden Leaf Hotel Perlach Allee Hof is an excellent choice for a cheap hotel in Munich. The Hotel Perlach Allee Hof has 57 clean and comfortable rooms that offer bathrooms, heating, telephone, satellite TV and high speed internet connection.

Hotel Deutsches Theater
Located in the center of Munich, the Hotel Deutsches Theater is a great budget option suited to both leisure and business travelers. All rooms are nicely furnished and feature modern amenities. Hotel facilities include disabled facilities, wireless Internet connection, 24-hour reception, multilingual staff, luggage room and tourist information.

Hotel Mercure München Schwabing
Perfect for business and leisure travelers, the Hotel Mercure München Schwabing offers guests clean and quiet modern rooms equipped with wireless Internet, satellite and pay TV and direct dial telephone. This pet friendly hotel has a gym and also offers guests a currency exchange.

GHOTEL München-Nymphenburg
Located in München-Neuhausen, a short train ride from the center of Munich, The GHOTEL hotel & living München-Nymphenburg offers excellent facilities in a great cosmopolitan location. All rooms feature private bathrooms and offer modern amenities including heating, telephone, wireless internet, pay TV, safe and ironing facilities. Rooms are equipped with a kitchenette for cooking.

Helvetia Hotel Munich City Center
The Helvetia Hotel Munich is a cheap hotel located in the Munich city center. The hotel is within walking distance of the main train station, the best shopping and restaurant locations and also close to Theresienwiese, which is the location of Oktoberfest. Guest rooms offer comfortable king size beds, en-suite bathrooms, direct dial telephone, internet access and flat screen TVs.

Hotel Bavaria
Hotel Bavaria is a very popular cheap hotel that offers clean and comfortable rooms and friendly staff. The property is located in Oktoberfestwiese, which is close to the city center of Munich. Guest rooms are nicely furnished and offer modern amenities. This pet friendly Munich hotel offers room service, laundry service, luggage room, multilingual staff, tourist information and wireless Internet. Take of advantage of the excellent breakfast buffet.

Have you stayed in a cheap hotel in Munich? Where did you stay? Was the hotel good or bad? Make a comment and let us know.

The marvellous Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Rome is known as the Eternal City and is one the most fascinating cities in the world. An ancient place full of historical glamour and modern chic.  The Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Tivoli, Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain are just a few of the highlights that keep tourists flocking to Rome year after year.

With so much to see and do in Rome, there is plenty of accommodation available. The city is at it’s busiest between June and August, Easter and at Christmas. It’s always advisable to book a hotel in advance especially at these busy times.

So, whether you are looking for a 3 star hotel in Rome for a short sightseeing trip or maybe a luxury 5 star hotel for the vacation in Italy that you have always dreamt about, you will find that perfect hotel from our list of highly recommended 3, 4 and 5 star Rome hotels.

3 Star Hotels

Hotel Milani
The recently refurbished Hotel Milani is centrally located near Rome’s Termini train station and offers guests easy access to all of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions. The comfortable single, double and triple rooms include private bathroom, air conditioning, heating, satellite TV, desk, direct dial telephone and wireless Internet connection.

Hotel Amadeus
Close to bars, restaurants, shops and Rome’s best sightseeing, Hotel Amadeus is a clean and comfortable budget hotel. Conveniently located, Hotel Amadeus offers a mix of soundproof rooms that are equipped with modern amenities including wireless Internet and satellite TV. Access for the disabled, air conditioning, 24-hour front desk and much more are available at Hotel Amadeus.

Hotel Cananda
Hotel Canada is a friendly and relaxed hotel located in the Castro Pretorio district and is within a short walking distance of Termini train station. This very popular Rome hotel offers well decorated rooms that are equipped with modern amenities. Request a room on the upper floors for a great view over Rome. Hotel facilities include multilingual staff, air conditioning, luggage storage and tourist information.

4 Star Hotels

Hotel Quirinale
Located in the heart of Rome, Hotel Quirinale is a elegant four star hotel that is close to the Roman Forum, Colosseum and the Vatican. Rooms have air conditioning, mini bar, satellite television, Pay TV, private safe and 24 hour room service. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, internet access, and laundry service. Pets are allowed in Hotel Quirinale.

Hotel Grand Palatino
Hotel Grand Palatino is a perfect four star hotel for families, business travellers and tourists looking for comfortable accommodation in the centre of Rome.  The hotel offers 208 single, double, twin and triple bedrooms that are soundproof and are equipped with modern amenities. The hotel features two restaurants, a bar, a congress centre, laundry service and Internet access.

Hotel Britannia
Hotel Britannia is a boutique hotel located close to Rome’s Trevi Fountain. Housed in an elegant palazetto building, Hotel Britannia features beautiful interiors and luxurious furnishings. All 33 spacious rooms feature marble bathrooms and offer modern amenities including air conditioning, satelitte TV, electronic safe and wireless Internet connection. A delicious American breakfast buffet is served from 7.30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

5 Star Hotels

Hotel Splendide Royal
Housed in a historic palace that was built in 1880, Hotel Splendide Royal is an amazing luxury Rome hotel located in Rome’s historical centre. The 68 lavishly appointed rooms are equipped with modern amenities and many rooms feature a private balcony with memorable views. Enjoy a meal at Mirabelle, the hotels Michelin-star winning restaurant. Hotel Splendide Royal is one of Rome’s most exclusive luxury hotels and is highly recommended.

The St. Regis Grand Hotel
Part of the Starwood Hotels Group, and built in 1894 as the first 5 star deluxe hotel in Rome, the St. Regis Grand Hotel regularly hosts international dignitaries, heads of state and celebrities. All 161 rooms are lavishly appointed in an combination of Empire, Regency and Louis XV styles. Property facilities are what you would expect from one of the best hotels in the world. A butler is available to all guests 24 hours a day.

Experience more on your vacation to Italy with one of Context Travel’s Rome private tours