European travel & stays worth the journey.

Thermal waters, mountain views, beautiful hotel spas and city breaks with time to pause — curated with UK travellers in mind.

My European wellness content has generated strong saves, shares and questions from people who want to know how they can experience these places themselves. Here you’ll find the useful information behind the inspiration.

L’Escale
bleue

A self-catering apartment in Annecy’s old town, close to the canals, historic sights and the lake.

Jacy’z Hotel & Resort — Gothenburg, Sweden

A high-rise hotel with city views, several dining options and two pool-club experiences under one roof.

Praia dos Salgados – Vila das Lagoas — Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

A spacious apartment-style stay close to Salgados Beach, with resort pools and room for a longer family holiday.

Dalma Old Town – Castelo — Lisbon, Portugal

An apartment-hotel base in Lisbon’s historic Alfama and Castelo area, surrounded by narrow lanes and viewpoints.

Hotel Ereza Mar – Adults Only — Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura, Spain

An adults-only hotel close to the beach, with Atlantic views and spaces for a relaxed sun break.

Hotel V Frederiksplein — Amsterdam, Netherlands

A boutique city hotel with stylish rooms, lofts and a fireside lounge in a well-connected part of Amsterdam.

Explore ten spa experiences in and around Geneva.

With practical planning notes and direct links to check the latest details.

Explore ten spa experiences in and around Geneva.

With practical planning notes and direct links to check the latest details.

Explore ten spa experiences in and around Geneva.

With practical planning notes and direct links to check the latest details.

Explore ten spa experiences in and around Geneva.

With practical planning notes and direct links to check the latest details.

Explore ten spa experiences in and around Geneva.

With practical planning notes and direct links to check the latest details.

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L’Escale bleue

Annecy, France

Main selling point
A self-catering apartment in Annecy’s old town, close to the canals, historic sights and the lake.

Affordability
An apartment can work well for a short city break, especially if you value having your own kitchen. Prices depend on dates and availability; compare the total cost including any cleaning or service fees.

Amenities
Apartment-style accommodation with kitchen facilities and Wi-Fi, according to the listing. Confirm the exact facilities and access details for your booking.

Location
In the old town, with the Palais de l’Île and cathedral nearby and Lake Annecy a short walk away.

My experience
We stayed here. The central old-town setting makes it easy to explore Annecy on foot and fit the canals, cafés and lake into a compact visit.

Overview
L’Escale bleue is best for travellers looking for a self-catering apartment in Annecy’s old town, close to the canals, historic sights and the lake.

Booking link: https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/escale-bleue.html

Jacy’z Hotel & Resort — Gothenburg, Sweden

Main selling point

A high-rise hotel with city views, several dining options and two pool-club experiences under one roof.

Affordability

This is a full-service resort-style hotel, so it may cost more than a simple city room. Compare packages and check whether pool-club access is included in the rate you choose.

Amenities

233 rooms, restaurant and bar concepts, two pool clubs, a sports club, golf simulators and event spaces. Some experiences may need advance booking or have separate terms.

Location

In Gothenburg, Sweden, with elevated views across the city and a base for exploring the city centre.

My experience

We stayed here. It is a good fit if you want the hotel itself to be part of the trip, with places to eat and relax without having to plan every moment outside.

Overview

Jacy’z Hotel & Resort is best for travellers looking for a high-rise hotel with city views, several dining options and two pool-club experiences under one roof.

Booking link
https://jacyzhotel.com/en/

Praia dos Salgados – Vila das Lagoas — Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Main selling point

A spacious apartment-style stay close to Salgados Beach, with resort pools and room for a longer family holiday.

Affordability

Apartment accommodation can offer useful space for families, but rates change by season and unit. Compare the total price, including any cleaning or local fees, against the exact number of guests.

Amenities

The booked apartment listing describes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and balcony; the wider resort has multiple outdoor pools. Confirm which facilities are included for your particular unit.

Location
In Herdade dos Salgados near Albufeira, close to the beach, golf and the Salgados lagoon area.

My experience

We stayed for six nights. The apartment format gives you space to settle in, while the beach and resort setting make it suited to a slower Algarve break.

Overview

Praia dos Salgados – Vila das Lagoas is best for travellers looking for a spacious apartment-style stay close to Salgados Beach, with resort pools and room for a longer family holiday.

Booking link
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/salgados-vila-das-lagoas-guia.en-gb.html

Dalma Old Town – Castelo — Lisbon, Portugal

Main selling point

An apartment-hotel base in Lisbon’s historic Alfama and Castelo area, surrounded by narrow lanes and viewpoints.

Affordability

The historic-centre location is the main value. Prices vary with the season and room type; check the exact room configuration and whether breakfast is included.

Amenities

Guest accommodation in an apartment-hotel format. Facilities vary by room type, so check the listing details for the specific suite you book.

Location

In Lisbon’s old town, close to São Jorge Castle, viewpoints and the streets of Alfama. Expect hills and cobbled lanes in this part of the city.

My experience

We stayed here for a weekend. It is a handy choice if you want to explore Lisbon’s older neighbourhoods on foot and stay close to the city’s historic atmosphere.

Overview

Dalma Old Town – Castelo is best for travellers looking for an apartment-hotel base in Lisbon’s historic Alfama and Castelo area, surrounded by narrow lanes and viewpoints.

Booking link
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/dalma-old-town-suites.html

Hotel Ereza Mar – Adults Only — Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura, Spain

Main selling point

An adults-only hotel close to the beach, with Atlantic views and spaces for a relaxed sun break.

Affordability

A one-night stop can suit a flight or a short escape; for longer stays, compare packages and meal plans as well as room-only rates.

Amenities

Outdoor pool areas, a chill-out space with jacuzzi and hotel dining. Check the current meal plan and facilities for your travel dates.

Location

In Caleta de Fuste, around 300 metres from the beach and within reach of the resort’s shops and restaurants.

My experience
We stayed for one night. It is a practical option if you want to be near the beach and keep the focus on an easy, adults-only resort stay.

Overview

Hotel Ereza Mar – Adults Only is best for travellers looking for an adults-only hotel close to the beach, with Atlantic views and spaces for a relaxed sun break.

Booking link
https://www.ereza.es/en/ereza-mar/

Hotel V Frederiksplein — Amsterdam, Netherlands

Main selling point

A boutique city hotel with stylish rooms, lofts and a fireside lounge in a well-connected part of Amsterdam.

Affordability

A good option to compare for a city break when location matters. Amsterdam rates can shift considerably by date, and the city tax is charged separately from the room rate.

Amenities

Guest rooms and lofts, Wi-Fi and a lounge with a fireplace. Room layouts and facilities differ, so check the selected category before booking.

Location

On Weteringschans at Frederiksplein, with tram connections and central Amsterdam neighbourhoods within easy reach.

My experience

We stayed here for two nights. It gives you a comfortable base for exploring the city, with a lounge to return to after a day out.

Overview

Hotel V Frederiksplein is best for travellers looking for a boutique city hotel with stylish rooms, lofts and a fireside lounge in a well-connected part of Amsterdam.

Booking link
https://hotelv.com/en/stay/frederiksplein

The source copy also has image prompts for each stay. The Europe section in the latest file contains these six; Chamonix and Geneva aren’t included in that set.