These hotels in Europe are worth the trip!
atoll ocean resort, Heligoland
The atoll ocean resort is located directly on the south beach.
The catamaran cruises for almost four hours from the Hamburg Landungsbrücken to Helgoland, always down the Elbe. Then, when Cuxhaven has happened, it's time for the North Sea: nothing but sea for over an hour. And suddenly she stands out of the water: Germany's island farthest from the mainland. Helgoland.
Helgoland for a day: That is quite possible - the catamaran will start at noon and drive back to Hamburg at 16:30 - but the island unfolds its real charm towards evening, when it becomes noticeably emptier. A hike up the cliff top with its red sandstone, lobster cliffs inhabited by countless birds, the Lange Anna (a 47-meter-high, single-standing rock) and the colorful lobster stalls selling fish sandwiches and souvenirs there is much to discover only 1300 inhabitants island.
Nice design in the hotel atoll
An overnight stay on Heligoland is therefore almost a must. Recommended: the atoll ocean resort. Located directly on Helgolands south beach, the hotel offers a great view of the sea and the neighboring island of dune. The classic double room is elegantly furnished, the wellness area especially in bad weather a welcome change.
Also worth the "summer breeze package" with two nights, breakfast buffet, cocktail at the hotel bar, crossing the dune and beach chair - all from 199 euros per person.
The island of dune with its wide sandy beach
Speaking of dune: You should make a detour even without a booked arrangement. Already worth a visit is the short crossing on a small cutter with typical North German crew. Once on the dune, a sign points you to the huge sandy beach, where, with a little luck, you can even spot seals in the water.
Rather fancy a shopping tour? Then off to the Heligoland shops! Since the island is duty-free and tax-exempt, everything is available at duty-free prices.
Banys Orientals, Barcelona
Barcelona has so many attractions to offer: the Museu Picasso or the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, for example. The port area Barceloneta on one side of the city and the Park Güell, created by Antoni Gaudí, on the other side. Great designer boutiques and the huge Mercat de la Boqueria, where you can buy Spanish delicacies - and and and ...
In the middle of the city center, between the harbor and the Picasso Museum, directly in the chic district "El Born" lies the Hotel Banys Orientals. And that enchants the tired city tourists immediately with its beautiful design: bright ceilings, wooden floors, dark furniture. Apples and water are available in the hallway free of charge and in the adjoining restaurant "Senyor Parellada" you can quench your hunger with ease.
Double room: about 100 Euro, Suite: about 130 Euro (each without breakfast).
Royal Spa Kitzbühel
View of the Kitzbühel old town
Kitzbühel is not only a social gathering place or venue for the annual Hahnenkamm Races. The small village in the middle of the Kitzbühel Alps has much more to offer. A beautiful picture-postcard old town, for example, with small colorful houses and high-end restaurants. 170 kilometers of snow-sure pistes, including the most spectacular downhill in the world: the Streif. And even in summer there are countless hiking, running and cycling routes - and of course many golf courses - worth discovering.
Tyrolean cosiness meets modern bathrooms
In December 2009, the 5-star Royal Spa Kitzbühel opened its doors in the neighboring village of Jochberg - right next to the lift station.
Practical: In the in-house sports shop, the necessary equipment for ski and golf tours can be borrowed directly and used on the piste only a few steps away or on the driving range in front of the hotel.
Mountain Health Spa
Highlight: the 3,600 m2 Mountain Health Spa, which includes an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a large sauna area, relaxation beds, fitness equipment, beauty and massage studios and a separate private spa and relaxation zone.
Three nights, including breakfast, dinner and guided hikes through the Kitzbühel Alps, for example, cost 458 euros per person.
Vila Valverde, Portugal
A long driveway leads up to the Vila Valverde.
Gigantic rocky coasts, wide beaches and everywhere the roaring Atlantic Ocean: The southwest coast of Portugal offers impressive natural spectacles.For example, at the Praia do Castelejo, a wide beach, which can be reached after a winding dune ride. Guarded by imposing rocks, the surfers lie here on their boards and wait for the perfect wave. In the small beach bar you can drink Gala & otilde and enjoy the silence.
Nice design in the Vila Valverde
It is less lonely in Lagos about 30 kilometers away. Especially on Saturdays worth a visit to the small village on the southern Algarve coast, because then there is a weekly market. Costume jewelery, spices, leather goods - here everyone gets their money's worth. In the evening, eat fresh fish at the beach restaurant Sao Roque, which may be selected directly at the bar. Then there is port and almonds as a gift from the house.
Only a few minutes away from Lagos, in a wonderful silence, lies the Vila Valverde. A five-hectare garden surrounds the design hotel, perched on a small hill at the end of a long driveway. The former country estate is just 15 rooms in total - and in fact, one feels like a guest in a large private estate here. From a typical hotel atmosphere is hardly noticeable. In the morning for breakfast there are excursion tips from the boss personally, in the evening is on the huge terrace in front of the room relaxed, overlooking the garden and the sea.
Incidentally, the latter can be reached within a good ten minutes on foot: Praia da Luz is the name of the nearest bathing bay, which is much more touristy than the beaches on the west coast. And if you prefer to exhaust yourself rather than lying in the sun, the hotel offers numerous guided excursions in the area - even to Lisbon - and organizes golf packages.
A double room in the Vila Valverde is available in low season for 115 euros, in summer for 178 euros, both including breakfast.
Alden Hotel Splügenschloss, Zurich
The facade of the Alden Hotel in Zurich
A boat trip on Lake Zurich, a shopping spree through the old town of Zurich and the trend quarter Zurich-West or a hike to the Uetliberg: Zurich is not without reason among the cities with the highest quality of life worldwide.
And honestly, where else can you rent an entire listed city palace for your private party? The Alden Hotel Splügenschloss is Zurich's smallest five-star hotel, located just two streets away from Lake Zurich. It almost looks like a large private residence, the individually furnished suites and rooms with their size from 60 to 100 square meters like individual apartments.
The special feature: 18 of these 22 suites and rooms can be rented for a flat rate - including champagne breakfast and banquets, such as a wedding or a round birthday.
But even for only two is the 1895 Splügenschloss a welcome change from many colorless hotel chain. Chef Roland Höhmann spoils the guests in his Mediterranean-inspired hotel restaurant "Alden per te" and then there's the bar for delicious cocktails and nightcap.
A double room is available from 325 Euro, including breakfast.
