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Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway or a longer holiday for all the family, a European trip is the way to go. There are plenty of great hotels on offer, but if you’re after somewhere extra special to stay, you’re in luck, as the past year or so has seen the unveiling of a dazzling bunch of new and revamped European hotels, including a dolce vita-inspired legend and several slick new city kids on the block. From a boho chic property in Lisbon and a sophisticated wellness resort in Greece, to an Art Deco beauty in Prague and a French 18th-century property in the heart of Burgundy’s wine region, these hotels all offer something rather special. Passports at the ready, and get scrolling for some of the latest European hotels to book for a cool and chic stay. The best hotels in Europe in 2023: Best hotel for a hipster city break: The Hoxton, Poblenou, Spain Best hotel for families: La Zambra Resort GL, Spain Best spa hotel: Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa, Greece Best hotel for luxury: Cali Mykonos, Greece Best hotel for wellness: One&Only Aesthesis, Greece Best hotel for affordability: Mama Shelter Lisboa, Portugal Best hotel for couples: The Julius Prague, Czech Republic Best hotel for foodies: Hotel La Palma Capri, Italy Best hotel for art and design: Sommerro, Norway Best hotel for vineyard location: COMO Le Montrachet, France Best hotels in Spain: Best hotel for a hipster city break: The Hoxton, Poblenou Location: Barcelona Offering cool-cat design and lively social hangouts at prices that won’t break the bank, the Hoxton Hotels group has amassed a legion of loyal fans. One of its most recent addresses is a 240-room property in Barcelona’s arty Poblenou district – a traditionally Catalan neighbourhood where tech start-ups, craft breweries and concept stores have all sprung up in recent years. Abstract woven wall tapestries, subtle floral touches and natural fern-green and biscuit tones masterminded by Ennismore Design Studios give stylish bedrooms a gently whimsical feel. In addition to the familiar roster of room categories, ranging from “cosy” through to “biggy”, come new “homey” rooms, with their own lounges and kitchenettes – ideal for longer stays and larger groups. Not only is the Sagrada Familia just a 15-minute walk away, guests can enjoy killer views of Gaudi’s architectural wonder while enjoying tacos and margaritas from the hotel’s hip rooftop pool. Best hotel for families: La Zambra Location: Mijas Another hotel icon and jet-set magnet is the La Zambra, previously the Byblos Hotel, a historic property half an hour from Marbella’s beaches. When it launched in the mid-1980s, Byblos quickly drew an A-list crowd, with the likes of The Rolling Stones and Princess Diana checking in during its heyday. In the summer of 2022, the 197-room property was reborn as La Zambra – a new addition to the Marugal Hotels portfolio (which includes the ritzy Cap Rocat and Torralbenc hotels) – and sporting a top-to-toe zen look created by Mallorcan father-and-son architectural studio Esteva i Esteva. Artful bedrooms pay homage to contemporary Andalusian style, with soft cappuccino, sand and pistachio hues, wooden touches and bespoke furniture. Terraces have sweeping views out to the Sierra de Mijas mountain range, while two neighbouring golf courses give you room to roam. As well as being a golf haven – there are a dozen courses close by – La Zambra has three swimming pools, a gym, yoga and pilates studio, tennis courts, wellness centre with 10 treatment rooms and a kids’ club to keep little ones entertained. Best hotels in Greece: Best spa hotel: Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa Location: Agioi Theodoroi, Corinthia Well-known for a clutch of trendy boutique hotels in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Athens, Brown Hotels’ Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa is less than an hour’s drive from the Greek capital on the picturesque Corinthia coast. A slick, curved building with views out to the shimmering Saronic Gulf, it’s a sculptural, modern project designed by Elastic Architects, comprising 166 rooms and 110 bungalows, with eye-catching curved details in bedrooms and communal spaces. Eschewing the bold colour palettes the brand’s known for, the seaside resort favours relaxing white-on-white rooms with occasional blasts of colour. There’s a spacious beachside swimming pool, as well as a rooftop bar and private beach. There’s also a watersports centre, to keep adrenaline junkies happy, with windsurfing, kayaking and flyboarding on hand – plus a high-end spa for those who prefer things more relaxed. Best hotel for luxury: Cali Mykonos Location: Kalafatis, Mykonos For those looking to push the boat out on their next beach holiday, coastal escapes don’t get much more stylish than this 40-villa hotel on Mykonos, with its own private beach. Tucked between two mountains on the rugged eastern side of the island, the sensitively constructed, striking sugar-cube villas sit atop old stone walls, with views out to the glittering Aegean Sea from a discreet pool terrace. Roofs are planted with lavender and prickly pear, while, inside, interiors show off natural, sustainable materials, local marble, and beds with eco-friendly Coco-Mat mattresses. Plus, there’s an impressive 110m river-shaped saltwater infinity pool, a Mediterranean restaurant, sushi bar and a state-of-the-art spa. Yachts and speedboats linger offshore to whisk guests out to neighbouring Tinos and Paros on a whim. Best hotel for wellness: One&Only Aesthesis Location: Athenian Riviera Greece really has been upping its game when it comes to hotels, and adding flair to the coast outside Athens is One&Only Aesthesis. The big-hitting wellness resort brand revived a landmark site on Glyfada’s exclusive beachfront, with the aim of recreating the sophistication of the Riviera’s heyday in the Sixties and Seventies. The 21-hectare estate allows guests to truly get back to nature, with beach and forest to explore, and Athens, the Parthenon and masses of ancient history just 25 minutes’ drive away. Natural stone and timber details complement the breathtaking blue hues of the ocean, and design features riff on aspects of Greek mythology, including fire and water. As well as a nostalgia-fuelled beach club, innovative kids’ club and top-notch restaurants, most of the secluded villas have their own pool – sure to attract the odd A-lister looking for a private escape. Best hotels in Portugal: Best hotel for affordability: Mama Shelter Lisboa Location: Lisbon Known for its cheeky and affordable crashpads, French brand Mama Shelter brings its signature sass to the Portuguese capital, with a 130-room property set between hip Principe Real and swanky shopping street Avenida da Liberdade. Mama Lisboa pays homage to Lisbon, inside and out, with a Viuva Lamego-tiled facade, columns decorated with Bordallo Pinheiro fish ceramics and wave-patterned carpets inspired by the Tagus River. Boho-look bedrooms pair straw lampshades, colour-pop pillows, cork-framed smart TVs and leafy ceramics with a kooky pop culture reference or two, as well as organic, plastic-free toiletries. There’s also a rooftop bar for porto tonico sunset toasts, which segue into Portuguese-meets-French brasserie suppers, accompanied by twinkling fairy lights and DJs spinning chillout tunes, plus a pizzeria, cocktail and coffee bar. Best hotels in Czech Republic: Best hotel for couples: The Julius Prague Location: Prague Famed coffee pioneer and the brand behind Austria’s upmarket food emporium, Julius Meinl am Graben (the Viennese answer to Fortnum & Mason), the Meinl family has added a fresh string to its bow with this first foray into hotels. Launched in the Czech capital in spring 2022, The Julius Prague is a gorgeous 168-room pad inside an Art Deco building, reimagined by Italian architect Matteo Thun & Partners. Interiors have a restful, autumnal palette (inspired by the works of celebrated Czech artist Alphonse Mucha) and give “a feeling of home” with soft orb lighting, comfy beds topped with eco-conscious Quagliotti linen and refillable toiletries. Most have living rooms behind oak-panel dividers, and many have fully mod-conned open-plan kitchens, too. Communal spaces include a bistro restaurant and laid-back lounge (ideal for co-working), and there are electric car-charging points on site. Best hotels in Italy: Best hotel for foodies: Hotel La Palma Capri Location: Capri After a dose of la dolce vita? About as high-end and haute as it gets, Capri’s first and oldest hotel – Hotel La Palma – reopened in June 2023, joining the likes of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, The Lanesborough and Le Bristol Paris in the rarefied, international Oetker Collection. Sporting a seriously fresh new look, the storied Mediterranean property continues its 200-year-long tradition of attracting the great and the good to 50 exclusive rooms and suites, all with alluring white and aquamarine-accented interiors and their own balcony or terrace, designed by Francis Sultana. Just moments from the vibrant Piazzetta – the island’s most fashionable square – Hotel La Palma’s restaurants, under the culinary direction of acclaimed chef Gennaro Esposito, includes Gennaro’s for authentic Italian feasts; a rooftop restaurant and bar (Bianca); a new pool deck and bar, and an upmarket spa. Best hotels in Norway: Best hotel for art and design: Sommerro Location: Oslo Oslo’s design-led hotel scene has been a slow burn – first came The Thief in 2013, known for its eclectic modern art,  then in 2019 Amerikalinjen brought a touch of funky nautical-chic to the Norwegian capital, and this hotel comes from the brand that has masterminded both: Nordic Hotels & Resorts.  Sommerro, in Oslo’s West End, has 231 rooms set inside the striking former HQ of electrical company Oslo Lysverket, and is Norway’s biggest conservation project to date. A multi-million pound renovation saw the 1930s building transformed into a hotel, which reads like a love letter to Norwegian design, and features works from acclaimed artist Per Krohg, including a wall fresco and ceiling mural throughout the property. Bedrooms, ranging from cosy lofts to vast suites, feature Art Deco details, oak parquet floors and hand-knotted rugs, with the most swish rooms kitted out with Murano glass chandeliers, four-poster beds, and dusky pink marble bathrooms with deep tubs. Home to four restaurants – including an outpost of popular Nordic-Japanese restaurant Tak, helmed by Frida Ronge, and To Sostre for tasty Smorrebrod (open-faced sandwiches) accompanied by live classical music – they use hyper-local ingredients, and offer experiences with a sustainable focus. With a trio of bars, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, it’s an all-round crowd-pleaser. Best hotels in France: Best hotel for a vineyard location: COMO Le Montrachet Location: Puligny-Montrachet, Cote-d’Or Much to the delight of fans who like to slumber in style, wellness guru COMO – known for its purpose-led ethos and high-end spa offering, with spoiling properties from Bali to Bhutan – has recently made its French debut in the heart of Burgundy’s wine region. Taking over and transforming the Hotel Le Montrachet, the 18th-century property sits across four heritage buildings, which ring a charming courtyard in Puligny-Montrachet. There are 30 rooms and suites to choose from, designed by Italian interiors whizz Paola Navone. Through its insider connections, COMO can also arrange unrivalled behind-the-scenes access to the area’s Grand Cru vineyards, too. Read more of our Europe hotel reviews: The best family-friendly Europe resorts Where to stay in Spain The best hotels in the Greek Isles Read more about Europe travel: The ultimate France travel guide How to spend two days in Porto Greece travel guide: Everything you need to know Read More The best European holiday destinations to travel to by train from London Best luxury UK hotels 2023: Where to stay for great food, family adventures and spa retreats Best family holiday destinations for 2023 that kids of all ages will love Best hotels with swimming pools in the UK: Where to stay for romance, relaxation and sky-high views The UK’s best seaside hotels 2023 8 best family adventure holidays in Europe that adults, teens and kids will love

The Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Féminin are annual awards presented by French news magazine France Football and have been running since 1956, with the latest awards ceremony taking place on Monday. Former Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or last season while Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s award for a second consecutive year. Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi is the favourite to claim the men’s trophy for a record-extending eighth time while Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe should perform well in the voting. Putellas spent most of last season injured, so there will be a new winner for the women’s prize with Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati the favourite. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the ceremony: When is the Ballon d’Or The 67th annual Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday 30 October 2023. It is expected to begin at 8:00pm BST at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. How can I watch it? The ceremony will be broadcast on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel for free with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba presenting the live coverage. Ballon d’Or 2023: Who is nominated for the men’s award? Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig and Manchester City) Andre Onana (Inter Milan and Manchester United) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid and Al-Ittihad) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt and Paris Saint-Germain) Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli) Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) Ruben Dias (Manchester City) Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City and Barcelona) Yassine Bounou (Sevilla and Al-Hilal) Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) Rodrigo (Manchester City) Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami) Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) Kim Min-jae (Napoli and Bayern Munich) Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-German) Victor Osimhen (Napoli) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich) Ballon d’Or Féminin 2023: Who is nominated for the women’s award? Daphne Van Domselaar (Twente and Aston Villa) Lena Oberdorf (Vfl Wolfsburg) Hinata Miyazawa (MyNavi Sendai) Millie Bright (Chelsea) Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona) Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) Hayley Raso (Manchester City and Real Madrid) Amanda Ilestedt (Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal) Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich) Olga Carmona (Real Madrid) Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona) Rachel Daly (Aston Villa) Alba Redondo (Levante) Lina Caicedo (Real Madrid) Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais) Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona) Ewa Pajor (Vfl Wolfsburg) Guro Reiten (Chelsea) Sam Kerr (Chelsea) Debinha (North Carlina Courage and Kansas City Current) Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona) Alexandra Popp (Vfl Wolfsburg) Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City) Jill Roord (Vfl Wolfsburg and Manchester City) Katie McCabe (Arsenal) Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais) Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona) Mary Earps (Manchester United) Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Manchester City) Mapi Leon (Barcelona) Ballon d’Or 2023: Who is shortlisted for the Yashin Trophy? Brice Samba (Lens) Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb and Fenerbahce) Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) Andre Onana (Inter Milan and Manchester United) Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) Ederson (Manchester City) Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona) Mike Maignan (AC Milan) Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) Yassine Bounou (Sevilla and Al-Hilal) Ballon d’Or 2023: Who is nominated for the Kopa Trophy? Xavi (RB Leipzig / PSV Eindhoven) Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern) Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund / Real Madrid) Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona) Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) Gavi (FC Barcelona) Rasmus Höjlund (Atalanta / Manchester United) Pedri (FC Barcelona) Antonio Silva (Benfica) Elye Wahi (HSC Montpellier / RC Lens) Read More When is the Ballon d’Or? Date, time and how to watch Sir Bobby Charlton: England’s greatest ever player and the artist of 1966 West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Manchester United v Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Aston Villa vs Luton Town LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

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