98 Unique Hotels in East Europe

On the precipice of nowhere, where ancient stone meets endless blue, sits a hotel born from one man's obsession with a ruined windmill and a love affair with isolation. Folegandros – try saying it without stumbling over the syllables – remains mercifully untouched by the cruise ship hordes that descend …

On a rocky precipice above the Aegean, where the island of Crete drops dramatically into sapphire waters, sits a hotel that takes its name quite literally. Acro Suites – from the Greek 'akros' meaning 'on the edge' – perches precariously on the clifftops of Mononaftis Bay, and sisters Danae and …

Ewelina and Artur, the owners and creators of the Szuflandia project, wanted to create a unique getaway in Wisła – a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Beskid Mountains in southern Poland. Their goal was to break away from the local tradition of building multi-storey A-frame houses or …

The former telephone exchange building on Budapest's Horváth Mihály Square awaits guests in its former glory, with five-star opulence and Hungary's second-largest staircase. The inner districts of Budapest hide many architectural treasures waiting to be discovered. One of these is undoubtedly this beautiful red-brick, stucco-decorated historic building, which hides further …

Budapest is a city full of stunning buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Párisi Udvar, built in 1912, is arguably the most beautiful hotel in the city, inside and out. The Párisi Udvar is an amazing building in every sense: it's a journey through time, blending …

Well-being and relaxation are seemingly contradictory concepts, but Euphoria Retreat, the first holistic wellness destination spa in Greece, does a brilliant job of combining them. The term "hedonism" comes from the Greek word ἡδονή, which stands for pleasure. Euphoria Retreat is a wellness concept where short-term gratifications of body, soul, …

Hisa Raduha is a family-run hotel that blends tradition with innovation. It offers charming treehouses and luxurious haylofts in Slovenia's small village of Luče. This enchanting place is nestled in the foothills of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. It is named after Raduha mountain, which extends over the ridge to a rocky …

Chalets Nebesa is an idyllic refuge in the middle of unspoiled nature in Kobarid, in the Slovenian Alpine region of the western part of the country. Nebasa means "heaven" in Slovenian, which is a fitting name once you open your eyes in the morning to a sea of clouds sitting …

With over 1200 beautiful islands and 40% of the world's total charter fleet located in Croatia, it's no surprise that the country's coastal towns go to great lengths to attract the wealthy and famous. The picturesque little town of Rovinj in the northern Adriatic Sea is no exception. Located at …

In the remote town of Paimio, in the middle of a pine forest, is one of the most internationally significant buildings representing functionalist architecture. Functionalism emerged after World War I as part of modernism. With a strict focus on functionality, it became the dominant philosophy. This movement was also closely …

Some of the most famous castles were built in Germany, France, Spain, and the UK, but what if I told you that Poland has more to offer for the fans of Medieval architecture than you would think? With 502 castles and 2,500 palaces, there is a lot to discover. The …

Less than an hour's drive from Tallinn, a unique nature resort awaits those who want pristine wilderness around them in avant-garde treehouses. Estonia, the rapidly developing Baltic state, is famous for its high-tech industry and pristine nature. The country that invented Skype has one of the best Internet connections in …

This is the story of how Finland's former largest and most dangerous prison was turned into a boutique hotel. Kakola Prison was opened in 1863 to host notorious criminals behind the thick granite walls. The correctional facility was built on Turku's second highest point, the Kakolanmäki Hill.

The Finns' beloved passion of spending their free time sweating in wooden huts above 200 Fahrenheit (90°C) is something they share with their Estonian brothers. The Iglupark is a unique concept in the hippest part of Tallinn, where life circles around saunas. Iglupark is a new project consisting of three …

The salt mine in Wieliczka is a significant tourist attraction and is visited yearly by over a million people. Operation of the mine ceased in 1996, after over 750 years of continuous operation. It's one of Europe's oldest salt mines and consists of a labyrinth of tunnels of over 124 …

Ios, famous for attracting the affluent youth of European countries and for its vibrant nightlife, has something new to show off. A retreat that's so hidden from all the commercial noise, it has its own helipad and boat port in case you would find the road leading there lengthy. However, …

The quirkiness starts from the moment you enter the 19th-century freemasons' lodge house. This former meeting place has inspired the concept of Mystery Hotel. The receptions carpet climbing up the ceiling is reminiscent of the magic carpet of Aladdin. Paintings on the walls "come to life" as the subjects in …

Prague, the capital city of Czechia famous for its spectacular old town, is home to a quirky hotel. The LH Vintage Design Hotel Sax paves the way for a new generation of unique accommodation. It takes inspiration and uses vintage décor and spins them into a modern design with flourishing …

Prague's Žižkov Television Tower is a unique example of high-tech architecture built in 1992. Its iconic but controversial design by Václav Aulický was further deepened by the appearance of "miminka," the crawling baby sculptures on its facade by the Czech artist David Černý in 2000. However, recent years have seen …

A truly Arctic experience awaits you at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, Finland. Located in the Arctic Circle, the structure of this hotel encompasses Scandinavian design and Lappish traditions. The hotel is nestled atop a hill with floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, offering splendid views of the surrounding forest, …