Surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Allgäu Alps, Alpin Lifestyle Hotel Löwen & Strauss is in the centre of the picturesque and stylish town of Oberstdorf. In the cosmopolitan town of Oberstdorf owner Peter A. Strauss has created Löwen & Strauss, a contemporary hotel and restaurant, with a modern ambience. In typical Alpine style with lots of wood and rustic elements, the hotel makes a perfect base to explore this area of nature. Peter is an acclaimed chef who has won many culinary prizes. A welcoming place for both young and old, holiday-maker or local resident. The hotel rooms and suites are all unique, with design furniture and decorated with materials from Tirol Living Collection. Start the day with a delicious "Alpine" breakfast. In the wellness-oasis Casa Alp, with panorama sauna and tepidarium, you can finally relax at the end of a day filled with sport activities.

Burg Schnellenberg Castle, which towers imposingly above the Hanseatic town of Attendorn, is surrounded by 240 hectares of forest and meadows. The history of the castle dates back to the year 1222 and is now one of the best maintained castles in Westphalia. The stylish hotel in a fairytale atmosphere welcomes its guests with open arms as evidenced by the Latin saying 'stranger does not stay outside, my door opens to the travelling ' above the door. The classically furnished guest rooms all have lovely views. The hotel has a spa and a beautiful chapel where weddings are performed. Dine, like the knights of old, under the crossbow vaults or in the romantic courtyard. The menu features a variety of local and international dishes.

The vicinity of the medieval town of Oberwesel is known for its excellent Rhine wines. Steeply sloped vineyards cover the hills. Nature in the Oberes Mittelrheintal is dazzling and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here, high above the Rhine valley, is lies Burghotel & Restaurant Auf Schönburg. A lovingly restored castle which dates back to the year 966. One look at the photo of this castle hotel in enough to see that it is a bucket-list experience. The rooms have been restored with an eye for detail and for the castle’s history: they feature four-poster beds, alcoves, stained-glass windows, plastered ceilings and balconies with views over the meandering Rhine. The kitchen is well stocked with seasonal and regional produce and the cellar holds the very best regional wines.

The former primary school dating from 1915 on Westfalendamm in Schwelm got a bright new future as a fine hotel. The classrooms have been converted into 35 inviting and well-appointed hotel rooms. The former gym is now the restaurant Die Turnhalle – meaning simply ‘the gym‘. By creating this lovely boutique hotel, Berlin hotelier Kurt Hermandung and his partner Marc Konopatzki have made their dream come true. The distinctive stone, slate and plasterwork building now houses a charming contemporary hotel and restaurant. From two historic drinking fountains the guest can get ‘vitalized‘ fresh drinking water pumped into carafes. Instead of minibars in the rooms there is an honesty bar in the form of a traditional schoolhouse kiosk where you can get drinks, snacks and gifts.

Delfins Beach Resort exceeds all guest expectations through offering a fantastic stay at the pearl white beaches that Carribean Island Bonaire offers. The resort, located directly at the sea, is filled with tropic flora which gives the design beautiful green accents. You spend the night at Delfins in style. Whether you choose for a studio with its own terrace, or one of the apartments with fully equipped kitchen: you will have everything you need. The panorama penthouse offers the grandest views of the azure sea. Would you like to have some extra space, than the XL Panorama is the right choice. The utmost comfortable villa's with three- or four bedrooms are truly equipped with plenty of comfort, inside as well as outside on the terrace, to guarantee an enjoyable stay.

The elegant Grand Hotel Bella Tola dates from 1859. The high quality of the cuisine is matched by the excellent service from the friendly staff, led by Anne-Françoise and Claude Buchs-Favre. You can enjoy the sunset on the veranda, stretch your legs towards the fireplace or sip a drink in the library, and the Spa will soothe your tired muscles. The 30 stylish guestrooms are carefully furnished, and rooms at the front have views of the Besso and the Matterhorn. The sunny terrace is ideal for lunch or dinner on warmer days.

Hamilton Lodge is a comfortable family hotel on the Belalp, a car-free mountain area in a UNESCO World Heritage site at an altitude of 2,100 metres. A 40-minute walk will take you to the Aletsch Glacier, with a view of the Matterhorn. Hamilton Lodge itself offers spectacular views of Switzerland’s highest mountains. After an exhilarating day of activity you can unwind at the spa, gazing at the mountain view from the Finnish sauna, or relaxing in a hot tub filled with water from the glacier. This hip-Heidi hideaway is elegant and tasteful, with charming rooms and comfortable boxspring beds, a restaurant serving regional dishes, a lounge with a log fire, a sunny terrace and, nearby, a mountain stream, a cheese dairy, and cows and goats grazing in the pasture.

Surrounded by untouched nature and the wild mountainous landscape all your senses will be stimulated. Marco Robeerst makes Hotel Herangtunet a Norwegian oasis of calm, a place where you recharge and where you can get in touch with you creativity side. This philosophy is translated in the individual character and tastefully furnished suites. Each individually furnished themed suite boast a wood stove, a luxurious bathroom and the finest beds. This really is the perfect Scandinavian base to start a walking holiday, culinary travels or a very romantic skiing trip.

Originally, Hotel Wildthout was a mayor's residence built around 1900 by the then mayor of Ommen, Mr. Bentinck. He named this stately home "the Villa Henan", after his two daughters Hennie and Anna. Since June 2015, Niek and Petra van Duuren have been the proud owners of this warm family business, and they have grasped the challenge with both hands to expand the stately building into a pleasant hotel where guests will feel particularly at home. In a historic building like Hotel Wildthout, no two rooms are the same. Everywhere, the corners, windows, beams and sloping roofs are different. This also contributes to the cosy and homely atmosphere. All rooms have a view of the green surroundings.

The Vecht region is a beautiful, diverse area with numerous estates, castles, forts, windmills and nature reserves. Enjoy water sports activities in the Loosdrecht lakes and afterwards seek the blissful tranquillity. Park the sloop at the dock and follow the footpath through the enchanting garden. That is where you will find boutique hotel Flora Batava, a real eye-catcher on the banks of the river Vecht.

Jagdhof Glashütte in the idyllic Rothaar mountains in Sauerland was once a simple inn. Local lumberjacks, hunters and nobility from the region went there for a good glass of beer or Schnapps at the end of the day. In 1975, 20-year old Edmund Dornhöfer took over the business from his father, who had passed away. Over the past 40 years Edmund has transformed the inn into a five-star hotel that is exceptional in every respect. It is one of the best in Germany and a pearl of hospitality where culinary enjoyment and authenticity reign supreme. Just like the other areas of the half-timbered hotel, the rooms of Jagdhof Glashütte are luxurious and rural, but above all romantically decorated. Right down to the rose petals on the bed and champagne in the cooler.

While the dew still blankets the Austrian village of Lech down in the valley, up at 1,750 metres in Oberlech you wake up basking in the morning sun. The views from Hotel Murmeli’s sun-drenched terrace and restaurant are stunning. Chef Wolfgang Strauss and his wife Anne Marie are renowned for their Austrian hospitality and sophisticated international cuisine, combined with an impressive and diverse wine list. It makes an ideal place to enjoy a relaxing lunch, or a well-deserved dinner after a day of skiing on the Arlberg. Hotel Murmeli is open from early December to late April. From December to April, environmentally-friendly Oberlech is car free. You reach Hotel Murmeli and Oberlech by cable car, which runs every five minutes from 7.00 am to 1.00 am. You can leave your luggage behind at the Valley Station and it will be brought up to the hotel for you.

For four generations the hospitality of Nobel has been legendary on the Dutch Wadden island Ameland - and far beyond. The historic hotel is in the heart of quaint histo­rical Ballum. Nobel successfully merges history and contemporary luxury. A few years ago the entire hotel was renovated but the café was kept in its original state. Throughout the years hotel guests and island dwellers have come together to play cards, celebrate or just have a beer. Most of the uniquely designed hotel rooms have a private patio or balcony. Lunch or dinner are very enjoyable here too.

Your hosts at Hotel Langgenhof are the Mutschlechner family. Peter Mutschlechner continues the tradition handed down by his parents – it was his mother Greti and father Robert who once transformed their family farm into a place to welcome guests and serve good food. For 30 years, Greti put her heart and soul into cooking delicious traditional and regional dishes. Meanwhile, Robert stocked the wine cellar with local gems. Hotel Langgenhof is now a paradise for wine lovers: Peter’s wine list features more than 500 wines. The newest part of the hotel, which includes the panoramic wellness area and swimming pool, as well as the complete renovation of the main building, was designed by Peter's cousin Martin Mutschlechner, his partner Marco Bucci and Peter's sister Verena.

Hotel Restaurant Valuas is located just outside Venlo, on the banks of the river Maas. The love of the hospitality industry has been ingrained in this family business from an early age. The dynamic and contemporary company has its home in a beautiful building. The comfortable rooms, which are well suited for both private and business stays, are beautifully and warmly decorated. Some overlooking the river Maas. The true lover of the traditional Dutch croquette should definitely visit Valuas. Eric Swaghoven is known for the Valuas Kroketterie where only the very best homemade croquettes in a wide variety can be tasted. Only prepared with the finest ingredients. Valuas has a restaurant and a brasserie. Brasserie La Vie by Valuas has been awarded with a Bib Gourmand by Michelin.

Hotel Stiemerheide is uniquely situated in the Limburg Kempen, bordering on the Maasland. The hotel was built in the late 80s in an English cottage style. This charming hotel is one of the most important gateways to the Hoge Kempen National Park. The cottage-style hotel is strategically located at the 18th hole of Spiegelven Golf Club, which is situated on the grounds of the hotel. The golf course surrounds a lake known to locals as ‘the mirror of heaven’. Each hole has a character of its own, and the unforgettably picturesque views in this hilly natural landscape of woods, heathland and water are so varied that you’ll never tire of playing on this challenging course.

The historical Hanseatic town of Schmallenberg in Sauerland is just a short drive from the ski resort of Winterberg. Hotel Störmann was built when the town was reconstructed after a devastating fire in 1822. For many years it served as the royal Prussian coaching inn. This renowned hotel has welcomed many famous figures, including the former chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl. The hotel was in the Störmann family for eight generations, and now the Deimann family is writing the next chapter of its rich history. Hotel Störmann has recently been extensively restored and tastefully refurbished in keeping with the character of the building – the striking cast-­iron inn sign makes a good example.

The monumental building of Villa Ruimzicht was built in 1853 and became property of the Christelijke Philantropische Inrichtingen (Christian Philanthropic Institutions) in 1868 and served as a training institute for ministers. The building has been completely transformed into a 4-star hotel, with spacious guest rooms decorated in mainly white tones, two restaurants, a bar and a cooking studio. Hotel Villa Ruimzicht is surrounded by its own park with unusual trees. There is a 140-year-old Sequoia tree and several lawns. There is a large terrace and several verandas. When the weather is nice, breakfast, lunch or dinner is served here.

There are few places on earth where all the beauties of nature converge. At the foot of the Mount Rigi (1,797 metres) stands Hotel Vitznauerhof. The boutique hotel with historic walls, art nouveau details and modern design elements is harmoniously embedded in the imposing surroundings at the edge of the crystal clear waters of mystical Lake Lucerne. The host Raphael Herzog runs the Hotel Vitznauerhof with great passion and is supported by an equally dedicated team. 53 stylish rooms and suites, glamping tents as well as three first-class restaurants and a bar - all with unique views of the lake and the enchanting mountain panorama - invite you to enjoy and experience gastronomy at a high level. Restaurant Sens, the culinary flagship, serves regional specialities and modern creations.

Hotel de Sterrenberg is located close to the western entrance to De Hoge Veluwe National Park, the heart of the Veluwe. The hotel’s warm interior is above all inspired by the beauty of nature. Natural materials such as natural stone, sturdy concrete and wood feature prominently in the hotel’s interior. Even the art work reflects nature. Hotel de Sterrenberg offers a lot of extras; there is a large indoor swimming pool, a warm relax pool with bubbles and jets, a fitness area, a tepidarium, a steam bath and saunas. Hotel de Sterrenberg offers the use of electric bicycles to discover the Park’s many attractions. Such as, the Kröller-Müller Museum, the Museonder and St Hubertus Hunting Lodge. National Museum Paleis Het Loo, with its stately palace garden and park, is a 15-minute drive away.

Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen, is one of the most famous hotels in the Netherlands. The German capitulation in 1945 played a major role in our national history. For this reason a visit to this hotel feels like a journey through an important chapter of Dutch history. However, the history of the hotel dates right back to 1669, when the inn ‘De Wearelt’ became a as a stopping-place for travellers, horses and stage coaches, and, later, steam trams. The spacious rooms have specially designed interiors in combination with modern art. For dinner you can visit LEV. @ De Wereld. Hotel de Wereld is a great base for walking or cycling tours through beautiful nature parks such as the Veluwe and the Betuwe, or for discovering the beautiful town of Wageningen. The nearby city of Arnhem offers plenty of cultural highlights and shopping opportunities.

Hippocampus was built around the 1900s and was for decades occupied by the managers of a local factory. In 1992, the current host and chef, Francis Scheyvaerts, bought the villa – located between Eindhoven and Antwerp – and transformed it into a gorgeous manor. He first opened a restaurant with the emphasis on refined dining. The furnishing of the restaurant and the rooms betray an English influence. This contributes to the friendly atmosphere in the former management villa. The jolly and likeable host also plays a defining role. The rooms, named after desserts, have all the creature comforts of home and are furnished partly with art-deco furniture. On cold, wintry days the bar/lounge is the place to be to really relax next to the crackling wood fire.

Hotel Le Grand Chalet Favre is situated in the heart of the picturesque and largely car free village of St-Luc, at 1,650 metres altitude. The sun-bleached chalet, owned by Anne-Françoise and Claude Buchs-Favre, is furnished in idyllic Alpine style. Picture yourself lying in the deckchair of your private sunny balcony soaking up the mountain scenery, with views of the majestic Matterhorn, at more than 4,000 metres. The restaurant’s sunny terrace has some of the best alpine views in the Val d’Anniviers, both in winter and summer

Enjoy the historic ambiance of this impressive castle on the edge of the Veluwe. At Kasteel Engelenburg you can eat, drink and sleep to an exceptional standard and have a splendid 9-hole golf course at your disposal. The English Lounge at Kasteel Engelenburg houses one of the largest collections of single malt whiskies in the Netherlands. Wine lovers will not be disappointed here either. In the 16th century the first owner of the castle, Jacob Schimmelpenninck van der Oye, traded in German wines. Nowadays, they have an excellent collection of various wines. The rooms and suites are furnished partly in antique style, and are situated in the Coach House, the Orangery or in the Cape House, which has the atmosphere of a Cape winery. The fairytale view from the 19th century conservatory restaurant over the moat and golf course will transport you back to another era. Dinner is of course complemented with excellent wines.

It was in the early 20th century that Jonkheer Egbert Lintelo de Geer set about the construction of Kasteel Kerckebosch, a splendid castle in the woodland around the town of Zeist. Antiques and ornaments from restored churches and castles in the area give the interior its dis- tinctive style. There are two antique doors with cast iron knockers from the cathedral in Utrecht, and the fireplace in the salon came from an 18th- century Amsterdam canal house. During the recent refurbishments of the hotel, owners Cynthia Schell and Hans van Triest stylishly complemented the original interior with contemporary elements. The authentic hotel rooms are spread over two sections with a total of 5 different room types.

The smallest castle in the Netherlands, Kasteeltje Hattem, nestles in Roermond city park. Surrounded by trees and greenery, complete with a moat and pond, this authentic castle now is a little paradise for connoisseurs. The former coach houses have been converted into comfortable hotel suites, spacious and light in colour with crisp interiors. The stylish restaurant is in the castle, open for lunch and dinner, featuring a gastronomic à la carte menu as well as a smaller lunch menu. In fine weather relax on the sunny terrace. The restaurant and the hotel are closed on Sundays after breakfast.

Chef Maxime Collard, of La Table de Maxime, opened his second hotel in his native village Our, in the Belgian Ardennes. The modern five storey building is constructed against a hillside. An architectural masterpiece, full of modern subtleties. Its roof is covered in solar panels and the building’s timbered exterior, providing excellent insulation, ages beautifully with time from a rosy orange to a silver grey. The hotel was christened ‘La Fabrique du Pré Maho’, meaning The Factory on Mr. Maho’s Field. The sturdy interior features unpolished wood in the rooms and slate tiles in the bathrooms.

Hotels that have preserved the authentic atmosphere of a historic inn or tavern are few and far between. You have to hunt for them, but they do still exist. An excellent contemporary inn needs an excellent contemporary innkeeper, and that is precisely what Landgasthof Linde has got. In good innkeeping tradition, Hannes Ebster is not only the owner, but also the chef, together with his brother Georg Ebster, and the life and soul of this welcoming Landgasthof, or country inn. We all love Austria for its snowy Alpine slopes, of course, but Landgasthof Linde is just as nice in summer, with its magnificent garden – an immaculate lawn, charming summer house, and fruit trees for delicious home-made jams and apple strudels.

In the 1930s, this friendly hotel was a tea house, a stopping place for people, horses and carts. From the wooden lookout tower on top of the hill (‘uitkijk’ means ‘lookout’) you could gaze out over the landscape of Salland, with a view stretching far into Germany. Helen and Lars Kijftenbelt offer the same warm hospitality as the guests enjoyed in the olden days, but now in contemporary surroundings. And the view is as beautiful as ever! The hotel is surrounded by nature; you can cycle straight into the woods to enjoy the peace, quiet and gently rolling landscape. The terrace is tempting for a tasty lunch or a leisurely dinner. The decor in the hotel is warm, contemporary and refined, in English country house style. A splendid open fire with comfortable chairs create a homely atmosphere.

Carelshaven had an important function in the region from as early as 1772. It lies on the grand Twickel estate, which covers an area of forty-three square kilometres, and includes 150 farmhouses. The name Carelshaven refers to the harbour on the Twickelervaart, a waterway that once connected the little town of Delden with Amsterdam, via the river Regge and the Zuiderzee. The canal was constructed by Carel George, count of Wassenaer Obdam, who lived in Twickel castle. Carelshaven began as a modest bargeman’s inn, and has developed over the centuries to become a celebrated hotel. Its symmetrical shapes, wide veranda and white rendered walls give the hotel a 19th-century appearance. For many years the interior was in classic style, but in recent years, the new owners Alco and Evelyn van Berkel have gradually brought this illustrious hotel into the 21st century. A number of the guestrooms have been modernised, as have the restaurant and bar. The cuisine is contemporary, but the menu also includes classic seasonal dishes.

Landgoed Lauswolt and the Michelin-awarded restaurant De Heeren van Harinxma are an ultimate place of pilgrimage for bon vivants and are renowned for its relaxed atmosphere. Here, in the heart of Friesland, you have nature, top gastronomy and a variety of top facilities at your fingertips. The Golf Course of Golf & Country Club Lauswolt meanders pleasantly over the estate. Ultimate relaxation can be found in the health & spa. The dishes of chef Arjan Bisschop in the restaurant De Heeren van Harinxma are based on a classical style and prepared with the most beautiful Frisian seasonal products, whether or not from their own vegetable garden. De Heeren van Harinxma one of the only restaurants in Friesland with a Michelin star. The second restaurant, Bistro Nijeholt (Bib Gourmand), brims with conviviality and tempts with catchy dishes and wines. The estate has everything in-house and invites to be discovered.

This former, partially wooden water mill with its monumental annexes is located on the southern edge of National Park Kellerwald-Edersee. It feels as if time has stood still here. The history of the Bärenmühle goes back to the 16th century. Over the past years the complex has been lovingly renovated and now houses comfortable rooms, suites and apartments. The furnishings in the Bärenmühle include a combination of antique manor style beds and Biedermeier furniture. The whole appears spacious, elegant and rustic.

In the forested hills and valleys of the Ourthe and Aisne region lies the authentic village Wéris. Here you will find Le Cor de Chasse, a veritable family hotel in a manor farm from 1681. The interior is contemporary, luxurious and in harmony with the history of the building. The standard rooms are located in the former sheep barn, the suites with private terrace are in the central wing. Modern cuisine is at the heart of the one-star restaurant. The dishes are seasonal and have a signature touch that is both personal and pleasantly surprising. Dining is a true voyage of discovery!

The name Kasselslay means: rock over­looking the river banks. The hotel is in a tiny village in the heart of National Park Our in the Ardennes of Luxembourg. From the hotel you step right into the breathtaking nature of this area. You can discover this magnificent natural environment via the numerous walking, cycling or mountain biking trails. Hans Poppelaars serves seasonal dishes using mostly organic products from the region. These dishes reflect the spirit of time, culture and his love of special food. He knows the provenance of every ingredient he uses and is only satisfied with top quality produce. The spacious hotel rooms all overlook either the garden or the beautiful landscape surrounding the hotel. Each room has its own ambience. Clervaux is nearby, as is Vianden, where you can visit the impressive castle of the same name.

Life on the French Riviera has so often been celebrated in song and prose. The blissful climate, the glorious landscape and, of course, the food made with sun-drenched ingredients are enough to put anyone in the best of moods. Royal Mougins Golf Resort is a place of peace and relaxation – whether you’re a golfer or not, because there’s so much to do at this resort. The widely acclaimed golf course features on many lists of the best golf resorts in Europe.

Once you have had a meal on the terrace of Schloss Eberstein you will realise: this is a unique place. The views over the Murgtal and the Black Forest are unforgettable and will inspire you to go for long walks or bicycle rides or a stroll through the historic town of Gernsbach.

This enchanting villa, nestled in a tranquil wooded setting, envelops you in the ambiance of an ancient English country estate. The 18 generous suites, each with over 70 square meters of space, a view of nature, and the golf course, offer you the ultimate place to relax or be productive.

The innovative and trendy Unique Hotel Post, located in the heart of Zermatt, opened its doors in 1875 as the third oldest hotel in Zermatt. Martin Perren and his wife Daniela Perren-Germanini have been the fifth generation owners since 2001.

On the southern slope of the 841 metre high Kahler Asten – far from the world’s hustle and bustle – lies the charming hotel Waldhaus Ohlenbach. In the summer it is an excellent starting point for cycling and walking trips - and in winter time for alpine or cross-country skiing. At 700 metres above sea level, leaving the hotel you step straight out into nature. The Winterberg ski lifts are nearby. All rooms face either south or south-west and have a wonderful panoramic view of the hills of High Sauerland, the ‘land of the 1000 mountains’. The individually styled rooms range from classic Sauerland pine wood décor to crisp contemporary with bright colours.