City breaks are a great way to explore new destinations and experience different cultures. There are many fantastic hotels to choose from, depending on your preferences and budget. If you're looking for luxury and high-end service, there are many hotels boasting elegant suites and impeccable service. These hotels often feature spacious bedrooms with beautiful views, top-notch amenities, and options for fine dining.
For a more contemporary experience, some hotels offer stylish and modern conveniences, with an emphasis on comfort and design. If you're looking for a more historical stay, we’ve included opulent hotels that offer charming accommodations in historic buildings. Our picks of the best city escape hotels are in prime locations, providing easy access to main sightseeing, shopping, and dining options. Whatever your preference, read on to find which city break and hotel suits you best.
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Treehouse Hotel
London, UK
- Families
Treehouse Hotel is an enchanting city break property in central London. It’s especially popular with families thanks to its elevated guestrooms and suites, most of which feature big bay windows overlooking the city skyline. As a guest, you can enjoy a rooftop terrace, as well as beautiful green spaces and gardens that are excellent for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.
Treehouse Hotel is within a 20-minute walk from many famous landmarks, such as The British Museum, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square. It’s a great option if you want to explore the city's rich history and culture. Nearby neighbourhoods like South Bank and Buckingham Palace are also within easy reach of the hotel. The hotel's cabin-like rooms offer a fun experience, an excellent choice if you’re looking for something different in your lodging.
Location: 14-15 Langham Pl, London W1B 2QS, UK
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The William Vale
New York, USA
- Luxury
The William Vale is a luxury hotel located in Brooklyn’s trendy neighbourhood of Williamsburg. Offering expansive views of the Manhattan skyline, it’s a great destination if you’re looking for an upscale city break in New York City. The hotel has an outdoor pool deck, which is a great spot to relax and take in the views. The rooftop bar is also an excellent option to enjoy a drink while taking in the sights.
The William Vale is within walking distance of many great restaurants, bars, and shops, providing you with a diverse array of dining and entertainment options. It is also convenient to get to Manhattan by subway, as the Bedford Avenue station is just across the street from the hotel.
Location: 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
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The Peninsula Paris
Paris, France
- Luxury
The Peninsula Paris is an elegant hotel in the 16th arrondissement of the French capital. It has an unparalleled location, just a 4-minute walk from the iconic Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées. As a guest, you can experience true Parisian luxury at this hotel, thanks to its wide range of luxurious amenities. The Peninsula Spa is known as one of the largest hotel spas in Paris. Here, you can be pampered with hot stone massages, body wraps, and aromatherapy treatments.
Dining-wise, The Peninsula Paris has 4 onsite restaurants, including L’Oiseau Blanc which serves delicious French cuisine. This Paris hotel is a must-stay if you’re looking for a luxurious and sophisticated experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Location: 19 Av. Kléber, 75116 Paris, France
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Hotel Jakarta
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Couples
Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam is an eco-friendly retreat in Amsterdam East, at the former site where ships used to depart for Jakarta. The hotel provides guests with a green oasis of a stunning subtropical indoor garden, which serves as a tranquil retreat for guests to relax and unwind.
Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam is also a sustainable building, taking great care in reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices. The hotel’s onsite restaurant combines Asian and Dutch influences in its dishes, providing a unique culinary experience. With its distinct location and green features, staying here could feel as if you’re miles away from a bustling city.
Location: Javakade 766, 1019 SH Amsterdam, Netherlands
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The Midland Hotel
Manchester, UK
The Midland Hotel is an iconic 4-star hotel in central Manchester. Expect a wide range of luxurious amenities and services, including its award-winning Rena Spa. The hotel has been restored to its original Edwardian splendour, resulting in a mix of traditional and contemporary design.
The Midland Hotel is a Grade II-listed building, making it one of Manchester's most-loved icons. It’s just minutes from the Oxford Road and Piccadilly stations, so you can easily explore the city’s vibrant cultural scene, including the nearby Albert Hall, Palace Theatre Manchester, and Opera House Manchester. The hotel also has a prestigious restaurant, Mount Street Dining Room and Bar, which serves a modern take on British classics and decadent cocktails.
Location: 16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS, UK
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The Shelbourne
Dublin, Ireland
- Luxury
The Shelbourne has been in operation for about 200 years, making it one of the most historic hotels in Dublin. It offers a range of amenities that are perfect for a city break in Ireland. The hotel boasts spacious and elegant guestrooms, all with beautiful views of the city. You can also enjoy the hotel's fitness centre, sauna, and indoor swimming pool, as well as its renowned spa.
The Shelbourne boasts several dining options, including a fine-dining restaurant that serves contemporary Irish cuisine. The hotel sits right opposite St Stephen's Green, one of the city's most beautiful parks. A luxury hotel with historical significance, staying in The Shelbourne for your Dublin city break promises a unique blend of traditional elegance and contemporary luxury.
Location: 27 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland
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The Balmoral
Edinburgh, UK
- Luxury
The Balmoral is a world-class Edinburgh hotel that combines gorgeous city views and warm Scottish hospitality with state-of-the-art facilities. The hotel boasts a wide range of amenities, including spacious and elegant guestrooms, all with beautiful views of the city. The hotel also has a fitness centre and spa, providing you with ample ways to rejuvenate after a day of exploring Scotland’s capital.
One of The Balmoral's main highlights is its Michelin-starred restaurant, Number One, where you can indulge in a truly exquisite culinary experience. The hotel is within walking distance of the Edinburgh Waverley, Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile, making it a popular choice for those looking to explore the rich history and culture of this beautiful city.
Location: 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ, UK
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Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Dubai, UAE
- Luxury
The Mandarin Oriental Jumeira is exactly as lavish and stylish as you would expect of a beachfront hotel in Dubai. There are no fewer than 5 outdoor pools (not counting the Arabian Gulf, of course), 5 restaurants and lounges, and 9 treatment rooms in the onsite spa. This 5-star property is a place to be pampered.
The hotel’s location is very good, with the trendy beachfront dining and shopping complex of La Mer a little way along the shore and the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa a short distance inland. With modern styling and supreme comfort, though, you might not ever want to leave your room.
Location: Jumeirah Beach Rd, Jumeirah, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, UAE
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Hotel 1898
Barcelona, Spain
Hotel 1898 occupies a prime spot on La Rambla, a gorgeous tree-lined pedestrian street in Barcelona. It’s within a short walk of some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Cathedral of Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter, Mercado de La Boqueria, and the Picasso Museum.
The hotel, which dates back to the 19th century, offers a range of luxurious amenities. Standouts include a world-class spa, a rooftop pool, and an alfresco bar, all of which are great for relaxing after a day of exploring the city. Hotel 1898’s mix of elegance, comfort and luxury makes it an excellent choice for a relaxing and unforgettable city break in Barcelona.
Location: La Rambla, 109, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
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The Parkgate Hotel
Cardiff, UK
The Parkgate Hotel sits on Cardiff’s Westgate Street, right next to Principality Stadium. The Parkgate Hotel’s proximity to the stadium makes it particularly suitable for sports enthusiasts looking to catch a game during their stay. It’s also an excellent choice for those looking for a luxurious and sophisticated holiday in one of Wales’s most vibrant cities.
The hotel is known for its world-class amenities, including a luxury wellness spa named The Parkgate Spa. Expect a range of treatments and services to help you relax throughout your city break. Guestrooms are spacious and elegantly appointed, with comfortable furnishings and beautiful views of the city.
Location: Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1DA, UK
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The Hollywood Roosevelt
Los Angeles, USA
The Hollywood Roosevelt appeals to city break travellers looking to stay close to Los Angeles’s iconic sights and sounds. This historic hotel has been a favourite among celebrities for decades, including Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, and Clark Gable. Guestrooms and suites are spacious and elegantly appointed with subtle Spanish accents and mid-century modern furnishing.
The Hollywood Roosevelt is just steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, The Hollywood Museum, and El Capitan Theatre. If you’re lucky, you might even bump into your favourite celebrities while exploring this vibrant part of Los Angeles.
Location: 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
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Hotel Oderberger Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Hotel Oderberger Berlin occupies a prime spot on Oderbergerstrasse, one of the most pleasant streets in Berlin. It’s within walking distance of several landmarks, including the Zeiss Major Planetarium, Kulturbrauerei, and Kollwitzplatz.
One of the hotel’s most iconic amenities is a 20-metre indoor swimming pool, which is set in a historic bathhouse. Its guestrooms and suites are elegantly appointed and offer expansive views of the city. Hotel Oderberger Berlin's unique blend of history and luxury, as well as its great location in Prenzlauer Berg, make it an excellent option for a relaxing and unforgettable city break in Berlin.
Location: Oderberger Str. 57, 10435 Berlin, Germany
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