Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel & Spa In Lisbon Crowned The Most Romantic Hotel In Europe, Canada Reviews

Hotels today come in all styles and sizes, whether they’re in party hotspots, remote hilltops or the top of skyrise buildings, but there’s one thing that hotels have always been designed for: romance. 

With nearly a million hotels dotted across the world, it might be hard to pin down the best spot for your lovey-dovey getaway. That’s where Condé Nast Johansens Awards come in. The awards were launched to celebrate outstanding performances within the hospitality industry, and it has just published its list of winners for the Awards of Excellence 2025. 

There are lists for the winners in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania here, and North, Central, and South America here – but let’s dive into the most impressive hotels in Europe and the Med. 

Claiming the prestigious title of Europe’s most romantic hotel is Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel & Spa, a former royal residence with a five-star setting, just outside of Lisbon.  

The villa was built in the ‘60s but is dripping with nods to classic luxury, from the pretty blue-toned marble to the panoramic sea views. You can read more about it here. 

But there were plenty more awards announced by Condé Nast Johansens. The best service in Europe and the Med can be found at Es Princep, the best breakfast at Quinta Jardins do Lago. El Vicenç de la Mar was named the best waterside hotel, and Palacio de Villapanés by CoolRooms Hotels was named the best urban hotel. 

You can read the full list of Europe, UK and the Med winners here. 

More on luxury hotels

Splashing out? We’ve also reported on this 100 best hotels roundup by Fodors Travel, this ranking by the World’s 50 Best Hotels, and TripAdvisor’s list of the best-reviewed hotels. 

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Plus: The iconic Orient Express is returning to Italy next year – here’s how to get on board. 

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