The best beach hotels in Europe

Best for: sophisticated vibes

For a heady dose of South of France seaside glamour served up with plenty of heritage style, this grand dame spa hotel, which is celebrating its centennial this year, certainly fits the bill. Framed by the bleached blond beaches of the celebrity-prowled Croisette Boulevard, and backed by the designer boutique-lined alleys of Cannes’ Old Town, USPs here include spectacular sunset views, sumptuous signature accommodation and an outpost of the legendary Fouquet’s Cannes brasserie.

Address: 10 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, France

Price: €215 per night

Best for: spectacular views

Once home to an aristocratic family, this 69-room marble-clad Italian beauty, just a cable car ride from historic hill town Taormina, sits above its own blissfully private sweeping stretch of sand and shingle cove. It’s linked to the Lido Villeggiatura, the resort’s own beach club, where jaunty blue and white striped parasols shade plump sunbeds and striking views over the Bay of Mazzarò are served up along with sizzling Sicilian savours, to tables bang on the beach.

Address: Via Nazionale 137, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy

Price: €800 per night

Best for: foodies 

For gourmet treats by the beach, this glorious 16-suite family-owned retreat on Naxos, linked by a winding path through grass-spiked dunes to the glistening sands of Plaka’s three mile-long beach, is sure to suit. After lazy days soaking up the sun, evenings are for lingering in the poolside restaurant, admiring sunset over the distant turquoise smudge of sea as you chow down on silky fava, soutzoukakia (traditional Turkish sausage) and other dishes prepared according to the recipes of the family’s food-loving grandma.

Address: Plaka 843 00, Naxos, Greece

Price: from €265 per night

Best for: wow-Factor

Topped by Turkey’s only rooftop infinity pool (modelled on one in Dubai), this eye-poppingly lovely resort is a magnet for celebrities (JLo and Dua Lipa, to name-drop just a few). Sumptuous facilities here include a golf course, football pitches, a slew of stylish restaurants and super-spacious rooms, but the real jewel in this sea-sparkled hotel’s crown is its golden sand beach strewn with macramé-curtained cabanas.

Address: Kadriye, 07525 Serik/Antalya, Türkiye

Price: €220 per night

Best for: loved-up couples

Surrounded by sweet-scented gardens, this impossibly romantic property sits in a remote spot along the endless sand-dusted beaches and scintillating turquoise waters of Costa Rei. With its own sea-view infinity pool, capacious rooms brimming with luxurious extras, a gourmet restaurant set beneath a velvety sky of stars, and plenty of secret coves to discover with one of the resort’s SUPs, this sultry adults-only Sardinian hideout was made for exploring hand in hand.

Address: Via Santa Giusta 16A, 09040 Castiadas CA, Italy

Price: €460 per night

Best for: family fun

A short stroll from Paphos’ lively harbour and the UNESCO-listed Tombs of the Kings, this low-key seaside hangout centres on a picture-perfect circular pool opening onto a toddler-friendly sand-lined cove. Elysium in ancient Greek mythology was a kind of paradise: from lush ESPA treatments in the bijou spa to designated kids’ clubs and five restaurants serving everything from afternoon tea to Cypriot specialities, this resort lives up to its heavenly name.

Address: Queen Verenikis Street 6, Paphos 8045, Cyprus

Price: from €150 per night

Best for: party hounds

A short drive from Kalamata’s airport and famed olive groves, this sprawling sun-soaked 227-room resort fronts one of the Greek mainland’s most glamorous golden sand beaches. As you’d expect from W, there’s a mega beach club vibe at this adults-only resort: corridors are littered with contemporary artwork, rooms are sleek and airy, there are regular pop-up DJ sets, wellness events, and plenty of cool dining options. Stay in a Wow villa bang on that gorgeous beach and you might never want to leave.

Address: Costa Navarino Dunes, Messinia, 240 01, Greece

Price: from €300 per night