Amazing Rural Hotels in Europe to Stay in
Hotels today are more than just a place to sleep. Today, the best hotels reflect how we live, or at least aspire to live. When you’re trying to get a break from the stresses of everyday life, the hotel you stay at is fundamental – especially if you want to switch off, relax, and be mindful of your surroundings.
After all, isn’t that what a holiday is for?! That’s why the best rural hotels in Europe are those which seamlessly connect you with nature, allow you to embrace and enjoy the rural setting while providing unbeatable service too.
Here are our top picks of the best rural hotels in Europe for an unmatched vacation in the natural countryside, away from the concrete jungle of the city.
Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, may enjoy the spotlight for being home to a certain famous mister Claus, but in the Aurora Village, it’s all about the view! As the name suggests, the Northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, is the centerpiece here, a marvelous and majestic theatre of nature that dons many the bucket list.
At the Aurora Village, you can treat yourself to staying in a delightful cabin. Now, if you’re thinking of the typical old-school, candle-lit, musty log-cabin, walls adorned with the heads of former-living wildlife, think again! We’re talking warm, cozy, modern cabins here which can sleep up to four people with twin or Kingsize bed options. The pièce de résistance in this rural retreat, though, is the sky.
Each cabin’s ceiling is made of clear glass, specially treated and heated to provide an unspoiled panoramic view of the night sky in all its uniquely colorful glory – snow and ice is a given up here, but within your cozy cocoon, you’ll be able to embrace the beauty of nature, the peaceful rural setting and the magic of the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of your bed. This is, without doubt, one of the best rural hotels in Europe for a unique experience.
If modern cabins and epic views sound like your bag, but you’d like to tick Iceland off your list, then the Panorama Glass Lodge is the perfect rural hotel in Europe for you!
Situated in two different remote rural locations, both boasting incredible landscapes and rugged Scandinavian scenery, these lodges are the epitome of rural luxury combined with simplistic elegance, and a healthy hint of Viking style!
In winter, one can hope to see the Northern lights from within, in summer you will sleep under the midnight sun, enjoying the peace and serenity of nature from your cabin bed or out-door hot-tub. The closest location to Reykjavík is in Hvalfjörður, a 35 min drive away, and here you will be welcomed with a stunning ocean view, hugged by rugged mountains. You might even spot some whales and seals here in summer months!
Less than two hours' drive from Reykjavík, in Hella, in the south of Iceland, you can stay in a river-side Glass Lodge which affords you fascinating views of Hekla Volcano and the highland mountains. Each lodge is beautifully decorated for a boutique yet homely feeling, has fully equipped kitchen, shower, WiFi, Bluetooth stereo and the all-important binoculars - with views like this, you’ll be glad of them.
Sticking with Scandinavia once more now before moving further south (I promise), this time Sweden and, arguably, the most unique rural hotel in Europe, if not the world. You see, here you can sleep in a UFO, a mirror cube, or even a bird’s nest – those whacky Swedes!
It’s art and architecture combined in a way you possibly never saw before, and you can climb right in. Consisting of seven rooms, or huts, each is suspended high above the ground among the tall Swedish forest pines, overlooking the pretty Lule River.
Elegant Swedish design, wood, and organic solutions inform the décor and functionality of all the characteristic tree-dwelling rooms at the tree hotel. Each is equipped with toilet and washing facilities, electricity, underfloor heating, air conditioning, coffee & tea, fresh drinking water, refrigerator, free Wifi, and sustainable water system.
With minimal impact on the environment and an inherently Swedish focus on sustainability, a local couple has managed to create a splendid, curious, imagination-stirring and fun place to connect with nature, re-energize, and appreciate the sheer beauty and importance of trees.
See more: Free and budget tours in Sweden
Leaving the beauty of the Arctic circle now for more of the best rural hotels in Europe, featuring rural retreats, converted farmhouses, spas and country guesthouses in Spain, Ireland, Scotland, and Hungary.
To Ireland now, and the stunning countryside of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, less than one and a half hours south of Dublin city. Located in an 18th Century manor on a one-hundred-acre sprawl of pristine, lush countryside, the multi-award-winning Monart Spa is Ireland’s only five-star destination Spa experience.
While it is recognized as one of the world’s best spas, it is also, without doubt, one of the best rural hotels in Europe thanks to its exquisite setting, excellent facilities, exemplary services, wonderful restaurant, delightful café, and central focus on your well-being. You can even choose from the balcony or terrace rooms with lake or woodland views. With a tranquil spa thermal suite that includes indoor & outdoor saunas, steam rooms, pools, salt grotto, infra-red pro suite, caldarium, and more, and dedicated treatment and massage personnel, you’ll want to treat yourself to the ultimate in relaxation here.
Last, but by no means least, an honorable mention for the award-winning Kali Art Inn hotel in Hungary’s Kali basin, part of the Balaton Uplands National Park in Hungary’s celebrated wine-producing region, less than two hours from Budapest.
This is one of the most renowned boutique rural hotels in Europe. With rustic-style rooms and premium luxurious suites across a hectare of exquisite countryside, this rural retreat is something special. While the seductive surroundings will beckon you to explore, the on-site restaurant, spa, pools, sauna, and garden will make it difficult to break away from.
We hope these have inspired you to take a break from it all and explore some of the incredible natural countryside sitting just beyond our cities.
Have you been to any of our top rural hotel picks? Do you have any amazing rural hotels in Europe recommendations to share? Tell us in the comments.
Don’t forget, book your top-quality free tours in destinations around the world on FREETOUR.com!
After all, isn’t that what a holiday is for?! That’s why the best rural hotels in Europe are those which seamlessly connect you with nature, allow you to embrace and enjoy the rural setting while providing unbeatable service too.
Here are our top picks of the best rural hotels in Europe for an unmatched vacation in the natural countryside, away from the concrete jungle of the city.
1. Aurora Village – Ivalo, Finland
Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, may enjoy the spotlight for being home to a certain famous mister Claus, but in the Aurora Village, it’s all about the view! As the name suggests, the Northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, is the centerpiece here, a marvelous and majestic theatre of nature that dons many the bucket list.
At the Aurora Village, you can treat yourself to staying in a delightful cabin. Now, if you’re thinking of the typical old-school, candle-lit, musty log-cabin, walls adorned with the heads of former-living wildlife, think again! We’re talking warm, cozy, modern cabins here which can sleep up to four people with twin or Kingsize bed options. The pièce de résistance in this rural retreat, though, is the sky.
Each cabin’s ceiling is made of clear glass, specially treated and heated to provide an unspoiled panoramic view of the night sky in all its uniquely colorful glory – snow and ice is a given up here, but within your cozy cocoon, you’ll be able to embrace the beauty of nature, the peaceful rural setting and the magic of the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of your bed. This is, without doubt, one of the best rural hotels in Europe for a unique experience.
2. Panorama glass lodge – Iceland
If modern cabins and epic views sound like your bag, but you’d like to tick Iceland off your list, then the Panorama Glass Lodge is the perfect rural hotel in Europe for you!
Situated in two different remote rural locations, both boasting incredible landscapes and rugged Scandinavian scenery, these lodges are the epitome of rural luxury combined with simplistic elegance, and a healthy hint of Viking style!
In winter, one can hope to see the Northern lights from within, in summer you will sleep under the midnight sun, enjoying the peace and serenity of nature from your cabin bed or out-door hot-tub. The closest location to Reykjavík is in Hvalfjörður, a 35 min drive away, and here you will be welcomed with a stunning ocean view, hugged by rugged mountains. You might even spot some whales and seals here in summer months!
Less than two hours' drive from Reykjavík, in Hella, in the south of Iceland, you can stay in a river-side Glass Lodge which affords you fascinating views of Hekla Volcano and the highland mountains. Each lodge is beautifully decorated for a boutique yet homely feeling, has fully equipped kitchen, shower, WiFi, Bluetooth stereo and the all-important binoculars - with views like this, you’ll be glad of them.
3. Tree hotel in Sweden
Sticking with Scandinavia once more now before moving further south (I promise), this time Sweden and, arguably, the most unique rural hotel in Europe, if not the world. You see, here you can sleep in a UFO, a mirror cube, or even a bird’s nest – those whacky Swedes!
It’s art and architecture combined in a way you possibly never saw before, and you can climb right in. Consisting of seven rooms, or huts, each is suspended high above the ground among the tall Swedish forest pines, overlooking the pretty Lule River.
Elegant Swedish design, wood, and organic solutions inform the décor and functionality of all the characteristic tree-dwelling rooms at the tree hotel. Each is equipped with toilet and washing facilities, electricity, underfloor heating, air conditioning, coffee & tea, fresh drinking water, refrigerator, free Wifi, and sustainable water system.
With minimal impact on the environment and an inherently Swedish focus on sustainability, a local couple has managed to create a splendid, curious, imagination-stirring and fun place to connect with nature, re-energize, and appreciate the sheer beauty and importance of trees.
See more: Free and budget tours in Sweden
Leaving the beauty of the Arctic circle now for more of the best rural hotels in Europe, featuring rural retreats, converted farmhouses, spas and country guesthouses in Spain, Ireland, Scotland, and Hungary.
4. Monart Spa – Enniscorthy, Ireland
To Ireland now, and the stunning countryside of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, less than one and a half hours south of Dublin city. Located in an 18th Century manor on a one-hundred-acre sprawl of pristine, lush countryside, the multi-award-winning Monart Spa is Ireland’s only five-star destination Spa experience.
While it is recognized as one of the world’s best spas, it is also, without doubt, one of the best rural hotels in Europe thanks to its exquisite setting, excellent facilities, exemplary services, wonderful restaurant, delightful café, and central focus on your well-being. You can even choose from the balcony or terrace rooms with lake or woodland views. With a tranquil spa thermal suite that includes indoor & outdoor saunas, steam rooms, pools, salt grotto, infra-red pro suite, caldarium, and more, and dedicated treatment and massage personnel, you’ll want to treat yourself to the ultimate in relaxation here.
5. Kali Art Inn – Koveskal, Hungary
Last, but by no means least, an honorable mention for the award-winning Kali Art Inn hotel in Hungary’s Kali basin, part of the Balaton Uplands National Park in Hungary’s celebrated wine-producing region, less than two hours from Budapest.
This is one of the most renowned boutique rural hotels in Europe. With rustic-style rooms and premium luxurious suites across a hectare of exquisite countryside, this rural retreat is something special. While the seductive surroundings will beckon you to explore, the on-site restaurant, spa, pools, sauna, and garden will make it difficult to break away from.
We hope these have inspired you to take a break from it all and explore some of the incredible natural countryside sitting just beyond our cities.
Have you been to any of our top rural hotel picks? Do you have any amazing rural hotels in Europe recommendations to share? Tell us in the comments.
Don’t forget, book your top-quality free tours in destinations around the world on FREETOUR.com!
