What are the best InterContinental hotels in Europe? The best include InterContinental, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Malta, London Park Lane, Paris Le Grand, Madrid in Spain, London The O2, Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel in France, Vienna in Austria, Amstel Amsterdam, and Athenaeum, Athens.
Interestingly, some of the hotels in our listing are not only some of the best luxury hotels in Europe, but they also offer free executive club lounge access if you book via our luxury travel concierge.
1. InterContinental Ljubljana
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and the largest city, and the InterContinental Ljubljana is housed in the tallest building in the city. The building is modern, and floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views across the city from every room.
The curving and picturesque Ljubljanica River is lined with outdoor cafes where you can spend the day away sipping a coffee or a beer and watching the boats chug by. People wander past, making this city a brilliant destination for the summer. You can fly on Easyjet directly into Ljubljana, Slovenia (LJU) from London Stanstead or London Gatwick.
The InterContinental is located near Ljubljana Old Town, which is ideal for exploring the city’s top sights. Start your day with a stroll to historic Prešeren Square. Stop to admire the sculpture of 19th-century poet France Prešeren, take in the baroque architecture, or listen to talented local buskers. The city’s medieval heart lies across the iconic Triple Bridge. Immerse yourself in 900 years of history with a visit to the fortified castle before shopping for artisan bread and cheeses at the Central Market.
Enjoy a stunning sunset cruise on the glittering Ljubljanica River in the evening before returning to the hotel for an apéritif at Bloom lounge bar. If you decide to go out, the concierge can book tickets to the Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, only a few minutes walk from this Ljubljana luxury hotel. If you’d rather stay in, head upstairs to B restaurant, where you can savor mouthwatering international cuisine and fine wine as you admire the twinkling lights of the city skyline.
At Luxury Travel Diary, we choose InterContinental branded hotels for their exceptional Club Lounges, usually offering an excellent view. The Club InterContinental in Ljubljana offers complimentary breakfast, afternoon bites, and evening drinks and canapés daily.
2. InterContinental London Park Lane
InterContinental London Park Lane features at the top of our best club lounges in London. This hotel is one of the best InterContinental hotels in Europe!
The InterContinental London Park Lane is an elegant luxury hotel in the heart of London. It offers rooms of varying sizes with incredible views across Regents and Green Park and the Hyde Park Corner roundabout. It also has a great gym, Elemis Spa, two excellent restaurants, and an unbeatable location.
There is a hint of Oriental in the newly refurbished rooms with pretty blossom designs on the headboards, loads of mirrors, and light, warm marble bathrooms. Therefore, I recommend requesting one of these newly refurbished rooms, as they are stunning.
Club Lounge access is free here if you book via our concierge, along with free benefits, including a room upgrade on arrival, early check-in / late check-out (all subject to availability), and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The view in this club lounge is an absolute winner. It is simply the best view from any Executive Lounge in London. The view looks south toward the Thames with Big Ben and the London Eye in the distance to your left, Hyde Park corner in the middle, and Knightsbridge to your right. On Guy Fawkes night and New Year’s Eve, you can enjoy the distant fireworks across the London skyline from this wonderful lounge. In the distance, you can also see the spires of Battersea Power Station and Green Park, with Buckingham Palace hidden in the trees beyond. You are literally looking down on the Queen (assuming that she is in residence!).
Beyond the view, this lounge has so many great features. There are loads of fridges with water and any cold drink you could wish for. Throughout the day are nuts crisps, homemade biscuits, and snacks. The staff will also help you with any business services, from color printouts to help with anything else you want.
The breakfast here is massive and delicious. There is a buffet and an A La Carte, so you can select from cheeses, smoked salmon, salads with olive oil, yogurts, a glorious array of fruit and berries, Bircher muesli (particularly good and a personal favorite!), cereal, yogurt, muffins, and bread, as well as some delicious pastries.
There is a British Style offering on the A La Carte with eggs as you like; Florentine, Benedict, full English, and options like pancakes. I doubt there is much you couldn’t request, and crucially, everything is cooked to perfection. I like Eggs Florentine; the poached eggs are soft in the middle whilst the white is cooked to perfection.
In the afternoon, delicious afternoon tea is served between 3:00 – 5:00 pm and is arranged on a wedding cake-style up-and-up tray with scones and cream, an array of sandwiches, and any drink you want, including, of course, their excellent tea. There is none of your teabag rubbish here. All the tea is made from dried leaves. It is the little touches that make a big difference.
In the evening, the food offering is limited. Drinks are available 5:30 – 7:30 pm, including a nice selection of canapes, but that is it. Do not expect a full evening meal. You will need to eat out. On the plus side, Theo Randall’s restaurant downstairs is excellent, and you are missing out if you do not try his pasta. Easily the best pasta in London.
It is worth noting that the lounge staff are incredibly generous with topping up and supplying drinks. Champagne, cocktails, beers, and wines are available, and expect to be pestered into “just another one” at 7:30 pm before the bar closes. Even after the bar is officially closed, the staff seem happy to refill you or bring out an extra glass of beer. In fact, one evening, the staff suggested lining up 2 or 3 beers and glasses of wine to keep us topped up through the evening.
The only way to get free lounge access at some InterContinental hotels is to book via a Virtuoso and Luxury and Lifestyle agent like our concierge. High-tier members don’t get free lounge access, and neither do Royal Ambassador or Ambassador cardholders.
3. InterContinental Paris Le Grand
InterContinental Paris Le Grand easily offers one of the best club lounges in Paris. The last time I was in the InterContinental Paris club lounge, we booked a wonderful rooftop room in the eaves of this historic hotel. The view was out over the rooftops of Paris, and it couldn’t have been more romantic. The InterContinental Le Grand is conveniently located in the Opera district, very close to the Place Concorde, Rue Faubourg Honore, Champs Elysees, etc. The hotel has been beautifully refurbished and remodeled and is one of Paris’s most beautiful and luxurious hotels.
Even if you have loyalty status or are an InterContinental Ambassador, you will be charged around 150 Euros to access the club lounge at this InterContinental in Paris. If you book with us, you get all your usual benefits, and we can apply your loyalty number to your booking so that you can collect your points. Plus, you will also get Club Lounge access absolutely free, even when you book their standard room.
Even if you are not an InterContinental loyalty member, you will still get all our concierge’s benefits when you book into this hotel in Paris via our concierge, which means you get a free upgrade, free breakfast, and free club lounge access.
The lounge itself is a very pleasant space on two levels at the top of the hotel. The upper level has great views of the Opera, and the whole lounge offers free internet. Start your day with a delicious breakfast with eggs made to order and juices, as well as a glass of champagne (Moet) if you like. Breakfast is available every day from 7:30 am – 10:00 pm.
Enjoy their cold buffet at midday, with high-end items like foie gras, smoked salmon, hams and cheeses, and free-flowing Nicolas Feuillatte champagne.
Indulge in their delicious pastries at tea time, and at the end of the day, enjoy a light supper in the lounge, which is open until 10:00 pm. Expect excellent service with a generous delivery of unlimited champagne and wine to drink each night, along with beer, spirits, and soft drinks. Canapes included duck liver paté and lots of cheese.
4. InterContinental Malta
InterContinental Malta has a wonderful sun-kissed pool, a superb executive club lounge, and even a beach just 100 meters away. This luxury hotel is also conveniently and centrally located in the prime area of St. George’s Bay. It is only a 20-minute drive from Malta International Airport and a 15-minute drive from Valletta, Malta’s historic capital city. From the hotel, you can walk to some of the islands’ finest shopping and entertainment locations.
While in Malta, you will explore 7,000 years of pulsating history, and wherever you go, the island’s scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop. There is a great deal to see and do with fine weather almost the whole year round, dramatic and ancient architecture, picturesque beaches, crystal clear waters, and a wide variety of entertainment.
InterContinental Malta has established itself as the Mediterranean’s leading hotel of distinction. Bringing a new level of luxury to the island, the Highline Suites are the best hotel rooms in Malta. They blend sophisticated interiors with impeccable service and stunning Mediterranean views. Each of the 30 suites is a masterpiece of impeccable modern design. Spread over a space of up to 220 m², they feature designer furniture from Minotti, Bang, and Olufsen sound systems, huge ensuite bathrooms, and luxurious linen.
All suite guests can relax and let the world pass by with stunning island views, the Mediterranean Sea, and the rooftop SKYBEACH infinity pool, pictured above (non-suite guests do not get access to this pool, so it’s worth splurging on). The accompanying bar and grill restaurant provides private and intimate attention whilst offering pristine comfort and enjoyment.
On the 19th floor, the exclusive and chic SKYHIGH bar is open to all guests, and this lounge is the perfect place for pre and post-dinner lounging. Serving the best gins, spirits, whiskeys, fine wines, and luscious cocktails prepared by talented bartenders.
Also, guests staying in the suites will have access to the Club InterContinental lounge, an exclusive space that’s perfect for soaking up the Mediterranean vistas over a sumptuous breakfast or pre-dinner cocktail. The lounge includes a dedicated reception, meeting room, sumptuous breakfasts, all-day refreshments, afternoon tea, pre-dinner drinks, and canapes. The hotel’s personnel is on hand to help at any time of the day or night.
The hotel’s leisure facilities cater to every guest’s inclination and fancy. They include a lagoon-styled outdoor swimming pool, a heated indoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center with two squash courts, an aerobics studio, a hair salon, a private sandy beach, and business services.
5. InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu
The InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu was originally a palatial 18th-century hospital that has more recently been exquisitely restored to five-star hotel standards. Curved archways provide rooftop views. Stately plazas and opulent furnishings make this hotel the best in Marseille.
Perched at the top of the Panier hill, in the oldest quarter of Marseille, is the InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu. This hotel is the most majestic of luxury hotels, designed in warm yellow stone in this stunning port city. The hotel is situated on a hill, on the edge of the Panier (Old Town), and near lively bars and restaurants that sit on the waterfront.
Artwork and original features make this hotel rather unique. The lobby is ultra-stylish, with black and white striped walls and rows of black vases on plinths. Overlooking the Vieux Port, the hotel’s massive staircases, vaulted passages, and magnificent terraces all bear witness to the former status of the building: the Hôtel-Dieu, a superb 18th-century edifice inaugurated by Napoleon III.
While there is no outdoor pool, the concierge will arrange access to a private swimming club across the Old Port. The indoor pool is classy and comes complete with a waterfall and sunburst lighting.
If you’re seeking a moment of sheer revitalizing relaxation, visit the Spa by Clarins with five treatment booths, including a double VIP booth linked to the indoor swimming pool, relaxation areas, and a spacious fitness center. The spa offers you a bubble of physical and spiritual relaxation with Provencal tones.
The InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu features 179 rooms and 15 suites, including 72 with views of the Old Port and 33 with magical private terraces. Rooms are modern and decorated in a mix of chocolatey colors with blackout curtains and coffee machines. The toilet and a rainfall shower are separated by the frosted glass in the bathroom. Toiletries are local, courtesy of Compagnie de Prov.
In terms of dining, guests can enjoy the finest gourmet Michelin-starred Mediterranean creations at the cozy and welcoming restaurant Alcyone. While the modern Les Fenêtres brasserie offers chic, contemporary dining, especially on its magnificent outdoor terrace in summer, with dishes full of all things Provencal and audacious.
Evening drinks are best at Le Capian bar, one of the trendiest bars in the whole of Marseille and a huge favorite among cocktail enthusiasts.
6. InterContinental Madrid
InterContinental Madrid has the best executive club lounge in Madrid, but we still prefer the Four Seasons as our best hotel choice in Spain. The problem with InterContinental Madrid is that it is situated on the Paseo de la Castellana on the northern side of the Salamanca fashion district.
This means it is not an easy walk into the city center, and you would be wise to hop on the tube at the nearby Rubén Darío metro station. Some argue that this is an exciting area with the 24-hour outdoor Museo de Arte Público, with works by 20th-century Spanish sculptors displayed underneath a rather depressing concrete flyover. We think that this location, away from the main pedestrianized center, is far from ideal for a leisure trip to Madrid.
The hotel is a very nice 5 star, which was the palace of the Dukedom of Aliaga. Original red marble pillars, chandeliers, and white marble floors are classy and regal if slightly dated. The whole place feels slightly old-fashioned, although obviously luxurious.
Rooms are large and mix mustard and brown, and bathrooms have black marble and are very nice as you would expect. El Jardín is a wonderful restaurant with an al-fresco feel and French windows overlooking the central garden.
Like the rest of the hotel, this InterContinental club lounge is not very stylish, with classic, classy decor that lacks the modern touch. There are lots of orangy-colored woods and blue and mustard carpets, and it is open from 7:00 am – 11:00 pm.
The lounge includes a private breakfast, which is usually very good at InterContinental hotels, with a very good buffet and a la carte hot dishes. Beyond breakfast, there are snacks and drinks throughout the day, and in the evening, there is a large buffet with appetizers, snacks, and drinks. Also included in this club lounge is Wi-Fi throughout your stay, an ironing service (I’m not clear if this is free), and a 10% discount at restaurant el jardín & brunch. InterContinental Club lounges are excellent, and even though I am not a fan of this hotel’s location, this is definitely the best executive club lounge in Madrid.
Club Lounge access is free here if you book via our concierge, along with benefits including a room upgrade on arrival, early check-in / late check-out (all subject to availability), and complimentary Wi-Fi.
7. InterContinental London The O2
It’s hard to choose between the two InterContinental hotels in London The best: InterContinental London Park Lane vs. O2. InterContinental London Park Lane arguably has a better location, but the O2 has a great pool, is on the banks of the Thames, and also offers incredible views.
If you are looking for a luxury hotel near the O2 venue near Greenwich in East London, Intercontinental London, The O2 is your best luxury choice. It is, in fact, directly connected to the O2 by a corridor. The hotel is located a few steps from the O2 Arena and around a 5-minute walk from North Greenwich Tube station, around 30 minutes to a 1-hour ride from central London, depending on where you are heading.
I stayed here for the World Travel Market 2017, held at the Excel Exhibition Centre, and the journey was superbly convenient. The Emirates Air Line cable car is a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Hop on this cable car, which takes you above and over the River Thames with spectacular views of the Thames Barrage and London Airport before you “land” on the other side of the river just along from Excel. It’s a brilliant way to travel, as long as you don’t mind heights! The Excel exhibition center is just a 5-minute walk from the cable car station.
The hotel is also convenient for flights out of London City Airport. The airport is just 3 stops away via the DLR, east London’s Docklands Light Railway. I love the DLR. These driverless trains travel on rails, which are mainly around 10 meters aloft, making it a picturesque way to travel around this side of the city.
Beyond the O2 and stations, there is no high street to explore in the hotel’s vicinity, but you can easily connect to charming Greenwich by riverboat. It is well worth spending an afternoon in Greenwich; it’s full of history with the Royal Observatory, the historic ship the Cutty Sark, and a green park extending up a hill, offering excellent views of London.
Swathes of marble, glass, and steel make the communal areas feel modern but very grand, like the foyer. The hotel itself looks over the river and out to the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, and all the main bars and restaurants embrace this fantastic view, so this really is a spectacular place to stay. Rooms have 42-inch flat-screen TVs and bathrooms with black marble everywhere. They are really smart and modern, and if you get one with a river view, the views are stunning.
There is a 24-hour gym, a large pool, and a spa at the InterContinental London The O2. The pool is 1.2m in depth throughout, with a Jacuzzi area at one end, and is surrounded by luxury loungers with plenty of natural light. It really is a joy and is connected to the ESPA spa area, so it smells nice, too! It is worth noting that kids can only use the pool at certain times of the day, which has advantages and disadvantages depending on whether you stay at the hotel with kids or not.
A huge 453 rooms (yes, this is a big, luxury hotel) start with Superior rooms at 29 – 32 m². We recommend Club InterContinental rooms, which start at 42 m² and come with Club Lounge access. We have reviewed the Club lounge at the InterContinental London The O2 separately.
There are plenty of choices here, with two bars and three restaurants, including the exceptional Peninsula Restaurant with 3 Rosettes. If you get Club Lounge access, you hardly need to use them!
Breakfast is served at the Market Brasserie, and you could not wish for more choice. Cereals, bread, muffins, hams, smoked fish, eggs any way you like them, meats (sausages, bacon), salads. I could go on, but suffice to say that you will find something lovely to munch on. The Eighteen Sky Bar is worth mentioning as the views are some of the best I have seen across London, right at the top of the building.
8. InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel
I adore the South of France, it’s like a playground for luxury travel, and the gorgeous city of Bordeaux in the southwest of the region is one to include in your visit. Stay somewhere as stunning as the city itself at the InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel.
The hotel lies on the Place de la Comédie in the very heart of the city’s ‘Golden Triangle.’ The passionate city of Bordeaux is a delightful contrast between the historical and the contemporary; known for its architecture, art, and history as much as its gastronomic scene and, of course, the wine! Almost everywhere in the city is within walking distance, but the tram stops right outside the hotel if you don’t fancy walking.
The hotel is housed in a former stately home, built in 1789, but has been somewhat of a legend in the hotel business for over a century. Recently renovated by renowned designer Jacques Garcia, the hotel now exudes an elegant, Baroque opulence that feels inherently French and divinely luxurious.
The facilities are predictably excellent, which is what you would expect from the best hotel in France (World Travel Award 2018)! The exclusive leisure and relaxation area includes the ultra-glamorous spa with its decadent designer pool, ten treatment rooms, hammam, fitness center, tea room, and outside terrace; there can be few better ways to spend a lazy afternoon than chilling in the jacuzzi with a drink from the bar whilst you soak up the magnificent city.
There are 130 rooms, 44 of which are suites, and 21 of these offer spectacular views of the Grand-Théâtre (L’Opéra National de Bordeaux) and the Place de la Comédie. All the rooms feature amenities that exceed even those you would expect with luxury travel; think heated floors, marble bathrooms with bathtubs, ornate furnishing, high-tech television systems, and a daily newspaper. Upgrade your room for a view, and even better, upgrade to a Suite for more of that chic, opulence, more space, and an even better view.
The illustrious British chef Gordon Ramsay reigns supreme in the hotel’s restaurants, so you are in for a treat. Beautiful gastronomic restaurant Le Pressoir d’Argent boasts 2 Michelin stars and a menu rich in local produce. In Le Bordeaux Gordon Ramsay brasserie, you’ll find culinary delights from both Southwest France alongside traditional British dishes. Gordon Ramsay also oversees the food served in the bars, the Conference and Banqueting department, and Room Service, so you’ll enjoy the Ramsay touch wherever you dine! Evenings here must always end at the stunning, trendy, vast roof terrace: ‘Night Beach.’ It’s infamous throughout Bordeaux for its elegance and chilled vibe, plus breathtaking 360°panoramic views of Bordeaux.
9. InterContinental Athenaeum
InterContinental Athenaeum is one of the best luxury hotels in Athens. It combines elegant contemporary design and the classical architecture of the Acropolis with a serene spa, and gourmet restaurants add a subtle touch of luxury.
Spend the day exploring the city’s world-renowned ancient sites or the boutiques and galleries of Kolonaki before returning in time for champagne cocktails at the rooftop bar.
One of the highlights of this InterContinental hotel is that you can book a club room and get access to the brilliant executive club lounge here. This is one of the best hotel club lounges in Athens. The clubrooms themselves offer aristocratic accommodation and stunning views of the city’s most important historical points of interest, with the Acropolis standing majestically among them.
French architect Pierre Yves Rochon designed the InterContinental Club Rooms specifically to meet and fully satisfy the needs of even the most discriminating of guests. With impressive spaciousness, colors reminiscent of Greece, with blue hues pervading, refined wall coverings and fabrics, leather, wood, and clear glass, these rooms are rather special.
The Club Rooms have unrestricted access to the 8th floor Club InterContinental Lounge and its graceful window looking out onto the wonders that stand proud on the rock of the Acropolis opposite. Guests of the lounge have included Liza Minnelli, Neil Armstrong, Sean Connery, and the Rolling Stones, so you will hopefully feel like a superstar when you are staying here.
10. InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam offers stunning views of the Amstel canal and an amazing pool where you can swim overlooking the same rippling canal. Sipping a beer on the terrace at the water’s edge in the summer is a joy.
This beautiful hotel is situated on the banks of the river Amstel, a short distance from the main tourist attractions of Amsterdam. It’s a pleasant walk from the center and attractions, including the Rijksmuseum (a must-see), the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank Museum.
Opened in 1867, this hotel exudes a regal, relaxed format throughout the property. There are generous business facilities and all the luxury you would expect from a premier hotel.
A very decent-sized pool with a spa is located on the hotel’s upper level, which is perfect for that late afternoon rest after a day of sightseeing. Ample eating and dining facilities are available, with also the option of room service. A very helpful concierge desk awaits your trip planning.
There is a total of 79 rooms in the hotel. When you enter the property, the grandiose lobby would suggest a much larger property. The rooms vary in style. There are two different decors, red or blue wallpaper. You can pick which room you prefer.
The large penthouse suite has a mansard roof overlooking the river Amstel, a wonderful ensuite bathroom, and a desk and sitting chair to enjoy the view.
There are four establishments where you can enjoy food and drink. Restaurant La Rive and the Amstel Brasserie are located in the basement and enjoy the most wonderful views at the canal level, giving a sense that you are floating on the canal. Champagne breakfast is served in the restaurant, and it is quite an amazing display of food.
There is also an option to have an individually prepared breakfast. On the ground level in the lobby is the A Bar, where there is an extensive cocktail menu, and the bartender is very knowledgeable about what you are just about to enjoy.
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