The sun has finally got his hat on but that doesn’t mean you should spend the whole summer on our oft-miserable floating rock. If you’re looking to get away from it all for a weekend city break JOE has identified some of most affordable and chic spots in some of the world’s liveliest cities.
Whether you’re laughing at David’s wee lad in Florence, harassing beautiful women in Stockholm or paying Dutch ladies for hugs (and more apparently) we’ll make sure you won’t feel light of pocket once you’ve checked in with our fine choices of places to stay.
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Amsterdam – The Times Hotel
Home of morally dubious laws, narrow houses and a language overly reliant on pesky vowels, there’s no better spot in the Netherlands than Amsterdam. Situated in a prime central location, the three-star Times Hotel is within walking distance to the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) and Amsterdam Centraal railway station.
A flawlessly designed, modern experience, the Times mixes comically steep stairs, sleek desks, Renaissance-era art and plush red carpet with unlikely success. Each room is uniquely designed and the hotel is in a cosy location overlooking the Herengracht canal. Try getting a room with a view overlooking the Herengracht for the full Times experience.
With psychedelic stylings, a friendly atmosphere and picturesque setting, this is a real find within Amsterdam and will impress any potential suitor. Just remember that even if your lodgings are immaculate, it doesn’t mean your behaviour need be if you’re looking to really explore the potential of this crazy city.
Double rooms at the Times Hotel start from €99 a night. For further info visit http://www.thetimeshotel.nl/
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Stockholm – Mälardrottningen
When you think of Sweden, it’s difficult to not get an erection. An impossibly cool nation, beautiful landscapes and of course the high-cheekbones of the goddesses that stroll unawares down any Swedish street spring to mind. The prime attraction of Sweden is of course its stunning captal Stockholm, of which we recommend the lovely Mälardrottningen boat-hotel, docked on the tiny island of Riddarholmen.
Though boat hotels are nothing out of the ordinary in Sweden, the three-star Mälardrottningen Hotel is an affordable alternative to the pricier rivals docked in nearby Södermalm. The boat features 60 cabins, wifi, ensuite facilities and even a sauna available for private bookings. Not surprisingly, there’s a nautical décor scheme: navy carpeting and blue upholstery abound, whilst dark wood ceilings and furniture help seal the Mälardrottningen’s classic appeal.
Once you’ve made it ashore we heartily recommend a visit to the maritime Vasa Museum on the island of Djurgården. Here you can gawp at the only near-fully intact 17th century ship that has ever been savaged, the 64-gun warship Vasa herself.
Though she may not be quite as noteworthy, the Mälardrottningen is an impressive ship in her own right. Double rooms start from €94 a night, with single rooms available from just €89.
http://www.malardrottningen.se/
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Prague – Dahlia Inn
The crown of Central Europe, Prague has long been one of the most spectacular cities of Europe. The one-time capital of the Holy Roman Empire is remarkably well-preserved, with sights to be found around nearly every street corner. During your stay we recommend the three-star Dahlia Inn, a ten-minute walk from Wenceslas Square, the main city square and boulevard of Prague.
Dahlia’s website describes itself as a “small boutique hotel with a modern designâ€, which is exactly what you can expect. A family-run hotel, Dahlia is a real gem within the city as it provides all the mod cons at a stunning price per stay.
With a recently renovated lime green and purple colour scheme, Dahlia is very much a modern establishment in what is in many ways a very traditional city. Continental breakfasts are available for just €3 per person also.
With the whole of Prague at your fingertips, this boutique hotel is an ideal choice to make the most out of your city break without having to making any sacrifices for your lodgings. Single rooms at the Dahlia Inn start from a stunning €35 whilst a double room will only set you back €39. For further info visit http://www.dahliainn.com/
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Florence – Bavaria Hotel
If Assassins Creed 2 has taught us anything, it’s that Florence is the perfect city to stab strangers whilst accessing our ancestor’s genetic memory. If you’re visiting the Tuscan capital for the safer option of sightseeing, Florence is an art-lover’s dream, with incredible Renaissance treasures at every turn.
Florence is, however, a notoriously expensive city to visit, with a swathe of visitors staying at nearby Pisa, an hour’s drive from the city itself. Nonsense we say – if you do your research, you can easily afford to stay there.
Our pick is the lovely Hotel Bavaria, a traditional spot just a short walk from the jaw-dropping Duomo. With antiques, frescos and ornate tile floors, Bavaria has a uniquely Italian flavour and more importantly, an agreeable cost per stay.
Once you take a stroll outside we recommend a trip to the spectacular Palazzo Veccho. In the nearby Uffizi Museum you can find Botticelli’s breathtaking Birth of Venus whilst the Palazzo’s courtyard houses an identical replica of Michaelangelo’s David – a real time-saver if can’t make a trip to the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze to him in person.
For far too many reasons to list here, Florence is always worth a trip and a couple of nights at the Hotel Bavaria ensures you’ll have plenty of cash to spend on the numerous museums during your stay. Single rooms at the Bavaria start from just €40 whilst a double room costs just €45. For further info visit http://www.hotelbavariafirenze.it/
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New York – Amsterdam Court Hotel
A concrete jungle were dreams are made, apparently, New York is probably the world’s greatest city. As such, the Big Apple offers a dizzying array of shopping and sightseeing options – you’d barely scratch the surface of NY if you had spent a month there. If that is your intention though, it’s important you can find a hotel with a great location that doesn’t cost the earth. Step forward the Amsterdam Court Hotel on West 50th Street in Manhattan.
Situated in the heart of Times Square and minutes from the famous Radio City Music Hall, the recently remodelled hotel has 199 rooms, all of which feature luxurious platform beds and a glossy decor. Standard rooms are identically decorated, so if you’re visiting a friend or travelling solo it’s an ideal pick. It’s tough to recommend one activity in New York above any other but we reckon you can’t go wrong with a boozy afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
Double rooms at the Amsterdam Court range from €79-327 so we advise you to book carefully. For further info visit http://www.amsterdamcourtnyc.com/
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