5 Europe’s Best Hotels (TRAVEL)

Olissippo Lapa Palace, Lisbon A palm-shaded outdoor pool and views of Lisbon’s red-tile roofs from 109 rooms. Newer Garden Wing rooms have balconies; those on the top 3 floors have views of the Tagus River. (Courtesy of Lapa Palace)

Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Loire Valley, France A former 19th Century hunting lodge with 31 empire-style rooms set on 178 forested acres. The hotel can arrange private tours of the region’s châteaux either in a hot air balloon or by helicopter. (Courtesy of Domaine des Hauts de Loire)

Hôtel de Crillon, Paris This Place de la Concorde landmark, built at the direction of King Louis XV in 1758, has not lost its ornate air. Flat-screen televisions bring modern touches to suites still filled with gilt and Baccarat crystal. (Courtesy of Hotel de Crillon)

Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Italy In 1997, when Richard Branson reopened this long-defunct hotel in an ornate 12th Century palazzo, Plácido Domingo set the tone as the first guest. But the main attraction? The Mediterranean Sea view, of course. (Genivs Loci /Courtesy of Hotel Palazzo Sasso)

Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy Nearly all the rooms in the poppy-red, 18th Century villa, with museum-quality antiques and hand-painted ceramic-tile floors, have a private balcony or patio overlooking the bay. (Courtesy of Le Sirenuse)

http://www.bbc.com/travel/gallery/20110503-europes-best-hotels