November 11, 2026, 9:22 am | Read time: 4 minutes

In the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 by Condé Nast Traveller, readers from German-speaking regions have, for the first time, selected their favorites in the travel world—from hotels and destinations to airlines and cruise providers. Voting took place online from July to August 2026 on the German website of the travel magazine. The awards have been held in the U.S. for 39 years and in the UK for 29 years.

In the “Best Hotel in Europe” category, the victory goes to Germany: The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg takes first place with 18.3 percent. Following are the Hotel Sacher in Vienna (6.9 percent) and the Forestis Dolomites in South Tyrol (6.2 percent).

Europe’s Best Hotel is on the Alster

That a Hamburg hotel, of all places, leaves the international competition behind will please many who know the Vier Jahreszeiten. The traditional grand hotel is located directly on the Binnenalster and has been one of the city’s most famous hotels since the late 19th century. Today, it features 156 rooms and suites, as well as a spa and fitness area. Culinary offerings are also prominent: The hotel includes the Haerlin restaurant, which has been awarded three Michelin stars.

Noteworthy is how clear the result is: With 18.3 percent, the Vier Jahreszeiten receives more than two and a half times as many votes as the second-place hotel. And it doesn’t stop with the Europe title: In the Readers’ Choice Awards, the Hamburg establishment was also voted the best city hotel in the DACH region with 20.7 percent, ahead of the Adlon in Berlin and The Fontenay, which is also in Hamburg.

Price: from approximately €560 per night

2nd Place: Hotel Sacher in Vienna

Few hotels are as closely associated with Vienna as the Hotel Sacher. The traditional establishment is located directly opposite the Vienna State Opera and was opened in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, the son of the inventor of the famous Sachertorte. To this day, the Original Sacher-Torte is as much a part of the hotel as the opulent rooms and suites that recall the long history of the house. In 2026, the Sacher celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Price: from approximately €750 per night

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3rd Place: Forestis Dolomites in South Tyrol

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The Forestis Dolomites, located above Brixen in South Tyrol, presents itself quite differently. Situated at an altitude of 1,800 meters, the hotel is nestled in the mountain forest with views of the Dolomites. Particularly striking are the three slender wooden towers, inspired by tree trunks, that connect to the historic main building. The Forestis opened in its current form in 2020 and features 62 suites and an almost 2,000-square-meter spa area.

Price: from approximately €750 per night

Ranking of Luxury and High Prices

Notably, staying at the three winners is not cheap. All are in the high-end luxury segment. The fact that the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is not only popular with readers was already evident in 2025: At that time, the Michelin Guide awarded the Hamburg establishment the highest rating of three Michelin Keys. The results of the Readers’ Choice Awards once again show that among Europe’s most popular hotels, exceptional luxury accommodations are highly favored.