Lobbies We Love to Lounge In: Our Top Picks across Europe
Seven hotels where the lobby is more than just a waiting room for your room key.
Hotel lobbies aren’t merely transitional spaces. At their best, they are living rooms for travellers: places to read, sip, work, meet, or simply watch the city flow by. Some are temples of design, others social hubs with afternoon tea rituals or cocktail bars tucked just a step away. These seven lobbies across Europe invite you to linger longer.
Armani Hotel, Milan
Minimalist precision is Armani’s calling card, and the lobby at his namesake hotel is no exception. Sleek greys and neutrals, concealed lighting, and low-slung furniture create a private, almost couture-like atmosphere. It feels more like a designer’s salon than a hotel check-in, perfect for discreet meetings or a quiet espresso before the city’s bustle.
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, Paris
Few spaces in Paris radiate such grandeur. The Crillon’s marble-clad lobby, crowned with sparkling chandeliers, blends Versailles-style heritage with carefully curated contemporary art. Guests often stay for more than a check-in — there’s a discreet lobby lounge service for coffee or Champagne, and the sense that you’re stepping into a Parisian salon where history and modernity waltz together.
The Connaught, London
Step into Mayfair refinement. The Connaught’s lobby welcomes with wood panelling, marble floors, and a fireplace that warms the entire space. Just beyond lies the celebrated Connaught Bar, so the lobby doubles as a meeting point for design lovers and cocktail seekers alike. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed here too, turning the space into a bridge between quiet luxury and sociable elegance.
Hotel de Rome, Rocco Forte, Berlin
Housed in a former 19th-century bank, Hotel de Rome’s lobby still carries that sense of gravitas. Marble columns, vaulted ceilings, and an understated colour palette nod to its history, while soft seating and attentive service make it a relaxed spot to work or people-watch. Afternoon coffee here feels particularly atmospheric, as Berliners drop in for meetings under the soaring ceilings.
Conservatorium Hotel, Amsterdam
A glass-roofed atrium carved into a 19th-century music conservatory, this lobby is one of Europe’s most spectacular. Sunlight streams in, illuminating an interior filled with plants and contemporary design. Locals and travellers alike use it as a social hub — from casual laptop work during the day to lively aperitifs at the Lounge & Brasserie by evening. The lobby has the air of a public square, only far more stylish.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
The Ritz’s Belle Époque bones have been lovingly restored, and the lobby sets the tone: marble floors, sweeping arches, and an easy flow into its bar and terrace. Afternoon tea is a Madrid institution here, while the adjacent Palm Court restaurant gives the lobby a constant energy. It’s a meeting point for diplomats, artists, and stylish Madrileños, where one can stay tucked into a sofa long after check-in.
