Just the ticket: Europe's 10 best train station hotels for a first-class stay
The oldest railway hotel in London, the Great Northern, opened its doors in 1854, and was reborn some years ago as part of the Kings Cross redevelopment project. Just a stone's throw from St Pancras, it's perfect for a pre-Eurostar treat, with a range of rooms from compact couchettes in the style of a continental carriage, to airy Victorian-era rooms in gold and muted greens. The GNH Bar & Terrace offers alfresco aperitifs or cocktails in the moodily lit bar, while upstairs Rails offers a tempting menu of classic British dishes. Doubles from £291 room-only, gnhlondon.com
Directly across the road from Madrid's Atocha station – the hub for exploring much of Spain by train – the Only You is a delight of a hotel. The ground floor is an open-plan bar and restaurant, called Trotamundos, with a show kitchen serving up poke bowls and Asian dishes. Rooms are light and airy with a clean, almost Scandi-chic feel, but the real bonus is the roof terrace, where you can take in expansive views across southern Madrid; the perfect spot for early evening cocktails and a plate of croquetas at the buzzy Sép7ima restaurant. Doubles from £187 room-only, onlyyouhotels.com
Exploring Scotland by train is an adventure and the Grand Central makes an ideal base for a first night, housed in Glasgow's main station. Behind the imposing Victorian frontage, rooms are chic, fun and modern, with pops of colour and crisp, unfussy decor. No journey should begin without a glass of bubbles at Champagne Central, a swishly elegant bar that feels like stepping back into travel's golden age, with a nice line in 'wee' plates (everything from haggis bonbons to corn cakes with beetroot hummus) and sumptuous afternoon teas. Doubles from £144 room-only, vocohotels.com
Just two minutes from Milano Centrale, this is an ideal overnight stay whether you're on a multi-country itinerary or exploring Italy by rail. The Nyx has shaken up Milan's slightly staid hotel scene with live DJs and retro arcade games in the lobby, street art along the corridors and slick, comfortable bedrooms. The Clash Bar and Restaurant does a good line in cocktails and the 12th-floor roof terrace is a great spot to start the night. Doubles from £146 room-only, leonardohotels.co.uk
Within easy walking distance of Marienplatz, the Oktoberfest and the Isar river, the Aloft is also slap-bang next to Munich's central station, making it an ideal stopover for either a late arrival into the city, or an early start. Rooms are a touch corporate, but the hip, communal areas more than make up for them, with a tree-dotted outdoor terrace, live music events at the WXYZ bar and a 24-hour re:charge gym with cardio machines and free weights. Doubles from £98 room-only, marriott.co.uk
Exploring the Scandi capitals by train – Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo are all linked by rail – is a great multi-city trip, and the Radisson Blu, set right next to Stockholm's central station, is super-convenient after a long day of travel. Head to the 17th-floor cocktail bar, HIGH, for sweeping views of the city, or to the restaurant, Stockholm Fisk, for the best locally caught seafood. Doubles from £124 room-only, radisson.com
The best-connected hotel in the city, Barceló Sants sits directly above the station. There's a fun, futuristic feel to the hotel, rather like staying on the set of a sci-fi movie, with oversized portraits of astronauts in the cavernous lobby, portholes with 'space views' in the neat white bedrooms and Eero Aarnio egg-style chairs dotted around the communal spaces. The two restaurants, Oxygen and Hydrogen, offer buffet dining and high-concept Heston-esque dishes respectively, while the Orbital bar keeps the space theme going. Doubles from £90 room-only, barcelo.com
Begin a rail adventure in Portugal and Spain with a stay at this elegant hotel housed inside Santa Apolónia station, on the banks of the River Tagus. Rooms are spare but chic in a palette of muted blues, some with balconies overlooking the water. Dinner at Impulso has a glamorous vibe, with the long bar in the centre designed to feel like a restaurant car, and a menu of all the local produce and ingredients that arrive into Santa Apolónia by train. Doubles from £131 B&B, editoryhotels.com
Situated just across the road from Belgium's hub for both Eurostar and high-speed Thalys trains, the Novotel is also within handy walking distance of all of the main sites in Brussels, including the Grand Place. This isn't a hotel for a romantic break, but the fuss-free rooms guarantee a good night's sleep, there's a pleasant outdoor terrace and the impressive buffet breakfast will set you up for the day, however long your journey. Doubles from £103 room-only, novotel.co.uk
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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
I stayed in the Airbnb alternative trying to do things differently
Metro Checks In to Limehome, a holiday rental platform that's hoping to give Airbnb and VRBO a run for their money. I love Spain, particularly its mainland cities; gazing at Gaudi's masterpieces in Barcelona, watching flamenco in Madrid, and of course, eating tapas anywhere, anytime, at any given opportunity. But as a British tourist, Spain doesn't always love me back. Backlash to mass tourism has snowballed in the past year, with locals complaining of overcrowding and short-term rentals wiping out affordable housing in holiday hotspots. At first glance, Limehome, a sort of Airbnb alternative which offers short-let apartments in 153 European cities, might seem like it's adding to the problem. But the strategy is different. Limehome aims to transform unused urban buildings into hotels and apartments, reducing the impact on housing for locals. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'This approach helps bring new life to city areas without impacting the availability of residential housing,' a spokesperson told Metro. They've recently acquired an office building in Paris, which will be transformed into 25 apartments, as well as an unused building in Burgos, a city in Northern Spain less popular with visitors than its famous neighbours. I headed to the Limehome in Ruzafa, Valencia's trendiest neighbourhood, to check it out. Limehome is a hotel-holiday apartment hybrid. There's no reception or concierge — it's all done via an app. You can check in online before your stay, much like you do for a flight. Then, on the day of arrival, you're sent the codes which you use to access the building. To some, this could feel impersonal, but it's quick, easy and faff-free. Opening the door to the light-filled apartment, it's clear to see that providing a clean, comfortable stay is the priority. The aesthetic is all clean lines and grey interiors, with a pop-of-red kitchen. There are a few extra touches to make the place feel cosier, such as houseplants and colourful art on the walls. If a hotel full of personality and local tips is what you're after, this isn't for you — if you'd told me I was the first person to stay here, I'd have believed you. There's no guest book or well-worn pamphlets like you might find in an Airbnb, and I didn't see a single other guest for the three days I was there. But the apartment was spotless, the kitchen stocked with everything you need (including an all-important bottle opener) and the Wi-Fi super fast. Someone visiting Valencia on business would be equally at home here as a group of friends on a city break. The apartment I stayed in had one bedroom, plus a sofa bed in the lounge/dining area. It was spacious, more than big enough for the maximum four people that could stay here. Beds were comfortable, and the bathroom was equipped with shower gel and shampoo, unusual for stays like this. As a self-catered apartment, you won't find any adds on: there's no spa or swimming pool, for example, but the standout feature has to be the cute balcony that looks out onto the street below. Small but compact, it was the perfect spot to rest my legs after a long day of sightseeing, sangria in hand, of course. A special shout-out also goes to the full-length mirror – this should be a must in every holiday accommodation, but it's not. Often, when staying in a self-service apartment, it's all about location. You're foregoing the luxury amenities of a hotel, in exchange for staying right in the action. That's certainly the case for Limehome Valencia, which is in the heart of Ruzafa, Valencia's hipster neighbourhood. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink: from aesthetically pleasing brunch spots (I liked Casa Raíz with it's cute outdoor courtyard), and some of the best tapas I've ever eaten (I lost count of the amount of plates I ordered at La Anjana) to quirky cocktail bars (La Bella De Cadiz is quite a sight to behold…). There are vintage stores and art galleries, and Ruzafa is known for being particularly LGBTQ+ friendly, with rainbow flagged adorned from various balconies and awnings. And, while it's not Valencia's most famous area for street art (you'll have to head to El Carmen for that), Rufaza feels colourful and creative. You'll still be able to spot some amazing murals if you keep your eyes peeled. You feel like you're hanging out with the locals here, who spill out of bars, and drink Agua de Valencia — a lethal but delicious cocktail — on the kerb. The only downside is that it's not exactly quiet, and it was a little noisy when attempting to sleep. That being said, as a Londoner who lives on a main road, I was able to drift out without any problems. That's not as straightforward as you might think. Limehome uses airline-style dynamic pricing driven by demand, the local market price, and the respective occupancy rate at the location. Rates rise during peak periods (such as during Valencia's famous street-festival Las Fallas in mid-March) and falls when demand is softer. At the time of writing, a standard room in Valencia for a small one-guest apartment will cost: October 8 2025: €123 per night January 14 2026: €98 per night When I first arrived, I threw open the doors of the balcony, and was immediately confronted with a banner hanging from the window of the flat opposite, with the words 'tourists go home'. Perhaps I should have opted for an alternative destination or a locally-run hotel — as Metro's Lifestyle Editor, it's not like I'm unaware of up-and-coming cities that aren't overrun with visitors. More Trending I tried my best to be a responsible tourist. I booked tours with local companies, bought produce from local suppliers at the Central Market, and ate food at restaurants owned by Spanish chefs. Yes, I may have stayed in a short-term let, but Limehome is at least attempting to do things differently. Am I trying to justify my trip to a country that welcomed a staggering 17.3 million British tourists in 2023 alone? Maybe. But I'm not ready to give up my love affair with Spain just yet. Time: Valencia is GMT +1 hours. Weather: The average daily temperature in July and August is around 31°C. Spring is much cooler, with highs of around 21°C in April. Adaptors: Plugs in Spain are type F, which has two round pins. Visas: Currently, there is no visa requirement for UK tourists visiting Spain. However, next year 2026, UK citizens will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). Check in/check out: 3pm and 11am. Disability access? Yes. Limehome Valencia has a lift, which offers access to all floors. However, not all Limehome apartments are the same, and it's important to check before booking. Standout feature: The right-in-the-heart-of-it location, and little balcony. Perfect for: Limehome Valencia would suit pretty much every type and group of guest, from families to business travellers. Not right for: Those looking for a stay with bags of character. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Europe's 'Paris of the East' is an underrated gem with £37 flights and 31°C August weather MORE: Family forced to hide in their cabin during £8,000 cruise from hell MORE: European seaside town takes aim at tourists with sassy poster and begs for 'decorum'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
The mountain retreat - upholding an Italian tradition
The wheels on Josh Doig's plane had barely kissed Italian tarmac before he was whisked off to the Alps for a lung-pumping, leg-burning pre-season training camp with his new team-mates."They said to me if you sign, you can go home, pack a bag, come back," laughs the Scotsman, reflecting on his arrival at Hellas Verona in July 2022. "I was expecting to be drip fed into it."But literally I signed, then two hours [drive] straight up to the mountains, not speaking the language - it was terrifying, but after a few days I loved it."The ritiro pre-campionato - translated as pre-season retreat - is something of an Italian have long swapped hot and humid summers for fresh mountain air and picturesque surroundings in the north of the country, spending weeks preparing for the new season at high-altitude camps."You have almost six weeks off with your family and then 17 days away," adds left-back Doig, now with Sassuolo in Serie A and speaking from his fourth such retreat, this one in the quiet Alpine village of Ronzone."When you're in the mountains it's just head down and work hard. You feel dead on your feet every day but it is good because you know you are getting something out of it."It is a shock to the system but it gets you right back in the swing of things with your fitness and the football way of mind."While many clubs, particularly those in the Premier League, now opt for lucrative global tours, the 'ritiro' remains relatively unscathed heritage in Serie A."Every player has grown up with this kind of tradition," explains Genoa sporting director Marco Ottolini. "Maybe we have more mountains than other nations!"This summer, only AC Milan ventured outside Europe, playing in Hong Kong and Australia, with several clubs setting up retreats at their own training bases and 12 still making a trip to the slopes. Antonio Conte's Napoli are even doing it twice."You have better air, oxygen," says Gokhan Inler, technical director at Udinese, who have made a short hop across the border to Austria. "You are more controlled with food and sleep. It helps build the group, new players come in faster." Italian disciplinarian Fabio Capello recreated a similar retreat with England before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, grilling the squad away from friends and family in the small village of Irdning, tucked away in the Austrian Italian football journalist Daniele Verri explains, would use the remote camps to control their players' behaviour or stop them partying in pre-season."Fans wouldn't even know where their clubs would go," adds Verri. "Now you get full houses."Over time, the culture has changed - as well as open training sessions for fans, most clubs allow players' families to visit, the camps have become shorter and there are more team-building activities. Genoa's players, for example, have spent time rafting and on mountain walks."In the past it was much longer," explains Ottolini from Genoa's base at Moena, in Val di Fassa, where they spent 11 days."There were clubs that stayed in the mountains for three weeks and for me that was something that was damaging the mental health of the players. Now you have to manage the breaks, give some free time to do different activities."Training methods have evolved too, of course."When I was younger it was more mountain runs, up and downs, more physical, 1,000m runs back and forth," says former Switzerland midfielder Inler, who spent eight seasons in Serie A with Udinese and Napoli."Then slowly it changed. Some coaches, like Rafael Benitez, liked to run but on the pitch with a ball."Now on the pitch you can do everything - more people, more scientific materials, you can check more data. Before you had GPS, but basic things, now you see sprints, distance, all these things to fine-tune the body." For Patrick Vieira's Genoa, a typical day - when there are no friendlies - consists of a morning and afternoon session, around which the players can use the spa and swimming pool, or do some recovery work with the physio."Patrick has brought a lot of self-consciousness and he transmits this kind of charisma, this calmness in the right way that is good for everybody," says Ottolini."Patrick is very organised, he gives the right breaks to the players and then in that hour when there is training he wants their full concentration, their full focus."At Sassuolo's camp, it has also been daily double sessions under Italian World Cup-winning left-back Fabio Grosso."It is full on," explains Doig. "We always do running or gym in the morning and always ball work in the afternoon. The gaffer is good with that."Now it is getting more tactical. Tactics, games in the afternoon - it gives you something to look forward to after the hard session in the morning."Of course, there is still always time for golf. "There is a beautiful course, Dolomiti Golf Course, five minutes' drive away," smiles Doig. "Whenever we get an afternoon off, we're straight there for like five hours." 'It's an event' - why Napoli have two camps As well as friendlies and open training sessions, clubs lay on events for visiting fans - Genoa boss Vieira spoke in the square at nearby Alpine resort Canazei and players took part in a table football tournament."It is traditional for the supporters," adds Ottolini. "They like to come with families to watch games and training, to stay a bit closer to the team compared to what they can do during the season."So popular are the retreats among Napoli fans, they have put on two this summer."In the 1980s, all Italian teams went to the mountains - fresh air, to build team spirit. It was really just between team-mates," says Naples-based journalist Vincenzo Credendino."Now the retreat of Napoli is an event. They train during the day and then in the night there is always an event."One night cinema, another night the presentation of the team, another there is Conte with his staff answering questions from people, another with four players, a disco night - it's a holiday village, really!" But there is also an economic incentive for side spent 11 days in Dimaro Folgarida, in Trentino's Val di Sole, before heading for two weeks in Castel di Sangro, in the Apennine Mountains in Abruzzo."For the regions, it is good to have Napoli because Napoli bring a lot of fans who go to hotels, restaurants, they kayak, mountain bike," explains Credendino."It's a lot of money - it's like a real business for the regions for Trentino and Abruzzo. They pay Napoli to come but they earn much more."Verri adds: "For a mountain resort looking for visibility, it can mean a lot to host a top club's pre-season training camp. It attracts publicity and above all fans, lots of fans."That is why it can be worth attracting teams for the retreat with sponsorships, free accommodation and various benefits."It begs the question - would clubs consider ditching the traditional retreats for more lucrative overseas options in future?"For the player it is hard," says Inler of that option. "After a long season, you go to a tour and it is a big fatigue, especially mentally. Smaller clubs, you are here in Europe, then it is less fatigue."If you are higher, if you are a better player, everybody wants something from you, the club needs to promote you, needs to promote the club - the higher you go the more you have to do."
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Mid-Suffolk Light Railway celebrates track extension
A heritage railway is celebrating an extension of its track which it hopes will give customers a "more complete experience".Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, at Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket, has added just under a kilometre of track after being given permission by the secretary of state for will be able to travel in a steam train along the new track during a special event on Saturday and Meigh, chairman of the railway, said the extension had meant "a lot" to the volunteers. "I think the families and children are our bread and butter - that's what we're doing it for," he said."We're giving them a taste of what it was like 100 years go and with Victorian carriages, they are different."It's not an experience they necessarily would have had another time." With the extension it means passengers can enjoy almost 2km of railway in total, whereas the original line ran to 19 miles (30km) between Haughley and first carriages to run on the new section of track will be hauled by the 135-year-old guest locomotive, the Sir Berkeley. Paul Davey, a volunteer driver and founding member of the heritage group, said he "loved" steam locomotives."It's a dream come true," he said of the line extension."Half my lifetime really I've been involved with [the railway]. It's a great achievement for everyone involved." The railway is only open to the public for 30 days of the year and Mr Meigh said he believed it had struck the right balance between ticket prices and its for the weekend are £12 for an adult, £10 for concessions for people over 65, £6 for children, and a family of four pay £30."We do rely a lot on our supporters, it is about donations as well as ticket receipts because to run a steam engine is not cheap," Mr Meigh added."It's very much more expensive than diesel. Coal is expensive."It's old technology; it requires a lot of skilled volunteers to maintain and look after them, but it's a pleasure."There's something magical about steam." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
