How Germans choose hotels in Europe: criteria and 5 examples

The hotel you book in Europe is no longer chosen by stars, at least not for German travelers. They look first at the neighborhood, the cancellation terms, and the reason for the trip. Stars are still in the listing, but other criteria make the decision.

In 2025, Spain accounted for 15.0% of all trips abroad by residents of Germany (according to DRV). Italy, Greece, and Austria are close behind, but each wins for different reasons. We looked at which hotels Germans choose today and how to find the right one for your own trip.

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🌍 Where Germans travel in Europe

💡 In short:

• Spain holds first place among Germans' foreign destinations, followed by Italy, Greece, and Austria.
• The type of stay is chosen to match the reason for the trip: beach, city, or recovery.
• Destination shares of Germans' foreign trips: 10/2026, according to DRV.

Four countries remain the core of European vacations for people in Germany. Spain suits those who want a reliable sea, a short flight, and well-developed infrastructure. Italy draws visitors with its cities, cuisine, and hotels with character. Greece stands on its islands and quiet resorts, while Austria relies on mountains, thermal springs, and short drives.

If you travel as a family, infrastructure and meals matter more. If you travel as a couple, you look at atmosphere and quiet. Below is a comparison that makes it easy to get a feel for each destination.

To avoid choosing the wrong destination, it helps to picture your usual day on the trip in advance. If you plan to spend it on the beach and come back to the hotel for dinner, the distance from the shore, shade by the pool, and kids' areas will be decisive. If you are heading to a city, the location within the neighborhoods matters more, as does how many minutes it takes to reach the station or airport on an early departure. Austria suits those who want to combine short mountain walks with an evening in a thermal complex, and in that case you check ahead what exactly is included in the price of spa access.

🏨 Which hotels Germans choose today

Germans book hotels by a clear profile, not at random. Families choose complexes with well-thought-out kids' areas, meals, and a short walk to the beach. Couples look for design, a quiet courtyard, and a center within walking distance. For those who go to recover, a spa, nature, and flexible booking terms matter.

Classic luxury is judged more strictly than before. Prestige alone doesn't work: people look at cancellation terms, a consistent level of service, and how well the hotel fits the reason for the trip. Environmental criteria also influence the choice more strongly than before. Guests increasingly notice how tourism changes local communities, and you will see this in hotel selections.

Travel tips from Trip1 can help you check these reference points. Trip1 is an online hotel booking company: on its site, hotels are searched by city and dates.

⭐ Five hotels Germans look at

Below is an editorial selection: five hotels with different profiles for typical requests from German guests. This is not a ranking, but examples of how a hotel matches the reason for a trip.

1. Sani Resort, Halkidiki

A resort complex on the Halkidiki peninsula in Greece. According to the resort's website, it is made up of several hotels with private beaches in a shared area.

• Location: Halkidiki peninsula, Greece.
• Who it's for: families with children and those who want to switch beaches without leaving the hotel.
• Where to look: the hotel is also on Trip.com.

2. Iberostar Selection Anthelia, Tenerife

A hotel on Tenerife right on Playa de Fañabé beach. According to the hotel, it has several pools and access to the shore without crossing a road.

• Location: Tenerife, Spain.
• Who it's for: families and couples who need a beach next to the hotel.

3. Hotel de Russie, Rome

A city hotel in the center of Rome. It is designed for city trips where location and quiet are valued over the size of the grounds.

• Location: central Rome, Italy.
• Who it's for: couples and those visiting the city without a car.

4. Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden, Austria

A spa hotel on Lake Wörthersee. Based on its description, it suits a stay with treatments and walks by the water.

• Location: Carinthia, Austria, on Lake Wörthersee.
• Who it's for: those who go to recover rather than for the beach.

5. Ikos Andalusia, Andalusia

An all-inclusive resort on the Andalusian coast. It suits those who want a ready-made daily routine without constant decisions about food and entertainment.

• Location: Andalusian coast, Spain.
• Who it's for: couples and families who value a relaxed stay without planning.

📲 What is changing about booking in Europe

Booking hotels in Europe has become more deliberate. Travelers compare options for longer and check the weather closer to the departure date. Flexible rates and clear cancellation terms have gone from an extra option to an ordinary expectation.

Sustainability also influences the choice. Guests notice how tourism affects local communities and are more willing to support hotels with local practices. Trust remains the main thing, though: before paying, you read reviews, look at photos of the rooms, and check what is included in the price.

It is worth planning your budget in advance, rather than at the moment of booking. Prices for the same dates change depending on demand and on how early you are ready to lock in a rate. For those traveling in a large group, it is easier to first find a suitable area and then compare specific hotels within it. That way you don't overpay for services you won't need on the trip.

🧭 How to choose a hotel for your trip

The choice comes down to a few steps that take less than an hour.

• Decide on the reason for the trip: beach, city, or recovery.
• Mark on the map the places you want to be closer to, and look at the hotel's neighborhood.
• Check the cancellation terms, the meal plan, and what is included in the price.
• Read reviews from the last few months, not just the overall rating.
• Compare the price for your dates and choose what suits you best.

If two hotels are similar, pick the one closer to your daily stops. Breakfast at the hotel is usually cheaper than at a café nearby, but check its opening hours in advance.

💶 What the price per night depends on

The price of a night in Europe is made up not of stars, but of the conditions around them. Season pushes the numbers up: in the height of summer the terms are tougher, in spring and autumn they are milder. Location decides too: a night in the city center costs more than in an outlying area near public transport.

The rate type determines flexibility. A non-refundable booking is usually cheaper than one you can cancel. Meals and included services are also built into the price in advance. Events and school holidays in particular cities raise the cost for specific dates.

So compare not the average price, but the cost per night for your dates and with your conditions. That way you see what you are actually paying for.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where do Germans most like to travel in Europe?

Spain leads, followed by Italy, Greece, and Austria. These destinations are chosen for the sea, culture, islands, and mountains, so the hotel type is matched to the reason for the trip, not only to the price.

Which hotels do Germans choose more often: resort or city ones?

It depends on the trip. Families choose resorts and club hotels with ready-made infrastructure. Couples and those heading to a city more often choose city and boutique hotels in the center, where location and atmosphere matter.

What should you look at when choosing a hotel in Europe?

The neighborhood on the map, the cancellation terms, the meal plan, and reviews from the last few months. Check how far it is to your main stops and what is included in the price. That way you compare not the price, but what you are paying for.

What role does sustainability play in booking?

It has become more noticeable. Travelers more often look at the impact of tourism on local communities and at whether the hotel supports local practices. For some guests this is an added plus, not a requirement.

Which of the example hotels suit different reasons for a trip?

Resorts such as Sani Resort in Greece and Ikos Andalusia in Spain, a beachfront hotel on Tenerife like Iberostar Selection Anthelia, the city hotel Hotel de Russie in Rome, and the spa hotel Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden in Austria.

Is it worth booking a hotel in advance?

Booking ahead is convenient: flexible rates are available and there is more choice of rooms. Some travelers put off the decision until closer to the date to watch the weather and prices. Choose based on your own risk: early booking usually gives more options.

In short: how to choose a hotel for your trip

If you are planning a beach vacation with your family, choose a resort with ready-made infrastructure and meals. If you are going to a city for the weekend, look for a hotel in the center and check the route to the main sights. If you are going to recover, choose a quiet spa hotel rather than a large resort.

Start with one clear criterion: the reason for the trip. Then narrow the list by neighborhood, cancellation terms, and the price for your dates. You can search for options for your dates, for example, on Trip1.