Vacation Like A VIP: 20 Of Europe's Most Celebrity-Frequented Hotels

George and Amal Clooney hosted their wedding at the opulent Aman Venice back in 2014, bringing Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Cindy Crawford (among many others) along for the celebrations. This 16th century palazzo was purchased by luxury hotel group, Aman, and reincarnated as one of Venice’s most jaw-dropping boutique hotels, fusing aristocratic charm with modern amenities. With picturesque views across Venice’s Grand Canal, exquisite interiors, and Aman’s unparalleled reputation for luxury, it’s no wonder that it has continued to attract a star-studded guest list.

The Kardashians took Florence during Kim and Kanye’s 2014 nuptials and stayed at Villa San Michele–originally a Renaissance-era monastery that is now one of Italy’s most revered boutique hotels. The historic Villa is situated on a cliffside overlooking the Tuscan capital’s star attractions, including the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. Lush gardens frame the beautifully appointed hotel, which is as much a cultural gallery as it is a place to sleep; its façade is attributed to Michelangelo and it has an exhibition of the city’s best street artists running throughout the 2017 season. Other notable guests include Julia Roberts, Elton John, and Prince Charles, who visited earlier this year with Camilla.

Bulgari Milan is practically another catwalk during Fashion Week. Bella Hadid, Lottie Moss, and Lily Aldridge are regulars and it’s utterly packed with celebrities, models, and designers during the show seasons. The garden bar (Il Giardino) is undoubtedly the most stylish address in the city for aperitivo hour. If you’ve ever wondered where people can actually get away with dressing like Chuck Bass, it’s here. Picture a man sipping a martini in a full yellow suit with aviators and snakeskin shoes–that's just a regular Sunday night.

Originally owned by the Guinness family, Hotel Cipriani is a hidden paradise in central Venice. Now owned by the Belmond Group, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt have all stayed at the hotel. George Clooney even designed a cocktail for its gorgeous Gabbiano Bar, which overlooks the pool and has views of the magical Venetian skyline.

Greta Garbo referred to Grand Hotel Tremezzo as ‘that happy, sunny place’ back in 1932, and that glowing perception still resonates with well-heeled jetsetters, royalty, and celebrities today. James Bond even made an appearance when parts of Casino Royale were shot here for the 2006 remake. The Art Nouveau landmark occupies a prime position on Lake Como in Tremezzo, across from Bellagio and adjacent to the famed Villa Carlotta gardens, which holds jazz concerts during the summer. Natalie Portman, Gwen Stefani, Van Morrison and Edward Norton are just some of the notable guests that have checked in here over the years. George Clooney, who has a place nearby, is also known to frequent the hotel’s restaurants that boast menus created by iconic Italian chef, Gualtieri Marchesi.

Game of Thrones has recently put Dubrovnik on the map, but the medieval city has been a magnet for celebrities and royalty for years. Set in a UNESCO world heritage site, the Dalmatian coast gem has become a staple on the itineraries of jetsetters looking further east for European getaways. Hotel Bellevue and its larger sister property, Hotel Excelsior, have played host to the likes of Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth. Movies including Robin Hood and Star Wars have been shot in Dubrovnik and some of the cast members are rumored to hideout at these stylish seaside retreats while on location.

In the 1960s, Lebanese businessman Jean-Prosper Gay-Para built Hotel Byblos in the hopes of wooing Brigitte Bardot. Although his romantic pursuits did not work out, he was incredibly successful in creating a celebrity playground, where the likes of Grace Kelly, Mick Jagger, Cher, and more recently, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Leonardo DiCaprio have spent nights. This year, the iconic destination is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, it is partnering with a number of luxury brands to create unique products and experiences for its guests, including a Dom Pérignon sampling and a limited edition model by Rolls Royce. Not convinced of its celebrity prowess? Hotel Byblos is a short ride from the iconic Le Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach, which has hosted more celebrities than the Dolby Theatre.

Hotel du Cap has been a Hollywood go-to since the beginning of the 20th century, playing host to the industry heavyweights that make the annual pilgrimage to the French Riviera for the Cannes Film Festival. This May, Hotel du Cap hosted the amFAR Gala for the 9th year running, as well as the De Grisogono Party, which saw its lush grounds transformed into a black tie extravaganza. Over the years, the iconic hotel has hosted everyone from JFK to the Victoria’s Secret Angels. And, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry notoriously announced their relationship at Hotel du Cap via an Instagram of themselves sprawled on the front staircase in their bathrobes.

Lone is a modern breed of hotel that is putting eclectic design and wellness at the forefront. This hidden gem on Croatia’s Istrian coast resembles a cruise ship parked in the middle of the forest. It’s the country’s first and only member of the exclusive Design Hotels network, and since opening in 2011, it has hosted musicians, actors, and the Trumps. Parts of 2013’s highly anticipated film, Diana, were shot at the hotel–and Naomi Watts made it her Rovinj home while on location.

Sex and the City’s final episodes were shot at the famed Plaza Athénée–one of the most beautiful hotels in the City of Light. The ornate hotel has been a symbol of Parisian elegance since it opened its doors in 1913, boasting the most spectacular, cinematic views of the Eiffel Tower. Their celebrity guest roster is beyond impressive: Johnny Depp, Jackie Kennedy, Anna Wintour, Penelope Cruz and more have been spotted here over the years, and it continues to attract the fashion set during the ready-to-wear and Couture show seasons. Photo: Eric Laignel

The glamour of Slim Arons’ poolside photography is immortalized at Il Pelicano. Pictures of stylish jetsetters sprawled across its rocky shoreline are featured heavily in his legendary 1974 book, A Wonderful Time, which showcases the rich and famous at play. The hotel, which is located in Porto Ercole, has hosted the Missoni family, European royalty, and icons from a bygone era: Charlie Chaplin, Henry Fonda, and Gianni Agnelli, to name a few. Trust us: vintage seaside charm never looked so chic. Photo: Slim Arons

Located in the bohemian enclave of Deià, La Residencia is one of Mallorca’s most idyllic hideaways. It was owned by Richard Branson in the 80s, and it was where Princess Diana famously took refuge when her marriage unraveled. The secluded resort is set in an amphitheater of mountains, surrounded by a sculpture garden and views of the Mediterranean. Famous faces that can often be found here include Tom Hiddleston, Kirsten Dunst, Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Gwyneth Paltrow, among many others.

Ever wonder where those postcard Instagrams of Positano were shot? The ones with the cascading rainbow of villas, tiled church dome, and a yacht-dotted Mediterranean in the background? Chances are, they were taken from Le Sirenuse – one of the Amalfi Coast’s most gorgeous seaside resorts. Poppy Delevingne, Sienna Miller, and Eddie Redmayne are just a few of the notable guests that have graced this hotel's vine-laced terrace, and Reese Witherspoon honeymooned here with her husband, Jim Toth, in 2011.

Every year, designers, musicians, and models flock to the whitewashed wonderland of Mykonos. The Greek island is known for its azure-blue seas, incredible Cycladic architecture, and amazing beach clubs, like Nammos and Scoprios, where the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariah Carey, Hugh Jackman and Alessandra Ambrosio have been spotted. Mykonos Grand is considered one of the most beautiful boutique resorts on the island, with a private beach, lavish rooms and one of the coolest cocktail bars to watch the sunset. Superstar actor Benedict Cumberbatch has been spotted here along with a slew of musicians, models, and moguls.

This historic Milanese landmark has been a go-to for cosmopolitan travelers since the 1920s. Notable guests include Queen Elizabeth, Madonna, Sofia Coppola, David Beckham, and the boys of One Direction, who caused quite the stir when they toured there in 2013. The hotel's famed Principe Bar is a hive of activity during Milan Fashion Week, and the hotel’s Michelin-star restaurant, Acanto, is considered one of the city’s best dining destinations, offering unique interpretations of traditional Milanese cuisine.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had some of their first-ever dates at Soho Farmhouse last year, where things appeared to escalate quickly. The exclusive members’ club (which is part of the Soho House group) has lured London’s high society out to Oxfordshire since opening in 2015. This countryside hotspot is a hit with Fashion Week’s front row regulars: Kate Moss, Rita Ora, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Georgia May Jagger, Suki Waterhouse, and Cara Delevingne have all been spotted in the country retreat. The Beckhams, who recently bought a house nearby, are also bound to drop in for a meal or drink at the hotel's famed restaurant and bar.

Ibiza has a reputation for being Europe’s party epicenter, but many celebrity guests prefer the northern side of the island, which is more known for its wellness retreats and isolated beaches rather than DJ sets. The Giri Residence, which is located on the outskirts of San Juan, is popular with the likes of Jade Jagger and Kate Moss. It offers only five exclusive suites within a converted 150-year old finca (farmhouse), proving that sometimes the ultimate luxury is having the option of being invisible. Even though this hotspot is more remote, you won't miss the party scene; it’s only 30 minutes from the boom of the southern side of the island, where clubs like Pacha and Amante are located.

Parisian elegance and fashion have both been synonymous with the Ritz Paris since 1898. It has a suite dedicated to Coco Chanel (who lived there for many years), and it has played host to some of fashion’s most illustrious figures: Gianni Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld, and the supermodels of the 90s, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Shalom Harlow. This storied destination has appeared in three Audrey Hepburn films and entertained a number of famous literary figures during the jazz age. Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “When I dream of an afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place at the Ritz Paris.” Most notably, Princess Diana had her last dinner at the hotel back in 1997, before tragically passing away in a car accident later that night. Photo: Vincent Leroux

Portugal’s Algarve Coast has been a popular destination for travelers seeking sun, sea, and sand for decades. The dramatic coastline has all of the qualities of the Cote d’Azur, without the crowds and mass tourism, making it an appealing spot for celebrities seeking a relaxing hideaway. Vila Vita Parc is one of the region’s most beautiful seaside resorts that has been favored by celebrities, politicians, and sports stars since it opened in 1990. The resort boasts panoramic views, gardens brimming with palm trees, and a stunning private beach. The villa is regularly modernized with chic interiors, Michelin-star restaurants, and activities like private wine tours and boat cruises around the coast.

There’s a pianist, waiters in tuxedos, and gardenia flowers lining the entrance. Villa d’Este is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places on earth. The Lake Como landmark was the venue for John Krasinski and Emily Blunt’s nuptials in 2010, and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen spent their wedding night here as well. Neighbors George and Amal Clooney are also known to drop in with their famous friends. Originally built as a private home in 1568, Villa d'Este has attracted European aristocracy and notable visitors including Elizabeth Taylor, Edith Wharton, Frank Sinatra, and more recently, Tom Cruise and Orlando Bloom. Alfred Hitchcock shot his first feature film, The Pleasure Garden, on the grounds back in in 1925.