No self-respecting luxury hotel is without its own website. Here, I've picked some of the more self-consciously fashionable European establishments, all with sites to match their aspirations. I've also included a link to a site where you can find cheaper alternatives in the same area. All prices are for one night in a double room.
Hotel Bel Ami, Paris
hotel-bel-ami.com
From £148
So industrial in conception that the breakfast room is called the "cantine", it also has internet stations and an espresso bar in the lobby.
More affordable: parishotels.com
Ca'Pisani Hotel, Venice
capisanihotel.it
From £122
Not Venice's most ostentatious hotel - that is the Cipriani - but probably one of its most modern: it calls itself "the design hotel".
More affordable: venere.it/it/venezia/
Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Côte d'Azur
edenroc-hotel.fr
Prices not listed
You have to admire a hotel that lists its celebrity guests in alphabetical order on its website. The other online attraction is the ability to zoom in on various parts of the lush 25-acre estate by clicking on an aerial photograph.
More affordable: monte-carlo.mc/cap-d'ail/heber.html or nicetourism.com
One Aldwych, London
onealdwych.co.uk
From £195
Each of the rooms here contains original artwork. Some have their own gymnasium.
More affordable: timeout.com/london/accom/
Malmaison, Edinburgh
malmaison.com
From £115
Once you've worked out that you need to scroll across rather than down the page, this is an admirably concise effort - if somewhat familiar in tone. Wines are serious, nibbles are naughty, room service is vroom.
More affordable: visitscotland.com/accommodation/
Le Melezin, French Alps
amanhotels.com/mele_m.html
From £277
The only Aman hotel in Europe, Le Melezin is situated near the skiing resort of Courchevel 1850. The granite bathrooms are particularly luxurious.
More affordable: themagicmountain.com
Relais della Rovere, Tuscany
tuscany.net/rovere
From £96
Fabulous gardens, a marble swimming pool and friendly service: the only disadvantage is the steep climb home if you're eating in the local town.
More affordable: tuscany.net/
Ashford Castle, Ireland
ashford.ie
From £146
The bedrooms are plush, but the bars and dining rooms are better. Limitless sporting activities are available.
More affordable: goireland.com/ireland/irish_castle.htm
Reid's Palace Hotel, Madeira
reidspalace.orient-express.com
From £160
A 19th-century palace perched on the cliffs over Funchal bay. Scroll through the photos for a picture of George Bernard Shaw learning to tango on the lawn.
More affordable: madeiratourism.com/link2uk.htm
Kendov Dvorec, Slovenia
relaischateaux.com/site/us/FicheAdherent?RcId=71242
From £43
A medieval house in the Slovenian mountains boasting extraordinary carved beds.
More affordable: krka-zdravilisca.si
Dornroeschenschloss Sababurg, Germany
slh.com/sababurg/
From £89
Claims to be the castle where Sleeping Beauty slept in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale (and has certainly re-enacted the story). Wild boar, stags and bison roam the grounds.
More affordable: kempinski.com/hotels/hoteldeu/
As Janelas Verdas, Lisbon
heritage.pt/janelas.html
From £91
A small mansion dedicated to the memory of Portuguese novelist Eca de Quieros.
More affordable: portugalinsite.pt
· Readers looking for luxury should also visit mandarinoriental.com, relaischateaux.com, slh.com, lhw.com, savoy-group.com, thebestintheworld.com and four seasons.com for inspiration.
