This category of award is for accommodation. Perhaps the most surprising thing I found when I looked back at the year is that I did not use Airbnb! Not even once. It has not been a conscious boycott, but perhaps something in my subconscious was giving me the message.
That aside, I stayed in a good variety of places across an equally broad variety of brands. Moxy tempted me into the world of pseudo-hipsters with stays at its Glasgow (SEC), Utrecht and Warsaw hotels. The Social Hub in Glasgow has a similar style.
Ibis tempted me in Gdańsk and Istanbul. Accor’s Novotel brand was my choice at Düsseldorf Airport and Intercity got my money at Berlin Airport. The Intercity is where I stayed in Bonn too – I like the brand, which is reminiscent of both Ibis and Novotel.
I stayed in a Steinberger for the first time on one of my Köln visits – very pleasant. Hampton by Hilton got my vote in Iași. The B&B Hotel chain is what I went for in Kraków. I reckon that is the fourth B&B Hotel I have used. They must be doing something right!
I have not become a brand animal… at least not entirely. I enjoyed the family owned, traditional Ott’s Leopoldhöhe in Weil-am-Rhein and in Chișinău I stayed in the small TA Collection – not traditional and not family-owned, but not part of an international chain either. It was one of my favourites.
Malbork (near Gdańsk) is too small to attract hotel chains so I used another small family hotel – Hotel Centrum. Again I enjoyed the change from the corporate, branded scene. In Dublin I moved well away from that corporate world and stayed in a student residence – the Destiny Student – Ardee Point residence. It was ideal. I hope I can go back in 2026.
The mightyTwice Hotel in Dresden is quirky, and could never be put into the “corporate” pigeon hole. I found lovely staff and great breakfasts as well as a super room. The Schultz got my booking in Berlin, on my way to Dresden. I stayed there in 2024 and like the feel of it, as well as the location. The staff are excellent too. “That combination of friendliness and efficiency which can be so elusive in hospitality…”
Looking back, I have been very fortunate with my choices and choosing a favourite has been very tricky.
I have gone for The Schulz in Berlin, but another five or six came very close.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2026
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