The hotel company invites you to explore seven European cities beyond the sights and experiences that traditionally define them, focusing instead on their more local, cultural and contemporary sides.
Bordeaux: 48 hours without drinking wine
The capital of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is much more than just one of France’s great wine capitals. To discover its more contemporary side, simply wander through its streets and neighbourhoods without setting foot in a single wine cellar. The walk can begin at the reflecting pool in the Place de la Bourse and continue towards Chartrons, a former merchants’ quarter that has been transformed into a hub of galleries, workshops and small shops. On the other side of the Garonne, the Darwin Ecosystem occupies a former barracks that has been converted into a space for urban culture, organic markets, sustainable gastronomy and much more. Another unmissable stop is the Bassins des Lumières, where a former submarine base has been transformed into a spectacular venue for immersive digital art. And to experience everyday Bordeaux, the Marché des Capucins – known as Les Capus – offers fresh produce and market-fresh cuisine. Because yes, Bordeaux breathes wine. But it also boasts an urban scene well worth discovering without even having to uncork a bottle.
Where to stay
Situated between Bordeaux city centre and the Lac district, it offers 166 spacious rooms, some with lake views, as well as the L’Aquitania restaurant, an elegant bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and direct access to the tram.
Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons
Situated in renovated former wine cellars in the historic Chartrons district. The hotel has 215 rooms, a restaurant under a glass roof, a garden terrace, a bar, fitness facilities and easy access to the Cité du Vin and the Bassins des Lumières.
Munich: no ‘Oktoberfest’
In autumn, Munich reveals itself as a city of contrasts where urban greenery competes with Bavarian grandeur. The Englischer Garten, one of the city’s great green lungs, invites you to stroll through its gardens and discover the famous Eisbach, where surfers brave the river’s waves even right in the city centre. The Glockenbach neighbourhood offers a bohemian alternative: street art on the façades, cafés serving organic cakes and vintage shops that speak of a creative and youthful Munich. And the banks of the River Isar serve as urban beaches where locals gather when the weather is fine. For lovers of art and culture, the Kunstareal, the city’s museum district, brings together everything from the great masters to contemporary art. A different side to Munich – quieter and more cultural – perfect for enjoying autumn on foot.
Where to stay
Mercure Hotel Munich City Centre
Located right in the heart of Munich, just a stone’s throw from the main railway station, its facilities combine international comfort with a contemporary design featuring traditional Bavarian touches, offering a warm atmosphere that includes a bar and a restaurant serving local cuisine.
Situated in a residential and business area in the Berg am Laim district, it offers excellent connections to the exhibition centre (Messe München) and the city centre via nearby public transport. This accommodation stands out for its functional, modern and budget-friendly approach, offering optimised rooms designed for rest and relaxation, along with a 24-hour bar.
Milan: architecture, canals and culinary identity
Milan is one of the world’s fashion capitals, but to reduce the city to the Quadrilatero della Moda is to overlook a large part of its character. The contemporary architecture of Piazza Gae Aulenti showcases Milan’s most modern architecture, whilst the Navigli district offers a glimpse of another side of the city amongst its canals, galleries and bars. Culture also plays a central role.
The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous fresco The Last Supper, remains one of the city’s major attractions. On the table, risotto alla milanese, cotoletta and panettone serve as a reminder that Milan’s identity is also rooted in its cuisine. Even the Duomo itself can be viewed from a different perspective from its terraces, before continuing your stroll through a city where history, architecture, design and gastronomy coexist just a few steps apart.
Where to stay
Situated in a major business hub, this 4-star hotel features 153 designer rooms, a restaurant serving Italian and international cuisine, a bistro bar, fitness facilities and a large car park, with a free shuttle service within a 10 km radius.
Right in the heart of Milan, housed in a historic building, this 3-star hotel boasts 439 soundproofed rooms, the 24-hour Lineauno Bar & Bistrò restaurant, a garden area, fully equipped meeting rooms and a business centre.
Lisbon: beyond the viewpoints and pastéis de nata
For Spanish travellers, Lisbon remains a nearby destination with the advantage of feeling like a foreigner without having to travel too far. But beyond the usual tourist trails, the Portuguese capital holds hidden corners that are well worth a leisurely autumn visit. The Tapada das Necessidades, an 18th-century park, offers an unexpected oasis of tranquillity right in the heart of the city, whilst Campolide showcases a more creative side of Lisbon through its urban art scene. The underground galleries of Loreto allow you to explore ancient passageways linked to the city’s water supply system and discover a part of its heritage that usually goes unnoticed. And to get a feel for everyday Lisbon, there’s nothing better than sitting in a neighbourhood tavern to enjoy dishes such as bacalhau à brás.
Where to stay
Ibis Styles Lisboa Centro LIBERDADE NE
Situated next to Marquês de Pombal Square and Avenida da Liberdade, with quick access to the metro, it features 98 rooms with a modern design and vibrant colours featuring designer furniture, a panoramic restaurant on the ninth floor with views of the city and the River Tagus, a bar and a buffet breakfast included.
This 4-star hotel has 249 spacious rooms equipped with sofa beds, a themed restaurant dedicated to bicycles called A Bicicleta, a bar, a fitness centre, 10 meeting rooms with natural light and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool ideal for families.
London: who said anything about museums and musicals?
London has more than enough museums, musicals and monuments to fill any trip. But it’s also a city that’s best explored on foot, without a fixed itinerary. In the East End, between Spitalfields and Shoreditch, food markets, independent shops and street art showcase one of the British capital’s most creative sides. Brick Lane retains much of that character, with such iconic spots as Beigel Bake, whilst Portobello Road and Camden offer two further ways to experience the city at street level. And when October arrives, the parks take on a special light that invites you to explore London at a leisurely pace. Because there’s another way to get to know the British capital: by leaving your ‘must-see’ list behind and following the rhythm of its neighbourhoods.
Where to stay
This 4-star hotel features 320 rooms with a minimalist, smart design and large windows, a restaurant serving international cuisine with a terrace, a lounge bar, charging points for electric vehicles and a bustling social hub open 24 hours a day for working or relaxing.
In west London, this 4-star hotel has 282 comfortable rooms equipped with Nespresso coffee machines and Chromecast, the international restaurant Barnaby’s Kitchen, a cocktail bar, a large conference centre and on-site car park.
Amsterdam: Neither Van Gogh nor tulips
The true creativity of the city of canals lies on the other side of the River IJ: a free ferry from Central Station takes you to the NDSM quay in fifteen minutes. The STRAAT museum occupies a huge industrial warehouse housing over 150 large-scale works by international urban artists. To the east, the NXT Museum uses light to explore the intersection between technology and society, whilst Pllek, a waterside bar built from shipping containers, offers the most relaxed way to round off the day. In October, NDSM OPEN simultaneously opens the studios of some 250 artists. The entire dockyard is transformed into an exhibition without walls. If you have time, a cycle ride along the leaf-strewn paths of the Vondelpark confirms that autumn in Amsterdam is as photogenic as ever.
Where to stay
This 4-star hotel features 192 rooms with a cutting-edge, minimalist and smart design, complete with large windows, a social bar, a 24-hour gym, a Grab & Go fast-food station and secure car park with electric charging points.
Mercure Amsterdam North Station
This 4-star hotel has 110 soundproofed rooms in a modern, light-filled style, a lounge bar, a 24-hour fitness centre, room service, on-site convenience shops and a buffet breakfast.
Warsaw: beyond reconstruction and history
In Warsaw’s Praga district, the façades of old buildings that survived the war still bear bullet holes, whilst on the ground floors, the lights of new cafés and designer shops are coming on. This area on the right bank of the Vistula has been a melting pot of cultures for centuries, and today, on the site formerly occupied by the Koneser vodka factory, 19th-century industrial architecture stands alongside a Google start-up hub, craft beer bars and the Polish Vodka Museum. If you visit between late September and early October, large Bavarian-style marquees spring up at the former Powiśle power station. Further south, a pumpkin field turns autumn into an experience. And at Terminal Kultury Gocław, the FolkOFF/ON festival blends old Slavic songs with contemporary electronic music.
Where to stay
Next to the famous Złote Tarasy shopping centre, this 4-star hotel has 338 rooms, a buffet breakfast, the Winestone restaurant specialising in international cuisine served on stone platters, a fitness centre, a spa and car park
Right in the heart of the city, this large 4-star hotel boasts 742 rooms, the NOVO2 Lounge Bar serving international and local cuisine, conference rooms and an exclusive wellness centre with a gym and sauna offering panoramic views across the city.
Further information: https://all.accor.com/a/en.html
About ACCOR
Accor is a leading global hotel group offering experiences in over 110 countries, with 5,700 properties, 10,000 dining outlets, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group boasts one of the most diverse hotel ecosystems in the sector, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands, ranging from the luxury to the budget segment, as well as the lifestyle segment with Ennismore. Accor focuses on driving positive change through corporate ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the US OTC market (symbol: ACCYY). For further information, visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Source: SERGAT Agencia de Comunicación