Get ready to explore Europe’s amazing retrofuturistic hotels! With a delightful mix of vintage-inspired designs and modern amenities, these unique spots fuse nostalgic vibes and contemporary comforts for any future past-inspired European trip.
Retrofuturism is all about imagining the future as people in the past once did. Think steampunk-inspired airships soaring through an alternate storyline; fast-forward to a 1960s sci-fi movie with spaceship chrome accents, and then vibe in front of the digital screens and sleek shapes of a Y2K-era pop music video. These retrofuturistic hotels in Europe will let you live out your sci-fi fantasies while enjoying 21st-century luxuries.
Europe’s Top Retro-Futuristic Hotels: Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Tonight
1. 1898 The Post
Graslei 16, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Located inside Ghent’s old post office building, 1898 The Post feels like stepping into another era. It is located along the Graslei and is close to St. Bavo’s Cathedral and Gravensteen Castle. The hotel keeps much of its early 20th-century charm, with high ceilings, dark wood furnishings, and warm lighting. The 38 rooms and suites are filled with antique-style furniture and deep green tones, making it feel like a mix of past and future in the best way.
Why is it one of our favorite European retrofuturistic hotels? The interiors lean into a steampunk-inspired aesthetic, with brass fixtures, vintage clocks, and a setting that feels like an alternate version of history where the industrial age kept evolving into something sleek and high-tech. The hotel’s bar, The Cobbler, adds to the retrofuturistic atmosphere with its moody lighting and leather seating, which make it feel like a hideout from a Jules Verne novel.
2. Steam Hotel
Ångkraftsvägen 14, 721 31 Västerås, Sweden
Once a massive steam power plant, Steam Hotel is now a striking mix of industrial heritage and retro design. Sitting on the shores of Lake Mälaren in Västerås, this 18-story hotel keeps much of its original structure, with exposed brick walls, towering windows, and iron beams. The rooms are filled with deep leather armchairs, copper details, and vintage-style lighting, creating a setting that feels both historic and ahead of its time.
Why is it one of the top retrofuturistic hotels on our list? Steam Hotel leans into industrial retrofuturism, blending the look of an old-world power station with modern high-tech comforts. The rooftop spa, dimly lit corridors, and mechanical-inspired interiors give it a cinematic quality. The hotel’s bar, Chamberlin, completes the feel with its rich textures and warm metallic hues, making every corner look like a set from a neo-Victorian sci-fi movie.
3. The Standard London
10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG, United Kingdom
The Standard London takes a 1970s Brutalist building and flips it into a retrofuturistic dream. Located across from King’s Cross Station, its exterior still carries the heavy, geometric lines of its past, but inside, it’s a different story. The hotel is filled with playful pops of color, circular windows, and an aesthetic that lands somewhere between a vintage sci-fi film and a Y2K-inspired lounge.
Why is it one of the best retrofuturistic hotels in Europe? The Standard embraces the bold, experimental design of the past’s imagined future. Its rooms feature space-age furniture, rounded edges, and glossy finishes that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Stanley Kubrick movie. The rooftop bar, with its glass-enclosed lift that climbs the side of the building, feels like something from outer space. It’s playful, weird, and unmistakably futuristic in a way that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
4. 25hours Hotel The Circle
Im Klapperhof 22-24, 50670 Cologne, Germany
Housed in a former insurance building from the 1950s, 25hours Hotel The Circle features a curved concrete structure and imposing circular design, which gives it an almost surreal quality, like a futuristic government building from an early 20th-century dystopian novel. Located in Cologne’s Friesenviertel district, this hotel embraces its unconventional architecture and a playful, retro-futuristic décor.
What makes it one of the best retrofuturistic hotels in Europe? The rooms feel like they belong in a retro sci-fi world, with round mirrors, modular furniture, and a mix of muted and vibrant colors straight out of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The top-floor Monkey Bar, with panoramic views of Cologne, adds to the atmosphere with its cosmic lighting. Somehow, this hotel combines the exterior of an oppressive regime’s Ministry of Propaganda with an optimistic vision of the future in its interior.
5. Hôtel Lutetia
45 Boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris, France
Located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Hôtel Lutetia is an Art Deco landmark that feels like something out of a retro-futuristic dream. Although this legendary Parisian hotel has been around since the turn of the 20th century, a modern renovation has infused it with a sleek, forward-thinking design. The original Art Deco curves remain, but they’re now paired with futuristic lighting, reflective surfaces, and a high-tech edge.
Why is it one of our favorite retro hotels in Europe? The interiors play with contrasts—classic Parisian elegance meets a bold, cinematic vision of the future. Rooms feature curved walls, geometric patterns, and metallic tones that wouldn’t look out of place in a 1920s vision of the 2050s. The hotel’s bar, with its glowing cocktail counters and mirrored walls, feels like a set from a 1920s sci-fi film, mixing old glamour with a touch of the unknown.
6. Hotel des Galeries
38 Rue des Bouchers, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Brussel’s Hotel des Galeries sits inside the iconic Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a 19th-century arcade that already feels like a glimpse into a different era. The hotel blends Art Nouveau’s early-1900s streamlined shapes and high-tech features. Its central location means you’re just steps away from the Grand Place and some of the best spots in the city.
Why is it one of the top European retro hotels? The interiors play with symmetry, curved structures, and light-filled spaces, channeling the experimental optimism of early 20th-century futurism. Brass fixtures, geometric patterns, and a mix of wood and glass create an elegant aesthetic.
7. Hotel Puerta de América
Avenida de América, 41, 28002 Madrid, Spain
Get jiggy with the new millennium at Madrid’s Hotel Puerta de América, a place that is pure Y2K realness. Each floor was designed by a different world-renowned architect, and, although it’s a product of the 2010s, it feels like stepping into the year 2100 through the lens of a 2001 top-40 music video. The exterior’s rainbow-like metallic panels are just the beginning—the interiors are a complete trip through different styles of speculative design.
Why is it one of the coolest retrofuturistic hotels in Europe? No two floors are alike, and that’s precisely what makes this place stand out. If TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ is your jam, Zaha Hadid’s all-white, curvy rooms are perfect for you. However, if you’re more of an early Destiny’s Child kind of traveler, then Jean Nouvel’s neon-lit dreamscapes will have you saying his name.
8. Room Mate Bruno
Wilhelminakade 52, 3072 AR Rotterdam, Netherlands
Like something out of a colorful retro-futuristic dream, Room Mate Bruno is housed in a former tea warehouse along Rotterdam’s waterfront. The hotel leans hard into bold geometric shapes, vibrant neon lighting, and a playful take on modern design. The bright pops of orange, electric blue, and magenta contrast with the building’s industrial shell, creating a striking mix of past and future. The rooms also tastefully integrate a space theme, with decor featuring different constellations that add to the futuristic atmosphere.
Why is it one of our favorite European retrofuturistic hotels? Walking into Room Mate Bruno feels like stepping into a hyper-stylized sci-fi universe where the 1980s never ended. The oversized circular light fixtures, reflective surfaces, and immersive color gradients make it feel like a synth-wave fever dream. Even the hallways look like a film set designed for a neon-soaked cyber-future. It’s bold, unashamedly fun, and exactly the place that makes a trip feel like a cool adventure.
9. Hôtel Regina Opéra Grands Boulevards
11 Rue de Mazagran, 75010 Paris, France
In the Grands Boulevards district, Hôtel Regina Opéra Grands Boulevards blends Parisian elegance with a cinematic, high-contrast aesthetic. This boutique hotel near the Opéra Garnier features a retro palette and a cool atmosphere.
Why is it one of our favorite European retro-inspired hotels? The décor feels like a fusion of classic Art Deco and 1970s space-age futurism. Circular patterns, soft glowing lights, and reflective materials create an environment that feels like a glamorous vision of the future imagined in the past.
10. Weltraumbahnhof Rautenkranz
Klingenthaler Str. 8, 08262 Muldenhammer, Germany
If you’ve never heard of Muldenhammer, the fact that it’s home to Weltraumbahnhof Rautenkranz should be reason enough to add it to your travel list. Tucked away in Saxony’s Vogtland region, this hotel is easily the most committed steampunk stay in Europe. Nearby, you’ll find the German Space Travel Exhibition in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz, the Klingenthal Musical Instrument Museum, and scenic hiking trails through the Ore Mountains.
Why is it one of our favorite retrofuturistic hotels in Europe? This hotel is a full-on steampunk masterpiece. Every detail, from the brass pipe fixtures and exposed gears to the vintage control panels and glowing filament bulbs, makes it perfect for any Victorian-era enthusiast. Complete with dark wood paneling, mechanical dials, and leather-bound furnishings, it’s an immersive experience for travelers who love the retro-future vision of a world that never was.
11. Barceló Sants
Plaça dels Països Catalans, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
Located directly above Barcelona Sants train station, Barceló Sants doesn’t just embrace a space-age aesthetic—it fully commits to offering a retro-futuristic space station experience. The sleek, white interiors, circular windows, and high-tech lighting create an immersive environment that feels like it was designed for intergalactic travelers rather than mere Earth-dwelling tourists.
Why is it a great retrofuturistic hotel? The rooms, referred to as “orbital rooms,” feature illuminated headboards, minimalist furnishings, and a color scheme straight out of a 1970s sci-fi film. The lobby’s digital displays and sleek metallic finishes add to the spaceship feel, making it one of Spain’s most distinctive retro-futurist stays. And if taking the stairs or elevator feels a little too ordinary, the hotel has an actual curved slide connecting the first two floors—because what’s a space station without a fun way to drop down between levels?
12. Shangri-La Bosphorus
Sinan Pasa Mah. Hayrettin Iskelesi Sok. No:1 Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey
Sitting right on the shores of the Bosphorus, the Shangri-La Bosphorus brings a futuristic spin to Ottoman elegance. This hotel blends traditional Turkish luxury with sleek, high-tech design elements. The grand chandeliers, sculpted ceilings, and intricate details meet contemporary lighting and smooth, reflective surfaces, making it feel like a palace reimagined for the 22nd century.
Why is it one of our favorite European retrofuturistic hotels? The design is all about contrast—classic Ottoman architecture meets a sleek level of modernity. Rooms feature touchscreen controls, minimalist metallic accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the Bosphorus like a moving digital landscape. The infinity-style indoor pool, bathed in blue light, feels like a futuristic oasis.
13. Megaro Hotel
Belgrove St, King’s Cross, London WC1H 8AB, United Kingdom
If Blade Runner had a London hideout, it’d look something like Megaro Hotel. This eclectic accommodation is impossible to miss. Its bold, technicolor mural splashes across the façade like something out of a dystopian cyberpunk film, making it one of the most visually striking buildings in King’s Cross. Inside, the aesthetic is just as daring—dark industrial elements mixed with neon lighting, glossy surfaces, and futuristic furnishings that give the whole space an edgy, underground vibe.
Why is it one of our favorite European retrofuturistic hotels? Megaro leans into the futuristic rebellion aesthetic with its high-contrast decor, dramatic lighting, and industrial textures that feel straight out of a neo-noir sci-fi universe. The underground cocktail bar, Hokus Pokus, takes the theme further with a moody, almost alchemical atmosphere filled with brass fixtures, deep velvet tones, and glowing accents.
12. Space Night Capsule Hostel
Rosenstraße 16, 10178 Berlin, Germany
While many places on this list lean towards the boutique and upscale, living out your futuristic fantasy doesn’t have to break the bank. Designed for budget-conscious travelers and space-loving backpackers, Space Night Capsule Hostel in Berlin offers an affordable way to feel like you’re staying on a spaceship. This hostel is located near Alexanderplatz and is all about compact, high-tech comfort with an immersive space-travel theme.
What makes it one of the best retro-futuristic accommodations in Europe? The sleeping pods feel straight out of a sci-fi movie, with ambient lighting, sleek white surfaces, and control panels that let you adjust your personal space module. Each capsule is designed to maximize your (outer) space efficiency. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a solo adventurer, or a galactic glampacker, this hostel delivers the retrofuturistic vibe at a fraction of the cost.
13. UNA Hotel Vittoria
Via Pisana, 59, 50143 Florence, Italy
UNA Hotel Vittoria doesn’t just nod to retro-futurism—it goes straight into the future. Located in the San Frediano district of Florence, this hotel defies expectations with a design that looks more like an avant-garde concept than traditional Italian luxury. LED-lit corridors, glossy black walls, and ultra-modern furnishings create an atmosphere that feels like a high-fashion interpretation of space travel.
Why is it one of our favorite European futuristic hotels? The rooms are unlike anything else in Florence, featuring curved walls, fiber-optic lighting, and mirror-paneled surfaces that reflect a bold, futuristic aesthetic. Even the bathrooms feel otherworldly, with translucent walls and sleek, minimalist fixtures. UNA Hotel Vittoria doesn’t just reimagine what a hotel should look like—it challenges the whole concept of space and design.
14. Hotel Martinez
73 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
Located on the Côte d’Azur, Hotel Martinez brings a sleek, Art Deco-inspired vision of the future to the French Riviera. With its crisp white façade, geometric patterns, and oceanfront setting, it feels like the kind of place where Hollywood’s golden age and a futuristic utopia collide. Originally opened in the 1920s, the hotel has been reimagined with smooth, streamlined interiors that stay true to its heritage while embracing a bold, forward-thinking aesthetic.
Why is it one of our favorite European retro hotels? Hotel Martinez keeps its Art Deco roots but takes them into the future with luminous, curved interiors, metallic accents, and a color palette that feels almost cinematic. The suites feature sleek white furniture, gold detailing, and expansive windows overlooking the Côte d’Azur, making it feel like a dreamscape straight out of a vintage film.
15. LH Vintage Design Hotel Sax
Jansky Vrsek 328/3, 118 00 Prague, Czech Republic
LH Vintage Design Hotel Sax is a colorful, mid-century dream that channels the playful futurism of the 60s and 70s. Nestled in Prague’s historic district, the hotel offers a stark contrast to the city’s Gothic and Baroque architecture with its bright geometric patterns, bold furnishings, and a design aesthetic that feels like something straight out of a mod-era sci-fi set.
Why is it one of our favorite retrofuturistic hotels in Europe? Every inch of this hotel is designed to transport you to a vibrant, space-age past that never quite happened. Think egg-shaped chairs, funky wallpaper, and an explosion of orange, blue, and lime green hues. It’s a love letter to a time when the future was all about optimism, groovy shapes, and a little bit of surrealism. If you’ve ever wanted to wake up in what feels like a 1970s vision of tomorrow, this is the place to do it.
16. Aviator Hampshire
55 Farnborough Rd, Farnborough, GU14 6EL, United Kingdom
Located in Hampshire, about an hour southwest of London, Farnborough might not be the first place that comes to mind for a futuristic escape, but it has a strong aviation legacy that makes it the perfect setting for Aviator Hampshire. This English town hosts the world-famous Farnborough International Airshow and the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum, which showcases historic aircraft and groundbreaking aeronautical advancements. The city is also near scenic countryside spots like the Surrey Hills and South Downs National Park.
Why is it one of the best retrofuturistic hotels in Europe? Aviator Hampshire leans into sleek, high-tech luxury with curved architecture, metallic finishes, and interiors that echo the streamlined elegance of first-class air travel. The lobby’s sweeping staircase looks like something from a futuristic airline terminal, and the rooms feature touchscreen panels, glass-walled bathrooms, and aerodynamic furniture that make it feel like a 21st-century spaceport. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of an actual jet runway, reinforcing the sense that you’re about to take off into the future.
17. Metropolis Budapest Boutique Hotel
Károly krt. 3/A, 1075 Budapest, Hungary
Metropolis Budapest Boutique Hotel takes its name seriously—this place looks like a futuristic vision of a city imagined decades ago. Located in the heart of Budapest, near Deák Ferenc Square and the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter, it offers a bold take on modern luxury with metallic accents, moody lighting, and geometric patterns that feel straight out of a retro sci-fi film.
Why is it one of our favorite retro-futuristic hotels in Europe? The interiors mix industrial design, neon lighting, and mid-century futurism, creating a space that feels like a 1920s Art Deco dream reimagined for a cyberpunk future. The rooms feature high-contrast colors, angular furnishings, and sleek metallic finishes. Its name is no coincidence—this hotel would fit right into Fritz Lang’s Metropolis.
18. YOOMA Urban Lodge
Square de l’Aviation 23, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
YOOMA Urban Lodge is another budget-friendly property that made it onto our list, proving that retro-futuristic design isn’t reserved for luxury stays. Located near Brussels’ Gare du Midi, this accommodation offers an artsy, space-age aesthetic with bold geometric patterns, futuristic lighting, and immersive decor inspired by pop culture and sci-fi.
Why is it one of our favorite European retrofuturistic accommodations? The interiors mix sleek metallic accents, neon-lit corridors, and playful furniture straight out of a retro sci-fi comic. Rooms feature graphic wall art, capsule-style bunks, and bright accent colors. This property leans into a youthful, immersive atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for those looking to experience a fun, space-age aesthetic without breaking the bank.
19. Baltic Beach Hotel & Spa
Jūras iela 23/25, Jūrmala, LV-2015, Latvia
The Baltic Beach Hotel & Spa brings a retro-futuristic twist to the shores of the Baltic Sea. Located in Jūrmala, Latvia’s premier seaside resort town, this accommodation blends Soviet-era brutalism with contemporary luxury, creating an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and ahead of its time. The city itself is famous for its long sandy beaches, pine forests, and distinctive wooden Art Nouveau villas.
Why is it one of our favorite European retrofuturistic hotels? The hotel’s curved balconies, glass façade, and minimalist interiors give it an almost utopian vibe. And it makes sense, as it was built as a futuristic seaside retreat decades ago. Inside, the spa complex features high-tech wellness treatments and a pool area with a distinctly mid-century sci-fi aesthetic.
20. Hotel Daniel Vienna
Landstraßer Gürtel 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Hotel Daniel Vienna stands out with its glass-heavy Bauhaus exterior and minimalist retro-style décor that nods to mid-century futurism. Located near Belvedere Palace, this hotel is a prime example of a sleek, industrial-inspired aesthetic softened by warm interiors that balance functionality and comfort.
Why is it one of our favorite European retrofuturistic hotels? Hotel Daniel Vienna takes Bauhaus principles and updates them with a futuristic edge. The open-concept rooms feature exposed concrete, vintage furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. A rooftop garden adds a green contrast to the geometric modernist façade, while an Airstream trailer perched on the roof reinforces its playful, future-meets-past vibe.
21. J.K. Place Roma
Via di Monte d’Oro, 30, 00186 Rome, Italy
Housed in a 17th-century building near the Spanish Steps, J.K. Place Roma brings sleek, retro-futuristic elegance to the historic center of Rome. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this accommodation reimagines classic Italian luxury with a futuristic twist. Its interiors mix mid-century modern influences with bold geometric shapes, custom-designed furnishings, and a color palette that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.
Why is it one of our favorite retrofuturistic hotels in Europe? J.K. Place Roma takes the sophistication of classic Italian design and pushes it into the future with sculptural furniture, chrome accents, and a play on almost cinematic textures. The lighting design adds to the futuristic aesthetic, while the sleek, open-concept common areas blur the lines between past and present. It’s a vision of Rome that feels effortlessly chic and refreshingly modern.
In conclusion, these retrofuturistic hotels across Europe showcase how the past’s vision of the future still thrives in bold and imaginative ways. From sleek Bauhaus-inspired designs to neon-lit space-age aesthetics, each accommodation offers a unique take on what tomorrow once looked like. Whether you’re drawn to mid-century modern elegance, brutalist utopias, or Y2K cyber-inspired interiors, these stays make it possible to experience a future that never was. Why settle for ordinary when you can enter a different era of innovation and style?