InterContinental Sofia

One underrated aspect of global hospitality brands is the way they occasionally crop up in places where boutique hoteliers fear to tread. The Bulgarian capital is working on its homegrown design-hotel scene, but in the meantime, the InterContinental Sofia will be the clear choice of many an international traveler. The location is as central as can be, right on Narodno Sabranie Square, across from Alexandar Nevski Cathedral. And behind its understated modern façade, the InterContinental is the very picture of the modern high-end luxury hotel.

This means interior design that is tasteful enough to appeal to the old guard, but stylish enough to show a real awareness of the importance of a strong visual identity. The rooms and suites are decked out in soothing neutrals and carefully selected gem tones; the best ones have views of the city’s rooftops, the cathedral, and the mountains in the distance — and all are outfitted to the latest luxury-hotel standard. A state-of-the-art spa is present as a matter of course, as are a couple of upscale restaurants — Ador is a dazzlingly opulent space on the hotel’s ground floor, while Floret, in the mezzanine, is a touch more private.