November brings the official start of the Christmas countdown. Minimise the panic of present purchasing by checking in to a European hotel where you can do business and shop while barely leaving your room.
Turin
LE MERIDIEN ART+TECH
Designed by Renzo Piano, this sleek, glass structure with five-storey atrium was once Fiat’s assembly line, and guests can jog around the former test racetrack on the roof. Located in Lingotto, the redevelopment also includes a 3,500-seat convention centre, art gallery and shopping mall. The latter doesn’t have the atmosphere of the city centre’s colonnaded streets, but is a good place to bag Juventas footie kit, toys and scent. Also worth exploring is the art bookshop at Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli. From €153, room only. starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien
Milan
BULGARI HOTEL
Meetings in Milan tend to be well-dressed affairs, and locals live and breathe fashion — so don’t be afraid to ask for tips on the best shopping. The hotel is minutes from catwalk central, via Montenapoleone but, if time is short, book in with the hotel’s personal shopper, or hit the hotel boutique and splurge on some jewellery or a few gorgeous toiletries (there are lots in the bathroom, but that’s taking easy shopping a bit far?). The hotel, a former monastery is sleekly masculine, with chocolate-coloured walls, a huge garden, and intimate spa. The flower-filled, fire-lit lounge is popular for meetings. From €650, b&b. bulgarihotels.com.
Budapest
HILTON WEST END
Budapest’s finest Christmas market is in Vörösmarty Square. If you’re not up for gingerbread and wooden Nativities, head to Central Europe’s largest mall, WestEnd City Center, which incorporates a roof garden, and the Hilton West End. Over 400 shops include plenty of unusual options for jewellery and watches, though you might want to avoid C&A unless you’re after retro appeal. Back at the hotel, goulash is washed down with Hungarian sparkling wine and 11 meeting rooms have space for up to 350. But beware — WiFi internet costs a fortune. From £115, room only. hilton.co.uk/budapestwestend
Paris
BEL-AMI HOTEL
The city of lights has hardly been hiding its shopping credentials, but if you’re here on business you’ll discover there is such a thing as too much choice. Stay at Bel-Ami, and the quirky boutiques of St-Germain-des-Prés are there for the taking. And many of the shops offer free gift-wrapping, and will deliver to the hotel. Which leaves plenty of time to concentrate on work. The hotel’s 112 rooms were recently renovated and are relatively large for Paris. There are three meeting rooms (two can join up to take up to 80), and a quiet business centre. From €380, room only. designhotels.com
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