We’re following the changing season through five of Europe’s most compelling cities, with Rocco Forte Hotels providing a distinctive base in each. The family-owned collection has long been known for properties that feel firmly rooted in their surroundings, whether overlooking a Florentine piazza, hidden behind a Roman garden or rising beneath an iconic Edinburgh clock tower. Here, we explore five very different ways to make the most of September and the hotels that place you at the heart of each.

The Charles Hotel, Munich

Munich knows how to welcome autumn. Each September, the arrival of Oktoberfest sees the Bavarian capital loosen its collar as beer tents fill, lederhosen emerge and centuries-old traditions take centre stage. This year’s celebrations run from 19 September to 4 October, making late September an especially compelling time for a city break.

Just 15 minutes on foot from Theresienwiese, The Charles Hotel offers a serene counterpoint to the festivities, while embracing plenty of Oktoberfest spirit of its own. Bavarian traditions find their way onto the breakfast table through Weisswurst, pretzels and freshly poured beer, while a special late-night Betthupferl menu awaits those returning from the festival. The following morning, retreat to the Charles Spa for its restorative Hangover & Detox treatment before another day of celebrations begins. With views across the Old Botanical Garden and some of Munich’s most storied beer halls within easy reach, it is a particularly elegant base from which to embrace Bavaria’s biggest celebration.

Hotel Savoy, Florence

September catches Florence at an enticing moment. As the intensity of high summer begins to recede, the city becomes all the more inviting to explore on foot. Spend your days tracing the city’s Renaissance legacy from frescoed churches to the halls of the Uffizi, while evenings call for leisurely walks along the Arno and dinners beneath the lights of historic piazzas.

Hotel Savoy places it all at your doorstep, occupying an enviable position on Piazza della Repubblica. The Duomo is practically a neighbour, while Ponte Vecchio and Via de’ Tornabuoni are just a short stroll away. The hotel can take Florence’s artistic heritage beyond the gallery walls too, with experiences ranging from a private painting session with a local artist to a guided journey through the life and work of Artemisia Gentileschi. It is a fitting base for discovering a city where art is woven into everyday life.

Hotel de Russie, Rome

Rome’s summer doesn't end with August. September brings softer sunshine and warm evenings that still invite life outdoors, making it an especially tempting time to experience the capital’s terraces, gardens and enduring aperitivo culture.

At Hotel de Russie, summer lingers in one of Rome’s most enchanting hidden spaces. Created by architect Giuseppe Valadier in the early 19th century, its historic Secret Garden climbs above the city in tiers of orange trees, roses, mature pines and trickling fountains, creating an unexpected oasis between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. When Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau stayed here in 1917, Cocteau famously declared it “paradise on earth”, writing of picking oranges from his window as the sun streamed in.

More than a century later, guests staying in the Garden View Rooms and Suites can wake to those same orange trees, with light-filled interiors and botanical touches reflecting the greenery beyond. Spend golden hour over cocktails at Stravinskij Bar, linger over Mediterranean flavours at Le Jardin, or reserve a private table among the blooms as twilight falls. For a hotel in the very heart of Rome, it offers a remarkably secluded place to savour the season before autumn arrives.

The Balmoral, Edinburgh

When Edinburgh’s summer stages fall quiet, the city’s older stories come back into focus. September is a compelling time to discover the Scottish capital beyond its famous festivals, following a trail of royal residences, medieval castles and centuries of tradition, preferably with a fine whisky waiting at the end of it.

Set at 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, The Balmoral offers a fitting starting point for exploring the city. Spend the day visiting Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse or venture further afield to the dramatic ruins of Tantallon Castle and Rosslyn Chapel. Then return for a different taste of Scotland at SCOTCH. Home to more than 500 whiskies, its Whisky Ambassadors guide guests through rare bottlings and distinctive regions, bringing the day to a suitably spirited close.

Brown’s Hotel, London

September brings the first stirrings of a new season to London and, perhaps more importantly, a reason to reconsider the contents of your wardrobe. In Mayfair, autumn collections fill the windows and some of the world’s most celebrated fashion houses, heritage tailors and independent boutiques sit within a few elegant streets of one another.

Brown’s Hotel puts you at the heart of it all. Bond Street brings together British names and international fashion houses, Savile Row remains the spiritual home of bespoke tailoring, while Burlington Arcade offers everything from fine jewellery and watches to cashmere and artisanal fragrances. Once the bags become too numerous to carry, retreat to London’s oldest hotel for afternoon tea in The Drawing Room or a cocktail at Donovan Bar. After all, refreshing one’s wardrobe should never feel like hard work.

Whichever city calls this September, booking your Rocco Forte stay through ASMALLWORLD Collection comes with added privileges. As part of the hotel group’s prestigious Rocco Forte Knights programme, ASMALLWORLD Premium Members and above enjoy a suite of complimentary benefits, such as daily breakfast, spa discounts, room upgrades, hotel credit and more.

For something more personal, our ASMALLWORLD Bespoke Travel team is also on hand to help tailor your stay to the way you like to travel. From thoughtful touches like musical room service to special arrangements, it is another way to make your September escape that little bit more memorable.