The Big Six: Retro rooms

Retrotama, Australia

In Sydney's eastern suburbs (30 minutes to the city centre), this two-bed apartment near Bondi beach promises "the best of both worlds". With so much distraction calling you probably won't want to stay inside but there's plenty of reason to hole up here. Set on the top floor of a 1960s Harry Seidler building, bright and breezy retro styling – courtesy of a mid 20th-century-inspired revamp – is a given, as are ocean views.

Retrotama, Illawong Avenue, Tamarama, New South Wales, Australia (00 61 433 408 296; retrotama.com). Rental starts at A$186 (£112) per night; sleeps four.

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Denmark

Copenhagen's Radisson Blu Royal Hotel was designed between 1956 and 1960 by local maestro Arne Jacobsen, whose remit covered everything from the building's façade to the restaurant's stainless-steel cutlery and the lobby's iconic Swan and Egg chairs. Though the hotel has been renovated several times, Room 606 features the original 1960s décor, a vision of blue-green colour, wengé wood and mid-century furniture.

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Hammerichsgade 1, Copenhagen, Denmark (00 45 3815 6500; radissonblu.com). Standard doubles start at DK1,395 (£157), room 606 at DK4,900 (£549), both including breakfast.

RetRome, Italy

Set close to the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, the seven brightly coloured, retro-styled rooms at this kitsch B&B were designed by a group of young artists. Each room features vintage wallpapers and furniture and most have a balcony; more modern touches include free Wi-Fi. Alternatively, channel La Dolce Vita and stay in a 1960s-style apartment, of which RetRome has nine dotted about the city, sleeping between two and 10. Three are situated by the Colosseum and share a small garden – ideal for an aperitif before heading out for dinner.

RetRome, Via Marco Aurelio 47, Rome, Italy (00 39 695 557 334; retrome.net). Doubles start at €59, including breakfast. Apartments sleeping two start at €50 per night.

Britta's Pensionat, Sweden

This cosy guesthouse deep in Lapland is packed with 1930s and 1950s finds and boasts original 1950s wallpaper in some rooms. It serves traditional meals and has a sauna and wood-fired pizza oven.

Brittas Pensionat, Edeforsvägen 2A, Harads, Norrbotten, Sweden (00 46 928 10403; brittaspensionat.se). Doubles start at SK800 (£73), including breakfast.

Prairie Splendor B&B, US

Blue jeans on you, Buddy Holly on the radio; if you've ever fantasised about living in 1950s America, this is about as close as you can get. Set on a farm in Wisconsin's "dairyland", Prairie Splendor's four themed rooms come packed with memorabilia.

Prairie Splendor Farm, Arlington, Wisconsin, US (001 608 635 7732; prairiesplendorfarmbandb.com). B&B starts at $105.50 (£70).

Cooks Flat, Scotland

Decorated in tongue-in-cheek style by stylist Suzy Hoodless, this cosy apartment on the Corrour estate is a model of retro charm. Chintz wallpaper sets the vintage tone while crocheted linen and antique rocking chairs add to the air of granny chic.

Cooks Flat, Corrour Estate, by Fort William, Inverness-Shire (01397 732200; corrour.co.uk). Three nights' rental starts at £195; sleeps three.