44 historic Hotels

Located in Anjou, France, the Fontevraud L'Hotel is fit for royalty. In fact, it’s set in the heart of the Royal Abbey and holds many, many years of history. France’s Loire Valley is actually a UNESCO world heritage site. For architecture buffs, staying at the Fontevraud is a dream come …

The Old Smock Mill was originally constructed at the beginning of the 19th century. The recent renovation aimed to keep as much of the original workings as possible. Around the first floor runs the newly re-built exterior oak staging, used as a balcony to enjoy the marvelous sunsets and British …

The designer boutique hotel, Brosundet, sits right on the waters of the harbor town of Ålesund. Snøhetta masterfully designed the interior of Hotel Brosundet. The Art Nouveau-style warehouse boasts 47 rooms that are all individually designed. They come with original wooden floors and panels and exposed brick; some even have …

All guests of the Peabody Memphis encounter true southern hospitality upon arrival in the “Blues City.” It is centrally located near Beale Street, music and entertainment venues, and several museums in the historic downtown area, making it a popular destination. The friendly staff, fine dining, and four-diamond accommodations have attracted …

Hotel Copernicus, located in Old Town Krakow, stands apart as a monument to Renaissance architecture and dignitaries that have slept within its walls. Once home to cathedral canons, several well-known guests, including Nicolas Copernicus, European royalty, and American presidents, have added to the hotel’s rich history. Hotel Copernicus strives to …

Mexico, the land of tequila, beaches, fun, and excitement, is home to many historic sites and exquisite hotels, including Hacienda Cerritos. Cerritos is located on a private bluff about 40 miles (64 km) north of Cabo San Lucas outside the historic colony of Todos Santos (All Saints). It is also …

The Pierre just recently completed $100 million of updating, giving lavish attention to its guestrooms and interior bathrooms. That means a lot, especially considering that almost every hotel in New York is lavish and luxurious. What makes the Pierre extra special is a convenient Central Park location and its history …

The Covered Bridge earned much of its fame after being highlighted on HGTV. The now historic location, known as the Covered Bridge House, is located within a few steps of Nevada City but has a distinctly natural ambiance. The interiors of the home are New York loft-style and have won …

Located in the ancient city of Matera in Italy, this unique hotel is built into caves that once housed our ancient ancestors. Populated for 9000 years, the town was officially founded by the Romans in the third century BC. It has been consistently inhabited since and the caves were used …

Esopus Creek is one of the essential tributes of the Hudson River. When the Europeans began to settle in America, the creek soon became an important trade route for the natives and the newcomers. As the first 200 years of settlement fly-by we see towns and villages springing up along …

The historic Pera Palace Hotel held its opening ball in 1895. Its clientele often arrived on the Orient Express train and, over the years, the hotel hosted such luminaries as Atatürk, Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway and Greta Garbo. Recently, it has undergone a full restoration and has re-opened its doors …

Situated in a historic trading building – part of the Bryggen world heritage site – the Hanseatiske Hotel is a place where you can step back in time. In its long history the house has been a workplace, residence, warehouse, and restaurant. This 17th Century house has original features preserved …

This was originally the home of a Turkish ‘pasha’ or high ranking military officer. In the 19th Century, it became home to a Swedish and American ‘colony’ who were all members of the ‘Christian Utopia Society’. The colony lived a communal lifestyle and engaged in philanthropic work for all the …

This grand building was built in 1886 as a women’s hospital. It was administered by a charity that cared for the poor and vulnerable women in society because there was no welfare state in those days. During the Second World War, the property was occupied and later used to house …

Which was the coolest iron-age tribe? The Vikings, of course. Their horned helmets, love of pillage, and super-fast longboats made them a fearsome force to be reckoned with in early Europe. Every summer, in a typically unpronounceable Icelandic town, Viking culture comes alive in the Viking Festival in Hafnarfjordur.

This perfect example of Victorian engineering has been well preserved since it was built in 1871. Back in the 19th Century, the Prince of Wales got sick with Typhoid from drinking unclean water so the tower was commissioned to serve the Royal Sandringham Estate with clean water. The 60-foot tower …

This elementary school was built in 1915 in a semi-remote location in Northeast Portland. One of the first rules installed for pupils and parents in the early years forbade the taking of pop shots at the rabbits from the moving streetcar. It closed its doors as a school in 1974 …

The medieval town of Cley on England’s historic East Coast has a long tradition of welcoming visitors from all over the world. It was once one of the busiest ports in the land. The Cley Windmill was built in the 1700s and remained as a working mill until the early …

Built in 1724 during the Baroque period of European art, this historic townhouse is decorated in ostentatious red and gold, thick gilded plaster, and heavy marbling. It has been well cared for in the intervening centuries and was last renovated in the 1990s. It is part of a string of …

The legendary Chateau de Bagnols is the kind of place you thought only existed in fairy stories. Set in a tiny village this historic Chateau has towers and turrets, a drawbridge, and a moat. The castle has an ‘old’ and ‘new’ area. The ‘old’ area is from the 13th Century …