Historic

An Unbounded Reverence for History

Those of us who are heritage enthusiasts at home or while traveling all share an endless quest for history. Wherever one calls home, there are historic buildings, each with its own story to tell.  And when we travel we have the rare opportunity to experience the history of another place. There’s no better way to do that than to spend the night.

This category of accommodation represents those places that have retained much of their original architectural features and historic style. They may be large or small, they may be 100 years old, or they may be 400 years old. Properties in this category typically feature interiors that are consistent with the historic period. Early buildings that have been modernized are presented in the “Contemporary” category of accommodation.

We seek recent hotel restoration projects and re-openings to evaluate how the historic spaces are regenerated and re-energized. Advancements in preservation and sustainable design technologies for historic buildings enable us to appreciate our heritage. We honor the architects and designers of record who have succeeded in keeping history alive in the 21st Century.

If history is to repeat itself, we celebrate that it has done so as a place of accommodation.

 

Recommended propertiesView all places to stay >

The Balmoral — the "Grand Dame" of Edinburgh for over 110 years... and still counting

The Balmoral

We love historic buildings, and when they achieve milestones, we celebrate along with them. The Balmoral is known ...

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The absolutely beautiful and world-famous Biltmore Pool

The Biltmore Coral Gables

The Biltmore began as the dream of developer George Merrick to create a lavish Mediterranean style castle in ...

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Over 30,000 of these beautiful blue and white tiles grace the walls of Palacio Belmonte

Palacio Belmonte

Palacio Belmonte is the oldest palace in Lisbon and has, over several centuries, evolved into one of Portugal’s, ...

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The historic Galleries Des Gobelins, the place to see and be seen — then and now

Plaza Athenee

The Plaza Athenee opened its doors in 1913 and was considered one of the finest hotels in Paris. ...

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The lounge that shows off the best of French interior design at Le Maurice

Le Meurice

In 1771 postmaster Charles-Augustin Meurice launched his career as a hotelier when he opened an inn in Calais, ...

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The Hotel Bel-Air's legacy is recaptured as it raises its own bar on design and luxury

Hotel Bel-Air

In 1920 savvy developer Alphonzo Bell purchased 600 acres of prime virgin land in Southern California, north of ...

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A very special slice of New York Art Deco glamour, recast as the Chatwal

The Chatwal

It was the late 19th century, and American theater was alive and well in New York City. A ...

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The Winter Garden — the soul of the Landmark London and a standout atrium space

Landmark London Hotel

Elite travel in the late 19th century was made possible by the steam railway. In every major city ...

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The elegant architecture and refined detailing of the Neoclassical Palais Coburg

Palais Coburg

Palais Coburg, or Palais Sachsen-Coburg, is named after the Duke Ferdinand Georg August von Sachsen-Coburg for whom the ...

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Cesar Ritz's extraordinary vision of classic luxury lives on in the St. Regis Grand Rome

St. Regis Grand Rome

The year was 1893. The city was Rome. The hotel was the Grand Hotel, and it was created ...

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The graceful beauty of the Palacio's entrance gate increases the closer you get to it

Tivoli Palacio de Seteais

In 1783 a successful and powerful Dutch businessman, Daniel Gildemeester, relocates to Portugal and builds himself a palace. ...

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A restoration of presidential proportions recaptures the legacy of the Jefferson DC

The Jefferson DC

In 1923 a star was born in America’s political capital. It was the Jefferson Apartment Building on 16th ...

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The lobby of a 19th century bank is now the lobby of Berlin's exclusive Hotel de Rome

Hotel de Rome

Nothing beats a bank turned hotel. There are grand lobbies with heavy pillars, whether structurally required or not, ...

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The immediate richness of the historic entrance resonates at the Shelbourne

The Shelbourne Dublin

The Shelbourne has been a hotel since 1824 and is an Irish national landmark. Named after William Petty, 2nd ...

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Making an entrance at the New York Palace

The New York Palace

The New York Palace Hotel began as a late 19th century residence for the successful financier Henry Villard. ...

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Chicago's famous Blackstone Hotel retains its rightful place in history for a new generation

Blackstone Chicago Hotel

The Blackstone Hotel has everything that we look for in an historic accommodation. It has a rich building ...

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The show-stopping entrance to the Hammam at Ciragan Palace

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Ciragan Palace is a treasure of Turkish heritage that was almost lost at one time to fire and ...

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The magnificent and absolutely breathtaking lobby of the Danieli

Hotel Danieli

The Hotel Danieli enjoys a rich history dating to the late 14th century. A palazzo was built on ...

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,A bold addition embraces a new generation of resort lovers at the famed Dolder Grand

The Dolder Grand

Since its opening in 1899, the “Dolder Grand Hotel & Curhaus” soon become the destination for relaxation and ...

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Hotel Georgia - Historic sitting room

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

The Rosewood Hotel Georgia is a star reborn. When its opened in 1927, was the place to stay in ...

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Palace Hotel - Garden Court Today - Restaurant

The Palace San Francisco

The Palace has been a San Francisco icon since its debut in 1875. This Beaux Arts beauty was ...

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Pestana Palace - Exterior approach

Pestana Palace

Pestana Palace, formerly Valle Flor Palace, was once home to a successful cocoa producer and member of parliament. ...

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The main salon of Hotel Sacher is a standout space and speaks to the glory of Vienna

Hotel Sacher

Eduard Sacher opened the Hotel Sacher for business in 1876. He was the son of the creator of ...

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Peacock Alley

Fairmont Copley Plaza

Celebrating its 100th birthday in 2012 with a $20 million restoration, the Fairmont Copley Plaza remains one of ...

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Intercontinental Le Grand - Lobby

Intercontinental Paris – le Grand

The Paris-le Grand, an Intercontinental Heritage hotel, is indeed worthy of its name. It debuted in 1862 and ...

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Casa Fuster - Exterior Facade

Casa Fuster

Casa Fuster is named after Mariano Fuster, a prominent figure in Mallorcan society. In 1908 he hired Catalan ...

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The Millenium Biltmore - Lobby

Millenium Biltmore Hotel

It is rare to find an architectural treasure in Southern California equal to the Millenium Biltmore Hotel. The ...

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A brilliant interplay of antiquity and 21st century luxury resonate at Augustine, in Prague

Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Like history and the architecture that defines it? Go to Prague. Like many design periods and styles but ...

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Shangri-La Hotel - La Bauhina Restaurant from above

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris

The Shangri-La Hotel brand continues its legacy of Eastern-influenced, refined luxury with a new address in Paris. Originally ...

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