15 oldest hotels on the planet
These unique hotels, some with histories spanning hundreds of years, are not only places to stay but also attract tourists who come to visit and learn about their long history.
|
| Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, Yamanashi, JapanIn 2011, the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan hot spring hotel was listed in the Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel on the planet. The hotel has been managed by 52 generations of the same family for over 1,300 years, since its opening in 705. (Photo)Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan. |
|
| Hōshi Ryokan, Komatsu, Japan:Hōshi Ryokan is a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, featuring tatami floors, futon beds, and local cuisine. Founded in 717, it has been managed by a single family for 46 generations. (Photo: [Image])Daily Mail. |
|
| Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, England:Since the first Norman bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga, built Maids Head in the mid-1090s, it has welcomed visitors to the city and countryside of England. The hotel has hosted many members of the royal family, such as Prince Edward, son of King Edward III, and Queen Catharinen of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII. (Photo: )Classic British Hotels. |
|
| Zum Roten Bären, Freiburg, Germany:Zum Roten Bären, also known as the "Red Bear," is the oldest hotel in Germany, dating back to 1120. The Dukes of the House of Zähringen established the hotel before the city of Freiberg was founded in 1457. (Photo: [Image caption]Staedte-fotos. |
|
| Olde Bell, Berkshire, England:The Olde Bell Hotel, established in 1135, served as a lodging place for travelers visiting the nearby Benedictine church. For centuries, the Sanctus bell signaled to the monks that an important guest had arrived in the village. Today, the Sanctus bell still hangs on the door of the Olde Bell as a welcoming sign for visitors. (Photo: [Image caption]Zinzins. |
|
| Angel & Royal, Grantham, EnglandAngel & Royal was built in 1203 to serve as a dormitory for the Brotherhood of the Knights Templar. Today, visitors come to the hotel not only to rest but also to participate in tours exploring the history of the place. Photo:AngelRoyalHotel. |
|
| Sanct Peter, Cologne, Germany:The Sanct Peter Hotel has been in operation since 1246, and its restaurant is recognized as one of Germany's top 100 restaurants. Photo:HRS. |
|
| Orso Grigio, San Candido, Italy:Located in the heart of San Candido, Orso Grigio celebrated its 550th anniversary in 2013. Opened in 1300, the hotel provided accommodation for merchants and the nobility. Today, the historic hotel offers fine dining and ski holidays for visitors. Photo:Villa Orso Grigio 5 stelle. |
|
| Interlaken Hotel, Interlaken, Switzerland:The Interlaken Hotel was originally a hospital and later a monastery. In 1323, it was used as a guesthouse, and in 1491, the Interlaken Hotel underwent restoration and renovation. (Photo: [Image])Hotel Interlaken. |
|
| Blaue Gans, Salzburg, Austria:Blaue Gans is the oldest inn in Salzburg, Austria, founded in 1350. Not only is it a hotel near historical landmarks such as Mozart's birthplace, it was also Salzburg's first art hotel, featuring nearly 100 works of art displayed throughout. (Photo: [Image caption])Arthotel blaue gans. |
|
| Gastagwirt, Eugendorf, Austria:Gastagwirt is a family-run hotel. The family also owns a farm that provides meat and milk for the buffet breakfast and other delicious dishes. Originally a tavern in 1380, it gradually transformed into a hotel due to its location along a local trade route. (Photo: [Image])Gastagwind. |
|
| Hotel Krone, Solothurn, Switzerland:The Krone Hotel, now La Couronne, founded in the 15th century, has 31 rooms and is located in the old town of Thun. Photo:Altstadt Hotel Krone Luzern. |
|
| Old Hall Hotel, Buxton, England:The Old Hall Hotel was built in 1573, but some historians believe it has a longer history. The hotel once served as a prison for Queen Mary of Scots, on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I. (Photo)Visitbuxton. |
|
| Gripsholms Värdshus, Mariefred, Sweden:Gripsholms Värdshus is the oldest hotel in Sweden and was built on the site of a 14th-century Carthusian monastery. Founded in 1609 by the German Jocim Smockm, the hotel now includes a room named after him. (Photo: [Image])Svenska Kulturpärlor. |
|
| Petit Palace Posada del Peine Hotel, Madrid, Spain:The 400-year-old Petit Palace Posada del Peine is considered the oldest hotel in Spain. Since its founding in 1610, the hotel has undergone numerous upgrades and renovations. Modern hotel rooms are equipped with iPads and offer free Wi-Fi for guests. (Photo: [Image])Eurocheapo. |
