Each of the world’s most famous historical hotels is filled with mystique and architectural beauty. Enchanted castles, grand palaces, stately mansions, and intimate manors are only some of the types of historically rich properties that provide an enduring connection to the past. Whether you are seeking a romantic getaway, family vacation, business meeting, or grand wedding plan, one of these historic hotels will make your stay one-of-a-kind.
Step into any of the world’s most stunning historic hotels, and you will step into some of the world’s most mysterious and storied pasts. Many grand manors, elegant palaces, and impressive monuments have been transformed into historic inns or enchanting castle hotels that capture the essence of a time gone by. And properties that have lost their luster have been restored to their once grand elegance. Each of these historic hotels and resorts stands as a reminder of the splendors of the past and brings with it a commitment to preserve for the future.
Defining Historical Hotels
A hotel could be classified as ‘historical’ for a variety of reasons: that the building itself is of an architectural character, or dates back to a moment in time that was of special interest. The hotel might have a political history or the celebrity status of guests. So too may its setting or its location, and its uniqueness, as well as any history associated with the hotel. Conversely, the historic hotel designation could imply a high setting or a degree of maintenance or a service standard that is unavailable in a newer establishment. Literally, anything from its property deeds to the tales of its present and former guests may contain the necessary data to make a hotel ‘historic’, and it may owe nothing at all to the actual architecture of the building itself.
However, the facts historic buildings could have a basic difference from other forms of inheritance. They generally belong to that building to the public. The privileges and obligations that are connotated with the definition of ‘a historical building’ often imply that a hotel may be severely restricted if it wishes to make any changes neither to the buildings nor the surrounding environment, which may restrict or preserve the historic look of the hotel. This furthermore increases the attractive characteristics of the hotel and thus safeguards its future by preventing any changes, particularly any structural modifications that may affect public safety.
Importance of Preserving Historical Hotels
Preservation of historical landmarks significantly increases cultural and historical awareness. As a result, proceeds from tourist revenues stimulate local development. Restoration of historical buildings, especially for hotel purposes, generates new job opportunities. Environmentally, restoration inaugurates conservation of raw materials. Historically, restorations tend to invigorate, visualize and concretize America’s cultural, political and social history. Most of history remains invisible and pedestrian. Living in and/or visiting restored hotels physically links you to previous generations while minimizing distortion of history. Preservation humanizes and vitalizes, keeping part of America sane – our resounding saneness is our history. The retainment of our hotels simply sings of our intangible and invaluable memories. Importantly, the link to these architectural marvels through adaptive reuse of historic hotels maintains life within the structure while perpetuating their beauty.
Broader questions affect our credibility as human beings. The role of the individual is critical in these preservation decisions. Do we have the right to mend what others have left? Many cultures embrace the past, energize the environment, and restore the atmosphere. Successful restoration will ensure a positive experience where past, present and future seriously embrace quality time and will stimulate enlightenment that constantly exposes the inadequacies of their deeds. Proper hotel restoration begins with viable hotel concepts of how to adapt historic hotels that have been closed or were never hotels before.
Architectural Features of Historical Hotels
In today’s resort and hotel market, not many establishments can claim that they are historical places. There are, however, historical hotels that can take pride in their rich history and architectural ambiance. Let us explore some of the unique aspects that can make a hotel a true classic. The architectural integrity, historical significance of the site, and the stories of the VIPs that enjoyed its luxurious hospitality at different times give a hotel a unique personality and legendary character. In order to maintain this spirit, it is important not only to preserve its history but also to provide world-class service in an exclusive manner and keep up with the times.
The architectural diversity of historical hotels is one of their alluring features. Today’s travelers often seek extraordinary amenities and acoustical harmony between the hotel ambiance and their rooms. The search for uniqueness makes many of the customers shun cookie-cutter lookalike hotel chains. There are hundreds of historical hotels that help travelers to immerse in the charm of the past but more importantly to relive that history. The attractiveness of architectural features of these hotels turns people’s flights of fancy into charming escapades. The service at historical hotels is lavishly personalized with a myriad of services that may range from butler service, personal cooks and chauffeurs, and “sleep concierges” (who assist guests in selecting the best pillows and bedding), to discreet amenities such as surprise gifts or orchestra-accompanied gourmet dinners.
Gothic Revival Style
Gothic Revival style was a distinguishable style during the 19th century, specifically in Europe. The general public’s romantic view of these structures had inspired imaginative artists, wrought ironsmiths, woodcarvers, and even manufacturers of architectural hardware to produce architectural items of beauty and historic significance. It was Sir Walter Scott’s literary work in the Early Middle Ages (or the Dark Ages) that had presented ruins of castles and abbeys and their folklores to the general public. There was a flood of public interest in medieval architecture. Architects collected historical documents in order to get educated about the old style, and the style was re-enlivened soon afterwards. Several well-known architects such as Philip Charles Hardwick, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, and George Edmund Street identified themselves as Gothic Revivalists in their work.
The Gothic revival work lost some of the distinctive features pertaining to the original Gothic style. The scale of the new imitative work was influenced by modern building techniques. The Industrial Revolution had produced iron and glass, which were used to reinforce large spaces and large window openings to create the desired impression of the medieval structures in the new imitative work. Other motives such as geometrical traceries and paneling that could be found in medieval architecture showed up in the revival work as stale imitations. Such artificial work displayed a strange sense of perspective, in the sense that the imitation of a big medieval architecture was designed in a small building space. Often times, unnecessary preservation and replication of building elements in Gothic Revival style showed potential threats to the safety, structural performance, and architectural harmony in the properties that were subjected to facsimile work.
Art Deco Style
Art Deco is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s and into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and jewelry, as well as the visual arts such as painting, graphic arts, cinema, and even theater.
The first decades of the 20th century are some of the most exciting and frivolous in the history of world design and fashion. These years saw a great flourishing of innovation and also excesses which became collectible. “Art Deco,” a shortened form of “Arts Décoratifs,” is the name given to a style of design and architecture that first appeared in the 1920s in Paris, then flourished throughout the world during the 1930s and the World War II era. It is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. The structure of Art Deco buildings in general with setbacks to the shape of a ziggurat.
One must remember that this period of extreme optimism began right after the worst war that the world had seen in a few hundred years. The contrast between the gloom of the war period and the joviality and worldliness of the 1920s (which was only an illusion of wealth since the period was also marked by a terrible crash, the Black Thursday of 1929), drastically different worlds separated by the gunfire of World War I, is represented in many ways. The international and energetic Jazz Age, new heroes, new dances, and new ideas. Many of the period’s monuments tell the story of a world gone mad that rose up and rebuilt its dreams. Build what? Probably a little of everything, the destructive experience behind them, a fine disregard for western values, and more sheer hootzpah than Europe’s had seen in all its history. This is Art Deco, not one word for all the world’s design, but several words from and for many different styles and schools of thought.
Historical Hotels Around the World
San Diego, California: The U.S. Grant Hotel. This hotel, part of the Luxury collection, was built by Ulysses S. Grant, Jr. in 1900 and financed by the son of the founder of the town of San Diego, Alonzo Horton. It has been the site of charity events, inaugural balls, and visiting dignitaries for over 100 years. The architecture is Romanesque and the lobby area has stunning inlaid glass domes. The hotel now houses an impressive art collection.
Mackinaw Island, Michigan: The Grand Hotel. This hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as it has been in operation since 1887. This hotel attracts visitors by horse and carriage and has the world’s longest porch, which has served as the unofficial summer residence of countless tourists (including celebrated leaders such as Thomas Edison, Mark Twain, and five U.S. Presidents). This hotel has a casual elegance and style, which was the backdrop for the 1980 film “Somewhere in Time” about a time-traveling romance.
Natchez, Mississippi: Natchez Grand Hotel. The oldest city on the Mississippi River, Natchez is home to the Natchez Grand Hotel, which is located in the Natchez Municipal Harbor. This hotel has 119 guest rooms available, some of which have stunning views of the Mississippi River. This hotel also boasts of having a pool, whirlpool, and an on-site restaurant, as well as a courtesy shuttle. From the sixth floor, there are spectacular views of the Mississippi River, Natchez, and its historical district. This is an upscale hotel, which is affiliated with the Historic Hotels of America.
In summary, there are countless historical hotels that offer visitors a chance to view history, become a part of history, and relax in sumptuous architectural and artistic settings that combine old-world charm with new-world amenities. This is a travel experience not to be missed.
Europe
With our first salutations extended to the Old World, it seems appropriate, as well, to begin with another of Europe’s most charming legends, the Palazzo Altemps located in the heart of that most Eternal of cities, Rome. There is something grand and noble about the old palazzi of Rome, and the Palazzo Altemps, now the Hotel Altemps, is probably one of the grandest and noblest. There are good historical reasons for this, or so a most erudite Roman street guide would assure us, but the hotel’s majestic proportions only reflect the long history of the noble families who have lived within its walls. Italy has, in fact, many such old, great hotels with stirring stories and unforgettable additions to the annals of the fine old guest list, but one could hardly be said to exist without the other.
All Italy is in a sense a monument to the work of those artists and architects who, in more than two thousand years, have created its many styles of architecture, and its cultural heritage throughout the ages has given us all some measure of relationship with that country. Its old palaces and former grand houses are in some cases so old that in truth they are a part of that history. Words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling, like dew, upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
Asia
The various cultures in Asia have created some of the world’s most spectacular and historically significant hotels. They are magical combinations of unparalleled luxury, marvelous architecture, and interior design, which in Asia often reflect ancient culture. As living history, they often bring to life the many legends of their civilization. These hotels are not only a reflection of their country’s culture, but their popularity today mirrors the ever-increasing interest in classical Asia.
The Moonlight Pavilion overlooking the river, at the legendary Strand Hotel of Yangon, has been a place for stage shows, dances, and tea parties beneath the moon from its very inception. Designed by the talented Italian director Mario Tamagno, it opened in 1901. It was Asia’s most luxurious hotel in its prime, playing host to houses of diplomats and royalties from all over the world. The Thunderbolt plaque and the Strandy emblem are trademarks of the hotel. It was once a haven for the elite of their times and hosted such guests as Somerset Maugham, George Orwell, and Noel Coward. The hotel was showcased in “Mississippi” with Robert De Niro and was also featured in the current Karen Blixen film “Out of Africa”. Tokio Marine Fire Insurance is proceeding with its purchase through its Bangkok office.
Americas
Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort, Quepos, Costa Rica: In a most amazing marriage of beach and rainforest, the Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort in Quepos, Costa Rica, spreads luxuriantly down the side of a hill covered by rainforest, so every one of the 38 rooms and suites has gorgeous views over the treetops to the ocean and beach below. This spectacular Costa Rica eco-resort is just minutes from the fun beach town of Quepos with its great seafood restaurants, shops, and even sportfishing. The colorful Manuel Antonio National Park is just a little to one side of the resort, with its fun swimming beaches, easy rainforest hiking trails, and beautiful afternoon sunsets – take a bottle of wine.
Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park, Montana: In Glacier National Park, Montana, the historic Mission 66 improvement to Adolphe Murie’s 1940s built Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most stunning. Even though officially called a “Lodge”, architect Gilbert Stanley’s 1914 building is a fabulous old hotel. Built of layered logs, very much in the same style as Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful Inn, its weird plywood wings sticking out back of the historic logs like some giant bird about to take flight only add to its quirky charm. It long ago gained its National Historic Landmark status purely based on its architectural and historical significance. The rich history of the surrounding area only adds to the Lodge’s appeal, with even the lake it sits beside being named after Donald McDonald, one of the region’s first publicists. Reached from the historic Glacier Railway, it adds an evocative long-closed historical transportation hook. The views around the hotel are simply breathtaking, lakes, mountains, the hotel provides an unmatched level of historic location setting.
Future of Historical Hotels
As we have highlights, historical hotels represent a key element within society’s history and cultural richness, whereas they also embody both the tangible and intangible elements of architectural heritage. Historical hotels are a product of more than 150 years of traditions and innovation, responding to the needs arising from the development of the competitive tourism industry and the need for efficient and quality service provision to a large number of consumers from across the world.
The successful management of historical hotels represents a combination of efficient modern management services, which go hand-in-hand with maintaining the unique historic and architectural qualities and the experiences that can be offered by the hotel. Appreciating the indispensable economic and tourism benefits that such a hotel can bring to a destination via the creation of a chronologically spectacular setting that can be enjoyed with the surrounding landscape, tasting distinctive food and beverage, and understanding the heritage, history, and culture of the hotel building. While creating and stimulating vibrant communal spaces through the promotion of tourism activities and events, utilizing traditional tools which allow authenticity and sustainability to be achieved.