Heritage Hotels

High above Lake Brienz, where waterfalls crash down mountainsides and the sound of rushing water mingles with the rattle of Europe's oldest funicular railway, sits a hotel that nearly became a car park. Well, not quite a car park, but something almost as tragic: a concrete "jumbo chalet" complex that …

The former telephone exchange building on Budapest's Horváth Mihály Square awaits guests in its former glory, with five-star opulence and Hungary's second-largest staircase. The inner districts of Budapest hide many architectural treasures waiting to be discovered. One of these is undoubtedly this beautiful red-brick, stucco-decorated historic building, which hides further …

Budapest is a city full of stunning buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Párisi Udvar, built in 1912, is arguably the most beautiful hotel in the city, inside and out. The Párisi Udvar is an amazing building in every sense: it's a journey through time, blending …

The Parador de Carmona is a haven of peace for those who want to stay in a quiet place full of history, eat Spanish classic dishes, and enjoy an extremely beautiful view of the Carmona Valley. Parador de Carmona, situated in a charming town just 30 km from Seville, is …

The tiny Norwegian village of Nusfjord has been turned into a living museum of coastal culture with an incredible seaside resort where tradition and Scandinavian high-class comfort go hand in hand. Nusfjord is located on the southeast side of Flakstadøy, a small Norwegian island in the Lofoten Islands. It is …

In the remote town of Paimio, in the middle of a pine forest, is one of the most internationally significant buildings representing functionalist architecture. Functionalism emerged after World War I as part of modernism. With a strict focus on functionality, it became the dominant philosophy. This movement was also closely …

La Sultana is the next level of riads in Marrakech. By combining five different buildings with five distinguished styles inside a Kasbah (fortress), this 28-room boutique hotel is bursting with charm and character. Morocco's unique riads - traditional high-class mansions with common areas and private rooms - are reason enough …

USA's prime example of Beaux-Arts architecture was built in 1914. It's the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées of America if you wish. Back then, it cost $1 million to build the Recreation Pier, which served as a landing point for immigrants arriving in the USA. After it closed operations in 1937, …

The Californian town of Coronado is located on a landlocked island in the middle of San Diego Bay. It is famed for its beautiful beaches stretching along its coast, with the landmark building of Hotel del Coronado at its Northern end. The beach town gets its name from the Spanish …

Set in the dew-dripped hills of Shropshire, England, this 17th-century Tithe Barn is an inn with a unique charm. Indeed, parts of the house even date back to a 14th-century coaching inn. The character of the property has been lavishly preserved with rust-tiled floors, exposed brickwork, oak paneling, and beams …

The family-owned Vikinghaug is run by Tove Hidle and Terje Gravdal. They bought the lakeside building in 2005 and raised their four daughters there before deciding to dip their toes in the hotel business. With a prime location at the southern edge of Odda in Norway and spectacular views of …

Le Château Montebello is a historic resort complex incorporating the largest log cabin in the world, located in Canada at the waterfront of the Ottawa River that divides Quebec and Ontario. It's a short ride from Omega Park, a unique Canadian safari, where, throughout 7.5 miles (12 kilometers), you get …

The history of Union Station in Nashville dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when trains were more popular than cars or airplanes. The golden age of American railroading was between 1900 and the late 1940s. By 1916, there were 254,000 miles (409,000 kilometers) of railways across the …

Rightfully, the first question to pop up in your mind would be about the connection between this historic Canadian hotel and the Prince of Wales. Bear with me because this story is both embarrassing and hilarious at the same time. Prince of Wales Hotel was built in 1927 in Waterton, …

The freestone structure of Nydeggbrücke is one of Bern's biggest attractions, connecting the old town with the new. The 620 feet (190 meters) long bridge crosses the River Aare. It was built in 1844, and with its three beautiful arches, it is now officially part of the Swiss heritage site …

Carbide & Carbon Building is Chicago's 37-story, 503 feet (153 meters) tall landmark building. It was built in 1929 on the famous Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Designed by the Burnham Brothers, the tower's iconic art deco-styling has made it an inseparable part of the city's skyline. According to an urban …

Colnbrook village in Berkshire is home to one of Britain's oldest pubs. The Ostrich was founded in 1106, at the time when Henry I was king of England. The pub that later became an inn was originally called 'The Hospice', but history changed its name and fame. The historic building …

One of the oldest buildings in Varanasi, the BrijRama Palace - A Heritage Hotel was built in the 18th century and is located on its own ghat. It is considered to be one of the city's most historic structures. The property is well situated close to Varanasi's most spectacular ghat, …

One of the few 19th-century hotels in Europe has regained the atmosphere of grandness with its British-inspired glamor, but without looking old-fashioned. The Grand Hotel Bellevue des Alpes is a historic family-run hotel in the shadow of the majestic Jungfrau - one of the tallest Alpine peaks at 13,642 feet …

In the heart of one of California's most famous valleys lies a hotel so magnificent and robust that it was recreated for one of the world's scariest movies. Welcome to the Ahwahnee Hotel, which opened its doors in 1927. Timberline Lodge is known for appearing as Overlook Hotel's exterior in …