Traditional hotels have been built from locally sourced materials and long-established methods. Historic architectural heritages that are open to visitors. The list includes the oldest ryokan in Japan through rock-cut architecture in Turkey to thatched-roof buildings in the United Kingdom.
Traditional Hotels
Koyasan Saizen-in  
Temple
Japan is worldwide known for its quirky and unique cultural characteristics in architecture, art, traditions, and daily life. And it's no different when it comes to staying in a hotel. Japan offers kinky stays at love hotels, affordable and slightly crammed in capsule hotels, and also something called Shukubo. It's …
Accommodation types: Church   Traditional
Location: Koya  Japan  East Asia
White Stallion  
Ranch
Heartwarming ranch in Arizona is ready to give you an experience of a lifetime. White Stallion is a classic dude ranch (a type of ranch that welcomes guests) with an authentic Wild West atmosphere and amazing attention to detail. It's a museum of Western history and a filming location for …
Accommodation types: Desert   Movie   Nature   Traditional
Location: Marana  USA  North America
Al Tarfa Desert  
Sanctuary Lodge
There is much more to Egypt than the Red Sea resorts and the ancient pyramids. Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary is located deep inside the country, off the beaten track. The lodge is set in the Dakhla, which is regarded as Egypt's most beautiful oasis. This sizeable private reserve is a …
Accommodation types: Desert   Remote   Traditional
Location: El-Rashda  Egypt  Middle East
Gangtey Lodge  
Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan remains one of the most mysterious and least visited countries in the world. The country opened its doors to tourism in 1974 when a total of only 287 tourists arrived. Even today, the government of Bhutan tries to restrict mass tourism to protect its unspoiled nature …
Accommodation types: Nature   Traditional
Location: Phobjikha Valley  Bhutan  South Asia
Hostal Sa  
Rascassa
Located in one of Costa Brava’s best coves, Hostal Sa Rascassa is a quaint guesthouse with a well-regarded restaurant attached. The pine-surrounded building is quiet and peaceful, with the coastline a short walk away. If you prefer longer ambulations, there are various paths you can take to explore the dramatic …
Accommodation types: Traditional
Location: Begur  Spain  West Europe
Gearrannan  
Blackhouse Village
You don’t need to travel far to feel like you’ve stepped back in time in Scotland. The rugged landscape stretches as far as the eye can see, and life in local villages goes at a different pace. But if you want to fully immerse yourself in the spirit of the …
Accommodation types: Nature   Traditional
Location: Garenin  United Kingdom  West Europe
Emerson  
on Hurumzi
When coming to Stone Town, a UNESCO site famous for virtually intact architectural heritage, it only makes sense to fully immerse yourself in the experience by staying in one of those historic buildings. Emerson on Hurumzi, housed in a property with a rich history, is the perfect candidate for the …
Accommodation types: Traditional
Location: Zanzibar  Tanzania  Africa
The Fife Arms  
Braemar
This impressive former Victorian coaching inn in the Scottish Highlands has freshly undergone a complete renovation. Hotel Fife Arms is located within the pristine nature of the Cairngorms National Park in a historic village called Braemar. This place has hosted the Braemar Gathering every year since 1832 at Princess Royal …
Accommodation types: Luxury   Traditional
Location: Braemar  United Kingdom  West Europe
The Chedi Al Bait  
Sharjah
Sharjah has a new surprise within Emirate’s largest historical preservation project. The most luxurious new hotel in UAE is The Chedi Al Bait Sharjah Resort. Several historic manor houses have been converted into a 5-star luxury resort with 53 rooms and unparalleled hospitality. As part of the project, Souq Al …
Accommodation types: Luxury   Traditional
Location: Sharjah  United Arab Emirates  Middle East
Ahn Luh  
Zhujiajiao
It’s impossible to look at Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao and not be impressed. Housed partially in a 600-year-old courthouse from the Ming Dynasty, this hotel looks like the film set for Raise the Red Lantern. The historic building, which had been beautifully restored, now serves as the hotel lobby and will …
Accommodation types: Luxury   Traditional
Location: Shanghai  China  East Asia
Douar Samra  
Forget the anonymous and characterless hotel stays. At Douar Samra, you will know everyone’s name (even the donkey’s!), and you’ll be a part of the family. It’s a traditional Berber home restored as a guesthouse but didn’t lose its original character. Set in Imlil Valley, in the Atlas Mountains, it …
Accommodation types: Mountain   Traditional
Location: Imlil  Morocco  Africa
Talist Siwa  
Talist Siwa in Egypt is an ecological lifestyle experience. Talist means ‘Lake’ in the local Amazig language, and that’s exactly where this lodge is located – next to the Siwa Lake close to the Libyan border. It has a stunning view of the Jafar and Al Gary Mountains. This family-operated …
Accommodation types: Desert   Nature   Traditional
Location: Siwa  Egypt  Middle East
Inkaterra  
La Casona
Less than a five-minute walk from Peru’s Plaza de Armas, the Inkaterra La Casona is the first boutique hotel in the city of Cusco. Built in a 16th Century manor house on an old training ground for the Incan army, guests will truly feel as though they’ve stepped back in …
Accommodation types: Luxury   Traditional
Location: Cusco  Peru  South America
Hotel Arbez  
Hotel Arbez is an unusual place – half is in France and half in Switzerland. When a new border between the two countries was drawn in 1862, it happened to run down the middle of a field owned by one Mr. Ponthus. He built a shop that straddled the border, …
Accommodation types: Traditional
Location: Les Rousses  France  West Europe
Nishiyama Onsen  
Keiunkan
The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan spa hotel was originally opened in 705 AD, and in 2011 it was declared the oldest hotel in the world by Guinness World Records (currently 1317 years old). Since its inception, the hotel has been owned and operated by the same family for 52 generations. The …
Accommodation types: Spa   Traditional
Location: Yamanashi  Japan  East Asia
The Himalayan  
Village
Tucked in India’s Parvati valley, travelers will find the eco-friendly Himalayan Village, a perfect spot for adventure seekers and those who want to find the ultimate fairytale retreat. The valley offers treks, blooming flower valleys, thick flora and fauna, crystal clear waterfalls, and calming rivers set in the Deodar forest. …
Accommodation types: Fairytale   Mountain   Nature   Traditional
Location: Kasol  India  South Asia
The Bath  
Priory
Located just a short walk away from the city center of Bath (UK), this luxury hotel and spa is set in an 1835 Georgian manor in a residential area. Privately owned, this country house hotel built on land once owned by The Priory of Bath Abbey is warm and welcoming …
Accommodation types: Luxury   Spa   Traditional
Location: Bath  United Kingdom  West Europe
Genuine Draft  
Horse Ranch
The Genuine Draft Horse Ranch is located in the high desert of California’s Morongo Valley and spreads across five acres. Just a twenty-minute drive from Palm Springs, this ranch will have you transported to the Wild West. While this horse ranch hosts weddings, photoshoots, and field trips, you can also …
Accommodation types: Traditional
Location: Morongo Valley  USA  North America
Cappadocia Cave  
Suites
Let’s go to the fairy chimneys where the cavemen used to live! No, this is not the beginning of your favorite bedtime story. I am talking about a place that really exists, and you can stay there too… no fooling. Fairy Chimneys exist all over the world. They are sometimes …
Accommodation types: Cave   Traditional
Location: Goreme  Turkey  Middle East
Follonico  
Billed as a “four suite B&B,” the Follonico bears only a loose resemblance to the shabby seaside experience of the usual B&Bs found in Europe. It is run by a husband and wife team and is perfect for a quiet getaway in the Toscana countryside. Breakfast is served reassuringly late …
Accommodation types: Nature   Traditional
Location: Torrita di Siena  Italy  West Europe
Locations
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