Numerous castles, manor houses, palaces, estates, and even monasteries have been converted into opulent hotels over time. Holding on to their architectural heritage, these historic hotels are a sybarite’s paradise. Enlisted below are 10 magnificent historic hotels of the world that have to power to turn any sojourn into a memorable royal vacation.
Belmond Villa San Michele, Florence, Italy
Belmond Villa San Michele
Formerly a Franciscan monastery, the Villa San Michele is now a luxury heritage hotel perched atop a cliff in Fiesole. It offers spectacular views of the City of Lilies. Located amid trees and terraced gardens, it enjoys quietude. Its splendid porticoed façade attributes to Michelangelo and imposing loggia. Precious Florentine antiques and old master paintings form a major part of this cliff castle hotel’s character. Under its vaulted ceilings and wide arches, this 15th-century edifice houses a well-equipped gym, extensive bar, and an outdoor pool. Note that the Villa closes during winter.
Le Meurice, Paris
Le Meurice, Paris
Known to have been an abode for the likes of Pablo Picasso, Elizabeth Taylor, Mata Hari, and Queen Victoria, Le Meurice is fairly accredited as one of the world’s luxury hotels with historical significance. It has also served as Salvador Dalí’s Parisian pied-á-terre for three decades. The interior designed by Philippe and Ara Starck reflects inspiration taken from Dalí’s paintings. The decadent and artistic tones of this 1835 landmark set it apart from the other high-end Parisian hotels. Its gilded rooms and lobbies are everything to swoon over. In addition to being a magnificent abode, Le Meurice is also a pet-friendly choice for animal lovers.
Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, India
Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Feel like royalty when arriving at Taj Falaknuma in a gold horse-drawn carriage and welcomed with pink rose petals strewing the steps. With a design inspired by White House and Buckingham Palace, the regalia of this palace is evident even from afar. The palace library is a replica of the one in Windsor Castle with several antique reads. Guests are tucked in ultra-luxurious rooms with antique-style bathrooms. Inside each bathroom, there are three taps for hot, cold, and perfume. Since the hotel is still home to the Queen, it maintains the demeanor of a stately estate more so than that of a palace-transformed hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Florence, Italy
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Florence
Housed in a grand edifice, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze seems to have emerged from a historic European novel. Postured amid 11-acre of botanical gardens is a 15th-century palazzo and a 16th-century convent. Palatial, spacious rooms inside it are accented with frescoes and ceiling murals, showcasing Renaissance art. Steeped in its history, the hotel can sometimes come off as overwhelming with all the pomp. The hotel Winery is always stocked with more than 400 bottles and serves around 50 Italian wines by the glass. It also has a two-story herbal spa decked with mosaic walls and floors, where guests can splurge and rejuvenate.
Mandarin Oriental, Prague
Mandarin Oriental, Prague
Settled in the heart of the bustling city of Prague, Mandarin Oriental was once a monastery and dates back to the 14th century. This Baroque hotel is housed in a stunning Renaissance edifice that blends history with contemporary amenities. Each of its 99 rooms are individually designed to provide 99 different experiences. Their understated plush interiors achieve the perfect balance between homeliness and bold rococo. The hotel contains a Gothic spa with its floor made of glass that reveals the ruins of the chapel below. There is an on-site Spices Restaurant and Bar facility for epicures.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Vietnam
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Vietnam
Both business travelers and vacationers have taken a liking towards this historical gem. The 364 rooms in this hotel sprawl in two wings – Metropole Wing and Opera Wing. The rooms in the Metropole Wing have their historic appearances preserved as compared to the Neo-Classical rooms of the Opera Wing. Brimming with amenities, the hotel attends to its guests’ every need. Its extremely efficient butler, concierge, and turn-down services ensure a placid stay. Sofitel also houses a well-stocked bar, spa, outdoor pool, three bars, and three on-site restaurants offering French, Vietnamese, or Italian cuisine. The hotel is where Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard spent their honeymoon.
Hotel Alfonso Xiii, Seville, Spain
Hotel Alfonso Xiii, Seville, Spain
Hotel Alfonso XIII is a 1928 heritage hotel nestled between the Royal Alcazar Palace and a 15th-century Gothic cathedral. The name of the hotel is an eponym for the king who commissioned and inaugurated it. While the king is long gone, his legacy lives on with this historic hotel that still embodies the royal traditions, stately hospitality, and aesthetic genius. The building comprises of 147 rooms, decorated in Castilian, Moorish, and Isabelline baroque style. Decked with upholstered walls and crystal chandeliers, these rooms pronounce grandeur. Its well-appointed 21st-century facilities include an equipped fitness center with a sauna, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar.
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, India
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, India
This heritage building in Mumbai cossets its guests in old-fashioned grandeur. Despite being the very first Taj Hotel, this flagship abode stands out from the long chain of Taj Hotels. Replicating the splendor of a Rajput palace, Taj Mahal Palace is often described as Indo-Saracenic. Built as an ultimate comeback by Jamshed Ji Tata after being denied entry to white-clientele-only Watson’s Hotel, Taj won hearts of Indians, especially Mumbaikars. Facing the harbor, the hotel offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India. Taj offers a selection of four restaurants, two bars, two different wings (Heritage and Contemporary), and several hotel shops.
Ashford Castle, Ireland
Ashford Castle, Ireland
Ashford Castle in Ireland is a 5-star heritage hotel. Spanning widely, it is a 350-acre estate teeming with lust trees and gardens on the shore of Lough Corrib. Built in 1228, the castle was transformed into a hotel in 1715 with an addition of a French-style chateau. Its interiors are spattered with antique furniture and artifacts. There are 82 grand rooms, suites, and cottages in the hotel with abounding choices of outdoor activities that guests can enjoy. In addition to sauna, restaurant, spa, and hammam facilities, Ashford Castle also comprises of a tennis court and a golf course.
De L’Europe, Amsterdam
De L’Europe, Amsterdam
The last one on our list of luxury historic hotels is De L’Europe. A stunning architectural legacy from the late 1890s, De L’Europe is truly a sight to behold. Nestled on the banks of the Amstel river, this luxurious retreat boasts a contemporary makeover. This is one of the few historic luxury hotels that come with in-room iPads and Nespresso machines in every room. Its walls can be seen decorated with the replicas of Old Masters, hand-picked by the help of Rijksmuseum. Aside from the Michelin-starred restaurant, this hotel also includes a pool, a bar, a spa center, a gym, and a sauna.