Have you ever wondered where are the oldest hotels in the world that still exist? We have made quite an extensive list here, twenty of them.
Long tradition and continual business surely are indicators of good quality that has gained visitors’ trust through centuries. These hotels all have unique looks, characteristics and stories, quite the opposite of popular modern hotel chains. If, nevertheless you are interested in those, take a look at 10 Largest Hotel Chains in the World in 2017. But back on historical hotels, what they all have in common is blend of historical architecture and modern styles. Rooms are unique and often decorated by artists. They are usually quite luxurious and expensive due to their reputation. All of them have interesting stories and sometimes myths created. However, many of them were visited by some historically important persons.
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These old hotels, mainly from medieval times onward, are all placed in similar – historical surroundings: around castes, churches, spas and on important roads. Many of them have been in possession of one family, and they can trace dozens of generations through history. That’s also why while you reside in some of them you can try unique products, like beers or wines that are also part of a family business, since many of them own vineyards and their own farms.
Our research has started in many places, and we have realized that Europe is the first place where one could find old hotels that still exist. For European oldest hotels that still exist we have checked Historic Hotels of Europe and the Nights in the Past where, apart from hotels, they have mostly shown old castles and ancient places that were later been reused as hotels like castles of France and Spain. Even though there was a marvelous choice of fantastic historical castles all over the Europe, we have only focused on those buildings that were originally built in as inns, taverns or hotels. Other nice reviews of historical hotels were Swiss Historic Hotels for Switzerland and the Guardian for the UK. For the rest of the world we have gained information from World Atlas and Tofugu. And of course, we haven’t missed what Guinness Worlds Record has to say about the subject.
Europe convincingly has the greatest number of historic hotels, but are European hotels really the oldest in the world? Let’s now start our journey through time and see which 20 oldest hotels in the world that still exist are:
20. Atrium Hotel Blume, Switzerland
Since 1421
The area where this hotel is located was known since ancient times, from Celts and Romans for its thermal springs. The hotel was also built as bath and spa resort. Today the building has a new Art Nouveau look, and they also have their own vineyards.
19. La Couronne, Switzerland
Since 1418
It is claimed that this hotel was visited by some famous names such as Casanova, Napoleon and Carreras. However, it is nowadays a luxurious modern hotel that has kept looks of the 15th century facility.
18. Hotel Roten Hahn, Germany
Since 1380
Roten Hahn, or the red rooster, is one of the important German historical hotels, located in a small town. So, this hotel is a great recommendation for all those who want to go back in time and experience glimpses of medieval times.
17. Gastagwirt, Austria
Since 1380
As a family business, run passionately for many generations, this hotel is placed on once important trade route. Firstly started as a tavern, it has been developing and upgrading with every new generation of keepers. All the supplies come from the hotel’s own farm, where visitors can also help with everyday farm jobs.
16. Al Cappello Rosso, Italy
Since 1375
This ancient hotel is placed in the historical heart of Bologna. Rooms are all unique and thematically decorated by famous designers. While first mentioned in the 14th century, a high reputation of this hotel dates back to 1712, when G.M. Mitelli, a historiographer of Bologna, mentions it as a place with great food.
15. Hotel Elch, Germany
Since 1342
Hotel Elch is a small hotel dating back to the 14th century, located in a historical part of Nuremberg. A blend of traditional medieval architecture and a modern cozy interior is perfect for those who want to spend a peaceful holiday and enjoy local history both in and outdoor. Very beautiful and amazingly one of the oldest hotels in the world that still exist.
14. Blaue Gans, Austria
Since 1350
Located in heart of Salzburg, Blaue Gans is one of Austria’s oldest hotels that still exist. It is nowadays a luxurious hotel, keeping tradition since the 14th century, blending modern styles into an ancient architecture of an old inn that once was.
13. Gmachl, Austria
Since 1334
Gmachl Hotel was named after Hirnböck-Gmachl family and run by 23 generations. Visitors can nowadays enjoy in a rustic environment, and great hospitality of hotel’s personnel, as they were awarded the “Best People Award” in 2010.
12. Pilgrim Haus, Germany
Since 1304
This hotel, next on our list of oldest hotels in the world that still exist was built under the patronage of the Monastery of Paradise in Soest, and dedicated to Saint Jacob, and hence visited mostly by Jakobspilgern (pilgrims who were visiting the shrine of st. James in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain). It had a distillery and brewery famous for their beer Hanse-Stube.
11. Orso Grigio, Italy
Since around 1303
Orso Grigio is placed in San Candido, an Italian town in Southern Tyrol near the border with Austria. It is a perfect place for those who enjoy the mountains and mountain sports.
10. Hotel Porta Rossa, Italy
Since 13th century
Being located in Florence’s cultural center, Porta Rossa, that’s up next on our list of oldest hotels in the world that still exist claims to be one of the oldest Italian hotels. The visitors can enjoy the comfort of modern interior together with ancient frescos and 13-century tower. It belongs to the NH hotels chain.
9. The Maid’s Head, England
Since 1287
The hotel has been evolving for more than 800 years, visitors can see many English architectural styles. Since it is one of the oldest hotels still existing, there have been many ghost stories and myths created, one of them being the one of a ghost of a man, probably some town’s mayor who shakes his head in the courtyard.
8. Sanct Peter, Germany
Since 1246
Sanct Peter hotel is placed in Ahr Valley, a winery region in Germany. Although there are some indications that roots of this guest house go back to 6th century, the present day building exists since the 13th century.
7. The Old Bell, England
Since 1220
The Old Bell was built nearby the Malmesbury Abbey and remains of the Saxon castle for visitors, and it was expanded during the next centuries. Today, visitors can enjoy the mixture of medieval English architecture with Victorian and Edwardian styles up to modern Japanese minimalism. Since The Old Bell’s history dates to 1220, it makes it one of the oldest hotels in the world that still exist.
6. Angel & Royal, England
Since 1203
Before the 19th century this hotel that ranks 6th on our list of oldest hotels in the world that still exist was known only as the Angel, founded by the Knights Templar. Today it belongs to Ashdale Hotels. The hotel had hosted many notable visitors, like King John (in 1213), Richard III (in 1483) and Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War in the 17th century.
5. Hotel Alte Goste, Italy
Since 1142
Placed in picturesque surroundings in mountainous northern Italy, with a view on the Dolomites, this is one of the oldest hotels in this region. It is placed among most important roads that connected Italy (especially Venice) with the north throughout the history. It is known that since middle ages many inns were built near these roads, and this one remains till present days.
4. Olde Bell, England
Since 1135
Olde Bell was opened for visitors of nearby Benedictine Priory in the 12th century, and a bell which still stands there, signalized when an important person has come to visit the monastery. Being one of the oldest hotels in the UK that still exists, Olde Bell has retained the traditional appearance of an old English inn, so visitors can enjoy in ancient ambient while enjoying delicious food, since this hotel has been awarded for having the best restaurant in 2009.
3. Zum Roten Bären, Germany
Since 1120
Although the facility dates back in 1120, first mention of the “landlord of the red bear” comes from the mid-14th century. It is the oldest hotel in Germany. The importance of this historical place has been emphasized even more when a book about it was published in 2009 – Das Buch vom Roten Bären in Freiburg. Now, let’s see the top two on our list of oldest hotels in the world that still exist.
2. Hoshi Ryokan, Japan
Since 718
Japan stands out even couple of centuries ahead of Europe for their care and conservation of the tradition and the past. Also, an important factor here is heredity, which helped their business survive for centuries; this is the case with the Hoshi Ryokan Hotel as well, which was run by the same family for 1300 years through 48 generations of Hoshi family. The capacity is 450 persons, who can enjoy the simplicity of Japanese interior, beautiful gardens and spas, while enjoying traditional Japanese cuisine.
1. Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan, Japan
Since 705
What is it in the Japanese culture that keeps the old tradition much longer than others? Well, one of the things certainly is consciousness about long lasting quality, which puts them in the first and the second place, at least in the domain of the oldest hotels in the world that still exist. Like Hoshi Ryokan, this hotel was also built around hot spring and run by the same family for all this time! Keeping the tradition in old looks, it only has 37 rooms, and a night costs around $440.
