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Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan (Yamanashi, Japan)
According to the Guinness World Records, the oldest existing hotel is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, built in 705 in Japan. This traditional inn has been managed by a family for 52 generations. Famous guests who have stayed here include Tokugawa Leyasu (the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate) and Kouken (the 46th emperor).
Maids Head Hotel (Norwich, England)
Built over 800 years ago, the Maids Head Hotel is a strong contender for the list of the world's oldest hotels. The oldest part of the building dates back to the 15th century, including the stunning oak-paneled room where exquisite afternoon tea is served.
Old Hall Hotel (Buxton, USA)
The predecessor of the Old Hall Hotel was a four-story tower dating back to 1573, used to imprison Queen Mary of Scotland on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1727, it was converted into a hotel, and Daniel Defoe, the author of the novel Robinson Crusoe, stayed there during his visit to England.
Jamaica Hotel (Bolventor, England)
While not the oldest hotel on the list, the Jamaica Hotel certainly has a fascinating history. Opened in 1750, the Jamaica was a training lodge – a resting place for travelers and their horses before the advent of trains. At the time, it was known as a hideout for smugglers on the Cornish and Devon coasts. Some believe the inn's name comes from the owner's permission for illegal rum smugglers to enter.
Gripsholms Vardshus (Mariefred, Sweden)
Built on the site of a Carthusian monastery (established in 1493), Gripsholms Vardshus became a hotel in 1609 and is Sweden's oldest hotel. Guests can sleep in 500-year-old beds unearthed during the hotel's renovation.
Pod Roza Hotel (Krakow, Poland)
Pod Roza was Krakow's first hotel, opening in the 17th century. Famous French writer Balzac, Hungarian composer Liszt, and Tsar Alexander II all stayed there. Although it suffered some deterioration during the Cold War, the hotel has now been renovated and restored to its former elegance with heated floors, Oriental carpets, and Italian furnishings.
Petit Palace Posada del Peine Hotel (Madrid, Spain)
Built in 1610, the Petit Palace Posada del Peine is considered the oldest hotel in Spain. Its name translates to "hairbrush inn" because originally each room had a comb hanging on a string to deter theft.
El Convento Hotel (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Although today a luxurious hotel and trendy beach club, El Convento was formerly a dilapidated Carmelite convent built in 1646 by order of King Philip IV of Spain. For 252 years, Carmelite nuns lived in this beautiful Spanish colonial building. However, it gradually fell into disrepair after the convent closed in 1903. In subsequent years, it was converted into retail shops, a nightclub, and even a budget hotel. Today, the hotel has been renovated and restored to its former splendor with marble bathrooms, luxurious Andalusian tile floors, and mahogany beams.
Colonial Hotel (Concord, Massachusetts)
The Colonial Hotel, built in 1716, holds a significant historical importance. On April 19, 1775, during the American Revolution, Dr. Timothy Minot Jr. (later President) temporarily converted his home into a hospital to treat wounded soldiers, including an operating room and a morgue. This is perhaps why the hotel is considered haunted by many.
Resort Omni Homestead (Hot Springs, Va.)
Completed in 1766, the Omni Homestead resort was America's first resort. Originally an 18-room wooden hotel, it served visitors to the local hot springs, renowned for their therapeutic properties. Over the years, the hotel was expanded and renovated into a luxurious resort. Notable guests included Presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt.
