20 Hotels Where History Meets Luxury

Some hotels feel like characters in a story, with whispers of old secrets in the hallways and laughter frozen in time. Each lobby, suite, and terrace carries a personality all its own. Ready to peek inside places where history meets glamour and imagination runs wild? Stick around—you might just find your next daydream destination hiding behind a front desk.

The St. Regis – New York

The Drake – Chicago

Ring in the new year in 1920, and you’d find yourself at the grand opening of The Drake. The Chicago icon quickly became the city’s definition of luxury. Its Palm Court still serves afternoon tea just as it did back then, while the Gold Coast Room evolved into a destination for royalty and celebrities. In fact, Princess Diana herself graced its halls in 1996.

The Breakers – Palm Beach

Now, imagine stepping into a lobby stretching 200 feet, capped with hand-painted ceilings inspired by Rome’s Villa Medici. That was Henry Flagler’s daring vision in 1896 when he created The Breakers. What started as a bold architectural dream became a gathering place for presidents and European nobility, cementing its place as Palm Beach’s crown jewel.

The Biltmore – Coral Gables

Few hotels tell a story quite like The Biltmore. When it opened in 1926, its 23,000-square-foot pool was the world’s largest, which attracted high society and whispered tales of Al Capone’s rumored gambling. Yet beyond the glamour, it proved its deeper purpose during World War II, when it transformed into a hospital where the hotel’s legacy was forever tied to both luxury and service.

The Roosevelt New Orleans (Waldorf Astoria)

In New Orleans, the Roosevelt is a cultural icon. Renamed in honor of Theodore Roosevelt in 1923, this 1893 landmark has seen it all: Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles electrifying the Blue Room, bartenders perfecting cocktails at the Sazerac Bar, and 60,000 twinkling lights dazzling holiday visitors each year.

The Georgian Hotel – Santa Monica

Perched on Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue, The Georgian has been stealing glances since 1933. Its turquoise Art Deco facade is unforgettable, but the real intrigue lies beneath the surface. Hollywood’s elite once gathered in its Prohibition-era speakeasy, which mingled in secrecy while waves crashed just beyond. Today, it still radiates that golden-age attraction, now woven into Santa Monica’s identity.

The Jefferson – Washington, D.C.

Since 1923, this Washington D.C. landmark has honored its namesake with classical design, Jefferson-inspired interiors, and even a Book Room filled with rare volumes and memorabilia. For a more modern touch, The Greenhouse restaurant offers a skylit dining experience that feels both refined and welcoming.

Hotel De Paris Monte-Carlo – Monaco

Opened in 1864 beside the legendary casino, it has defined sophistication for over 150 years. Its wine cellar alone houses over 350,000 bottles, while the three-Michelin-starred Le Louis XV remains a mecca for fine dining. Here, royalty and celebrities still flock in search of timeless indulgence.

Hotel Belles Rives – Cap D’antibes

Overlooking the Mediterranean, this Art Deco jewel has charmed guests since the 1930s. Its most famous resident? F. Scott Fitzgerald, who found inspiration here and penned “Tender Is the Night” within its walls. To this day, the hotel carries the glamorous echoes of that golden literary era.

The Ritz – Paris

Since 1898, Coco Chanel practically made it home, and Ernest Hemingway’s love for its bar endures in the now-famous Hemingway Bar. Suites bear the names of illustrious guests, and even a secret tunnel whispers of its discretion. At the Ritz, every detail is a nod to history wrapped in luxury.

Claridge’s – London

Since opening in 1856, this hotel has welcomed crowned heads, played host to Churchill’s wartime meetings, and dazzled visitors with Art Deco brilliance. Today, its annual Christmas tree—designed by world-famous fashion icons—keeps the tradition of glamour very much alive.

The Savoy – London

It was London’s first luxury hotel with electric lights and lifts, a stunning society with modernity. Even Monet found painting inspiration from its suites, while the American Bar became one of the city’s oldest cocktail landmarks. And the glass-domed Thames Foyer still invites guests to bask in timeless elegance.

Hotel Alfonso XIII – Seville

Commissioned for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, Hotel Alfonso XIII remains a marvel of Andalusian, Moorish, and Castilian design. Strolling its fragrant orange gardens or exploring its ornate Royal Suite feels like walking into a royal dream. From European monarchs to Hollywood stars, the world still gathers here to experience Seville’s most opulent address.

The Peninsula – Hong Kong

Known as the “Grande Dame of the Far East,” The Peninsula has been enchanting guests since 1928. Helicopters now take off from its rooftop helipad, while its Rolls-Royce fleet escorts guests through the city. But perhaps its most enduring tradition is the elegant afternoon tea served in its iconic lobby, where history and luxury meet every day.

Raffles Hotel – Singapore

Raffles is a part of Singapore’s identity. Since 1887, it’s been a haven for creatives like Somerset Maugham and the birthplace of the Singapore Sling. Even its quirks endure: at the Long Bar, tossing peanut shells on the floor is still part of the charm. It’s elegance with a playful twist.

Taj Falaknuma Palace – Hyderabad

Taj Falaknuma Palace feels like stepping into another era. Built in 1894 and later home to the Nizam of Hyderabad, its grandeur is staggering: a 101-seat dining table, a Windsor Castle-inspired library, and a sweeping marble staircase made for royal arrivals. Each corner of this palace tells a story of opulence and power.

Umaid Bhawan Palace – Jodhpur

Umaid Bhawan Palace stands as one of the largest private residences in the world, completed in 1943, yet timeless in appeal. Its golden sandstone exterior and Art Deco interiors remain breathtaking, while its vintage car museum delights enthusiasts. Add 26 acres of manicured gardens, and you’ve got a palace that bridges eras with elegance.

Emirates Palace – Abu Dhabi

Since 2005, it has defined extravagance with more than 1,000 crystal chandeliers, a dome adorned in gold leaf, and a 1.3-kilometer private beach. Even the cappuccinos sparkle—literally—crowned with 24-carat gold flakes. It’s luxury scaled to perfection, every detail designed to dazzle.

Rambagh Palace – Jaipur

Royal pleasures abound at Rambagh Palace, where aristocratic pursuits have shaped its destiny since 1835. What began as a noble hunting lodge evolved into a grand palace, blending the splendor of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The legacy of royal sports lives on in its trophy-adorned Polo Bar, while dozens of peacocks now command the manicured gardens.

Hotel Sacher – Vienna

Vienna’s Hotel Sacher is living proof that dessert can define history. Since 1876, this hotel has been the guardian of the Sachertorte, a chocolate cake so legendary its recipe remains a tightly held secret. Located across from the Vienna State Opera, it’s hosted everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to JFK—all while keeping chocolate lovers hooked.