Title: Travel Back in Time at These Five Historic Hotels
When is a hotel more than a place to sleep? When it’s in a building with a storied past, allowing guests to go back in time to the Gilded Age or Edwardian era as easily as they go to the gym or spa.
In today’s world, you can check into a 17th-century former soap factory on the French Riviera, part of the Old War Office in London, or a Renaissance-palazzo-style building that was once a bank in New York. Here are five new hotels in historic spaces where you can experience the past and present, delighting in the architecture of vanished days even as you indulge in the latest luxuries.
1. Théoule-sur-Mer, France
This seaside respite on the Côte d’Azur was once a 17th-century soap factory yet looks like a castle thanks to a Scottish lord who, in the early 1900s, added turrets and crenelated ramparts. The property opened this month with 44 rooms and suites, some in the castle and others in villas. All have an airy feel, thanks to linen curtains, rattan light fixtures, hardwood floors, and views of the Bay of Cannes. The hotel also has its own beach, La Plage Blanche, with 90 sun beds, a beach restaurant, and lounge with cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine. Prices start from 360 euros in low season.
2. London
The Old War Office, once the workplace of government and military officials, including Winston Churchill, has been transformed into the 120-room-and-suite Raffles London at the OWO. The hotel features suites named after historical figures and a spa spanning four floors. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at Saison by Mauro Colagreco and tasting menus at Mauro Colagreco. Prices start from 922 pounds.
3. Buenos Aires
The Edificio Mihanovich, a 142-room-and-suite hotel, was once one of Latin America’s tallest buildings commissioned in the 1920s by Nicolas Mihanovich. Guests can enjoy bird’s-eye views, Argentine cuisine, and wine at Cantina Restaurant and Le Club Bacan. Prices start from $670.
4. New York
Located in a building that’s more than a century old, this 153-room-and-suite hotel in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood harks back to the Gilded Age. The hotel features a shimmering lobby, guest rooms mixing old and new, and modern Italian and French cuisine at Café Carmellini. Prices start from $895.
5. Charleston, S.C.
The stylish boutique hotel offers 25 rooms, suites, and residences spread across three buildings in downtown Charleston. Guests can enjoy full kitchens, washers and dryers, and outdoor terrace with a fireplace. Prices start from $399.
These historic hotels offer a unique blend of past and present, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich history of each location while enjoying modern amenities and luxuries. Whether you’re looking to relax on the French Riviera, explore the streets of London, soak in the views of Buenos Aires, experience the charm of New York, or wander the romantic streets of Charleston, these hotels provide a truly unforgettable experience.
