The 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® World Heritage Experiences List Is Announced
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Historic Hotels Worldwide® announced today its 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® World Heritage Experiences List, highlighting 25 authentic historic hotels located within or close to historic sites recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. (Photos) To be nominated and selected for membership and inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a hotel must be at least 75 years old and recognized for its historical significance.
This announcement covers a variety of heritage travel experiences and lodgings around the world. These historic hotels, which range from centuries-old palaces and canal houses to urban landmarks and mountaintop hotels, offer travelers meaningful ways to experience destinations recognized for their outstanding universal cultural value. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites described in the announcement include some of the world’s most significant cultural sites, from ancient cities and royal gardens to engineering achievements, artistic traditions, and dramatic landscapes. Each hotel on this list connects guests to a nearby or surrounding World Heritage Site, giving them the opportunity to explore extraordinary architecture, landscapes, traditions, and histories while staying in comfortable accommodations with remarkable character.
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For travelers, the right lodgings can transform a trip to see these sites into a deeper encounter with the regional culture, heritage, and sense of place. The 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide World Heritage Experiences List celebrates historic lodgings that make that connection especially memorable. Some hotels are located within these protected heritage zones, while others are reachable by a short walk, drive, boat ride, or train journey. Together, they highlight how historic hotels can serve not only as places to stay, but also as gateways to regional cultures.
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The 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide World Heritage Experiences, listed in order of the date the historic building was established:
Orient Express Venezia (1436) Venice, Italy
Within “Venice and its Lagoons”
A true Venetian welcome awaits travelers at Orient Express Venezia, a historic 15th-century palazzo in the heart of Venice, Italy. Founded in the 5th century, Venice is a city spread across over 118 islands and known for its network of lagoons and canals that were developed to connect distinct settlements, towns, and fishing villages into an urban system. UNESCO designated “Venice and its Lagoons” a World Heritage Site because of this unique built environment, as well as the city’s historic maritime power and important cultural contributions. Orient Express Venezia was originally a palace built for the city’s noble families in the era when Venice was a crossroads of power, art, and diplomacy. Today, visitors can take a private boat through the ancient canals to discover historic lodgings at Orient Express Venezia, located on the Rio di Noale and Rio di Santa Fosca canals in the quiet Cannaregio district. Guests have their pick of 47 sumptuous guestrooms, including suites with canal views, and may reserve the hotel’s own Venetian Lagoon and the Magic of its Islands tour, a private canal voyage curated by the historic hotel. At the hotel restaurant, three-Michelin-starred head chef Heinz Beck prepares Venetian cuisine using local fish and crustaceans harvested from Venice’s brackish waters—affectionally called “Lagoon seafood.” Orient Express Venezia was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2026.
DOM Hotel (17th century) Rome, Italy
Within the “Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura”
DOM Hotel is more than a perfect location to base a Roman holiday; it is a historic landmark woven into the fabric of the heritage site known as the “Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura.” Constructed between the 14th and 17th centuries, the building's history—it was once part of a church—makes it part of Rome's rich legacy. The heritage site where the hotel is located encompasses the heart of this city that dominated the Mediterranean world for centuries. As the foundation for the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church, Rome and its many classical monuments, churches, palaces, and piazzas, have long stood as a must-see for anyone interested in Western history. Located within the historic center, the hotel places guests at the center of the Eternal City, allowing visitors to experience the city's living history firsthand. DOM Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2019.
Domus Renier Boutique Hotel (1608) Chania, Crete, Greece
Walking distance from “Palatial Centre of Kydonia” and driving distance from the other five “Minoan Palatial Centres”
A grand palace built in 1608, during the Venetian occupation of Crete, Domus Renier Boutique Hotel is in the historic port of Chania, the second-largest city on the Greek island. Thousands of years before the palace was constructed, Chania was a seat of power for the Minoan civilization. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention recognizes six distinct locations as the Minoan Palatial Centres, dating from 1900 to 1100 BCE. Domus Renier Boutique Hotel is a short walk from the westernmost site: the Palatial Centre of Kydonia. In Chania’s Old City district, just across the harbor from the hotel, sections of the Minoan site are excavated and interpreted for curious visitors. Learn more about this fascinating culture and see many of the artifacts found at the site at the Archaeological Museum of Chania, a short drive from the hotel. Connecting past and present, Domus Renier Boutique Hotel remains a place where history, culture, and refined hospitality are seamlessly brought together.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena (1621) Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Within the “Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena”
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena.” Known as The Walled City of Cartagena, the site preserves a colonial port, built by the Spanish in 1586, that connected the heart of South America to African and European nations. The Walled City of Cartagena today includes the building now known to travelers as Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. This historic luxury hotel was founded within a former 17th-century convent, owned by the Order of the Poor Clares. Guests can see archaeological excavations that are part of the hotel building, including a crypt on display below the hotel’s El Coro Lounge Bar. Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena offers an exclusive 30-minute Legendary Tour to take guests through the former convent. Outside the hotel’s storied walls, guests can reach the Walled City’s three historic neighborhoods within a fifteen-minute walk. Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2026.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (1650) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Within the “Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht”
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, was built in 1650 along the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht.” The hotel consists of six canal houses built during the Dutch Golden Age, when the city was a mercantile capital of the Western world. The Amsterdam Canal District was developed between the 16th and 17th centuries, connecting a network of canals in the historic old town and medieval port. Its hydraulic engineering and urban planning show the influence of maritime trade on the city. The hotel is part of the very fabric of the heritage site, located inside the protected zone and just steps from the Canal Ring. Guests can relax in luxurious lodgings, then step outside to experience the historic waterways and bridges. Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum (1683) Uxmal, México
Adjacent to the “Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal”
Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum, founded on an estate established in 1683, is a world class Yucatán hotel and museum located within the UNESCO-listed “Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal.” This heritage site encompasses a former Maya city, which was built between 700 and 1000 A.D., home to some 25,000 inhabitants, and abandoned by 1200 A.D. It is most famous for its great Pyramid of the Magician. Hacienda Uxmal is situated just across from an entrance to the Uxmal Archeological Park, providing guests with views of Maya structures while on hotel grounds and easy access by foot to the nearby archaeological sites. At Hacienda Uxmal, beautifully hand-painted tile, sculpted masonry, and regional wooden accents immerse guests in a brilliant blend of Maya culture and contemporary décor. Its museum and programs, overseen by an on-site anthropologist, educate visitors on the contributions of the Yucatán region to the world. Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2016.
Hotel Maximilian’s (1722) Augsburg, Germany
Adjacent to “Water Management System of Augsburg”
Centrally located in Augsburg, Germany’s Maximilianstraße, Hotel Maximilian’s and its guests have witnessed many technological innovations across the centuries—including the water management systems that transformed life in the Medieval and Early Modern eras. In fact, Hotel Maximilian’s is adjacent to the “Water Management System of Augsburg” UNESCO World Heritage Site. The listing recognizes preserved sites of hydraulic engineering from between the 14th and 18th centuries, including canals, fountains, and water towers. These innovations provided drinking water for residents, process water for industry, cooled structures for food storage, and provided fountains for grand public monuments. Through the hotel concierge, guests can arrange a tour to discover sites like Hercules Fountain and oldest existing waterworks in Central Europe. Hotel Maximilian’s carries this legacy of innovation into its building projects, ensuring the hotel pool is heated with waste heat and uses ecological well and ventilation systems. With a legacy dating to the Late Middle Ages, Hotel Maximilian’s was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2019.
Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn (1789) English Harbour, Antigua and Barbuda
Within the “Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites”
Located in Antigua and Barbuda, the Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn was originally built in 1789 to store and repair materials for the British Royal Navy. As part of the UNESCO-listed “Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites,” the building played a crucial role in supporting one of the Caribbean’s most important colonial naval bases. Also called “Nelson’s Dockyard,” the settlement developed during intense European trade competition in the Caribbean, where a lucrative sugar trade was supported by enslaved labor. Today, visitors to Nelson’s Dockyard are invited to learn about British naval strategy, the experiences of free and enslaved African and Caribbean laborers, and how English architecture adapted to a tropical climate. Guests of the Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn are just a two-minute walk from the dockyard, offering immediate access to this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s museums, galleries, and restored stone buildings. Staying at the inn allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the site’s history, from exploring former naval storehouses to experiencing the vibrant cultural life that now fills the historic waterfront. The Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2017.
Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – A Fairmont Managed Hotel (1885) Hamilton, Bermuda
Short drive from “Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda”
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – A Fairmont Managed Hotel was built in 1885 on the sandy pink shores of Hamilton, Bermuda. The urban oasis was named in honor of Princess Louise after her 1883 visit to Bermuda and is still regarded as a luxurious escape for travelers from around the world. The hotel is a short drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda,” founded in 1612. The Town of St George is the earliest surviving British settlement in the New World. Its survival techniques and defensive fortifications illustrate the evolution of English military engineering as it adapted to advanced artillery over time. Guests at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – A Fairmont Managed Hotel can drive to the site in about 25 minutes or take the bus in under an hour, allowing time to relax by the beautiful water and explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the span of one day. The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – A Fairmont Managed Hotel was inducted as a member of Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Hotel Union Geiranger (1891) Geiranger, Norway
Within the “West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord”
Located in the village of Geiranger, Norway, Hotel Union Geiranger is a Swiss chalet–style hotel built in 1891. Celebrated for its breathtaking setting, the hotel has welcomed travelers seeking the region’s dramatic natural beauty for more than a century. The West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are some of the longest and deepest fjords in the world, known for their breathtaking natural beauty. Composed of narrow, steep-sided crystalline rock walls, cascading waterfalls, glaciers, and rugged mountain landscapes, Geirangerfjord represents one of the most renowned fjord environments in Norway. The site reflects the powerful geological forces that shaped the region and remains a defining example of pristine fjord landscapes. Located just minutes from viewpoints to Geirangerfjord, Hotel Union Geiranger offers guests immediate proximity to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying at the hotel provides panoramic vantage points, allowing guests to fully take in the fjord’s storybook scenery while enjoying the property’s long-standing tradition of warm, family-led hospitality. Hotel Union Geiranger was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2023.
Alsisar Haveli (1892) Jaipur, India
Short drive to “Jaipur City, Rajasthan”
Alsisar Haveli is a stunning historic hotel and former private residence in the heart of the city of Jaipur, India. Founded in 1727 by Raja Jai Singh II, the city of Jaipur was built using the distinctly Hindu harmonic design principles of Vastu Shastra and a grid-iron pattern called Prastara. This distinct vision allowed Jaipur to present striking architectural cohesion when compared to nearby urban centers that had developed across centuries. In 2019 UNESCO recognized “Jaipur City, Rajasthan,” also known as the Walled City of Jaipur, for its pioneering South Asian style of Early Modern urban planning and its striking architectural cohesion. Built just outside the Walled City of Jaipur in 1892, Alsisar Haveli was originally a residence for the lord of Alsisar to occupy when they visited the capital. Today, guests of Alsisar Haveli are within a short drive to the Walled City of Jaipur’s most intriguing historic sites, including Sawai Jai Singh’s City Palace, the Surajpol (Gate of the Sun) and, the Chandpol (Gate of the Moon). Already known to heritage travelers for its lush romantic courtyards, serene alcoves, and colorful gardens, Alsisar Haveli was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (1893) Québec City, Canada
Within “Historic District of Old Québec”
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a celebrated landmark within the historic walls of Québec City, Canada. The “Historic District of Old Québec” is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was designated in 1985 for its remarkably preserved French-colonial design. Founded by French colonists led by Samuel de Champlain in 1608, the City of Québec was designed with typical European-style defenses, architecture, and urban planning. Today, Old Québec is considered the most complete North American example of a fortified, colonial city north of Mexico. Embracing this architectural heritage, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel was built in 1893 to resemble the grand historic manors of France’s Loire Valley. With an excellent location–in fact, the site of the 1620 Fort of St. Louis–guests of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s have easy access to the best of Old Québec. From the hotel’s front doors, travelers can stroll up to the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site for spectacular views or take the funicular down the hillside directly to the cobblestone streets of Quartier Petit-Champlain. An icon of hospitality and design, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012.
Century Old Town Prague – MGallery (1894) Prague, Czechia
Within the “Historic Centre of Prague”
Built in 1894, Century Old Town Prague – MGallery is a Neo-Baroque hotel located just steps from Prague's Old Town Square. Situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the “Historic Centre of Prague,” the hotel places guests at the heart of one of Europe's most culturally significant cities. For much of its history, the magnificent Baroque Revival-style building served as the headquarters of the Workers' Accident Insurance Institute of the Kingdom of Bohemia. It was transformed into a beautiful hotel in 2002, perfect for travelers eager to explore the heritage site on the Vltava River. The city represents an outstanding example of medieval urbanism and reflects more than 1,100 years of development. Its preserved townscape showcases a rich blend of architectural styles from different eras. Staying at Century Old Town Prague – MGallery immerses guests in this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site from the moment they step outside, allowing visitors to explore Prague's historic streets on foot. Century Old Town Prague – MGallery was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (1901) Hanoi, Vietnam
Short drive to “Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi”
Located within the quaint French Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is just two miles away from its most historic section. The ancient site, recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention as the “Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi,” was built during the Lý dynasty as a capital for the newly independent state of the Đại Việt. Emperor Lý Thánh Tông established Thăng Long (present-day Hanoi) in the Red River Valley in 1011 and the city became the center of Vietnamese political power for almost thirteen centuries without interruption. Today, the site’s 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Sites preserve the ruins of the imperial city, as well as Chinese settlements that predate the Lý dynasty and additions by later rulers. Back at the hotel, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi offers guests award-winning programs about the modern history of the capital city. Its historians lead daily tours delving into the hotel's storied past, from hosting renowned guests like Graham Greene to serving as a wartime bomb shelter. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2014.
Waldorf Astoria Versailles –Trianon Palace (1910) Versailles, France
Adjacent to the “Palace and Park of Versailles”
Located just 30 minutes outside Paris, the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace sits directly across from the “Palace and Park of Versailles.” Built in 1910 to host elite travelers, the grand hotel quickly earned a reputation for its refined setting and exceptional hospitality. Once the seat of French political power, the Palace and Park of Versailles were shaped between the 17th and 18th centuries by generations of architects, artists, and landscape designers, resulting in one of the most influential expressions of French Baroque art and architecture. Guests of the hotel are less than a five-minute walk from the main entrance to Versailles and its famed gardens, which welcome millions of visitors each year. Staying at the hotel allows guests to explore Versailles at a relaxed pace, complementing the experience with a setting that reflects the elegance and history of its surroundings. The Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2026.
Beijing Hotel NUO (1917) Beijing, China
Short drive from “Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang”
Located in Dongcheng District, Beijing Hotel NUO has been among China’s most prestigious hotels for more than a century. Guests are well positioned to follow the famous Chang An Avenue from the hotel directly to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang.” Better known as the Forbidden City, the imperial complex was founded in 1416, with 114 buildings constructed between 1625 and 1783. With manicured gardens and more than ten thousand rooms filled with fine furniture and works of art, the World Heritage Site preserves one of the largest collections of Chinese cultural heritage. Guests of Beijing Hotel NUO who want to visit the Forbidden City can take advantage of the hotel’s Hongqi Limousine service and tour the capital in classic style. Beijing Hotel NUO was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2019.
The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - Handwritten Collection (1918) Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Walking distance to “The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks”
The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - Handwritten Collection is housed in a former manor house in the heart of Yogyakarta, providing guests with easy access to the living museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks.” The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta is a 3.2-mile corridor recognized for its expression of Javanese architectural philosophies that have existed in Java for at least 2,000 years. In 1755, Sultan Mangkubumi chose this section of Yogyakarta for a civic complex designed to express Javanese philosophies of life. The corridors conceptualize a miniature of the universe, with Java at the center and buildings to facilitate the cycles of life (birth, marriage, and death). The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - Handwritten Collection sits at the northern end of the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta. Guests can tour the nearby Tugu Yogyakarta Monument and walk or drive to the southernmost points like the Taman Sari Water Castle. The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - Handwritten Collection was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Hotel Magnolia (1929) Santiago, Chile
Short drive from the “Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso”
Built in 1929 in the vibrant capital city of Santiago, Chile, Hotel Magnolia occupies a breathtaking three-story mansion originally constructed for a Chilean socialite. West of the hotel, along Chile's Pacific coast, lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the “Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso,” the country's first and most important merchant port on the sea routes of South America. In the late 19th century, the city developed into a major trading center by linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via the Strait of Magellan. Its strategic location became a hub for immigration and trade, creating a unique blend of cultures that can be seen reflected through its colorful architecture and vibrant street life. Hotel Magnolia is located approximately 71 miles from the historic seaport, with a travel time of about one to two hours. The hotel enhances visits to the site by offering private transfers through guided tours or rental car arrangements, making it an ideal base for a day-trip excursion. Hotel Magnolia was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2025.
Garden Hotel Suzhou (1930s) Suzhou, China
Walking distance to the “Classical Gardens of Suzhou”
In the heart of Suzhou, China’s Gusu District, Garden Hotel Suzhou brings travelers within walking distance or short drives to the beautiful “Classical Gardens of Suzhou,” a UNESCO World Heritate Site. Originally built in the 1930s as a private residence for the Chiang family, the hotel is woven into a larger historic garden complex with roots that stretch back centuries. The city’s heritage gardens trace their origins to the Wu Dynasty in the 6th century BCE, inspired by the Royal Hunting Gardens. Designed to artfully recreate natural landscapes within limited urban spaces, the gardens incorporate water, stone, plants, and architecturally significant structures of poetic meaning. Together, they represent some of the finest achievements of Chinese culture, heritage, and landscape design. Guests of the hotel are immersed in this extraordinary history, with the Master of the Nets Garden located just a five-minute walk from the hotel. This remarkable proximity allows visitors to step into the whimsical horticulture and artistic principles that have influenced garden design around the world for centuries. Garden Hotel Suzhou was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2022.
Fera Palace Hotel (1934) Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
Walking distance to the “Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia”
Built in 1934, Fera Palace Hotel is an ideal home base for exploring all that Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, has to offer, including the “Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia.” Located in the city’s historic district and close to the UNESCO-recognized site, Fera Palace Hotel stands as a striking example of modern Art Deco design amid the legacy of Salvador's colonial past. Centuries ago, Portuguese settlers developed the city as Brazil's first capital in the mid-1500s. It was a principal seaport, dominated by trade in sugarcane and the trafficking of enslaved people, primarily from West Central Africa. Over time, Salvador became a cultural crossroads where European, African, and Indigenous influences merged. The city was the site of a major uprising by enslaved Black residents in 1835 and is known for its Afro-Brazilian culture today. This cultural convergence is reflected in the Historic Centre's colorful streetscapes, ornate facades, and brightly painted buildings. Notably, Salvador is also recognized by UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a “City of Music.” With Fera Palace Hotel located within a five-minute walk of the Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia, guests can seamlessly step into the heart of the World Heritage Site and experience its extraordinary history firsthand. Fera Palace Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2023.
The Caledonian Edinburgh (1903) Edinburgh, Scotland
Walking distance to “Old and New Towns of Edinburgh”
The Caledonian Edinburgh has epitomized Scottish hospitality for nearly 125 years, providing visitors with a luxurious respite after a long train journey or day of discovery since 1903. Originally serving travelers arriving via the Caledonian Railway, the hotel quickly established itself as one of Edinburgh's premier destinations. Today, it sits just a 10-minute walk from the UNESCO-listed “Old and New Towns of Edinburgh,” renowned for their striking contrasts between charming, haphazard urban development and more modern, planned neighborhoods. The medieval Old Town, which began to take shape in the 12th century, is defined by its narrow streets and distinctive tenement buildings. In contrast, the Georgian New Town, developed between 1767 and 1890, is celebrated for its neoclassical architecture, elegant streetscapes, and organized grid layout. Together, the two areas represent a remarkable example of urban evolution, preserving centuries of architectural and social history within a single city. Guests of The Caledonian Edinburgh are perfectly positioned to explore both historic districts on foot with the World Heritage Site located just minutes from the hotel. The Caledonian Edinburgh was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Riad El Amine Fès (1905) Fes, Morocco
Walking distance to “Medina of Fez”
Originally a magnificent 19th-century Arabic-Andalusian residence, Riad El Amine Fès has been carefully restored into an elegant hotel that honors its heritage while showcasing the artistry and architectural mastery of the region's finest craftsmen. It is fitting lodgings for travelers who want to explore Fès, considered the cultural capital of Morocco. The nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Medina of Fez, is one of the largest and most significant Islamic metropolises in the world, representing centuries of cultural development, authentic craftsmanship, and architectural diversity. Its architecture is distinguished by construction techniques and decorative traditions developed over more than ten centuries, blending local knowledge and craftsmanship with Andalusian, Oriental, and African influences. In addition to the historic nature of its built environment, the Medina of Fes is recognized for its intangible cultural heritage: calligraphy, poetry, and metal working arts. Riad El Amine Fès not only places guests within a 10–15-minute walking distance of the medina's most sought-after experiences and attractions, it also offers its guests classes and demonstrations of tile working (zellige), Henna, Moroccan cooking, and more. A true immersion into Moroccan culture, Riad El Amine Fès was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2025.
Hotel Waldhaus Sils (1908) Sils Maria, Switzerland
Short drive from "The Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes”
Since 1908, the family-owned-and-operated Hotel Waldhaus Sils has welcomed travelers from around the world and invited them to marvel at the rugged beauty of the Alps. From the village of Sils Maria, Switzerland, hotel guests can make a short trip to St. Moritz, board a train, and experience “The Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes,” recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The history of the hotel and the history of the railway go hand-in-hand: The Albula line and the Bernina Pass line, opened in 1904 and 1908, carried goods and travelers to the isolated region, which had become popular for its striking blue lakes, calm forests, and snow-capped mountains. The historic rail lines are recognized today for their contribution to the development of mountain railway technology. Engineers dug 55 tunnels and built 196 connecting viaducts or bridges through central Switzerland’s and northern Italy’s highest peaks. Visitors at Hotel Waldhaus Sils today can travel 20 minutes by bus to the St. Moritz train station or sightsee beside the railway on a multi-day hike. Both routes pass through countless charming Alpine vistas that have inspired travelers for decades. Hotel Waldhaus Sils was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2014.
Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa (1921) Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo is home to the “Tango,” an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa, known as the “palace in the sand,” stretches along the Río de la Plata promenade. Guests of the hotel can follow the promenade down to the historic city center, where bars, Carnival festivals, and markets embrace the living tradition of Tango. UNESCO inscribed the Tango on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list for the dance’s distinctive cultural identity and global impact. The tradition of Tango was developed by the urban working class in Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the 19th century. Argentine and Uruguayan cultures were both defined by European immigrants, descendants of enslaved Africans, and indigenous peoples. In Montevideo, dancers along the Río de la Plata embodied this blended identity through the creation of energetic social dances, which settled into a recognizable style called Tango by the late 1880s. As a grand display of Montevideo’s entertainment, art, and architecture, Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco proudly takes inspiration from the beauty and tradition of Tango. Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2025.
Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor (1932) Siem Reap, Cambodia
Short drive to “Angkor”
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor borrowed its name from Angkor, the capital city of the ancient Khmer Empire, which ruled much of Southeast Asia from 802 to 1431. Today, Angkor’s preserved temples, monuments, reservoirs, natural resources, and cultural traditions make it one of the world’s best-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Great in scale as well as beauty, the city supported an estimated 750,000 residents at the height of its power. When the Khmer Empire declined, however, the rainforest gradually overtook much of the city and only a small population remains to this day. Since the early 20th century, travelers from around the globe have made the journey to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to see the architecture and experience the culture first-hand. Built in 1932 to support tourism and located just five miles from Angkor, Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor embraces its role in facilitating cultural discoveries. Today, guests of the historic hotel can experience traditional Khmer dance performances, lotus folding lessons, and Khmer cooking classes. The hotel also curates journeys into Angkor, including photography tours, sustainable tuk-tuk tours, and exclusive temple dinners. Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Together, these hotels demonstrate how historic hospitality can deepen the experience of visiting places recognized for their cultural heritage.
“The 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide World Heritage Experiences List celebrates legendary historic hotels that make some of the world’s most treasured cultural and natural places even more meaningful for travelers,” said Lawrence P. Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “These extraordinary historic hotels invite guests to experience UNESCO World Heritage Sites not only as destinations to visit, but as living stories to discover through architecture, hospitality traditions, local culture, and a profound sense of place.”
About Historic Hotels Worldwide®
Historic Hotels Worldwide® is a prestigious and distinctive collection of historic treasures, including luxury historic hotels built in former castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries. Historic Hotels Worldwide represents the finest and most distinctive global collection of more than 320 historic hotels in 49 countries. Hotels inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide are authentic historic treasures, demonstrate historic preservation, and celebrate historic significance. Eligibility for induction into Historic Hotels Worldwide is limited to those distinctive historic hotels that adhere to the following criteria: minimum age for the building is 75 years or older; historically relevant as a significant location within a historic district, historically significant landmark, place of a historic event, former home of a famous person, or historic city center; hotel celebrates its history by showcasing memorabilia, artwork, photography, and other examples of its historic significance; recognized by national preservation or heritage buildings organization or located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and presently used as a historic hotel. For more information, please visit HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com.
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