In many cities, there is an interesting old [[Hotels|hotel]], something to remind you of the days when travel meant long journeys by rail or sea, a place where the rich and the famous of its day would stay. Nearly all of these were built before the Second World War, and many date back to Queen Victoria's reign.
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In many cities, there is an interesting old [[Hotels|hotel]], something to remind you of the days when travel meant long journeys by [[rail travel|rail]] or sea, a place where the rich and the famous of its day would stay. Nearly all of these were built before the Second World War, and many date back to Queen Victoria's reign. Many of these hotels have hosted world celebrities of the 19th and 20th centuries, and some are mentioned in classical works of fiction.
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Staying in such places is usually not cheap, though it may be cheaper than a more modern high-end hotel. Nor are they necessarily the most luxurious option; the modern high-end places may be even better. However, the grand old hotels are usually very central and they do have an appeal all their own; the old fashioned fittings, the lack of the latest amenities and a certain graceful agedness are often part of their character.
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Staying in such places is usually not cheap, though more modern high-end hotels might be even costlier. Nor are they necessarily the most luxurious option; the modern high-end places may be even better. However, the grand old hotels are usually very central and they do have an appeal all their own; the old fashioned fittings, the lack of the latest amenities and a certain graceful agedness are often part of their character.
Of course, you need not stay in such hotels to enjoy some of their services. For example, a visitor to Singapore might just go to Raffles for a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar where Rudyard Kipling and Noel Coward once drank, and check out the Billiard Room where Singapore's last tiger was shot.
Of course, you need not stay in such hotels to enjoy some of their services. For example, a visitor to Singapore might just go to Raffles for a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar where Rudyard Kipling and Noel Coward once drank, and check out the Billiard Room where Singapore's last tiger was shot.
A traveler with piles of money might consider a [[Round the world flights|round the world flight]] staying in many of these hotels.
A traveler with piles of money might consider a [[Round the world flights|round the world flight]] staying in many of these hotels.
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As many Grand old hotels were built in the late 19th century to complement the railroads or the steamer docks, they might be close to, but not inside, an [[Old Town]].
==Africa==
==Africa==
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===South Africa===
===South Africa===
* [[Cape Town]] - Mount Nelson [http://www.mountnelson.co.za/web/ocap/mount_nelson_hotel.jsp]
* [[Cape Town]] - Mount Nelson [http://www.mountnelson.co.za/web/ocap/mount_nelson_hotel.jsp]
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* Riebeek Kasteel - The Royal Hotel [http://www.royalinriebeek.com]
===Mozambique===
===Mozambique===
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* [[Hong Kong]], [[China]] - The Peninsula [http://hongkong.peninsula.com], Kowloon side at the foot of Nathan Road
* [[Hong Kong]], [[China]] - The Peninsula [http://hongkong.peninsula.com], Kowloon side at the foot of Nathan Road
* [[Beijing]], [[China]] - Beijing Hotel [http://www.chinabeijinghotel.com.cn/en/index.html]
* [[Beijing]], [[China]] - Beijing Hotel [http://www.chinabeijinghotel.com.cn/en/index.html]
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* [[Shanghai]], [[China]] - The Peace Hotel [http://www.shanghaipeacehotel.com/indexe.htm]
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* [[Shanghai]], [[China]] - The Peace Hotel [http://www.fairmont.com/peacehotel]
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* [[Shanghai]], [[China]] - Astor House Hotel [http://www.pujianghotel.com/]
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* [[Shanghai]], [[China]] - Astor House Hotel [http://www.pujianghotel.com/]
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* [[Hangzhou]], [[China]] - The New Hotel [http://www.thenewhotel.com/Weben/Public/Default.aspx]
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* [[Hangzhou]], [[China]] - The New Hotel [http://www.thenewhotel.com/Weben/Public/Default.aspx]
* [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]] - The Grand Hotel [http://www.grand-hotel.org/newsite/html/e/ca01.htm]
* [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]] - The Grand Hotel [http://www.grand-hotel.org/newsite/html/e/ca01.htm]
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* [[Jerusalem]], [[Israel]] - King David Hotel [http://www.danhotels.com/danSite/eng/hotelHomepage.asp?hotelNo=4]
* [[Jerusalem]], [[Israel]] - King David Hotel [http://www.danhotels.com/danSite/eng/hotelHomepage.asp?hotelNo=4]
* [[Aleppo]], [[Syria]] - Baron Hotel
* [[Aleppo]], [[Syria]] - Baron Hotel
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===North East Asia===
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* [[Darjeeling]], [[India]] - Windamere Hotel [http://www.windamerehotel.com/]
===South Asia===
===South Asia===
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==Europe==
==Europe==
===Northern Europe===
===Northern Europe===
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* [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]] - Hotel D'Angleterre [http://www.dangleterre.com/]
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Many Swedish towns have a town hotel, ''stadshotell'', colloquially ''Statt'', usually built with the advent of rail traffic in the late 19th century. This hotel is usually the most prominent historical building, second to the church or the city hall, and the city's nightlife hotspot. The rating is usually proportional to the town's size, at three stars in small towns, reaching five stars only in major cities.
* [[Chichen Itza]], [[Yucatan]] - Hacienda Chichen Resort and Spa [http://www.haciendachichen.com], 16th Century colonial landmark
* [[Chichen Itza]], [[Yucatan]] - Hacienda Chichen Resort and Spa [http://www.haciendachichen.com], 16th Century colonial landmark
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[[Image:Memoria_patrimonio_009.jpg|thumb|The Gran Hotel Costa Rica]]
[[Image:Memoria_patrimonio_009.jpg|thumb|The Gran Hotel Costa Rica]]
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* [[San José (Costa Rica)|San José]], [[Costa Rica]] The Hotel Grano de Oro [http://www.granodeoro.com/], Grand old hotel of Victorian design. Also listed as a small, distinctive hotel. In the heart of San Jose by Sabana park and walking distance to the art museum.
===Cuba===
===Cuba===
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* [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] - Hotel Windsor [http://www.thewindsor.com.au]
* [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] - Hotel Windsor [http://www.thewindsor.com.au]
In many cities, there is an interesting old hotel, something to remind you of the days when travel meant long journeys by rail or sea, a place where the rich and the famous of its day would stay. Nearly all of these were built before the Second World War, and many date back to Queen Victoria's reign. Many of these hotels have hosted world celebrities of the 19th and 20th centuries, and some are mentioned in classical works of fiction.
Staying in such places is usually not cheap, though more modern high-end hotels might be even costlier. Nor are they necessarily the most luxurious option; the modern high-end places may be even better. However, the grand old hotels are usually very central and they do have an appeal all their own; the old fashioned fittings, the lack of the latest amenities and a certain graceful agedness are often part of their character.
Of course, you need not stay in such hotels to enjoy some of their services. For example, a visitor to Singapore might just go to Raffles for a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar where Rudyard Kipling and Noel Coward once drank, and check out the Billiard Room where Singapore's last tiger was shot.
A traveler with piles of money might consider a round the world flight staying in many of these hotels.
As many Grand old hotels were built in the late 19th century to complement the railroads or the steamer docks, they might be close to, but not inside, an Old Town.
Bikaner, India - The Laxmi Niwas Palace Hotel [33], a 106 year old palace
Southeast Asia
Raffles, Singapore
Many of Southeast Asia's grand old hotels can be credited to a single family, the remarkable Sarkies brothers from Armenia, who founded all of the following icons:
Many Swedish towns have a town hotel, stadshotell, colloquially Statt, usually built with the advent of rail traffic in the late 19th century. This hotel is usually the most prominent historical building, second to the church or the city hall, and the city's nightlife hotspot. The rating is usually proportional to the town's size, at three stars in small towns, reaching five stars only in major cities.
The grand old hotels in Canada have a unique place in Canadian history. Most of them were built during first quarter of the 20th century by the Canadian Pacific Railway or Grand Trunk Railway in order to provide elegant accommodation while viewing the natural beauty along the rail line. Later, the railway sold them to international chains, mainly Fairmont.
These hotels are popular with tourists and locals alike and though overnight stays are expensive, they represent a fine piece of Canadiana worth visiting even if you only have time for a walk through the lobby. Two - Banff and Lake Louise - are major tourist resorts in their own right, located amid stunning Rocky Mountain scenery.
San José, Costa Rica The Hotel Grano de Oro [121], Grand old hotel of Victorian design. Also listed as a small, distinctive hotel. In the heart of San Jose by Sabana park and walking distance to the art museum.
Cuba
Havana, Cuba Hotel Nacional La Habana [122], a grand old lady filled with memories of times past
This travel topic is an outline and should either be merged into an appropriate parent topic or else developed further. It has a template, but there is not enough information present for it to be of real use. It was last edited on 2013-01-4 and will be merged or deleted if not modified for one year. Please plunge forward and rescue it!
