While there are thousands of hotels across North America where you can stay while traveling, there’s something special about staying in a building with a bit of history hidden behind its walls. Whether it's a building that has survived for 200 years, an inn that has been visited by many historic figures, or a restoration of an iconic style of architecture, staying at one of these hotels can add that extra bit of magic to your vacation. Here’s our list of 8 historic hotels and what makes them worth checking out.
Chapter House – Cape Cod, MA
(Image provided by Baxter Hospitality)
The Chapter House in Massachusetts is a 21-room boutique hotel whose history dates all the way back to 1716. Originally built as a family home, it was utilized as a makeshift Revolutionary War hospital before being transformed into an inn. Today, it has 10 fully renovated guest rooms with private baths, a cozy four-season porch, and a beautifully updated cocktail bar to boot. Chapter House sits right on Old King’s Highway, and is a stone’s throw away from the Cape’s most popular attractions and beaches, offering guests the perfect little slice of New England life.
Deer Path Inn – Lake Forest, Illinois
(Image provided by Deer Path Inn)
A half-hour drive north of downtown Chicago, the Deer Path Inn is renowned for its rich history, which dates as far back as 1860. Built as a home to Colonel William Sage Johnston, the stunning property was transformed into a boarding house and opened to the public in 1929. The aesthetic here is inspired by old English villages and the mannerly traditions that they embody. At almost a century old, Deer Path Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of The Historic Hotels of America as well.
The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club – St. Petersburg, FL
(Image provided by Premier Aerials)
Straight from the roaring twenties, this blast from the past was opened near Tampa on New Year’s Eve of 1925 and was immediately a favorite hotspot of celebrities and politicians. Nearly a century later, The Vinoy continues to embody turn-of-the-century grandeur with a Mediterranean Revival design, classic pink façade, and historic veranda, while offering all the services that you would expect from a modern luxury hotel. Amenities available to guests include a spa, a golf club, a fitness center with classes available, and even pet-friendly hotel rooms.
The Stockyards Hotel – Fort Worth, TX
(Image provided by Visit Fort Worth)
In 1907, the Stockyards Hotel opened its doors in Fort Worth's Stockyards District, which was the nation's largest livestock market at the time. Nowadays, it has become a highly esteemed tourist attraction that pays homage to its Western roots with its traditional Texan décor and historic architecture. The atmosphere here perfectly marries rustic elegance with nostalgic Old West charm. Guests get to experience Fort Worth’s Western-inspired attractions including its famous twice-daily cattle drive, the largest honky tonk in the world, the chic cocktail bar Sidesaddle Saloon, and much more.
The Inns of Aurora – Aurora, NY
(Image provided by Inns of Aurora)
Established in 1789, the picturesque Village of Aurora harkens back to a more tranquil and gentle era and is situated on the serene shores of Cayuga Lake, right in the heart of New York’s premier wine region. Located within this quaint village is the top resort of New York's untouched Finger Lakes area, a spot far removed from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. The Inns of Aurora are comprised of five pristinely restored historic inns that offer a variety of accommodations to satisfy any visitor.
The Foundry Hotel – Asheville, NC
(Image provided by The Foundry Hotel)
The Foundry Hotel, a luxurious 87-room boutique hotel located in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, is a historic restoration of the former steel foundry famous for creating the steel that was used in the construction of the Biltmore Estate. It consists of three restored historic buildings and two newly constructed buildings and is on the corner of Eagle and Market streets in the oldest African American business district in the city. The hotel retains many historic architectural components including the original pulley elevator, exposed beams, steel-star fastenings, and industrial-style windows of the original steel foundry.
The Bristol Hotel – Bristol, VA
(Image provided by The Bristol Hotel)
The Bristol Hotel is the city’s former downtown Executive Plaza which once was home to the offices of many local small businesses. Originally built in 1925, it has since been completely restored and is now a 65-room boutique hotel, the first of its kind in the city of Bristol, Virginia. The hotel features a lot of historic architectural elements, such as exposed brick with original pressed lettering, the building’s former hand-crank elevator on display in the lobby, and the Roman-arched entryways. For a great view of the Appalachian Mountains, head to the rooftop patio bar for some scratch-made regional fare and small-batch brews.
Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana – Merida, Mexico
(Image provided by Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana)
This 18th-century hotel in Merida, Mexico resides in an enclave where history meets tradition. Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana has 18 luxurious suites, combining modern styles with local influences, to create an inviting and cozy atmosphere, and is surrounded by four acres of lush private gardens of bright tropical flowers. They also recently added 36 brand-new luxury suites that boast a combination of austere and modern components, such as natural wood, leather, local limestone, and the native terracotta tile flooring that is commonly seen in henequen haciendas.
