If you are looking for a different hotel experience, how about a tour through the world’s most luxurious historic hotels?

These hotels have become icons thanks to their historic connections, being considered the finest hotels of the world. Take a look at our list of historic hotels you should visit at least once in your life. This is luxury travel at its best.

Historic hotel #1 – Houshi, Japan

This is the world’s most ancient hotel, it is said. Located in the Japanese island of Honshu, it has been run by the same family for 46 generations! The 1300 year old hotel keeps the experience as authentic as possible by giving each guest a cotton kimono or yukata to wear before and after bathing in the spa and welcoming them with an ancient tea ceremony. Many believe its magical water has divine power to cure illness and relieve modern day stresses. Hoshi’s beautiful garden is another sought after place to relax.

Historic hotel #2 – Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland

Voted one of the world’s best golf resorts, the luxury 209-room resort has also earned as reputation as a meeting point for world’s top financial and political movers and shakers by hosting international events like the G20 summit in 2009. It was within the walls of the Fairmont that the Northern Ireland peace talks were held.

Historic hotel #3 –The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal

Princes and pop music icons have been guest in this luxury hotel. It was here that in 1969 (during the Vietnam War)  former Beatle, John Lennon and new wife Yoko Ono held their Bed In for Peace and penned and recorded the lyrics to the song Give Peace a Chance which became the anthem of the American anti-war movement (sung by half a million people on Capitol Hill).

Historic hotel #4 –The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Vietnam

This hotel is part of history for it was a key element during the Vietnam War. Foreign correspondents and diplomats have gathered in the Le Beaulieu restaurant to discuss both war and peace for over a century. No wonder Sofitel have named this hotel as the first of its new Sofitel Legends brand.

Historic hotel #5 – Hotel du Crillon, Paris

This former aristocratic residence from the 18th century still boasts all the splendour from the royal era. It was here the French allied with the US during its battle for independence from Britain. It made its mark in history and continues to do so as one of the finest hotels in Paris and Europe since 1909.

Source: Design Limited Edition