Old Walls, Timeless Stories
Some hotels have witnessed more of humanity than most museums. They’ve housed weary travelers and honeymooners long before tourism became an industry. Centuries later, they’re still open—not as relics, but as living reminders of hospitality built to last. Today, the staff may use tablets instead of ledgers, yet the spirit of service remains unchanged. So, here are 20 of the oldest hotels still in operation—proof that some check-ins truly stand the test of time.
1. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, Japan (705 AD)
Modern travelers arriving at Yamanashi Prefecture’s Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan step into a history that began in the Keiun era of 705 AD. For over thirteen centuries, a single family maintained this inn through 52 generations, before ownership eventually passed to new hands in 2017.
2. Zum Roten Bären, Germany (12th Century)
Predating Freiburg’s founding in 1120, Zum Roten Bären stands on medieval foundations that still anchor its story. In its cellar, ancient pillars and graceful arcade arches preserve centuries of history, leading upward to modern guest rooms that continue more than nine hundred years of uninterrupted hospitality.
3. The Olde Bell Hotel, England (1135)
Founded in 1135, The Olde Bell Hotel in Hurley, Berkshire, has grown far beyond its twelfth-century beginnings. Each addition reveals a new chapter in its storied past, from a hidden tunnel that sheltered Glorious Revolution escapees to rooms that later hosted Churchill and Eisenhower’s historic meetings.
4. Royal Victoria Hotel, Italy (1050)
While modern hotels come and go, the Royal Victoria Hotel in Pisa has mastered the art of timeless hospitality since 1050. Perched along the River Arno, Italy's oldest operating hotel seamlessly blends its medieval foundations with contemporary comforts, welcoming guests just as it has for nearly a millennium.
5. Hotel Interlaken, Switzerland (1323)
Composers like Mendelssohn and poets such as Lord Byron found inspiration in Switzerland’s Hotel Interlaken. Most guests never realized the inn dated to 1323, as its first floor once served as a courtroom that echoed with verdicts long before creativity filled its halls beneath the surrounding peaks.
6. Gasthof Gastagwirt, Austria (1380)
Few hospitality lineages rival the legacy of Gasthof Gastagwirt, where ownership has been handed down through generations since 1380. This family-run inn remains one of Austria’s most historic lodgings, safeguarding centuries of warmth, service, and tradition under one continuous lineage.
Landgasthof Gastagwirt by Gastagwirt
7. Hotel-Gasthof Löwen, Liechtenstein (1380)
As Liechtenstein's oldest hotel, Hotel-Gasthof Löwen has witnessed over six centuries of history since its founding. It graces Vaduz, the nation's capital, where its time-honored tradition of hospitality continues through its invitingly rustic, cozy atmosphere.
Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK on Wikimedia
8. Grand Hotel De Draak, Netherlands (1397)
In Bergen op Zoom stands a hotel whose legend survived the flames—the Grand Hotel De Draak. When the great fire of 1397 turned much of the city to ash, this aptly named “Dragon” endured, securing its legacy as the Netherlands’ oldest continuously operating hotel.
9. Hotel Damier, Belgium (1398)
Set in the heart of Kortrijk’s Grote Markt square, Hotel Damier enchants visitors with its exquisite rococo façade from 1769, now recognized as a protected monument. Despite its French name suggesting a checkerboard design, the word traces back to the Old Dutch “Scaek,” marking roots as early as 1398.
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
10. Hostal Dos Reis Católicos, Spain (1499)
Standing at the final stop of the Camino de Santiago, Hostal dos Reis Católicos displays both faith and history. Commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs in 1486 as a hospital and sanctuary for weary pilgrims, it secured its funding in 1499, turning devotion into architecture and hospitality.
11. Hôtel Cour Du Corbeau Strasbourg, France (1528)
Established in 1528, Hôtel Cour du Corbeau has long adorned Strasbourg with its exquisite Renaissance design. Known as the “Courtyard of the Raven,” this elegant inn represents nearly five centuries of gracious hospitality, preserving the charm that defines France’s architectural heritage.
12. Skoemagerkroen, Denmark (1521)
While Vikings once ruled the waters around Roskilde, a different kind of Danish landmark emerged in 1521, Skoemagerkroen, or Shoemaker's Inn. This venerable establishment near the historic city became Denmark's oldest royally privileged post and diligence inn.
Skomagerkroen by Copenhagen Countryside
13. Narutis Hotel, Lithuania (1581)
Standing proudly on Vilnius’s oldest street, Pilies, Narutis Hotel has been a living landmark since 1581. Its timeless architecture unites eras gracefully—from a gothic cellar restaurant steeped in history to delicate 18th-century frescoes above—each restored stone preserving the city’s cultural heartbeat.
14. Woodenbridge Hotel And Lodge, Ireland (1608)
Where two gentle rivers meet in County Wicklow lies the Woodenbridge Hotel and Lodge, a cornerstone of Irish hospitality. Surrounded by lush countryside, it has stood the test of centuries, proudly holding the title of Ireland’s oldest continuously operating hotel.
Sarah777 at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
15. Gripsholms Värdshus, Sweden (1609)
Overlooking the serene waters of Lake Mälaren, Gripsholms Värdshus has shared its story with nearby Gripsholm Castle. As Sweden’s oldest inn, it has welcomed generations of travelers to Mariefred, blending timeless comfort with the grandeur of its royal surroundings.
16. Walaker Hotell, Norway (1640)
Resting beside the waters of Lustrafjord, where towering mountains frame Norway’s natural beauty, Walaker Hotell has welcomed guests since 1640. As the nation’s oldest hotel, it remains a lovingly preserved treasure, guided through nine generations of the same devoted family.
Bjørn Erik Pedersen on Wikimedia
17. Hotel Pod Roza, Poland (1650)
In ancient lore, "Under the Rose" symbolized discretion and nobility—fitting origins for Hotel Pod Roza, which began as a Renaissance palace in medieval Kraków before becoming the city's oldest hotel. Its distinguished legacy was cemented when Tsar Alexander II chose its halls for shelter.
18. Seaside Inn, United States (1660)
Overlooking the Atlantic in Kennebunkport, Maine, the Seaside Inn is one of America’s longest family-run establishments. For nine generations, the same family has welcomed travelers to its oceanfront haven, preserving a legacy of warmth that spans centuries of coastal history.
Seaside Inn Kennebunk Beach Maine by VisitME21
19. Pest-Buda Bistro & Hotel, Hungary (1696)
Budapest's oldest hotel stands proudly in the Castle District, where Pest-Buda Bistro & Hotel has maintained its legacy of hospitality since 1696. This historic landmark continues its centuries-old traditions through its bustling bistro, serving authentic Hungarian dishes to modern-day visitors within its storied walls.
Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain on Wikimedia
20. Abbasi Hotel Isfahan, Iran (1700)
Resplendent Persian gardens and ornate traditional architecture define the magnificent Abbasi Hotel. It began its journey as an 18th-century caravanserai during Sultan Husayn's reign before being thoughtfully converted into one of Iran's oldest hotels in 1966.
