Top 10 Oldest Hotels in the World - The First Hotels
Quick, name the oldest hotels in the world! Hint: it dates back 1,000 years. Also, it's in Japan. Nothing?
Fine -- the answer is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, a Japanese hotel that began welcoming samurais to its hot springs in 705. Crazy, right? Yea, prostitution might be the oldest profession in the world, but somebody had to rent out the beds, right? The hotel biz, as Chris Berman would say, goes "back, back, back, back, back!"
And while almost all of the world's longest-running hotels (as in, were never a pub, a post office, a private residence; never burned down; never moved; never shuttered) are in Japan, there are still plenty of equally historic spots that've never closed scattered about the globe.
The list of 10 of oldest hotels in the world
#10. Hotel Interlaken
#9. Pilgrimhaus
#8. Orso Grigio
#7. The Old Bell Hotel
#6. The Angel and Royal Hotel
#5. The Olde Bell
#4. Zum Roten Bären
#3. Maids Head Hotel
#2. Hoshi Ryokan
#1. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
 |
| Hotel Interlaken. Photo: Agoda |
What Are The Oldest Hotels - The First Hotel in the World?
#10. Hotel Interlaken
| Year Established: 1323 Location: Interlaken, Switzerland Founder(s): Unspecified Number of Rooms: 55 |
Opened in 1323, Hotel Interlaken has also had a history of being a hospital, a cloister, and a tavern before it settled on its true purpose. At first, monks and nuns took care of visitors as a guesthouse, but the hotel eventually transferred hands into a lengthy list of family owners. During its renovation in 1491, it received its very own coat of arms!
Today, some original walls and decor can still be seen in the lobby, the restaurants, and the bar. Guests flock to Hotel Interlaken not only for its amazing hospitality but also for its proximity to a beautiful Japanese garden right next door. In fact, you can make a special request to have a view of the entire garden from your room!
 |
| Pilgrimhaus. Photo: Wikimedia Commons |
#9. Pilgrimhaus
| Year Established: c.1304 Location: Soest, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Founder(s): Council of the city of Soest Number of Rooms: Unspecified |
Pilgrimhaus was founded by the Council of the city of Soest as a hospice and pilgrims house. The inn was mainly used by followers of Saint James on their way to Santiago de Compostella (north of Spain). The hotel honors Saint James on July 25th with a special feast.
In 1613, the town sold the Pilgrimhaus to Thomas Merckelbach, who owned the hotel until 1766. After this the Bödecker family took over the Pilgrimhaus and started brewing brandy and beer. Since 2008, the Pilmgrimhaus has been owned by the Beck family and the hotel was recently renovated in 2016. Check out the largest hotel in the world right now here!
 |
| Orso Grigio. Photo: Trip Advisor |
#8. Orso Grigio
| Year Established: c.1303 Location: Innichen, Italy Founder(s): Unknown Number of Rooms: 30 |
Technically, when Orso Grigio was established in 1300, it belonged to Austria. However, after the annexation of the province, the hotel now belongs in San Candido, Italy. It features a delicate mix of the two cultures as well as beautiful scenery from its windows. Visitors can see a stunning mountain range and a cultural melting pot of activities going on in the city right from their hotel room!
This 14th-century inn has stunned visitors for centuries and continues to do so every day in conjunction with the market community of San Candido, which is just as old. Today, guests find unrivaled hospitality and service and delectable dining in Orso Grigio.
 |
| The Old Bell Hotel. Photo: Trip Advisor |
#7. The Old Bell Hotel
| Year Established: 1220 Location: Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England Founder(s): Abbot Loring of Malmesbury Abbey Number of Rooms: 33 |
The Old Bell Hotel has a name that is nearly identical to another old hotel in England on this list. Like the other hotel, The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury claims that it is the oldest existing hotel in England, even though three other English hotels are much older.
The Old Bell Hotel was originally opened as a hostelry in 1220 by Abbot Loring for visiting dignitaries to the Malmesbury Abbey. The hotel has remained open since then and although The Old Bell Hotel has been renovated, parts of the hotel date back to 1220, including a hooded stone fireplace in the Brasserie.
 |
| The Angel and Royal Hotel. Photo: Du học Trung Quốc |
 Top 20 Strangest and Unusual Hotels In The World Staying in a strange hotel might bring you a strange feeling. Let's see what are the strangest hotels in the world. |
#6. The Angel and Royal Hotel
| Year Established: 1203 Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, England Founder(s): Knights Templar Number of Rooms: 29 |
The Angel and Royal Hotel is located on the High Street in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Built as a hostel in the 13th century although its foundations and cellar date back to the 9th century. Having been in operation since 1203 it is one of the oldest hotels in the world.
Built by the Knights Templar and run by them until it was seized by the Sheriff of Lincolnshire with a writ issued by Edward II on 5the December 1307, following the dissolution of the Knights Templar. From then, it started to develop as a coaching inn due to it being situated on the Ermine Way which was later to be renamed the Great North Road, which ran through Grantham.
Originally the building was known as the Angel Inn, having got its name from stone carvings of angels on the front of the building. Today the gold-painted wooden demi-angels located at the front of the building holds the crown of Richard III.
 |
| The Olde Bell. Photo: Agoda |
#5. The Olde Bell
| Year Established: 1135 Location: Hurley, Berkshire, England Founder(s): Hurley Priory (a monastery) Number of Rooms: 48 |
There are many hotels claiming that they are the oldest in the United Kingdom and The Olde Bell is one of them. Unlike some of these other hotels, The Olde Bell has a strong case for being the UK’s oldest hotel as its history dates back to 1135. The oldest part of the hotel initially served as a guest house for the town’s Benedictine Priory.
The Olde Bell is named for the Sanctus Bell, which was used to let the monks know that an important visitor had come to Hurley and needed lodgings. During its long history, The Olde Bell has hosted several notable guests, including Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Cary Grant.
 |
| Zum Roten Bären. Photo: Trip Advisor |
#4. Zum Roten Bären
| Year Established: c.1120 Location: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany Founder(s): Unspecified Number of Rooms: 25 |
As the oldest hotel in Germany and all of Europe, Zum Roten Baeren was actually built before the town it’s in. This colorful building existed during the era of witch hunts, the plague, the 30 Years War, and both World Wars. Although renovations have been made to the exterior, much of the basement still retains the original styling and artwork.
Today, the hotel is modest in comparison to more luxurious varieties but provides guests with unrivaled history and tradition. Furthermore, its proximity to the famous Freiburg Concert Hall and the exciting cathedral market makes it a great place to stay in Germany.
 |
| Maids Head Hotel. Photo: Tripvago |
 Only in China: First Sex Doll Hotel Closed With No Explaination The first-ever sex doll hotel in Shenzen where men are welcomed to entertain with inanimate sex dolls has been closed down by police without explaination. |
#3. Maids Head Hotel
| Year Established: mid-1090s Location: Norwich, Norfolk, England Founder(s): Herbert de Losinga Number of Rooms: 84 |
The Maids Head Hotel claims that it is the oldest hotel in the United Kingdom. According to the hotel, this is based on the fact that the site has been continuously used for hospitality since the mid 1090s. The current hotel sits where the original palace of the first Norman Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga, had his original palace.
While the site has been used since the 11th century, the oldest parts of the Maids Head Hotel only date back to the 15th century. The hotel’s wood paneled Oak Room is believed to be from the same time period. The bar was added in the 16th century. Although the Maids Head Hotel has been renovated, its owners have maintained the historic integrity of the building.
 |
| Hoshi Ryokan. Photo: Agoda |
#2. Hoshi Ryokan
| Year Established: 718 Location: Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan Founder(s): Garyo Hoshi Number of Rooms: Unspecified |
Similar to Keiunkan, the Hoshi Ryokan is an extremely old Japanese hotel that dates all the way back to 718 AD. Also, like the Keiunkan, the Ryokan offers a plethora of natural hot springs for weary travelers. Additionally, they have open-air baths that have remained extremely popular over the centuries.
The setup and style of the hotel are very traditional, and there’s a vast array of extremely old recipes used to prepare the hotel’s delicious dishes. Visitors will surely enjoy the peace and harmony of this sanctuary!
 |
| Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan. Photo: Fortune |
 |
| Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan at night. Photo: Uniq Hotels |
#1. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
| Year Established: 705 Location: Hayakawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan Founder(s): Fujiwara Mahito Number of Rooms: 35 |
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, which has been operating since 705, is considered to be the oldest hotel in the world. The hotel was founded as an inn by Fujiwara Mahito during the Keiun era, hence its name, Keiunkan. In 2011, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan was recognized as the world’s oldest hotel by Guinness World Records.
 |
| Photo: Booking |
One of the main features of the inn is its onsen or traditional hot springs. Nishiyama Onsen was supposedly frequented by many famous samurais and shoguns, including Tokugawa Ieyasu and Takeda Shingen. Today, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is still run by the 52nd generation of the Mahito family.
Which is the Largest Hotel in the World Today?It is First World Hotel in Malaysia. First World Hotel is a luxury three-star hotel located in Pahang, Malaysia. With a total of 7,351 rooms, it has set the Guinness World Records for being the largest hotel in the world. It is one of the most visited hotels in Malaysia where guests can have access to various leisure options including a cineplex, karaoke facilities, and a theatre. The hotel also features a business center for conferences and meetings. |
READ MORE: Top 15 Largest Hotels in the World Today
 Top 15 Largest Hotels in the World Today A good hotel makes your vacation great. Let check out the top 15 largest hotels in the world below! |
| Top 20 Strangest and Unusual Hotels In The World Staying in a strange hotel might bring you a strange feeling. Let's see what are the strangest hotels in the world. |
| Only in China: First Sex Doll Hotel Closed With No Explaination The first-ever sex doll hotel in Shenzen where men are welcomed to entertain with inanimate sex dolls has been closed down by police without explaination. |
