A hotbed of history
by Jade French
Imagine looking out from the balcony of a 15th century castle, nestled in the crevice of a mountain, with winding ivy trailing from a trellis—and room service knocking on the door. You don’t have to be a courtier these days to enjoy all that historic Europe has to offer.
Chateau Liblice, Czech Republic
The Historic Hotels of Europe Collection contains a gorgeous portfolio of properties across more than 20 countries. The list unfolds into an inspiring map of eclectic experiences, from Welsh medieval castles to Estonian manor houses, Italian palazzi to Umbrian monasteries. Look no further if you seek out culture, history and romance for your travels.
Historic Hotels of Europe was founded in 1997 and includes today hundreds of properties. Working collectively across borders, each location is pitched as a ‘hotbed of history’, with handpicked hotels each telling a different story of time, place and legacy.
“For decades, we’ve been driven by the desire to safeguard their stories while adapting them to the modern age”, says Claudia Buscher, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of Europe, explaining that travellers want a “spectacular fusion of old and new. Priceless antiques nestled next to cutting-edge technologies, within original architecture: a study of contrasts that cultivates the rarest of atmospheres”.
Think luxury, spa interiors alongside ornate facades and palatial grandeur; castles, ski lodges and Art Deco villas reimagined as eco-friendly hotels; and country manor houses, farms and seaside resorts as contemporary design destinations. What is it about historic buildings that draws such fascination?
Claudia explains: “Historic properties are in a unique position to showcase their product to those travellers who are looking for new and unique experiences with a story to tell. Each of our hotels is a unique tribute to Europe throughout time; but though the influence of history is all around, contemporary luxuries and comforts are never out of sight.”
The positive effects of televised period dramas also can’t be underestimated. In the UK for example, in 1995 after the iconic wet-shirted scenes of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice aired on the BBC, Lyme Park in Cheshire saw a 176% increase in visitor numbers. More recently, Bridgerton’s runaway success has given Bath and Somerset an opportunity to rebuild their tourism impact.
The last year has posed challenges for tourists and the tourism industry alike, but Historic Hotels of Europe has worked to provide solutions, launching a gift voucher store with vouchers valid for five years from purchase. They also began a collaboration with Global Forest Fund to support tree planting through every single voucher sold, as well as establishing a new wedding website. In an acknowledgment of the team's hard work and passion in unprecedented times, the group was recently named ‘Best Heritage Hotels Collection in Europe’ at the LUXlife Magazine 2020 Resorts & Retreats Awards.
When it comes to the collection, Historic Hotels of Europe is “looking for exceptional historic houses that preserve rich history, tell soulful stories, and deliver perfect hospitality in their own truly unique way”. Using architecture, the group tells Europe’s story by drawing on design languages ranging from Gothic to Baroque to Art Deco. It’s a way for even the most seasoned of travellers to duck under the velvet rope and explore the real history pervading the air of each exciting location.
Whatever captures their interest, the chance to get closer to the past is currently sparking the imaginations of travellers around the world — and we can’t wait to take a closer look.