Where the Past Becomes Part of the Stay
Some hotels have been welcoming guests for generations; others give historic buildings an entirely new purpose. Heritage & Historic Hotels spans centuries of architecture—from ancient monasteries, castles and coaching inns to grand mansions, Art Nouveau landmarks and Art Deco icons. Some were built as hotels, others have been brilliantly adapted. What connects them is a respect for what came before, allowing original architecture, craftsmanship and stories to remain part of the experience rather than becoming simply a backdrop.
The Cyrus Hotel, Topeka, Kansas Railroad Heritage Meets Contemporary Midwestern Design Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A thoughtful blend of a historic Federalist-style building and a contemporary tower, celebrating one of Kansas' most influential historical figures. ● Interiors inspired by the prairie landscape, translating local history and geography into a warm, sophisticated design language.…
read moreVakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus | Istanbul, Türkiye Where Ottoman Heritage Meets Contemporary Elegance on the Bosphorus Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored 19th-century Ottoman distillery transformed into one of Istanbul's most intimate waterfront retreats. ● Every room faces the Bosphorus, creating a constant connection between architecture, light, and one of the world's…
read moreThe Bank Hotel Istanbul Where Financial Heritage Meets Contemporary Culture Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored 19th-century bank that preserves its architectural grandeur while embracing contemporary design. ● One of Karaköy’s most sophisticated addresses, surrounded by galleries, cafés, and Istanbul’s creative energy. ● A rare combination of historic character, thoughtful design, contemporary…
read moreBabylonstoren | Franschhoek, South Africa Cape Dutch Heritage, Contemporary Design, and a Garden That Shapes Everything Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of the Cape Winelands’ best-preserved historic farms, where seventeenth- and eighteenth-century architecture meets quietly contemporary design. ● An extraordinary eight-acre kitchen garden that informs the food, landscape, daily rhythm, and identity of…
read moreLabotessa, Cape Town, South Africa Historic Elegance and Contemporary Living on Church Square Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored seventeenth-century townhouse transformed into one of Cape Town's most intimate luxury hotels. ● Just seven apartment-style suites combining European refinement with contemporary South African art and craftsmanship. ● A prime location overlooking historic…
read moreK5, Tokyo, Japan A 1920s bank transformed into a seductive collision of Scandinavian design and contemporary Tokyo Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● Swedish studio Claesson Koivisto Rune transformed a 1924 former bank into just 20 rooms, preserving its architectural character while giving it an entirely new identity. ● The interiors are a beautifully unconventional…
read moreAzumi Setoda, Ikuchijima Island, Japan Where the Japanese Ryokan Finds a Contemporary Soul Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored 140-year-old merchant estate that respectfully reimagines the traditional ryokan for modern travellers. ● Architecture by Shiro Miura that balances Japanese craftsmanship, minimalist design, and an extraordinary sense of calm. ● A community-driven philosophy…
read moreSOWAKA, Kyoto, Japan A century-old teahouse transformed into an intimate retreat where Gion’s architecture, gardens, and rituals quietly endure Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored former ryotei in Gion, where architect Shigenori Uoya preserves traditional Kyoto architecture without turning it into a historical reproduction. ● Just 23 individually designed rooms and suites,…
read moreThe Johri, Jaipur Where a 19th-century merchant’s haveli finds new life through timeless Rajasthani craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and quiet luxury. Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored 19th-century haveli hidden within the vibrant lanes of Jaipur’s historic Johri Bazaar. ● Just five individually designed suites, each inspired by a precious gemstone and layered…
read moreThe Guild Hotel, San Diego Historic Grandeur Reimagined for Modern San Diego Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored 1924 Italianate Renaissance landmark that transforms one of San Diego's most historic buildings into a sophisticated boutique hotel. ● Exceptional adaptive reuse, where former basketball courts, running tracks, and even the original swimming pool…
read moreSkyview Los Alamos - California, USA Where a 1950s roadside motel gets a second life among the vineyards of Santa Ynez Valley. Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A late-1950s motor lodge rescued from abandonment and reinvented without erasing its mid-century California and Western roots. ● Original motel details — from the kidney-shaped pool and…
read moreCalistoga Motor Lodge & Spa, Calistoga, California, USAA playful revival of the classic American roadside motel, infused with geothermal wellness, vintage charm, and California wine country cool. Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A brilliantly reimagined 1940s motor lodge designed by AvroKO, inspired by the golden age of American road trips. ● Retro-modern interiors, geothermal…
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