Historic Stays

EUROPE

In the Netherlands, within Utrecht’s historic city walls, Grand Hotel Karel V occupies a former monastic complex whose origins date back to the 14th century. Known as the Duitse Huis, the site was founded by the Teutonic Knights and later served not only as a military hospital but also as an imperial residence, hosting figures connected to the Holy Roman Empire. Today, cloisters, vaulted corridors, and original masonry remain central to the experience, offering a rare sense of continuity shaped by centuries of transformation.

Set around a secluded inner garden, the hotel feels calm and self‑contained despite its central location. Guest rooms are spread across the former monastery buildings, the 19th‑century hospital wing, and later additions, each reflecting a different chapter of the property’s architectural story. Just steps from Utrecht’s canals and the Dom Tower yet quietly removed from the city’s bustle, Grand Hotel Karel V offers a stay defined by history, atmosphere, and a deep connection to place.

Located along the Arno River just outside Florence, Italy, Hotel Mulino di Firenze is housed in a former 15th‑century watermill that once served the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Carefully restored, the property retains its original stone walls, vaulted interiors, and exposed wooden beams, offering a strong sense of continuity shaped by centuries of use. The river remains a constant presence, lending a calm rhythm to both the setting and the architecture.

Today, the historic mill offers a quieter perspective on Florence, removed from the city’s busiest quarters yet closely connected to its cultural heritage. Days unfold at an unhurried pace, with time spent by the water, within the characterful interiors, or exploring the landscapes and historic sites nearby. With its deep roots in local history and its close relationship to the river and surroundings, Mulino di Firenze provides a distinctive base for discovering Tuscany through atmosphere, place, and enduring character.
 

Overlooking Orkanger from Bårdshaugen hill, Bårdshaug traces its story back to 1860, when it began as a regional farmhouse before evolving into a manor estate at the end of the 19th century. In 1890, industrialist and architect Christian Thams acquired the property and undertook an extensive transformation that unfolded over more than a decade. The result is a distinctive residence shaped by Norse influences and refined European details, reflecting both Thams’ vision and his international outlook.

The manor’s original layout remains largely intact, with reception halls, parlors, and period interiors offering a clear sense of its past as a private residence and social gathering place. Over time, the estate expanded to include historic station buildings from the 1890s and later additions, forming today’s hotel. Set within its elevated landscape and deeply rooted in local history, Bårdshaug offers a stay defined by heritage, atmosphere, and a strong connection to place.

At the heart of Røros, Norway, surrounded by the town’s UNESCO‑listed wooden buildings, Erzscheidergården offers a direct connection to the mining heritage that shaped this historic community. Dating back to the 1600s, the property takes its name from the “ore separator,” reflecting its original association with copper mining and its former role as the residence of a senior mining official. Its timber construction and setting speak to a time when craftsmanship, daily life, and prosperity were closely tied to the copper works.

Today, the carefully preserved wooden buildings have been adapted into a boutique hotel that remains deeply rooted in Røros’s past. Timber walls, traditional layouts, and cobbled courtyards create an atmosphere that feels authentic to the town’s historic character, while offering a comfortable and refined place to stay. With its strong sense of place and visible links to centuries of mining history, Erzscheidergården is an ideal base for exploring the cultural heritage of Røros.

On the outskirts of Glasgow in Langbank, UK, Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort is set within a 1920s Edwardian country house originally built as a private residence. Commissioned by industrialist Sir James Lithgow and completed in 1926, the mansion reflects the ambition and confidence of the era, with its slate roof, stone detailing, and distinctive curved roofline overlooking the surrounding landscape. Its architectural significance was later recognized with Category B listed status.

Surrounded by a broad estate that has shaped the property’s character since its early days, the house was converted into a hotel in the 1970s, beginning a new chapter as a destination for travelers and gatherings. Today, the historic building remains the heart of the resort, offering a sense of continuity rooted in early 20th‑century design and setting. With its strong architectural presence and long connection to the land around it, Gleddoch provides a stay defined by heritage, atmosphere, and a clear sense of place.

NORTH AMERICA

In the United States, Linden Row Inn stands along Richmond’s historic Franklin Street, formed by eight connected Greek Revival row houses built between 1847 and 1853. Designed by Otis Manson, the red‑brick terraces with their Doric‑columned porticoes and raised basements reflect the elegance of mid‑19th‑century urban architecture and the city’s early civic ambitions.

Carefully restored and converted into a boutique inn, the buildings retain original plasterwork, marble fireplaces, and period details that reflect their past. Set around a quiet garden courtyard once frequented by a young Edgar Allan Poe, the property offers a sense of calm within the city. Deeply connected to Richmond’s cultural history, Linden Row Inn provides a stay shaped by architecture, continuity, and a lasting sense of place.