Kiwi Curated
Historic Hotels With a Royal Past
by Monika MarkovinovicThere’s a special kind of comfort offered by grand places that have endured for centuries. Legendary for their striking architecture, iconic locations and vibrant pasts, these historic hotels have their own extraordinary stories to tell, and they’ll certainly make any guest feel like a king or queen.
Historic Hotels With a Royal Past
A sweeping space filled with marble pillars and painted ceilings, The Westin Palace, Madrid is akin to opening a time capsule. Commissioned by King Alfonso XIII, the monumental building was constructed in just 18 months and sits on the site of a former palace along the Paseo del Prado. When the hotel opened in 1912, it was the largest and most modern accommodation in Europe. The stately Spanish landmark still celebrates its spectacular past and has become a hotspot for promising young artists, writers and intellectuals.
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In 1212, a monastery of the order of Santo Domingo was founded where the opulent Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel stands today. Shortly after, it was turned into one of the most important convents in the kingdom. In 1851, the Duke of Villahermosa had a palace built following the classic style of aristocratic residences in the Spanish Elizabethan period, adding some Italian flourishes to the façade which has survived through the decades. Fast forward 200 years and the elegance of the Dukes’ former residences remain unchanged.
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Enveloped by gardens and forested hills, The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buckinghamshire has always dressed to impress. Originally bought by Charles Spencer, the third Duke of Marlborough in 1738, Langley Park House was the only private residence in the UK to have been built under the terms of a special act of parliament. When his son inherited the property, he commissioned Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown—one of the UK’s most celebrated landscape architects—to landscape Langley Park. It quickly became one of Buckinghamshire’s best-kept secrets. In 2014, work began to restore the estate into the enchanting countryside haven it is today.
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In 1899, on beautiful Lake Garda, Lido Palace opened its doors. It was originally designed as a luxury retreat for the ruling elite of Austria’s Hapsburg Empire, with ambitious landscaping that turned Riva del Garda into the Kaiser’s very own version of the Riviera. The picture-perfect locale was the place to be during the Belle Époque area, welcoming the likes of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, and Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister to Tsar Nicholas of Russia. A real life fairytale.
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Now an opulent destination spa that helps guests reconnect body, mind and spirit, Ananda – in the Himalayas was once the residence of Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal. In the past, the area was once a state ruled by the Shah family, with Narendra Nagar as its summer capital and the Palace as the official residence. The Viceregal Palace, now the reception area of Ananda, has hosted some of India’s most renowned heads of state during the Maharaja’s reign. Today, it’s still home to the Maharaja’s billiards room with the oldest billiards table in India, dating back 100 years.
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In Beijing’s city center, a tranquil retreat sits at the East Gate of the Summer Palace. Housed in a series of heritage residences dating back over a century is Aman at Summer Palace. The original complex was used by guests of the Summer Palace awaiting an audience with the Empress Dowager Cixi. Rooms and suites reflect traditional Chinese architecture and celebrate the courtyard style of the Summer Palace with an honorable atmosphere throughout. Whilst every contemporary comfort is provided, the elegance of the Ming Dynasty is preserved.
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Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul upholds the grand tradition and architectural grandeur of the Ottoman empire. During the Tulip Period, a time in the 17th century when a passion for music and flowers filled the air, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Ahmet III presented the property to his son-in-law, the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha. An array of history unfolded in the years to come, and finally, in 1863, construction of the Ciragan Palace began, with it ending in 1871. Now, the spectacular property is the only Ottoman Imperial Palace and Hotel on the Bosphorus.
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An exclusive Central London hideaway for royalty for over 100 years, Claridge’s is the embodiment of English glamour. Since it opened its doors, it has had an impressive roster of famous guests, including Queen Victoria in the 1860s, when she came to visit Empress Eugenie of France. Perhaps the most historic moment came in 1945: at the request of Winston Churchill, Suite 212 was declared Yugoslavian territory so that Crown Prince Alexander II could be born on his own country’s soil. Today, Claridge’s has adopted a new generation of elites who can often be found with Champagne in hand at the stylish Claridge’s Bar.
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With its sophisticated splendor, 18th-century architecture, and contemporary elegance, Le Meurice has been the crown jewel of French luxury hotels since 1835. Designed to evoke a modern-day Versailles, it is no wonder an army of royals have not only stayed here, but have temporarily called this magical retreat home, including King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, King Nikola I of Montenegro, the Shah of Iran, the Maharaja of Jaipur, and the King of Belgium among them.
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Located in the heart of Vienna, a walk through Palais Coburg Hotel Residenz will take you back in time. Built from 1840 to 1845 by Prince Ferdinand, a Cavalry General in the Imperial Australian Army, the architectural wonder has played home to an array of Austrian royalty, including the second son of Prince Ferdinand and his wife Princess Clementine de Orleans (daughter of the French king). Now, the five-star accommodation combines the beauty of the past with modern favorites, like an impressive wine collection with over 60,000 bottles from four centuries.
VIEW HOTELA sweeping space filled with marble pillars and painted ceilings, The Westin Palace, Madrid is akin to opening a time capsule. Commissioned by King Alfonso XIII, the monumental building was constructed in just 18 months and sits on the site of a former palace along the Paseo del Prado. When the hotel opened in 1912, it was the largest and most modern accommodation in Europe. The stately Spanish landmark still celebrates its spectacular past and has become a hotspot for promising young artists, writers and intellectuals.
VIEW HOTELIn 1212, a monastery of the order of Santo Domingo was founded where the opulent Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel stands today. Shortly after, it was turned into one of the most important convents in the kingdom. In 1851, the Duke of Villahermosa had a palace built following the classic style of aristocratic residences in the Spanish Elizabethan period, adding some Italian flourishes to the façade which has survived through the decades. Fast forward 200 years and the elegance of the Dukes’ former residences remain unchanged.
VIEW HOTELEnveloped by gardens and forested hills, The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buckinghamshire has always dressed to impress. Originally bought by Charles Spencer, the third Duke of Marlborough in 1738, Langley Park House was the only private residence in the UK to have been built under the terms of a special act of parliament. When his son inherited the property, he commissioned Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown—one of the UK’s most celebrated landscape architects—to landscape Langley Park. It quickly became one of Buckinghamshire’s best-kept secrets. In 2014, work began to restore the estate into the enchanting countryside haven it is today.
VIEW HOTELIn 1899, on beautiful Lake Garda, Lido Palace opened its doors. It was originally designed as a luxury retreat for the ruling elite of Austria’s Hapsburg Empire, with ambitious landscaping that turned Riva del Garda into the Kaiser’s very own version of the Riviera. The picture-perfect locale was the place to be during the Belle Époque area, welcoming the likes of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, and Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister to Tsar Nicholas of Russia. A real life fairytale.
VIEW HOTELNow an opulent destination spa that helps guests reconnect body, mind and spirit, Ananda – in the Himalayas was once the residence of Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal. In the past, the area was once a state ruled by the Shah family, with Narendra Nagar as its summer capital and the Palace as the official residence. The Viceregal Palace, now the reception area of Ananda, has hosted some of India’s most renowned heads of state during the Maharaja’s reign. Today, it’s still home to the Maharaja’s billiards room with the oldest billiards table in India, dating back 100 years.
VIEW HOTELIn Beijing’s city center, a tranquil retreat sits at the East Gate of the Summer Palace. Housed in a series of heritage residences dating back over a century is Aman at Summer Palace. The original complex was used by guests of the Summer Palace awaiting an audience with the Empress Dowager Cixi. Rooms and suites reflect traditional Chinese architecture and celebrate the courtyard style of the Summer Palace with an honorable atmosphere throughout. Whilst every contemporary comfort is provided, the elegance of the Ming Dynasty is preserved.
VIEW HOTELCiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul upholds the grand tradition and architectural grandeur of the Ottoman empire. During the Tulip Period, a time in the 17th century when a passion for music and flowers filled the air, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Ahmet III presented the property to his son-in-law, the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha. An array of history unfolded in the years to come, and finally, in 1863, construction of the Ciragan Palace began, with it ending in 1871. Now, the spectacular property is the only Ottoman Imperial Palace and Hotel on the Bosphorus.
VIEW HOTELAn exclusive Central London hideaway for royalty for over 100 years, Claridge’s is the embodiment of English glamour. Since it opened its doors, it has had an impressive roster of famous guests, including Queen Victoria in the 1860s, when she came to visit Empress Eugenie of France. Perhaps the most historic moment came in 1945: at the request of Winston Churchill, Suite 212 was declared Yugoslavian territory so that Crown Prince Alexander II could be born on his own country’s soil. Today, Claridge’s has adopted a new generation of elites who can often be found with Champagne in hand at the stylish Claridge’s Bar.
VIEW HOTELWith its sophisticated splendor, 18th-century architecture, and contemporary elegance, Le Meurice has been the crown jewel of French luxury hotels since 1835. Designed to evoke a modern-day Versailles, it is no wonder an army of royals have not only stayed here, but have temporarily called this magical retreat home, including King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, King Nikola I of Montenegro, the Shah of Iran, the Maharaja of Jaipur, and the King of Belgium among them.
VIEW HOTELLocated in the heart of Vienna, a walk through Palais Coburg Hotel Residenz will take you back in time. Built from 1840 to 1845 by Prince Ferdinand, a Cavalry General in the Imperial Australian Army, the architectural wonder has played home to an array of Austrian royalty, including the second son of Prince Ferdinand and his wife Princess Clementine de Orleans (daughter of the French king). Now, the five-star accommodation combines the beauty of the past with modern favorites, like an impressive wine collection with over 60,000 bottles from four centuries.
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