Vintage Vacations

Perched above Rapallo on the Portofino Coast, Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort is a graceful throwback to travel’s earliest splendors. Built in 1904 by the Costa family, its rose-hued Art Nouveau façade still presides over the Gulf of Tigullio, evoking a time when Rapallo became (and remains) a prized stop on the Grand Tour and a winter haven for Europe’s cultural tastemakers. Today, the resort reinterprets la dolce vita for modern travelers: a verdant hillside setting, one of the region’s largest hotel spas and an expansive pool terrace overlooking the cerulean sea. More than a century on, the promise remains the same: an enchanting stay defined by beauty, sensory pleasures and the timeless rhythm of the Riviera.

Embark on an old-world adventure across 13,800 private acres of remote Namibian wilderness at Zannier Sonop. Evoking the thrilling lifestyle of 1920s explorers, the camp’s ten tented suites perch atop a dramatic spill of granite boulders, surrounded by towering dunes and the vast silence of the Namib Desert. Days unfold in roaring vintage style—from galloping across the sands on horseback and tracking wildlife on game drives to unwinding with spirited billiards and stargazing beneath inky skies. Whether from the cigar lounge or your own antique soaking bathtub, it feels like stepping back in time—a rare escape from the modern world that quietly resets the heart and mind.

The article’s cover photo features Zannier Sonop.

Tucked at the southern end of iconic Copacabana Beach, with Christ the Redeemer rising in the distance, Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana invites guests to step into the city’s legendary past. Designed by renowned architect Patricia Anastassiadis, the hotel celebrates the glitz and charm of 1950s Copacabana, when bossa nova drifted through the air and Rio sparkled with style. Interiors offer a modern take on mid-century glamour, with sleek lines, bold patterns and heritage accents that create an elegant refuge from the lively waterfront. Guests can indulge in nature-inspired body and facial treatments at Fairmont Spa, cycle along the shoreline or simply lounge by the pool with a caipirinha—said to be one of the best in town.

Rising with quiet authority over Edinburgh’s skyline, The Balmoral was first conceived in 1902 as a railway hotel, and today it honors the city’s traditions while going above and beyond with 21st-century comforts. Its castle-like exterior, crowned with turrets, towers and balconies, commands attention from every angle, but it’s inside where the hotel’s character truly unfolds. Rooms evoke the earthy tones of Scotland’s moors, mists and heathers, with natural fabrics and local artwork creating a warm, authentic sense of place. Throughout the property, fireplaces, stained-glass windows and hand-painted silk wallpaper recall an era of bygone elegance, while doormen in full Highland regalia and tartan-clad reception staff extend a warm, unmistakably Scottish welcome.

Making its North American debut in the heart of historic Back Bay, Raffles Boston brings the brand’s legendary hospitality to a city defined by heritage and tradition. Stretching from street level to a soaring three-story Sky Lobby on the 17th floor, the property channels the stately elegance of classic grand hotels on a modern scale. The Long Bar & Terrace—an homage to the original in Singapore—draws guests and locals alike for Boston Slings and sweeping South End views, while design nods to Paul Revere, the Emerald Necklace and the city’s iconic landscape root the experience firmly in place, all elevated by Raffles’ signature butler service. Here, contemporary luxury finds its soul in Boston’s past.

Set within the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, Great Scotland Yard Hotel is steeped in clues to its storied legacy. Though the interiors have been completely rebuilt, they pay homage to the building’s 19th-century grandeur, anchored by an extensive collection of artworks and memorabilia. Nearly 600 pieces are displayed throughout, each tied to policing history, infamous cases, prisoners’ welfare or Scotland Yard’s most famous literary connection—Sherlock Holmes. Dining venues continue the narrative: The 40 Elephants is named after a notorious all-female gang of 19th-century thieves, while The Parlour serves elegant afternoon tea inspired by aristocratic traditions. Hidden in plain sight, Síbín—Irish for “illicit bar”—offers a clandestine speakeasy experience where heritage whiskeys flow freely.

Housed within a grand 17th-century palace—once a convent and later reimagined through an Art Deco lens—Palazzo Ripetta exudes a neo-vintage charm at the heart of the Eternal City. Curved moldings, inlaid panels and period design pieces recalling its Art Deco heyday are paired with the owner’s contemporary art collection, transforming public spaces into a living gallery where past and present coexist—including a 3rd-century Roman sarcophagus reborn as a courtyard fountain. Set on one of Rome’s oldest streets, within walking distance to a living history book of iconic attractions like the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese, this striking address layers frescoed heritage with modern indulgence, emerging as one of the city’s most stylish expressions of Roman hospitality.

A spectacularly fortified 700-year-old palace framed by the majestic Aravalli Hills, Six Senses Fort Barwara immerses guests in Rajasthan’s regal heritage. Once home to Rajasthani royals, the restored fort now shelters two palaces, two temples, manicured gardens and striking emerald-tiled pools—indoor and outdoor—evoking the opulent splendor of 14th-century royalty behind its storied stone walls. The retreat offers just 48 expansive suites, preserving an intimate, courtly atmosphere, along with a lavish spa housed within one of the former temples. Beyond the fort, adventures abound—from tracking Bengal tigers in Ranthambhore National Park to hunting down hand-printed Rajasthani textiles in local bazaars—though dreaming the day away on your private terrace is equally enchanting.

Just steps from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, The Peninsula Paris occupies a meticulously restored Haussmannian masterpiece dating back to 1908. Once a favored gathering place of Parisian society, the hotel has been lovingly returned to its Belle Époque grandeur, seamlessly layered with cutting-edge luxuries. Every corner tells a story, and Bar Kléber is a particular highlight, transporting guests to another era with gilded moldings, soaring ceilings and mirrored walls. But it’s more than aesthetics that set it apart—this is the room where the 1973 Paris Peace Accords were signed, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Here, to sip a perfectly crafted cocktail is to drink in history itself.

A proud early-20th-century landmark, Hotel MidMost Barcelona honors its past without being bound by it. Original exterior flourishes remain, while the interiors have been thoughtfully refreshed to celebrate the building’s legacy and assert its identity as a contemporary boutique hotel. Home to just 56 rooms and suites, each space feels both distinctive and inviting: warm minimalism meets Scandinavian influences through soft tones and natural materials such as linen, leather, wood and copper, while bathrooms combine clean, functional design with subtle retro touches. Just steps from La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter, the hotel is crowned by a rooftop terrace offering sweeping panoramas over the city’s rich history.