October 2026

The 10 Best Historic & Heritage Hotels

Based on Verified Guest Reviews

A heritage hotel offers something a new build never can — original features, architectural character, a sense of having stepped into a place with a past. We ranked these ten from verified IHG reviews, weighting how often guests praised the history, the architecture and the heritage character, and how warmly. From the oldest hotel in Washington D.C. to a converted clocktower in Manchester, these are the properties where the building is as much the attraction as the city around it.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

1. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington

The Washington property blends grand historic architecture with Kimpton’s signature hospitality, creating a stay where the building is part of the experience. Rich in character yet thoughtfully modern, it offers a distinctive base for exploring the nation's capital.

It had all of the best features of Kimpton hospitality combined with modern comfort in a historic architectural treasure.

— Helen, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

2. InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Perched atop Nob Hill, InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco captures the timeless elegance of old San Francisco. Historic charm, iconic architecture, and sweeping city views make every stay feel connected to the city’s rich past.s.

— Rory, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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KRAKOW, POLAND

3. Hotel Indigo Krakow - Wawel Castle

Framed by views of Wawel Castle, Hotel Indigo Krakow ffers a front-row seat to one of Poland's most iconic landmarks. Boutique style and an unbeatable setting create a stay rich in the history and character of Kraków.

Boutique hotel with excellent atmosphere!The rooms were comfortable with wawel castle view ,very nice breakfast with open kitchen!The location is perfect!

— Chrysa, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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WASHINGTON, D.C.

4. InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C

Few addresses capture Washington D.C.'s historic grandeur quite like the Willard InterContinental. Rich in tradition, elegant interiors, and a legacy tied to presidents and dignitaries make it a landmark stay where the history of the nation’s capital feels ever present.

The setting was elegant and relaxing, perfectly reflecting the historic charm of the hotel.

— Andry, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

5. InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest

Beautifully restored and rich in character, this Bucharest blends historic grandeur with contemporary comfort. Set in the heart of the city’s cultural district, it offers an elegant stay where heritage architecture and modern sophistication come together seamlessly.

This is a beautiful historic and fully modernized hotel with the best location, best ambiance and the most wonderful staff.

— Beauregard, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM

6. Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Housed within Manchester's landmark former Refuge Assurance building, this Kimpton pairs striking historic architecture with contemporary comfort. Original details, grand interiors, and a prime city-center location make it a stay rich in character and unmistakably connected to the city’s past.

Beautiful building, full of charm and character, great to see all the original features

Very warm welcome on checking in, beautiful room with everything needed for a fabulous overnight stay."

— Jeannie, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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COUMBIA, MISSOURI

7. voco The Tiger Hotel, Columbia, MO

Steeped in history, this Columbia landmark makes its past part of the experience, with grand interiors, curated artwork, and a strong sense of place. Thoughtfully restored and rich in character, it blends heritage charm with modern comfort in the heart of the city.

The lobby is gorgeous and I loved reading about the building’s history and looking at the amazing art.

— MizzouFan, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

8. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore

A landmark of Baltimore's past, this Kimpton pairs beautifully preserved architecture with contemporary luxury. Historic details and thoughtful restoration create a stay where timeless character feels effortlessly modern.

The architectural character of the building is exceptional — the historic detailing has been preserved beautifully, giving the property a strong sense of place and authenticity.

— Corry and Cassandra Bruns, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

9. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

In the heart of Philadelphia's historic district, this Kimpton places America’s founding story just steps from your door. Surrounded by iconic landmarks, it pairs a coveted location with contemporary comfort for a stay rich in history and character.

Great hotel, great location in the historic district of the city.

— john, Verified Guest via IHG.com

Book the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia »

DURHAM, UNITED KINGDOM

10. Hotel Indigo Durham

Set within Durham’s former Old Shire Hall, Hotel Indigo Durham blends Victorian heritage with contemporary boutique style. Steps from Durham Cathedral and the city’s storied streets, it offers a stay rich in character and unmistakably connected to the city’s past.

If you love historical buildings with original features, but with a contemporary, boutique hotel vibe and attentive, knowledgeable, friendly staff, then this is the place to come.

— Jayne and Andrew, Verified Guest via IHG.com

Book the Hotel Indigo Durham »

*How we ranked them: Every hotel on this list was identified through analysis of thousands of verified IHG guest reviews. Hotels are ranked by the proportion of reviewers who positively mentioned historic charm, weighted by review volume and sentiment. All reviews sourced from IHG.com.

The cities steeped in history

Some cities are living museums. Rome layers three thousand years of history into a single skyline, while Edinburgh wears its medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town side by side. Prague survived the centuries with its Gothic and Baroque heart intact, London and Paris need no introduction, and Lisbon tells the story of a great age of exploration. Each is a city where a heritage hotel feels at home among the landmarks.

IHG brands that honor the past

Kimpton leads this list, with a knack for converting landmark buildings — clocktowers, historic banks, grand civic architecture — into boutique hotels that preserve the period detail while delivering modern luxury.

Hotel Indigo roots every property in its neighborhood's story, frequently siting hotels beside or within historic landmarks, from Wawel Castle to a Japanese castle town, so the heritage of the place is woven into the stay.

InterContinental brings grand-hotel heritage of its own, with landmark addresses like The Willard in Washington and the Athénée Palace in Bucharest — historic properties where the building's legacy is central to the experience.

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