For the sixth year running, Historic Hotels of Europe have announced the winners of its annual awards ceremony. The awards honour the most unique, important and cultural properties spanning across the continent across eight special categories, from weddings to fine dining.
The ceremony took place on 20 November 2018 at the legendary Barberstown Castle near Dublin, Ireland which was attended by the first three nominees in each category and dozens of representatives from the finest historic hotels.
“The winners of the 2018 Historic Hotels of Europe Awards represent an inspiring group of hoteliers with exceptional historic properties and outmost dedication to authentic hospitality spanning across Europe”, said Barbara Avdis, Chairman of the Historic Hotels of Europe. “The Hotels receive their merit with the organization’s highest honor, a guest’s choice, the Historic Hotels Awards.”
From the 400 exceptional stays throughout Europe, the winners of the sixth prestigious Historic Hotels of Europe Awards are as follows:
1Dalen Hotel, Southern Norway, Norway – Historic Hotel Host of the Year 2018
Built in 1894, its architeture in “dragonstyle”,it is not only one of the greatest tourist hotels from that periode, but also one of the best preserved. Dalen has been host to both royalty and lokal guests alike. Today, visits from royalty are few and far between, but each and every guest is made to feel like a king or a queen, and peace and quiet, personal service are in focus at Dalen Hotel. Currently we boasts 38 rooms, all with bath/shower and wc. Exellent cuisine enhance the pleasure of mealtimes. Season: May till November.
2Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel, Lisbon, Portugal – City Historic Hotel Award 2018
Hoteis Heritage Lisboa’s latest project is located right on the Avenida da Liberdade, the most emblematic of all the city’s main thoroughfares. It is a restored late XVIII century building, the decoration of which was entrusted to Miguel Câncio Martins…
The Best City Historic Hotel of Europe 2013
Hoteis Heritage Lisboa’s latest project is located right on the Avenida da Liberdade, the most emblematic of all the city’s main thoroughfares. It is a restored late XVIII century building, the decoration of which was entrusted to Miguel Câncio Martins – a Portuguese architect who is renowned for his work on mythical spaces like the Thiou and the Buddha Bar in Paris, the Strictly Hush in London and the Man Ray in New York. His design combines the city’s own traditions and lifestyle with the most modern technology.
3Agriturismo L’Unicorno, Lombardy, Italy – Historic Hotel Countryside Award 2018
L’ Unicorno rises among the vineyards, fruit and olive groves of Valtenesi. Built in 1654, it is the oldest house in the hamlet of Macesina, just a few minutes from Lake Garda. 10 rooms, each room is furnished with period style furniture.
L’ Unicorno rises among the vineyards, fruit and olive groves of Valtenesi, in the midst of three hectares of lush farmland. Built in 1654, it is the oldest house in the hamlet of Macesina, a small farming village in Bedizzole, Brescia, Western Lombardy, just a few minutes from Lake Garda. L’ Unicorno is located inside a 16th century farmhouse. The first building, constructed during the 16th century, was later embellished by a green Lombard style courtyard finished in 1777 with the well-lit gallery supported by a colonnade in local white.
Botticino marble, in turn completed by the loft in 1779. The original rooms used for farming activities: the barns with the hayloft and the cellar, like the noble wing destined for the owner’s living quarters, underwent a careful conservative restoration which has returned the dwelling to its original splendour, whilst conserving all the charm of the old.
The house blends the charm of an exclusive atmosphere from another time with the most recent techniques of biocompatible restoration and the use of the most modern renewable energy technologies. Heat regulation is driven by heat pumps fed by a photovoltaic system and integrated by a thermal solar powered system to minimise CO2 emissions. This is the philosophy which has inspired homeowners, C. & G. Becchetti Binkert, to offer you the opportunity to enjoy a revitalising holiday in total relaxation, surrounded by greenery in a healthy setting.
4Chateau Sundbyholm, Södermanland, Sweden – Historic Hotel Wedding Experience 2018
Sundbyholm Castle from the 1640’s is situated at the southern shore of Lake Mälaren. The castle and its surroundings are as beautiful in real life as in the many paintings and drawings made throughout the centuries. Prince Eugen’s ‘The Old Castle’ is one of the most famous and reproduced estate paintings in Sweden.
Sundbyholm Castle was built by the Admiral of the Navy Karl Karlsson Gyllenhielm, King Karl the Ninth’ son and King Gustav Vasa’s grandson. The Admiral was greatly respected for his modern and forward looking ideas at the time – e.g. in 1629 he established the first public elementary school nearby the castle, 200 years prior to the Swedish public school reform.
Sundbyholm Castle enlightens old traditions and cultures for the demanding customer. Visiting entourages enters the castle on a red carpet at the main castle entrance or at the steamboat pier. Banquets, weddings and ceremonial events are saluted and guests welcomed by three canon shots – a traditional ceremony since.
Sundbyholm Castle from the 1640’s is situated at the southern shore of Lake Mälaren. The castle and its surroundings are as beautiful in real life as in the many paintings and drawings made throughout the centuries. Prince Eugen’s ‘The Old Castle’ is one of the most famous and reproduced estate paintings in Sweden. Sundbyholm Castle was built by the Admiral of the Navy Karl Karlsson Gyllenhielm, King Karl the Ninth’ son and King Gustav Vasa’s grandson. The Admiral was greatly respected for his modern and forward looking ideas at the time – e.g. in 1629 he established the first public elementary school nearby the castle, 200 years prior to the Swedish public school reform.
Sundbyholm Castle enlightens old traditions and cultures for the demanding customer. Visiting entourages enters the castle on a red carpet at the main castle entrance or at the steamboat pier. Banquets, weddings and ceremonial events are saluted and guests welcomed by three canon shots – a traditional ceremony since.
5Festningen Hotel & Resort, Akershus, Norway – Historic Hotel Castle Award 2018
Festningen Hotel & Resort is part of Festningshotellene, a group of hotels in unique destinations that have all played a big part in Norway’s history. Festningen Hotel & Resort is located at Kongsvinger Fortress, and boasts fantastic views over the town of Kongsvinger and the Glomma, Norway’s third-longest river. The fortress is one of the most important defensive sites and cultural monuments in Hedmark county. The historic fortification, once built to repel enemy forces, is now a venue for outstanding cultural activities. The fortress has been restored in recent years, with several important historic buildings being renovated and modified for new uses.
Open: All year. Closed Christmas and Easter
6Kyrimai, Mani, Peloponnessus, Greece – Historic Hotel Gourmet Award 2018
Despite being noted for its rugged beauty, traditional villages, medieval towers and Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches, the Kyrimai Hotel represents a different period in Mani’s history. A renovation of the old trade center built in 1870 by Theodore Kyrimis, mayor of Middle Mani and Michalis Katsimanitis, a trader from Syros, the store, warehouse, tower and residence are exquisite examples period architecture complete with a complex of stairways, arches and inner courts, tower rooms, luxury suites, two-storey rooms and charming attics, which links the property with Greek trade developments in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Kyrimai has been awarded as: The Best Historic Hotel of Europe by the Water 2013
7Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany – Most Romantic Historic Hotel 2018
Welcome to the beautiful valley of the Lorelei, with more castles and palaces than anywhere else on Earth – the ideal location for a true timeout. Choose from magical junior- or full suites, or deluxe, comfort or mansard rooms, either in the main castle or the Jugendstil ambience of Villa Rheinfels.
Different restaurants with terrace or winter garden, including gourmet highlight the “Silcher Stuben” – invite you on a colorful culinary journey. Our wellness oasis promises a pampering for body and soul amid historical walls. Fantastic spaces, also, for special occasions of all kinds, while the “Conference Villa” is ideally suited for small meetings and seminars. Welcome to your moment!
8Allegory Boutique Hotel, Rhodes Island – Rhodes Island
Walk through Rhode’s medieval town cobblestones streets, in the neighborhood of the Knights, that lead you to this historic yet hip brand new boutique hotel on the island: The Allegory Boutique Hotel. What a hideaway to discover!
Walk through Rhode’s medieval town cobblestones streets, in the neighborhood of the Knights, that lead you to this historic yet hip brand new boutique hotel on the island: The Allegory Boutique Hotel. What a hideaway to discover!
In a historic townhouse in the medieval heart of Rhodes, the Allegory Boutique Hotel has been created in a beautiful balance between heritage and modern design. Six suites with a brilliantly conceived ergonomic space preserve the impressive wooden beams of the original architecture. Earthy colors, refined decoration, impressive artwork and robust stonewalls are the elements of the Allegory suites.
Inviting and noble, with exclusive service attributes that vary from your personal tablet to unpacking your suitcases, the Allegory Boutique Hotel promises a different way to explore the medieval city of Rhodes, an Architectural Heritage site, and the beauties of the island.
“Allegory Boutique Hotel”: the symbolic figure of your own experiences and Story to Tell from your visit in Rhodes.
