The world's best historical stays as voted by readers

Rachael Thompson

15 June 2026

3 mins Read

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur took the crown. (Credit: Getty/ traveler1116)

Add these storied stays to your wishlist.

As much as we love a sleek, contemporary hotel, often the best places to retreat to are those that have a storied past. Across the globe, there are countless accommodations steeped in the history of the city they sit within, revealing secrets of a bygone era while also catering to discerning travellers’ modern sensibilities.

Wanderlust magazine turned to more than 10,000 of its readers to help decipher which stays around the world best bring the past vividly to life.

From architecturally striking Udaipur to regal Bordeaux, past convents to former palaces, these historic properties allow us to step into the past. Five of the top 10 stays can be found in Europe, but India took the crown for having the world’s best historical stay.

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, took the crown. (Credit: Getty/ traveler1116)

India has no shortage of breathtaking, intricately designed buildings, so it’s not surprising to see Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, in India, formerly known as Jag Niwas Palace, topping the list. Built between 1743 and 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II of the Mewar Dynasty, the Mughal-inspired building sits majestically in the middle of Lake Pichola, its white marble facade replete with semi-precious stones. Formerly a summer palace to host lavish parties, it was reimagined as a luxury hotel in the 1960s, and now features ornately designed rooms and suites fit for royalty. The hotel also appeared in the James Bond film, Octopussy.

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, Zagreb, Croatia, was included in the top 10 list. (Credit: Getty/ Viktoriya Kraynyuk)

Coming in second is JW Marriott El Convento, Peru. Sitting within a restored 16th-century convent in the heart of vibrant Cusco, this historic stay features stone archways and antique brickwork, and is the perfect base for discovering the Andes Mountains. And if the building’s grandeur wasn’t enough to transport you back in time, the hotel also has two exhibition halls brimming with ancient Peruvian artefacts. It goes above and beyond to cater to modern travellers, even implementing oxygen-enrichment systems that help relieve altitude sickness.

Four Seasons Hotel İstanbul at Sultanahmet, Türkiye

Four Seasons Hotel İstanbul at Sultanahmet. (Credit: Getty/gionnixxx)

Third on the list takes us to Türkiye with the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul. Once a Turkish prison, this now 19th-century Ottoman palace with its striking yellow building features classic neoclassical architecture details with pointed arches, ornate tiles, dramatic domes and towers. Inside, an urban oasis awaits with elegant rooms and a spa with a traditional Turkish hammam. We think it’s a top contender for season 5 of The White Lotus.