WHERE HISTORY MEETS LUXURY

MURMURS OF THE PAST ECHO THROUGH THE CORRIDORS OF THESE LEGENDARY STAYS

SOMETIMES, HOTELS ARE JUST PART OF A JOURNEY. But sometimes, they take you on one, giving you a glimpse into the past of the destination they're set in. Take for instance the grand La Mamounia in Marrakech, set in an 18th-century property once gifted by the Sultan to his son and described by Winston Churchill as "the most lovely spot in the whole world." Or, the fascinating Riggs Washington D.C, which, before becoming a boutique hotel, was a national bank where many US Presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, held accounts. Like them, here are the top ten historical hotels around the world that do more than just offer topclass hospitality, transporting you to a period in time that now only exists in books and vintage photographs.

ABBAYE DE LA BUSSIÈRE

ADDRESS D33, 21360 LA BUSSIÈRE-SUR-OUCHE, FRANCE

BUILT 1131

LODGED IN THE HEART OF BURGUNDY, BETWEEN THE cities of Dijon and Beaune, the Abbaye de la Bussière is a captivating blend of medieval heritage and modern luxury. Founded in 1131 by an English abbot, this former Cistercian abbey-a building that houses a community of monks or nuns-has witnessed centuries of history, from the austere lives of monks to its current incarnation as a hotel. The 17-acre estate's imposing architecture, featuring pointed arches, stained-glass windows, and stone sculptures, evokes the grandeur of the past. The expansive lawns, dotted with ancient trees, conceal hidden treasures such as a 13th-century wine press and cellar and a small crypt for weddings and baptisms.

A STORIED PAST