5 Opulent Hotels Steeped In History

The 18th-century Riad Kniza is a jewel of a boutique hotel in the heart of the old Medina of Marrakesh. Intimate and resplendent, the riad has undergone a significant restoration that pays homage to Moorish architecture and craftsmanship across its 11 rooms and suites, enrobed in sumptuous fabrics, dark wood and deep tones. It also boasts a beautiful swimming pool and hammam, while its restaurant – with only nine tables – is renowned as one of the most exquisite in the city.

A meticulous restoration was required to bring Castle Elvira, a turreted estate built in the early 20th century and abandoned after a rumored tragedy 100 years ago, to the design-led property that opened earlier this year. Traditional frescoed ceilings and checkerboard tiling sit alongside contemporary artworks and bold furnishings (think brightly hued velvet headboards and carved marble bathtubs in the master suites), surrounded by citrus and olive groves and landscaped gardens. There are two dining rooms, a piano bar, private salons, lounges, a cinema, roof terrace with views stretching across the Pugliese countryside, and a wonderful infinity pool within the tropical planted garden. Order the cocktail cart to your oversized sunbed for a taste of la dolce vita.

Le Grand Contrôle has one of the most magnificent and history-rich postcodes imaginable: within the grounds of the Château de Versailles. And Airelles Château de Versailles’ Grand Appartement delivers a particularly decadent experience, featuring unparalleled views of the palace and grounds that were once the home of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The guest rooms of the hotel – only 14 of them in total – are fit for the majesty of their former residents, designed in keeping with 18th-century finery, and allowing special access to the splendor of the palace, such as the peaceful gardens of the Sun King and the dazzling Hall of Mirrors.

Dating back to 1666, Cliveden House has been the glittering backdrop to many a lavish soirée, cultural events, eminent guests, and even the occasional political scandal in its time. The stunning stately home, set amid 376 acres in the rolling Chiltern Hills, holds a plethora of elaborately designed rooms and grand suites, filled with traditional architectural details and plush furnishings. The suites are named after former guests who have been part of the storied history of the property, while the Spring Cottage, a charming three-bedroom bolthole on the banks of the River Thames, was a spot where Queen Victoria was known to take afternoon tea. Cliveden also played a role in recent royal history, as the place where Meghan Markle stayed the night before her wedding.

The Taj Lake Palace hotel appears like a mirage floating in the middle of Udaipur’s breathtaking Lake Pichola. The masterpiece of marbled walls, ornate gardens, cascading fountains and elaborate courtyards dates back to 1743, when it was built over several years by Maharana Jagat Singh II, the 62nd custodian of the House of Mewar, and enjoyed as a summer retreat by the Mewar royal family. It became a hotel in the 1960s, allowing guests a privileged position to take in the phenomenal scenery that illuminates the island’s every room, across the Aravalli and Machla Magra Hills.

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