4 Famous Hotels that Take you Back to the Colonial Era

Source: tripadvisor.in

In this era of chic and luxurious hotels, there exist places that have a story to tell. These places evoke a strong sense of nostalgia as you explore their concrete structure that stands as a silent witness to the most important chapters of history. These are colonial-era hotels. Here is a list of 7 famous colonial-era hotels across the globe that still dazzles with exuberance as they did in their heydays:

1. Raffles, Singapore

This is one of the most famous and oldest Colonial-era hotels in the world. It was built in 1887 and was named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore. This structure stands as a reminiscent of the British colonial era and has a timeless elegance. It has hosted famous guests such as Noel Coward, Rudyard Kipling, and Somerset Maugham.

2. The Windamere, Darjeeling, India

The Windamere is one of the oldest and authentic British colonial hotels in India. Formerly known as the Ada Villa, this place was used by the British planters as their boarding house. Built in the mid-1800s, The Windamere was never renovated but was carefully restored, thus, retains a rich colonial feeling. The decor of the hotel creates an old world charm and you will feel taken back to the colonial days as soon as you step into this place. If you are visiting India and want to book a hotel in Darjeeling, then book your stay at The Windamere, the only authentic Colonial hotel in Darjeeling.

3. Amangalla, Galle, Sri Lanka

This hotel dates back to the 17th century and has hosted both the Dutch and the British and has a tumultuous and rich colonial history. The decor of this place reflects its Dutch colonial past. 300 years old polished jack-wood floors, vintage prints, and whirring ceiling fans adorn the interiors of this magnificent colonial structure.

4. La Residence, Hue, Vietnam
Located near the famous perfume river, this place was the former residence of a French governor during the colonial era. La Residence overlooks the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the Nguyen Dynasty. La Residence is a striking example of Art Moderne, a type of Art Deco architecture that was hugely popular during the 1930s.