7 oldest hotels in the world to stay in. Most hotels founded in ancient times and the Middle Ages have been destroyed or have become museums. But there are establishments with thousands of years of history that are still operating today.

Guesthouses for travelers were first mentioned in the chronicles of Pompeii in 69 BC. The history of the modern hotel industry can be traced back to the 8th century - hotels founded in the 700s are still operating and accepting guests.

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We tell you about seven ancient hotels where you can still stay.

 Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, Japan, 705

Fujiwara Mahito, son of Emperor Tenji's aide, established an inn near a hot spring in the early 8th century. The enterprise quickly became popular - politicians, members of the ruling dynasty, military commanders and samurai stayed there.

In 2011, the Nishiyama Onsen Keunkan was entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest hotel in the world - it has existed for 1,315 years. It is now run by the 52nd generation of the Fujiwara family. The hotel is located in Yamanashi Prefecture, a two-hour drive from Mount Fuji. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has 35 rooms, which are furnished in old Japanese style. Guests are asked to take off their shoes when entering the building and are offered traditional clothing. A hot spring still supplies the hotel with water, from housekeeping and pools to a decorative fountain at the entrance. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has no internet for guests, as it offers a completely immersive, relaxed and contemplative experience. A stay at the oldest hotel in the world costs $280 per night.

Hoshi Ryokan, Japan, 718.
The second Guinness record holder hotel is located in Ishikawa Prefecture. It has been owned by the same family for 13 centuries. From 1996 to 2011, Hoshi Ryokan was considered the oldest hotel and family business in the world. Now the hotel is run by the 46th generation of the Hoshi family, and for the first time in history, the future fate of Hoshi Ryokan is in question. In 2013, the eldest son of the hotel owners died, to whom the business was traditionally supposed to pass, and the only daughter, Hisae Hoshi, is to become the owner of the hotel. A short documentary was made about the dramatic situation and experiences in the family, which was written about by the world media.

However, the hotel continues to operate. Like Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, the hotel is furnished in traditional style, and the menu offers a choice of national dishes. It too has bathing facilities and spa treatments for guests - the hotel is built next to a hot spring. A theater festival is held here in September. Hoshi Ryokan also has a museum, where the works of masters of classical Japanese art are collected. A room for two people will cost $100 per night.

Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Turkey, 8th century

“Cave” hotel is located in Cappadocia, in the village of Ayvali, founded in the 1600s BC. In the 8th century a monastery appeared here - underground rooms were hollowed out in the soft volcanic rock, and later the monks' dwellings became hotel rooms. A church built in the 10th century remains on the territory of the hotel, and fragments of frescoes from the same period are preserved on the walls of the former cells.

The modern hotel opened in 1999. There are 30 rooms, decorated in different styles: from ascetic dungeons with stone beds to luxury apartments. The underground rooms have internet, and guests are offered herbal tea, milk and honey. A stay in the monastery caves costs between $110 and $450.

Maid's Head Hotel, Great Britain, 1090-1246

The first mention of the hotel dates back to 1246, when the chronicles of Norwich state that a certain Robert the Birdcatcher stole goods from an innkeeper in Cook Row. However, the administration of Maid's Head Hotel claims to be the oldest hotel in Britain and suggests to count the history of the institution from the 1090s. At that time it was the residence of Herbert de Losinga, the first Norman bishop of Norwich, who is considered to be the founder of the hotel. The oldest parts of the modern building date back to the 15th century, while the rest of the buildings were erected in the late 16th century. The Black Prince Edward (son of King Edward III), Henry VIII's wife Catherine of Aragon and Queen Elizabeth I stayed at the hotel, in memory of whom the hotel has themed rooms. The Norwich Masonic Lodge first met here in 1724.

The hotel also has a literary room. It is dedicated to the latest book by Christopher Sansom, the author of detectives about the medieval detective Matthew Shardlake. In the novel Tombland, the writer tells the story of Robert Ket's peasant rebellion. The rebellion took place in Norwich, and the rebels and supporters of the king gathered at Maid's Head. A stay in a regular or themed room will cost between $230 and $380 per night.

Luna Baglioni, Italy, 1118

The oldest hotel in Venice is located within walking distance of St. Mark's Square.According to surviving historical evidence, the Knights Templar, Knights of the Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, stayed here during the Crusades in the 12th century.In the Venetian archives of the XIII century there are records about the tavern “Luna”, and in the chronicles of the XV century there was mentioned an inn of the same name.Part of the modern interiors of the hotel dates back to the 1700s - the time of the decline of the Venetian Republic.

In 1992 the hotel was restored.Now there are 104 rooms, including luxury apartments overlooking the park or the canal. Two minutes from the hotel is the dock of the vaporetto - Venetian river streetcars.Despite the proximity of the canal, the first floor of the Luna does not flood even during high water - the city's seasonal floods.Spending a night at the Templar Asylum will cost between $340 and $640, depending on the season.

Zum Roten Bären, Germany, 1120 ADRead more at RBC:

The oldest hotel in the country is located in the city of Freiburg im Breisgau.
According to Peter Kalchthaler, director of the city's Historical Museum, the hotel opened in the early 12th century, although the first surviving written record dates back to 1311.Kalhtahler also claims that the future Queen Marie Antoinette of France slept at the hotel in 1770.The princess's wedding train stopped in Freiburg on its way from Vienna to Versailles, and the hotel hosted a gala reception for 250 people. In the 1930s Martin Heidegger held philosophical discussions here, and in 1956 the actress and singer Marika Röckk lived here.

Today Zum Roten Bären has 25 modern rooms and a restaurant of traditional German cuisine, where you can often meet regulars: every second table is usually occupied by locals.One of the hotel's former owners, Monika Hansen, described the history of the hotel and its owners in 2009 in the book Das Buch vom Roten Bären in Freiburg (The Book of the Red Bear in Freiburg).It costs $180 per night to stay at the hotel.

Château Du Domaine St. Martin, France, 1300s

In 1150, the Templars founded the Abbey of St. Martin in a Provence castle on a hill.
The monastery chapel has survived to this day and ceremonies are still held there.

The castle remained in the ownership of the knights until the beginning of the 14th century, when the order was destroyed.After that, the castle gradually turned into an inn.According to legend, on the territory of the former abbey buried treasures - the golden figure of Baphomet, the idol of the Templars and other valuables that belonged to the powerful order.Today it is a five-star hotel 20 minutes from Nice, where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed.The chateau offers panoramic views of the town of Vence and the sea, and the grounds include a swimming pool, spa, tennis courts and golf course.The hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant serving author's cuisine, La Commanderie. The interior is decorated with Aubusson tapestries and Louis XV antique furniture. Spending a night in the castle costs from $440 to $940.