The Oldest Hotels in Austria and Switzerland
Truly ancient castles, inns, and other accommodation
Burg Bernstein, Austria
During the creation of Nights in the Past we’ve come across many places to stay that are of an extraordinary age. Should you know of any old hotels, inns or other accommodation which applies to this section, please get in touch. It should be noted, however, that the list below reflects only a small proportion of the overall number of historic hotels listed on the site.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in Switzerland and Austria section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-day building, though in some instances it applies to the majority. Please bear in mind that Nights in the Past can make no guarantees as to the veracity of the reputed age of any of the properties here or elsewhere on the site and cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. The date information we supply has, however, been previously documented and is in the public domain either on the internet or in print.
Also see our main historic hotel sections for Austria and Switzerland.
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in Switzerland and Austria section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-day building, though in some instances it applies to the majority. Please bear in mind that Nights in the Past can make no guarantees as to the veracity of the reputed age of any of the properties here or elsewhere on the site and cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. The date information we supply has, however, been previously documented and is in the public domain either on the internet or in print.
Also see our main historic hotel sections for Austria and Switzerland.
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
Romantik Hotel Wilden Man, Switzerland
13th Century (?). Burg Bernstein. Bernstein, Austria. Much of the structure was badly damaged and rebuilt following a lightning strike in the early 1600’s, although it is possible that fragments of a structure over a thousand years old remain. See TripAdvisor
1342. Altstadthotel Kasererbraeu. Salzburg, Austria. Clearly restored and remodelled over the years, this origins of this Salzburg landmark are as a medieval monastery guesthouse. See TripAdvisor
1365. Hotel Weisse Taube. Salzburg, Austria. Undeniably ancient, when this famous old inn was first built it was known as das Haus gegen der Tumber Spital, meaning “the house next to the cathedral’s hospital “. Read reviews and check availability at TripAdvisor
1390. Best Western Goldener Adler. Innsbruck, Austria. Reputed to date from the late medieval period, we cannot be certain which parts of the present building are original. See our historic hotels entry for The Goldener Adler
1517. Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann. Lucerne, Switzerland. Greatly extended over the past two hundred years, this Lucerne landmark has early 16th century origins. See TripAdvisor
1342. Altstadthotel Kasererbraeu. Salzburg, Austria. Clearly restored and remodelled over the years, this origins of this Salzburg landmark are as a medieval monastery guesthouse. See TripAdvisor
1365. Hotel Weisse Taube. Salzburg, Austria. Undeniably ancient, when this famous old inn was first built it was known as das Haus gegen der Tumber Spital, meaning “the house next to the cathedral’s hospital “. Read reviews and check availability at TripAdvisor
1390. Best Western Goldener Adler. Innsbruck, Austria. Reputed to date from the late medieval period, we cannot be certain which parts of the present building are original. See our historic hotels entry for The Goldener Adler
1517. Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann. Lucerne, Switzerland. Greatly extended over the past two hundred years, this Lucerne landmark has early 16th century origins. See TripAdvisor
Les Trois Rois, Basel
Note: Les Trois Rois (also sometimes known as Drei Konige) in Basel, Switzerland, claims not only to be the oldest hotel in the country, but also arguably the whole of Europe.
While there is a strong case for this, it hasn’t been included above on account that we are unaware of any of the original building (1026 AD) being in existence - much of the structure seen today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is, however, certainly worthy of mention. See our specific page devoted to Les Trois Rois
While there is a strong case for this, it hasn’t been included above on account that we are unaware of any of the original building (1026 AD) being in existence - much of the structure seen today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is, however, certainly worthy of mention. See our specific page devoted to Les Trois Rois