Download History of Hotels

History of Hotels
Jeffrey M. Wachtel, Ph. D., CHRE
The World: Which is the Oldest
Oldest Hotel
The Hoshi Ryokan in the village of Awazu, Japan,
is the world's oldest hotel. It dates back to AD
717, when an inn was built near a hot-water spring
said to have miraculous healing properties. The
waters are still celebrated for their recuperative
effects, and the Ryokan now has 100 bedrooms
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pa
ges/record.asp?recordid=50075
Other Old Hotels In Asia
The Palace Hotel would be the oldest hotel in Shanghai
which still exist. 1906.
Sri Lanka: The Galle Face Hotel is Asia's oldest Grande
Dame, with deliciously antique staff tottering about the
place and the most splendid views out over the ocean
The Oriental is one of the oldest hotels in Asia, and for ten
consecutive years was voted The Best Hotel in the World.
Much of The Oriental’s glory comes from the many writers
who stayed there—Joseph Conrad, James Michener.
Somerset Maugham and a host of others.
Going Back a Bit Further
Babylon: 2050 B.C. Alehouses
Hospices in Europe for Trade Travelers
Khans: Structures built on Persian Caravan
Routes
Roman Empire Later Years: Primitive Inns
Yams: Marco Polo “apartments suitable for
a King” 10,000 at time of his Asia trip.
Going Back a Bit Further
Orient: Caravansaries similar to Post Houses.
Sleeping quarters built around a central courtyard.
Turkey still calls hotels this name.
Middle Ages: Xenodocheions were inns or resting
places in monastaries.
Hospitality free and considered part of being
charitable until this time…perhaps this is why
many people resent paying hotel bills.
More Recent History
1282: Florence Italy: Innkeepers incorporated a
guild or association for the purpose of turning
hospitality into a business. Inns became licensed.
86 inns in Florence at the time.
Spread to Rome and other Italian Cities:
Innkeepers were German as were their business
traveling German guests. Travelers wanted to
speak their own language and eat their own food
while away from home. Any different today?
And Still More Recently
English Inns or Taverns if 16th to 18th centuies.
Became popular meeting places with licenses
issued by local lord or knight.
Standard design: quadrangle with vaulted gateway
to a yard.
Discussion of English Inns? Ye Olde Bulls Inn,
http://www.bullsheadinn.co.uk/ENGLISH/History
/history.htm
Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn
Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn, a sophisticated blend of the
ancient and modern, has been welcoming guests since the
15th century. Privately owned, it occupies a strategic
location in the centre of the picturesque and historic town
of Beaumaris.
A Grade II listed building, The Bull has played a pivotal
role in the development of the town over the centuries.
Cromwell’s General Mytton commandeered the Inn during
the English Civil War: in complete contrast, it became one
of Anglesey’s first legally recorded Quaker meeting houses
during the 18th century. Novelist Charles Dickens and the
diarist Dr Samuel Johnson are just two of its famous past
guests.
America
Omni Parker House The Parker House offers a
great combination of nearly 150 years of history
and extensive renovations. It has operated
continuously longer than any other hotel in
America (since 1855).
1834: Indoor Plumbing by Astor
1853: Steam Elevators
1836: Gas Lit Astor House
1894: Telephones at the Netherlands Hotel, NYC
Review Questions
1. Describe the ancient history of the hotel
business?
2. What were the earliest hotels called?
3. How were the English Inns of the 16th
century different than those known
previously?