Dubai, UAE: Are you an art and culture traveller? Love to see museums and old architecture in new countries you visit? Are your most memorable journeys the ones that connect you to a place’s soul. Then here are four heritage hotels that you will love.
These properties don’t just preserve the past, they invite you to experience rich architectural legacy and cultural resonance.
These hotels are a testament to a new philosophy in luxury hospitality – the coexistence of art and modernity.
At the heart of this shift is adaptive reuse: the art of restoring and reimagining spaces, from centuries-old monuments to iconic buildings, to reflect deeper values of sustainability and heritage.
From a 17th-century theatre in Amsterdam to a Himalayan palace, these four hotels reflect a global turn towards authenticity and immersive cultural connection.
The Dylan Amsterdam – Netherlands
The Dylan Amsterdam occupies the site of Amsterdam’s first stone theatre, built in 1638. Known as the “Schouwburg,” it hosted performances by Vivaldi and welcomed luminaries like Rembrandt. After a fire, the building became a Catholic charity office, and in 1999, it was reborn as a boutique hotel. Located on the Keizersgracht, the hotel sits behind a historic canal-side gate.
The transformation preserved the original gate, inscribed with a line from Joost van den Vondel. The hotel offers 41 stylish rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant in a former 18th-century bakery, and fireplace-facing lounges. It has revived Amsterdam’s longest-standing theatrical tradition with annual performances. With Green Globe Gold certification and a commitment to preserving 17th-century architecture, The Dylan is a place where history performs in quiet, luxurious gestures.
Why Now: The hotel is celebrating Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary. Recent restorations highlight refreshed interiors and historic details. Its Green Globe Gold certification reflects a commitment to heritage preservation and low-impact design.
Ananda in the Himalayas – Uttarakhand, India
Set within the former Palace Estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal, Ananda in the Himalayas carries both colonial echoes and a spiritual legacy. Commissioned in 1910, the palace welcomed dignitaries and spiritual leaders. In 2000, it was reborn as India’s first destination spa, setting a global benchmark for wellness hospitality.
A recent three-year renovation restored the palace’s original woodwork and colonial detailing. It also introduced new suites and a physiotherapy wing. The redesign wove Himalayan craft and native flora into the interiors, creating a seamless dialogue between landscape and structure. In 2024, Ananda enhanced its wellness legacy with new enhancements, including the debut of a new room category. Ananda is a living spiritual inheritance, quietly refined for the modern wellness seeker.
Why Now: The hotel is marking 25 years of wellness innovation. Recent enhancements include a new room category and a new diabetes management program.
Hotel Belmar – Monteverde, Costa Rica
Though not a historic structure, Hotel Belmar reflects a legacy of eco-conscious hospitality. Built in 1985, the lodge was inspired by alpine guesthouses, reimagined in a tropical cloud forest. Its architecture and ethos evoke the spirit of mountain hospitality, translated through Costa Rican materials and values.
A recent renovation embraced the principles of adaptive reuse. It preserved the original woodwork and architectural character while integrating sustainable upgrades. Natural materials like Costa Rican hardwoods, organic textiles, and low-VOC paints were sourced responsibly. Local art and craftsmanship were woven throughout, celebrating the region’s cultural heritage. Through its artist residency program, global creatives engage with Monteverde’s biodiversity.
Why Now: The hotel is commemorating 40 years of nature-integrated hospitality. A recent renovation introduced native materials and sustainable upgrades. The artist residency and circular agriculture model expand guest engagement.
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto – Japan (Opening Spring 2026)
