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The Travel Detective

Hotels With A Past: Rooms With Views

When checking in to your hotel, it’s always nice to request a room with a view. But how about a room with some history too? You can find one — if you know where to look.

Belmond Reid’s Palace in Madeira, Portugal has been around since 1891.  One of its presidential suites is named after Winston Churchill. That’s because the former British Prime Minister wrote his memoirs and loved to paint while staying here.

And speaking of painting…

If you’re heading to Venice, head immediately to the Europa Regina

Why?

Because it’s a great hotel on the canal but that’s not the only reason. You want to head to the 17th century wing up on the third floor and ask for room 305. It’s a great room with a better view but it’s not just your view. It was Monet’s view. He stayed here. He painted from here and the same thing he saw is what you’ll see every time you open the windows.

In London, there’s the Trafalgar at St. James hotel, which was once the home of the Cunard Steamship Company. Cunard was in direct competition with the White Star Line that built the titanic. News of the Titanic sinking first broke in the Trafalgar.

And then there’s the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, where you’ll feel like a true royal with its Swedish royal family ties. The Bernadotte suite was named after the King’s Uncle Sigvard, who was commissioned to decorate the entire hotel floor.