9 of America’s Oldest Hotels

According to Guinness World Records, the oldest continuously operating hotel in the world is the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Hayakawa, Japan, which was founded in 705 CE. While you won’t find an accommodation that old in the United States, many historic properties established in the original 13 colonies date back to the 1700s, offering the same antique charm and bucolic scenery that early American settlers from England once relished. From Massachusetts to South Carolina, these storied inns are reminders of our nation’s formative years. Discover the fascinating histories of nine of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the continental U.S.

9. Publick House Historic Inn – Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Year built: 1771

Established on the eve of the American Revolution, the Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, features just 17 cozy rooms. The magnificent elm trees outside were planted by the original founder, Colonel Ebenezer Crafts, in 1791. Guests can settle in front of the open-hearth fireplace at the historic tap room, set in the inn’s original 18th-century dining room, and enjoy dishes such as old-fashioned “Yankee” pot roast. The beautiful country homestead is a landmark in this small, yet vastly charming New England town, which is only about 60 miles from Boston.

8. Omni Homestead Resort – Hot Springs, Virginia

Year built: 1766

The four-star Omni Homestead Resort, founded in Hot Springs, Virginia, in 1766, has hosted 24 U.S. presidents over its storied history. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, the property recently underwent a $170 million renovation, so guests can continue to enjoy golf at the Old Course (home to the nation’s oldest first tee in continuous use), a 2-acre water park, bathhouses fed by natural mineral springs, and eight on-site restaurants. The accommodation is a must-visit in Bath County, a region famous for its dark skies, scenic rolling mountains, and quaint villages.

7. Beekman Arms Delamater Inn – Rhinebeck, New York

Year built: 1766

Located in the Hudson Valley north of New York City, the Beekman Arms Delamater Inn has been continuously operating since 1766 and is steeped in American history. Formerly known as the Traphagen Tavern, Bogardus Tavern, and Potter’s Tavern, the accommodation in Rhinebeck, New York, was once a traveler’s inn that hosted Revolutionary War leaders such as George Washington, Benedict Arnold, Alexander Hamilton, and Philip Schuyler. The inn’s lawn was even used for regiment drills during the American Revolution in 1775. 

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was also a frequent guest at Beekman Arms, concluding each of his four political campaigns for governor and president with speeches from the front porch. Today, the property has been updated with modern amenities but still retains its colonial character — including the original oak beams, plank floors, and famous tavern serving patrons since 1704.

6. John Rutledge House Inn – Charleston, South Carolina

Year built: 1763

The John Rutledge House Inn is one of the most stunning — and historic — accommodations in the Holy City. Boasting teal ironwork and a black-and-white checkered sidewalk, the Rutledge House features 19 guest rooms that are steps away from bustling Broad Street, home to many seafood restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, and boutiques. The three-story, Georgian-style inn was built by John Rutledge for his wife, Elizabeth Grimke, and has a long history of entertaining elite members of society, such as President William Howard Taft in the 1920s. Legend also has it that Charleston’s favorite dish, She Crab Soup, was invented here, and that the spirit of a young girl haunts the property. 

5. 1754 House – Woodbury, Connecticut

Year built: 1754

Connecticut’s oldest inn, 1754 House is located in the town of Woodbury in the western Berkshires. Once known as the Curtiss House, the white, colonial-era roadside property has been welcoming guests since the 18th century, and it’s still a great place to see the gorgeous foliage in the region come fall. With just nine rooms, the inn has all the modern amenities you might need, but it also features its original tavern and parlor, as well as thoughtful reminders of the past — such as the handwritten list of previous owners who once served as stewards for the building.

4. Kelley House at Faraway Martha’s Vineyard – Edgartown, Massachusetts

Year built: 1742

The Kelley House is one of the oldest buildings on Martha’s Vineyard, a Massachusetts island south of Cape Cod, known for its historic properties that have long made it a sought-after summer resort destination. The Kelley House is now part of the Faraway Martha’s Vineyard hotel, which opened in 2023. The grounds include a private pool and state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as three on-site restaurants, including a craft coffee bar. The historic building has been completely renovated to include modern touches, while the three suites inside are the perfect retreat after a day exploring nearby coastal communities. 

3. Red Fox Inn and Tavern – Middleburg, Virginia

Year built: 1728

The Red Fox Inn and Tavern is a treasured property in Middleburg, Virginia, that features a lovely outdoor garden terrace, a charming stone façade, original beamed ceilings, and a cozy tavern serving local wine and hearty game. The inn has hosted many famous guests in its nearly 300 years of existence. They include President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who liked to visit during fox-hunting season in the fall; Elizabeth Taylor; U.S. Senator John Warner; and actors Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, and Paul Newman. The Red Fox was also a pivotal stop for traveling colonists, as it was the halfway point between Alexandria and Winchester, Virginia. George Washington himself stopped here in 1748.  

2. Historic Inns of Annapolis – Annapolis, Maryland

Year built: 1727

Those exploring the picturesque Chesapeake Bay in Maryland can discover another one of America’s oldest accommodations in Annapolis. The Maryland Inn, Governor Calvert House, and Robert Johnson House comprise the Historic Inns of Annapolis. Each of the inns has its own storied past tied to Annapolis’ golden age as a meeting place for future Revolutionary War dignitaries such as Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Adams. A few steps away is the Maryland State House, where George Washington resigned as commander in chief of the Continental Army, paving the way for the new nation to elect him as its first leader.

1. Concord’s Colonial Inn – Concord, Massachusetts

Year built: 1716

The oldest inn in the 50 states is the Colonial Inn in Concord, Massachusetts. Located 20 miles from downtown Boston, the property dates back to 1716. Henry David Thoreau stayed at the inn while he attended nearby Harvard University from 1835 to 1877, and the small hotel was aptly named the Thoreau House before it was renamed at the turn of the 20th century and expanded to include more wings. Today, the inn is celebrating over 300 years of welcoming guests to one of the nation’s most beloved establishments from a bygone era. 

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