1. History of Hotels Jeffrey M. Wachtel, Ph. D., CHRE

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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?

7. And Still More Recently English Inns or Taverns if 16 th to 18 th 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

8. 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.

9. America Omni Parker HouseOmni 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

10. 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 16 th century different than those known previously?