How to stay at historic hotels for less
By Aimee Heckel
Looking for an intimate encounter with history — without having to call Bill and Ted?
Many buildings with historical significance have been converted and turned into hotels: castles, mills, school houses — even jail cells. Whether you revolve your vacation around a historical destination or opt to stay somewhere other than the traditional hotel, booking a night or two at a historical hotel can make for an unforgettable trip.
Here are some of our favorite, inexpensive historic hotels.
A private room in the Old Salem Jail, only $60 a night through Airbnb.com. Sure, it’s a little out there to sleep in a 200-year-old former jail with such a dark past, but it’s also exciting. This facility is located within a short walking distance to all kinds of other historical sites and museums. You won’t believe how they’ve redone this place; it even has wifi, a 52-inch plasma TV with a Blu-ray player, air conditioning and laundry access to a washer and dryer.
The catch? (Or maybe it’s a perfect match.) Two old, “inquisitive” cats live here, too. They’re part of the package deal.
Note: The facility has more than 45 reviews on AirBNB, with a total five-star rating.
2. The Hollywood Historic Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., averaging $79 a night. Orbitz.com touts this find as a “1920s-era hotel with free parking and wifi in Hollywood.” For a place with this much character — imagine walking through an arched entry into a narrow hallway lined with black and white photos — this hotel has great rates. It’s also ideally located just a block from Paramount Pictures.
Tip: Book a room with an original old window that faces the Hollywood sign.
Deal alert: Check ShopAtHome’s Orbitz deals and discounts to save more money, such as save 15 percent off select hotels.
Looking for more inspiration? Here are some webpages to browse.
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Main photo of Salem Jail facility courtesy of AirBNB.com. Hollywood Historical Hotel photo courtesy of Orbitz.com.
