During awards season, with the BAFTAs, Oscars and more taking place, celebrity spotting is ubiquitous in major cities across the globe.
While major names tend to shack up at large chain hotels, there are plenty of “under the radar” hidden gem properties where celebrities, icons and legends have stayed. Our list (with one dating as far back as 1368!) have welcomed royalty, poets, authors and movie stars — from Queen Elizabeth I to Charles Dickens and Lucille Ball.
These unassuming properties not only roll out the red carpet for all guests, their fantastic and compelling history makes them worth booking.
Check out these eight properties #poweredbyeviivo where famous faces have checked in — or even own!
Plas Tan Yr Allt, Tremadog, Gwynedd, UK
This Georgian country villa was once home to romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who resided here in 1812-13 while writing his epic poem ‘Queen Mab’. Other notable guests include E.F Benson, author of the charming and eccentric ‘Mapp & Lucia’ novels, and his brother A.C Benson who wrote the words to the patriotic song ‘Land of Hope and Glory‘ (sung at The Last Night of the Proms each year). Rooms are thoughtfully furnished with reference to the property’s Regency past.
Oak House No.1, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, UK
In the heart of the gorgeous Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Beauty, Oak House No.1 is an award-winning luxury boutique hotel, an opulent oasis of fine art and fine living. Furnished with many original artworks and decorative pieces, it’s exclusive and discreet, a favorite with film and TV personalities (such as Miranda Hart, Johnny Vegas, Tim Minchin, Oscar winner Sir Tom Stoppard), rock stars and even royalty – King Charles III’s Highgrove House is very close-by.
The Albion Rooms, Margate, Kent, UK
Check into The Albion Rooms for a spot of Rock’n’Roll R’n’R. Owned by UK rock band The Libertines, the hotel’s seven flamboyantly furnished rooms embrace the gritty and the glamorous, with statement fabrics and wallpapers, rich red, gold and black décor, brass beds and antique lamps. There’s also two decadently designed bars and even a fully equipped, state-of-the-art recording studio downstairs!
Andalusian Court, Palm Springs, California, USA
Originally built in the 1920s, Andalusian Court is home to some of the oldest buildings in Palm Springs. Boasting lavish suites, as well as a gorgeous outdoor heated pool, this property is a magnet to Hollywood elite, and it has been graced by some of the most iconic Hollywood celebrities from the golden age of TV, including Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and actors Vic Morrow and Victor Mature have stayed at the property.
Sutherland House, Southwold, Suffolk, UK
Step back in time to the days when the Grand Old Duke of York (later King James II) and the Earl of Sandwich were resident during the Anglo-Dutch war at this stunning 5-star restaurant with rooms on the Suffolk coast. Dating back to 1450, Sutherland House seamlessly blends historic features with contemporary furnishings and fabrics – relax in the free-standing bath and admire the 350 year old plaster ceiling in the Duke of York room!
Aumônerie – French Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritime, France
This historic, 7-suite property in the French Riviera was imagined by famous photographer Henry Clarke and decorator Raymond Poteau. The beautiful and decadent property, complete with private outdoor pool and situated right on the beautiful sea with lush, verdant and perfectly landscaped gardens, was popular among many famous personalities, including Princess Grace of Monaco who stayed here for a relaxing vacation.
The Leather Bottle, Cobham, Kent, UK
Built in 1629, this historic pub was a regular haunt of Charles Dickens, who not only visited and stayed but also featured it in The Pickwick Papers, his first novel, published in 1837. Referred to in the book as “a clean and commodious village ale-house” it continues to offer guests comfortable rooms, great food and drink and a warm welcome, with the atmosphere, enhanced by a collection of interesting Dickensian memorabilia.
The Old Crown, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
In Birmingham’s lively cultural quarter, The Old Crown is the city’s oldest secular building. Dating from 1368, it has seen hundreds of years of history unfold. When it was just 200 years old (it’s now 650!) Queen Elizabeth I stayed here in 1575, while traveling home from Kenilworth Castle. Exposed beams and original architectural features give a real sense of history at the ancient inn.
Whether welcoming tourists, business travelers or even celebrities, all of these properties use eviivo Suite to manage and automate many of the time-consuming tasks associated with running a successful accommodation business. eviivo Suite’s features include: Channel Manager, which enables owners to automatically update rates, content and availability on all major OTAs; Payment Manager, which allows owners to securely process deposits, payments and cancellations; and Promo Manager, whch helps drive direct bookings with web-exclusive promos.
Main image: Oak House No.1, Gloucestershire, UK