One-of-a-kind journeys: discover the world's most unique hotels

History is palpable at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam from the moment you step through our doors. Set between two historic canals, echoes of the hotel's layered past unfold through the centuries-old architecture and an extensive collection of ancient and contemporary artworks housed within. 

Originating as a convent in 1411, you can still glimpse the medieval clock tower peeking up from the northern façade. During the 16th century, the Reformation brought sweeping change across Europe, and in 1578 the convent was repurposed into a royal lodge for members of European royalty. It was then converted into the City Hall in 1647 and again in 1808. As you savor the sustainable French menu in Restaurant Bridges, relax in the sleek Sofitel Spa and sip coffee in the green oasis of The Garden Terrace, pause to reflect on the many historical figures ranging from medieval nuns to illustrious dignitaries such as Winston Churchill and King Baudouin of Belgium whose presence still lingers in the air around you.

The clement climate of Egypt and the exotic draw of bustling bazaars, ornate temples, and ancient pyramids beckoned those eager to escape European winters. An allure that remains intact today.  Here in Aswan, a market town brimming with historic wonders, life flows peacefully alongside the meandering Nile. The ancient Philae Temple has drawn in travelers along the river for centuries, with carvings of emperors serving gods. And venturing a little further, Abu Simbel, a temple cut from rock by King Ramesses II, evokes the age of the pharaohs with its vast seated statues.

Set atop pink granite cliffs, between the Nile River and the azure sky, lies the unique hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, housed in an elegant palace dating from 1899.

Sip a refreshing cocktail on the Terrace and watch feluccas sail along the Nile as you ponder the former guests in whose footsteps you are following. These include the renowned archeologist Howard Carter, who discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the 1920s, as well as Princess Diana, and British prime ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. The hotel’s romantic atmosphere and ancient surroundings captivated Agatha Christie, who spent most of 1937 here writing her famed novel Death on the Nile. The enchanting hotel formed Christie's inspiration for an important setting in the book where major characters met before their fated Nile cruise.

As you relax by the sparkling outdoor infinity pool overlooking a landscape unchanged in thousands of years, savor a luxurious wellness treatment at the property’s opulent Sofitel Spa, or indulge in service fit for a pharaoh at our gourmet 1902 Restaurant, let the spirit of times past inspire your own momentous moments.

It comes as no surprise that the walled Old Town of Cartagena, Colombia, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amid architectural gems like the historic Plaza de los Coches, the 16th-century Church of Santo Domingo, and the countless colorful Spanish Colonial-style buildings lies Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. But what is now a unique luxury hotel featuring a spa, a cerulean pool lined with loungers, and opulent bars and dining options was once a convent housing nuns. 

It was in 1621 that the Santa Clara de Asís Convent was built for the Poor Clares, an order of nuns known for austere practices of penance, fasting, and contemplation. Afterthe nuns were evicted from the convent in 1861, the storied building became a hospital, a prison, and a medical school before it was completely abandoned. Fast forward to 1995 when it became an iconic hotel among Cartagena’s cityscape, welcoming the likes of Francis Ford Coppola and Mick Jagger. 

Now the property is firmly embraced within the Sofitel Legend family and the history of austerity has transformed into a unique hotel showcasing authentic local culture, food, and artworks throughout the property. As well as indulgent activities like rum and chocolate tasting, the hotel has also introduced charitable measures such as food donations to community feeding schemes, helping to bring guests closer to local culture and community. One can only imagine the nuns of the Poor Clares would be proud.

Set between Panama City’s famed UNESCO-listed historic district and the shores of the scintillating Pacific Ocean lies Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo. Firmly rooted in the patchwork of Panama’s storied history, what is now a unique luxury hotel was once home to the exclusive Club Unión where glitterati flocked for sumptuous social gatherings from the 1920s to the 1960s. Think celebrities like Charles Lindbergh and Albert Einstein, and even royals such as Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. 

The prestigious club was a bastion of society, where deals were made, love was kindled, and stars shone brightly until it was finally abandoned in 1989 after an attempted coup in the capital. But this celebrated locale has withstood the test of time—its ruins were a filming location for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace in 2008 and the legendary property was finally restored into a grand dame luxury hotel in 2022. 

Ponder the past as you lay by the infinity pool and think about the stars of days gone by as you dine at our gourmet restaurant Caleta, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Lorenzo di Gravio. The hotel's art collection, which wascrafted by female entrepreneurs in local communities, is a highlight.

The French Colonial charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is evident in every element of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Built in the neoclassical style in 1901 as the largest hotel in Indochina at the time, the grand hotel has welcomed many notable guests including French and American presidents, and was even the chosen honeymoon destination of English actor Charlie Chaplin. 

The hotel was claimed by the Vietnamese government in 1954 at the end of the French-Indochina War and was subsequently used as a refuge for embassies and UN agencies during the Vietnam War. A secret bunker under the pool serves as a testament to the fraught war years. You can almost feel the threads of time unravel as you gaze upon the elegant black-and-white exterior, dine on French cuisine in the ornately decorated restaurant Le Beaulieu, and sip cocktails at the poolside Bamboo Bar. For over 120 years, through times of war and peace, the beloved landmark still stands sophisticated and proud in the heart of Hanoi.

A visit to the legendary city of Xi'an is a tour through 7,000 years of Chinese history. In addition to the Terracotta Warriors, for which the city of Xi'an is most famous, one piece of its extraordinary story lies in Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xian. Set in what was once a state-run guesthouse for foreign dignitaries, it became a unique luxury hotel in 1953 and the largest in northwest China.

According to legend, the unique hotel was built on a spot where a pot of gold was once found, bestowing luck upon all who stayed. This good fortune feels evident through the impeccable service while dining in the sophisticated atmosphere of Dolce Vita restaurant, sipping rare cognac in the resplendent Louis XIII Bar, or meandering through the French-inspired gardens.