When planning a vacation, many of us seek out hotels that offer unique amenities, great views, easy access and other creature comforts.
But what if the land a hotel sits on is the main draw? From a 30-acre coffee plantation to a Hawaiian volcano's rim, here are 10 hotels located on fascinating and historical plots of land.
Namiri Plains
Although not a proper hotel, this luxury campsite in Tanzania is situated on a rather unique parcel of land in the Serengeti.The area was closed for 20 years to create a safe haven for cheetah and only opened to tourists in July 2014.
The migration actually moves through the eight exclusive tents, so you never know what animals you might see. And it's the only property on the once reserved piece of land, with the closest being 45 minutes away.
Hudson New York
This Manhattan hotel may be a modern hot spot, but its history dates back to 1928 when it was originally constructed for the American Women’s Association Clubhouse. It became the Henry Hudson Hotel in 1941, but during WWII it housed more Dutch troops than tourists.
And if that wasn't enough, it became the United Nations Security Council in 1946 and was the headquarters for Channel Thirteen and Sesame Street Studios in 1985.
It became the boutique hotel we know today in 1997 after Morgans Hotel Group purchased it and spent three years redesigning the entire space.
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Caneel Bay Resort
Sure, there are plenty of hotels near UNESCO World Heritage sites, but this Virgin Island retreat is situated inside one.
Discovered by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1952, this 170-acre private peninsula has created a sanctuary for wildlife like donkeys, deer, mongoose and iguanas. To get a closer look at why this site made the list, you'll have to take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Virgin Islands National Park to see the varieties of coral and grass beds inhabited by sea turtles.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Venice is a city filled with historic properties, but this hotel takes pride in it's helpful past.
Before the Isola delle Rose was home to the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, the green spaces and 20th Century buildings served as a clinic for respiratory diseases.And there was a reason they chose that spot.Since it is just off the coast of Venice and between the lagoon and Mediterranean Sea, steady streams of fresh air were a constant.
It closed during World War I and re-opened in 1920, adding a church and a men’s club, which now houses Dopolavoro, the restaurant overseen by two-star Michele chef Giancarlo Perbellini.
Tryall Club
Now a 2,200 acre country club-style resort in Montego Bay, this Jamaican hotel was actually an Arawak settlement before Britain took control of the island from Spain in the 17th century.
After World War II, William DeLisser and his wife, former-owners of Tryall, a sugar plantation-turned-coconut grove, capitalized on the growing tourism industry by offering afternoon tea to visitors at the Great House, the property's focal point.
Pieces of the Club’s history can still be seen throughout the property, including remains of protective forts along the coastline, a cast iron waterwheel and aqueduct from the sugar plantation days, part of the original boiling house, the former groundskeeper's house and a 19th century cannon used to guard against pirate attacks.
Volcano House
People travel from all over the world to Hawaii to see its famed volcanoes. But this hotel's vantage point is eerily close.
Located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve on the Big Island, Volcano House is perched on the rim of Kilauea’s Halemaumau crater. You can actually sit at the onsite restaurant and watch smoke rise nearby from the active volcano.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
You don't even have to set foot off the property to see authentic Mayan ruins. Xcalacoco is thought to have been a trading post for the ancient community, and what's left are stone walls, steps and small dwellings, all of which you can explore on a walk around the hotel's grounds.
In tribute to the local heritage, the hotel has created the Xcalacoco Experience to tell the story of their legacy within the Riviera Maya jungle.
The Inn at Hastings Park
One of the newest Relais & Châteaux properties is located in Lexington, Massachusetts, steps away from the Lexington Battle Green, where "The Shot Heard Round the World" triggered the first battle of the American Revolutionary War.
If that wasn't enough Revolutionary War history for you, just outside The Inn's front door runs the path where Paul Revere and William Dawes made their famous ride from the Old North Church in Boston to alert the countryside that the British troops were marching. (The route is now Massachusetts Avenue.)
The Resort at Paws Up
Twelve years ago, the Lipson family purchased a working cattle ranch nestled between the banks of the Blackfoot River and Montana's famed Big Sky that dates back to the late 1800s.
But the history of the land can actually be traced back even further to when the river was used by Nez Perce, Flathead and Blackfeet Indians. Captain Meriwether Lewis even stopped at the property in July of 1806 on his return from the famed Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge
Visitors spend hours and even days climbing up a mountain to see the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. But this is the only hotel located adjacent to the famous Inca citadel, offering unrivaled access to the Lost City.
Some rooms have clear views of the stunning landscape, while in the early morning and late afternoon hours, all guests have exclusive access to the historic site after tourists have left for the day.