Hotels offer short-term paid lodging with varying levels of amenities and services. Basic hotels provide minimal facilities, while larger, more expensive hotels offer a wider range of amenities like swimming pools, business centers, and dining options. Hotel rooms are typically numbered for identification, and some high-end hotels may feature custom-designed rooms. Certain hotels include meals as part of their accommodation packages. Capsule hotels in Japan offer minimalist sleeping spaces with shared bathrooms.
1945: The Potsdam Conference
The Schloss Cecilienhof in Potsdam, Germany, gained fame in 1945 for hosting the Potsdam Conference of World War II allies Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, and Joseph Stalin.
1964: Title II of the Civil Rights Act
In 1964, as part of the Civil Rights Act, a new law prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, or national origin in public places, including hotels.
1990: The Ice Hotel
The world's first ice hotel, the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, was first built in 1990. It is rebuilt each winter and melts every spring.
1999: Glass Igloos
The first glass igloos were built in Finland in 1999, becoming the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. These igloos allow guests to comfortably view auroras from their beds.
2001: Hotel de Glace
In 2001, North America's only ice hotel, the Hotel de Glace, opened in Duschenay, Canada. It is redesigned and rebuilt every year.
2006: World's Largest Hotel
The Guinness World Records named the First World Hotel in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, as the world's largest hotel in 2006, boasting 6,118 rooms at the time.
2011: World's Oldest Hotel
In 2011, the title of the oldest operating hotel was awarded to the Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Yamanashi, Japan, surpassing the previous record holder, the Hoshi Ryokan.
October 2014: Waldorf Astoria New York Sold
The Waldorf Astoria New York was sold to the Anbang Insurance Group, based in China, for US$1.95 billion in October 2014, making it the most expensive hotel sale ever recorded.
2021: Modular and Movable Hotel Rooms
A New York-based company introduced new modular and movable hotel rooms in 2021, providing a quick and scalable solution for hotel accommodations.