Writer, TV presenter, and traveling foodie, the late Anthony Bourdain favored street food over haute cuisine and gritty authenticity over luxurious dining options. But when it came to accommodation, he liked to splurge. Bourdain loved “old restored colonial hotels in places that were formerly part of the British or French Empire”, as he told Esquire in a 2013 interview. He called these types of hotels “magnificent,” and it was the atmosphere as much as anything that drew him in. “Drinking a cold G&T in a rattan chair with a fan overhead — I like that a lot,” he stated. “Especially after a few days where I’m out in the country and living in some not particularly great situation, camping or staying in a guesthouse with no air-conditioning.”
While the legacy of empire that shaped some of Bourdain’s favorite hotels comes with baggage, in modern times, many have evolved into spaces that honor local culture while preserving their architectural heritage. Follow in Bourdain’s footsteps and discover grand vintage interiors, ceiling fans spinning over tiled floors, and menus fusing colonial influences and local flavors.
Stay like Bourdain at these hotels
Bourdain mentioned two hotels in his Esquire interview. One was Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which first opened in 1932. Near the evocative temple ruins of Angkor Wat, the hotel features plantation-style architecture, with beautiful tiled floors and huge windows looking out onto the lush gardens. He also mentioned the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, a landmark in Vietnam, which was one of Bourdain’s favorite countries to visit. Its restored rooms blend the architectural styles of 1920s France and colonial Indochina, with hardwood floors and ceiling fans turning the balmy air.
Bourdain is also known to have been a fan of The Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. The hotel opened in 1963, and while more modern than many accommodations we mention, it channels old-world charm, with many of the rooms boasting jaw-dropping views of Victoria Harbor. The classic Captain’s Bar has been serving delicious drinks for over 50 years.
Over in Sri Lanka, Bourdain stayed at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. It became a hotel in 1894 and styled itself as “the finest hotel east of Suez,” according to the website. (It’s not the only hotel to lay claim to this, though!) Now, travelers can unwind in the sumptuously decorated rooms, enjoy a range of traditionally British and authentically Sri Lankan food from scones to crab curry on the columned veranda, and sip Pimms and G&Ts in the bar.
More colonial-era hotels to discover
