Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, Hayakawa, Japan Founded in 705 by Fujiwara Mahito, the Japanese resort is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest continuously running hotel. Keiunkan is located near Mout Fuji in the Kai region of Yamanashi Prefecture.

While "five-star" is a modern rating system, the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating hotel (ryokan) in the world, having opened in 705 AD. In the Western world, the Claridge's in London (opened 1812) and the Hôtel Ritz Paris (opened 1898) are among the oldest hotels that have maintained a five-star luxury standard since the inception of formal rating systems. However, if looking specifically at the first hotel to ever receive a formal "Five-Star" rating from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide), that honor belongs to the The Greenbrier in West Virginia and the The Broadmoor in Colorado, both of which received the inaugural top rating in 1958. In 2026, these historic properties are often marketed as "Grande Dames," combining centuries-old architecture with modern luxury amenities. Many of these hotels are part of the "Historic Hotels of the World" collection, which preserves the heritage of these legendary hospitality landmarks for modern travelers.