In the spirit of honoring past leaders and indulging in a touch of luxury, what better way to celebrate President’s Day than by immersing oneself in the historic footsteps of former U.S. presidents? From the majestic views of the Grand Canyon to the quaint charm of the Sheridan Inn in Wyoming, and from the opulent Broadmoor in Colorado to the iconic Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park, there’s a wealth of presidential vacation spots waiting to be explored. Imagine basking in the same ambiance that once hosted the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Bill Clinton.
Uncover fascinating tales of presidential visits, cultural significance, and the timeless allure of these remarkable retreats. Join us on a journey through history and luxury, as you vacation like a president this President’s Day.
El Tovar, Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim
Widely considered the crown jewel of the Historic National Park Lodges, El Tovar is located directly on the Grand Canyon’s Rim and first opened its doors in 1905. The hotel was designed by Charles Whittlesey, Chief Architect for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. The Chicago architect envisioned the hotel as a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa. This was done to appeal to the tastes of the elite from that era, who at the time considered European culture the epitome of refinement. The hotel was built from local limestone and Oregon pine. It cost $250,000 to build, and many considered it the most elegant hotel west of the Mississippi River.
In 1987 the Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark. In the past, the hotel has hosted such luminaries as Albert Einstein, Western author Zane Grey, Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, and countless others.
U.S. Presidents who have stayed at El Tovar include Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower, and Bill Clinton.
The Sheridan Inn, Sheridan, Wyoming
Constructed in 1892 as part of a railway extension program, the Sheridan Inn was designed by Omaha architect Thomas R. Kimball. Drawing inspiration from Scottish hotels, the architect included the iconic wraparound porch and a bountiful number of dormered windows in his design. In a short six months, the Inn was constructed and upon completion was the first building in the area furnished with electrical power and bathtubs, giving adventurous travelers a taste of Eastern luxury in the West and was considered the finest hotel between Chicago and San Francisco.
Buffalo Bill Cody frequented the Sheridan Inn as part owner and soon turned the Sheridan Inn into the headquarters for his Wild West Show, from which he auditioned new members from the iconic front porch of the Inn. Local Sheridan cowboys and cowgirls were recruited, including George Gardner and Tode Bard, to join the show and travel to Europe with Buffalo Bill.
With a massive ballroom and a dining room table large enough to seat 165 people, the Sheridan Inn was the social hub for the area, hosting grand dances and dinners. The 64 hotel rooms hosted new residents of Sheridan who stayed at the Inn while their houses were being built and ranchers would spend their weekends at the Inn. Early prices at the Sheridan Inn were one dollar per night and fifty cents for lunch or dinner. Over the years, The Sheridan Inn drew notable guests from far and wide, such as Ernest Hemingway, President Hoover, Will Rogers, and Bob Hope.
Today guests can choose from one of the Inn’s 22 rooms, which have been uniquely designed and named after important figures in Buffalo Bill’s life. Reserving a room involves looking over a Room Menu and selecting from such options as the “Sitting Bull Room” or “Annie Oakley Room”. Each suite presents the times and individual histories of the person in the room’s overall finish and furnishings, artifacts, and exhibits.
THE BROADMOOR, Colorado Springs, CO
The Broadmoor has hosted many (actually, most) U.S. presidents in its 106-year history, including Dwight Eisenhower, who would visit the resort regularly to play golf and learn from pro-Ed Dudley. Fun fact: George W. Bush gave up drinking after a big 40th birthday celebration at the resort’s The Golden Bee gastropub. From the Obamas to the Roosevelts, The Broadmoor has had its share of presidential stays in this uniquely Western resort, which spans 5,000 acres and is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
One can roam the hallway between Broadmoor West and the West Tower to see The Broadmoor’s photo gallery. The gallery includes framed portraits of distinguished guests (including presidents) who have stayed at the resort over the decades, from Prince Harry to Bob Hope.
The Oasis at Death Valley, Death Valley, California
The Oasis at Death Valley was originally called Furnace Creek and is a true American oasis where 80,000 gallons of ancient water rise to the surface every day. The Native Americans, prospectors, settlers, and 49ers all knew about the water there and the oasis. Eventually, the land was purchased by the Pacific Borax Company which mined and hauled borax out of the valley with the famed Borax 20 Mule Teams of the 1880s. The mules and miners were based at Furnace Creek.
The resort was originally built by the Pacific Borax Company in the late 1920s and would become the getaway winter spot for Hollywood celebrities such as Clark Gable, and Ronald Reagan, and where George Lucas filmed scenes from the original Star Wars movies because of the stunning natural beauty in daylight.
Over the years in addition to the Inn, the Ranch was expanded, and amenities and facilities were added for the enjoyment of travelers and vacationers including casual lodging, restaurants, a general store, a golf course, tennis courts, a gas station, official U.S Post Office (Zip Code 92328), RV parking and of course, a saloon.
Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, WY
A U.S. National Historic Landmark, the Old Faithful Inn has been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2012. This iconic holiday destination is located in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, specifically next to its legendary Old Faithful geyser. The hotel itself was originally constructed upon the grounds of the former Upper Geyser Basin Hotel, which had collapsed during the 1890s. Its initial owner had been Jay Cooke, a prominent railroad tycoon who had long entertained the idea of preserving the area that now constitutes Yellowstone National Park. Cooke’s team at the Northern Pacific Railroad subsequently debuted the Upper Geyser Basin Hotel in 1883 and was thus obligated to construct a replacement when the former was destroyed a decade later.
Opening in 1904, the newly created “Old Faithful Inn” immediately became one of Yellowstone’s most popular attractions. The hotel was soon hosting many influential people over the following decades, including U.S. Presidents like Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Two earlier presidents, Chester A. Arthur and Theodore Roosevelt, had camped at the site back long before the Old Faithful Inn opened. Lastly, First Lady Laura Bush stayed at this iconic inn in 2002.
Cody and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Many presidents have been spotted in the state’s northwestern region known as Cody Yellowstone, which includes the town of Cody, as well as parts of Yellowstone National Park. To start, Chester A. Arthur visited Yellowstone National Park in 1883 with a large entourage and was intent on having an authentic Western experience. Arthur kept in touch with the outside world and engaged in presidential business with one daily mail courier on horseback who delivered and received Arthur’s messages.
President Calvin Coolidge visited Cody on July 4, 1927, for the opening of the Buffalo Bill Museum, the first of five museums that comprise the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Theodore Roosevelt was a big fan of the state, and he made several trips during his presidential tenure and returned to Wyoming to vacation after he left Washington. In 1903, during his final visit to the park for a two-week vacation, he visited the Norris Geyser Basin where he spent two nights at the Norris Hotel. During that trip, he laid the cornerstone for the park’s Roosevelt Arch. Although the arch is in the state of Montana at the northern entrance to Yellowstone, Wyoming celebrates the grand structure too, as most of the park is in Wyoming.
Years later, Theodore’s fifth cousin Franklin took office, and he also left his mark on Yellowstone Country. When he visited the park, he avoided the park hotels, many with multiple floors and no elevators, and instead was a guest of the lodge manager in his single-floor park home, which could better accommodate his wheelchair while at the same time keeping it from public view.
Some other notable names include President George H.W. Bush, President Bill and First Lady Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama and his family, First Lady Melania Trump, and President Jimmy Carter dined at the employee pub at the park’s Lake Lodge where he signed the wall of the pub, still visible to guests today. Lastly, President Warren Harding visited the park in 1923, shortly before he died, and the staff in the park named a geyser after him.
The 1886 Crescent Hotel, known for its ghostly inhabitants and eerie events, will be opening its doors to a select group of paranormal investigators on the night of January 10, 2023.
The 1886 Crescent Hotel, known for its ghostly inhabitants and eerie events, will be opening its doors to a select group of paranormal investigators on the night of January 10, 2023. This exclusive event will allow 50 brave individuals to explore the hotel’s active spaces and guest rooms, equipped with state-of-the-art paranormal sensors.
The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, will be on full lockdown, therefore investigators will stay overnight at the Basin Park Hotel, which is also known for its paranormal experiences (12 Spring St., Eureka Springs, AR 72632, 877-456-9679, https://www.basinpark.com/). Both hotels are members of Historic Hotels of America (historichotels.org).
The night will begin with a welcome reception in Basin Park Hotel’s Jack Rabbett Whisky Bar, where investigators will have the opportunity to meet each other and discuss their plans for the evening. At 8:30 PM, they will be shuttled to the Crescent and go into lockdown. From that point on, investigators will have unrestricted access to the hotel and will be able to explore as they please, with the help of experienced guides. The investigation will continue until 2AM when guest will be returned to the Basin Park with many stories to tell.
Participants are encouraged to document their experiences and share them on social media, but no outside light sources will be permitted on the property.
This one-of-a-kind event is not for the faint of heart, and spots are limited to 50 participants.
An Overnight Guest Room is required, January 10, and rates start at $149.
The reservationist will reserve your place in the lockdown
The cost of the lockdown is $250 per person and includes:
Welcome reception
Transportation between hotels
Paranormal investigation at the Crescent Hotel
You must call, 877-342-9766, to book your space and use promo code: Lockdown.
1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, 75 Prospect Ave., Eureka Springs AR 72632, 877-342-9766, https://crescent-hotel.com/.
WASHINGTON, DC—Halloween 2019 – Just in time for Halloween 2019,
Historic Hotels of America has released its list of Most Haunted Historic
Hotels. A membership organization of more than 300 hotels with long and storied
histories, some hotels have reported ghosts and paranormal activity throughout
the halls and in guestrooms giving those who stay a fright – and they don’t
just come out at Halloween. From ghosts who have been around since the
Revolutionary War to jilted lovers, heartbroken, there are an abundance of
ghostly sightings in historic hotels.
Concord’s Colonial Inn (1716)
Concord, Massachusetts
The original part of the Inn was built in the early 1700s before the
Revolutionary War. With such a long and robust history, it’s no wonder there
are spirits that still wander the halls of this historic hotel. One of the most
famous, haunted and sought-after guestrooms is room 24. During the
Revolutionary War, the right side of the Inn was privately owned by Dr. Timothy
Minot. When patriot soldiers were injured at the Battles of Lexington and
Concord at the North Bridge, they were brought to his home to be cared for. Dr.
Minot used what is now the Liberty Room as a hospital and room 24 as an
operating room. Several soldiers who were operated on in room 24 died during
surgery. They were then carried directly downstairs into room 27, which was
used as a morgue. It’s no wonder then that guests have reported lights
flickering in room 27 or turning on and off completely. One guest woke up in
the middle of the night and every light was on in the room, including the
television! Others have heard hushed whispers coming from the closet and have
seen the door to the room slamming shut on its own.
The Red Lion Inn (1773)
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Ghostly rumors continue to swirl at the inn which has seen the likes of many
paranormal investigators and mediums. The fourth floor, in particular, has been
said to have the most activity. Both cleaning staff and guests have claimed to
see a “ghostly young girl carrying flowers” and “a man in a top
hat.” It has been said that guests have awoken to the feeling of someone
standing over them at the foot of the bed. Cold spots, unexplained knocks, and
electrical disturbances have all been reported. Guestroom 301 is also known to
be a haunted hot spot.
Omni Parker House, Boston (1855)
Boston, Massachusetts
This hotel was opened by Harvey Parker and he was involved with the operations
of the building until his death in 1884. Over the years, many guests have
reported seeing him inquiring about their stay—a true “spirited” hotelier even
after his death.
The Sagamore (1883)
Bolton Landing, New York
The Sagamore has its own American ghost story. Opened in 1883 as a
playground resort for summer residents of Millionaire’s Row, this rambling
historic hotel sits in a 6 million-acre state park and is rumored to
accommodate a ghost or two. Stories persist of the ghost of a silver-haired
woman wearing a blue polka-dot dress descending from the second floor to the
Trillium, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant.
1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa (1886)
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The 1886 Crescent Hotel, well known today as being a mountaintop spa resort in
the Arkansas Ozarks, was once used as a Cancer Curing Hospital which was under
the control of the hospital’s owner, reported charlatan Norman Baker from
Muscatine, Iowa. Baker operated his Eureka Springs’ facility from 1937
until December 1940. There are many paranormal patrons with terrifying tales to
tell. Among those are Michael, the Irish stonemason who, while constructing the
building back in 1885, fell to his death in the footprint of what is now Room
218. He has thought to be a frequent visitor to the room since the day of
his death. There’s also Theodora – a patient and helper during the days when
the hotel was owned Norman Baker, resides in Room 419. Guests have
reported that she will put bags in front of the door from the inside making it
hard for guests to open their door upon their return. Dozens and dozens of
ghost like encounters, and creepy, unexplained occurrences happen at this hotel
on a regular basis.
Jekyll Island Club Resort (1887)
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Over the years, the Jekyll Island Club Resort has seen many families come and
go since it opened in 1887. With all that time, comes the stories and
mysteries, the staff, as well as guests have encountered firsthand. One such
encounter involves the family of J.P. Morgan. Sans Souci, one of the buildings
at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, is a handsome four-story structure erected in
1896 as one of the first condominiums to ever be built. It was built originally
for families to use, including the family of J. Pierpont Morgan. His family
rooms were located on the third floor, north end of the property facing the
Jekyll River. He was particularly fond of the large porch which graced the
front of his apartment allowing him a beautiful view of the river. Mr. Morgan
was a lover of cigars. As the story goes, one could tell where he was by following
the trail of smoke. In order to avoid criticisms for his favorite hobby, he
would rise early every morning by 5 am to have a smoke on the porch. While most
contemporary guests are not rising at such an early hour for a cigar, those who
have stayed in the Morgan’s old apartment swear they have awakened to the faint
smell of cigar smoke wafting about when there is absolutely no one else awake.
Union Station Nashville, Autograph
Collection (1900) Nashville, Tennessee
One of Nashville’s most iconic landmarks, Union Station Hotel resides
in a building that previously served as the city’s buzzing
railway station. Guests are reminded of the building’s rich
history through another kind of encounter: with the hotel’s
resident ghost, Abigail. Legend has it that during World War
II a young woman, Abigail, said goodbye to her soldier
on the Union Station train platform before he shipped off to France.
When she arrived at that same spot to greet him on his return, she
was instead met with word that he was killed in action.
Distraught, Abigail threw herself in front of a passing
locomotive. The forlorn spirit of Abigail, still looking for her
lost love, can reportedly be seen wandering the main
terminal and her presence felt in Room 711. Now
known as the Abigail Room, guests can request to stay
in the haunted suite, which is decorated unlike any other room
in the hotel with antique
furnishings, a four-poster bed and artwork inspired by her
tale.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin
Resort & Spa (1901) Honolulu, Hawaii
On February 28, 1905, the untimely death of Jane Stanford, co-founder of
Stanford University, made headlines everywhere. Stanford, who was vacationing
in Hawaii following a strychnine poisoning attempt on her life, died in her
room at the Moana. There have been reports that the ghost of Stanford still frequents
the hotel, whose beautiful ocean vistas brought her short-lived peace. Guests
and hotel staff have said that they’ve seen her walking at night trying to find
her room. Omni Mount Washington Resort,
Bretton Woods (1902) New Hampshire
Known affectionately by staff members as “the princess”, Caroline Foster, was a
long-time inhabitant of the hotel. Princess Caroline Foster’s ties to the
resort go back to its inception when her husband, railroad tycoon Joseph
Stickney, built the grand resort in 1902. Incorporating special accommodations
for his wife, construction of the resort included an indoor swimming pool and a
private dining room for Caroline known today as the “Princess Room.” A
prominent figure at the resort since its opening, many guests who have visited
continue to report sightings of the regal Caroline. Visions of an elegant woman
in Victorian dress are often spotted in the hallways of the hotel, there are
light taps on doors when no one is outside and items suddenly disappear and
then reappear in the exact place they were lost. But perhaps the most
common sighting of the beloved Caroline is in room 314, where guests report
seeing a vision of the woman sitting at the edge of their bed.
The Seelbach
Hilton Louisville (1905)
Louisville, Kentucky
Legend says two lovers were to be married at the hotel in 1907, but the groom
met an untimely death on his way to the wedding. His distraught bride threw
herself down the elevator shaft, falling ten stories to her death. The bride is
said to continue to haunt the halls of this historic hotel.
Mizpah Hotel (1907)
Tonopah, Nevada
Built in 1907 and beautifully restored to its former grandeur and glory. The
hotel is home to several ghostly figures. One of which is the former bellhops
has been seen roaming the halls of the hotel trying to give guests a hand with
their luggage. The town of Tonopah was well known for silver mining and just
beneath the Mizpah are old mining tunnels. The hotel had a run-in with a few
very greedy miners and lost out on a large sum of money. As legend is told,
three miners dug a hole into the old bank safe and robbed the hotel. One of the
men turned his back on his two accomplices and shot them. He left them for dead
and took off with the money and was never been caught. To this day, those two
miners still lurk in the basement of the Hotel.
The Omni Grove Park Inn (1913)
Asheville, North Carolina
There is a strange, but gentle spirit residing within the gray, granite walls
of Asheville’s historic Grove Park Inn. Known simply as the “Pink Lady”, she
has been seen, felt and experienced by hotel employees and guests for nearly a
century. Although the Pink Lady is believed to have met her demise on the Palm
Court floor after falling two stories from the fifth floor to the third floor,
she has been seen and experienced in a number of places throughout the resort.
The Pink Lady has been described as a dense pinkish smoke with a presence that
can be felt by guests throughout the grounds of the Inn.
La Fonda (1922)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Shot to death in 1867 in the hotel lobby, John P. Slough, Chief Justice of the
Territorial Supreme Court, is said to have never left. Meanwhile, a distraught
salesman, who jumped into the hotel well after losing a card game, has been
seen emerging from the fountain by visitors and guests alike.
The Emily Morgan San Antonio- a
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (1924) San Antonio,
Texas
The Emily Morgan is known to be one of the most haunted hotels in all of Texas.
According to various reports, even some given by the hotel’s own management
team, the most haunted floors are the seventh, ninth and fourteenth floors in
addition to the basement.
It was these particular floors that at one time functioned as the psychiatric
ward, surgery level, waiting area and morgue, respectively. At the Emily
Morgan, almost all of the paranormal reports involve ghosts and spirits from
days gone by when the building was the medical building.
Guests have reported strange things occurring on these particular levels. Those
staying on the fourteenth level of the Emily Morgan generally have one thing to
say: that the smell is acutely reminiscent of a hospital. Guests have reported
to opening the doors to the hallways only to find a scene from a hospital
waiting right inside.
Francis Marion Hotel (1924)
Charleston, South Carolina
In the early 1930s, New Yorker Ned Cohen was visiting his Southern lady friend
in Charleston. Whatever happened was never clear, but he was found face down,
body smashed in the middle of King Street facing toward the old Citadel’s
parade grounds. Today, visitors hear eerie and unexplained sounds at night, all
too familiar to the bell staff and room attendants walking the halls. Sounds of
rustling silk drapes, rattling windows, and an unexplained vision of a man
questioning either himself or the witness. Some see the ghost in short
sleeves, others just feel his presence throughout the hotel.
Hawthorne Hotel (1925)
Salem, Massachusetts
The city of Salem is notorious for the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 and is prone
to hauntings and spirits of its own. The hotel has ghost stories, mostly
attributed to the sea captains who were returning to their gathering place. In
particular, guests staying in rooms 612 and 325 have reported of lights turning
off and on and experiencing a general uneasy feeling throughout the
rooms.
Hotel Viking (1926)
Newport, Rhode Island
Hotel Viking has had many guests and staff members come and go, reporting
stories of spirited guests. The story that has been reported repeatedly is of a
little boy is often seen cleaning the floors of the historic wing of the hotel.
There have been about 10 different guests regaling a similar story of a young
boy cleaning. This has also been confirmed by most of the housekeeping
staff.
Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection
by Hilton (1927) Saranac, New York
This historic hotel was built on foundation of a former High School. It is the
only hotel building remaining of 13 luxury hotels that once served this
community. While fires led to the downfall of some of the area’s hotels,
survived by design: made of steel and brick, Hotel Saranac was the area’s
first fireproof hotel. The hotel had a civil defense tower on top,
where it is said that Boy Scouts would wait to watch for Russian Bombers. Room
308 – Emily Balsam, was a guest at Hotel Saranac and worked at a local college.
She had a cat. The story is told that she was not feeling well for a while and
got tired of people checking on her and just wanted to be left alone. She had
her phone disconnected and stopped all housekeeping. She did not want to
be disturbed for any reason. No one saw much of her after that. At some point
the guest and staff started to complain about the smell coming from that room
and the cat always “crying” and Emily refused to answer the door. The
manager at the time went up to talk to her and found she had been dead for
weeks and the cat was still alive. The cat was taken to a shelter but it is
said that the ghost of Emily’s cat can still be heard crying or scratching at
the wall, perhaps wandering the hotel looking for her.
Hotel Monteleone (1886) New
Orleans, Louisiana
A maid, known as “Mrs. Clean” reputedly haunts the hotel. Paranormal
researchers once asked why she stayed, and the maid, whose mother, grandmother,
and great-grandmother also worked at the hotel, said she was picking up after
housekeeping to ensure high standards.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
& Spa (1927) Sonoma, California
It is said that ghosts haunt where they were the happiest. Fairmont Sonoma
Mission Inn & Spa welcomes guests past and present and tells the tales of
guests who never wanted to leave. When the evenings are still and the fog rolls
in from the Bay, a hauntingly beautiful woman has been seen strolling the
hallways of the Inn in period dress. Victoria, as she is fondly referred to by
many of the Inn’s tenured employees and whose family traces back to the
founding fathers of Sonoma Valley, is said to have celebrated her wedding and
many anniversaries at the resort.
Hassayampa Inn (1927)
Prescott, Arizona
The year it opened, the Hassayampa Inn developed its most famous legend. A very
young bride named Faith Summers checked into a balcony suite with her much
older husband in 1927. According to the story, Faith’s husband went out to buy
cigarettes and never returned. Faith waited for three days and then took her
life in despair. Since then, countless hotel guests and employees have reported
encounters with a young woman throughout the hotel crying at the end of a bed,
dressed in a pink gown in the hallway, appearing and disappearing from rooms.
One housekeeper saw a woman by a bed, holding flowers and crying. When asked if
she needed help, the woman vanished. Kitchen staff have reported feeling
Faith’s presence in the kitchen, right before the burners on the stove suddenly
went out. Others have reported strange cold spots in Faith’s honeymoon suite.
The heartbroken ghost appears unable to move on from her anguish. Many think
that though Faith is heartbroken, she enjoys staying at the Hassayampa
Inn.
The Don CeSar(1928) St. Pete Beach, Florida
Over the years there have been a number of reported “sightings” and strange
occurrences at this historic hotel. Although there are various stories, the
most common presence felt through the building is that of Mr. Thomas
Rowe, the man who brought the Don CeSar to life and is the focal point of the
love story surrounding the hotel. It is rumored that people have reported
seeing Mr. Rowe throughout the hotel, on the beach, and even interacting
with guests and staff. In the evening it has been reported that from time to
time guests have looked up to the windows on the fifth floor and see the figure
of a man watching from above.
Lord Baltimore Hotel (1928)
Baltimore, Maryland
Over the course of its more then 90-year history, the Lord Baltimore Hotel has
had reports of paranormal activity. Built in 1928, the hotel was one of the
tallest building in the city (the Great Fire of 1904 destroyed Downtown
Baltimore) and around the time of the Great Depression, there were at least 20
documented reports of “jumpers” from the 19th floor rooftop
deck. The most spoken about is that of a couple who attended an event at the
hotel with their daughter – and then proceeded to jump off the building. Their
daughter, “Molly,” is typically seen in the halls wearing a white dress and
playing with a red ball. There has also been a lot of paranormal speculation
around a handprint of a child on a wall in one of the hotel’s penthouses that
won’t go away.
Omni Shoreham Hotel,
Washington, DC (1930) Washington, DC
During the Shoreham’s early years, three people died unexpectedly in suite 870.
At that time the apartment was occupied by one of the hotel’s owners, Henry
Doherty. Juliette Brown, the family’s housekeeper dropped dead mysteriously one
night at 4 am. Doherty’s daughter and wife also perished mysteriously in the
same suite. During its vacancy there were claims of mysterious noises, doors
slamming shut and furniture moving—many of which happened around 4 am, the time
of Juliette’s death.
Tubac Golf Resort and Spa (1959)
Tubac, Arizona
There have been hauntings throughout the resort that have been reported by
guests by at least four unique ghosts including a boy, a lady in gray, a very
active gentleman spirit, and a cowboy. Some of these spirits are believed to
date back to the early age of the resort when it was the Otero Ranch. The
haunts have been investigated by the Phoenix, Arizona Paranormal Society and
featured on the “Haunted Series, Arizona.”
“The spirits reported to reside within these Historic Hotels of America have
been described as sad to happy, shy to friendly, slowly meandering to in a
rush, in work clothes to elaborately dressed, and range from young to old,”
said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director, Historic Hotels of America and
Historic Hotels Worldwide. “Some pre-date the construction of the hotel and
others figure prominently from the early years of the historic hotels.”
Historic
Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic
Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels.
Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 historic hotel members. These
historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of
place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including
44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and
operated historic hotels. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality
brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America.
To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a
hotel must be at least 50 years old; have been designated by the U.S. Secretary
of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for
listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having
historic significance. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
Washington, DC– For 200 years, one Washington DC hotel has remained an anchor in a town that has undergone countless transformations and been called home by US Presidents. In 2018, the Willard InterContinental celebrates its bicentennial, bringing two centuries of colorful anecdotes, architectural evolution and historical preeminence. The long-standing venue is currently receiving a substantial room refurbishment, refreshing guest rooms while maintaining the essence and charm of a bygone era.
With its inception as a row house on the corner of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in 1818, The Willard spent the first 30 years under a series of different names, managed by a slew of different operators. It wasn’t until 1847 that Henry Willard was named manager, spearheading a complete makeover, tearing down the original façade and replacing it with a new brick exterior and larger interior. It was around this time that the property was named the Willard’s City Hotel and would remain this way until 1901 when it was torn down to make way for the magnificent, Beaux-Arts style structure that exists today, hosting a number of monumental events that have made the history books.
Given its close proximity to The White House and many other government buildings, The Willard has attracted a great number of U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries and celebrities over the years, beginning with Martin van Buren in 1841. The Willard has since welcomed almost every U.S. president, giving rise to the hotel’s nickname, the “Residence of Presidents.”
It was also in the mid 1800s when Kentucky Statesman Henry Clay first introduced Mint Julep to Washington in The Willard’s Round Robin Bar. The southern favorite beverage would later become the hotel’s signature drink, serving 20,000 of them each year.
The walls of The Willard have witnessed some of the nation’s most notable happenings, from the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln in 1861, where the President-elect took up residence in the days leading up to his Presidency, to welcoming Dr. Martin Luther King in the hotel’s lobby in 1963, as he sat with his closest advisers making final edits to his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. After closing its doors in 1968 for 18 years, The Willard was saved from demolition and reopened in 1986 with a complete renovation, paving the way for more historical moments, including a visit from the Dalai Lama in 2016.
After such an illustrious track record, The Willard is taking some time in 2018, as it commemorates its 200th anniversary, to give all 335 rooms and suites a well-deserved makeover. To be completed by April, the final design is still being kept under wraps but the property has disclosed that it involves 355 new Nespresso machines, 355 new Cubie alarm clocks, 5,000 slippers, 25,101 yards of carpet, 49,900 yards of wall covering, 300 pieces of reupholstered furniture and 1,350 pieces of refinished wood furniture. With the room revamp, also comes a reimagining of The Willard’s highly-praised authentic French brasserie, Café du Parc where hotel patrons and locals alike will be able to enjoy the addition of a new private dining room and reinvented menu. Of course, The Willard’s old standby’s and foodie favorites will still be available for guests to enjoy whether it be a traditional spot of afternoon tea in the hotel’s famous Peacock Alley, which serves the likes of 30,000 scones a year, or a perfectly brewed cup of coffee at Le Bar, one of 23,725 served yearly.
Throughout the years, The Willard has developed a number of unique programs including the Kids Concierge, which offers a selection of amenities and activities, including a children’s library and a treasure chest of board games and toys to ensure that even the youngest of guests have a luxury experience to remember. This popular offering gives out 1,500 “Millie” bucks per year, a coveted reward which earns little ones a sweet treat from Le Bar. In 2018, both newcomers and longtime patrons can enjoy the hotel’s newest program, History Happy Hour. Held monthly, the two-hour event distills American history through cocktails, while providing attendees a hands-on mixology class, perfect for both cocktail aficionados and history buffs. This educational yet entertaining event is led by the legendary bartender, Jim Hewes, who has been serving up cocktails for over 30 years at the iconic Round Robin Bar.
The Willard, which is a member of Historic Hotels of America (historichotels.org), has stood the test of time and the 200th year anniversary will reflect on its expansive and vivid history. A pioneer in hospitality, The Willard has created and maintained traditions that will be remembered for years to come, whether it be the labor of love involved in the 255 ornaments hung on the beloved Christmas tree that graces the lobby each year or the 600 hours spent each year building the acclaimed gingerbread display. Many have walked through The Willard’s halls, from renowned politicians and celebrities, to tourists visiting the Nation’s Capital for the first time, or blushing brides celebrating their special day inside the hotel’s exquisite Crystal Ballroom, aptly named for the crystals on display and welcoming an astounding 7,000 wedding guests each year.
Want to experience the historic luxurious Willard InterContinental? Celebrate its 200th birthday by bringing the family on the next trip to Washington, D.C. with the Family Package. This offer includes priority access to The Willard’s Kids Concierge, a $75 food and beverage credit, a sweet or savory amenity upon arrival, complimentary internet and complimentary parking daily for one vehicle. Starting at $349 a night.
For The Willard Intercontinental, 2018 is both a year to reminisce and reinvent. For more information, visit www.washington.intercontinental.com for details or call (202) 628-9100.
The Broadmoor of Colorado Springs, The Dunhill Hotel of Charlotte, Mayflower Park Hotel of Seattle, West Baden Springs Hotel of Indiana, Amway Grand Plaza of Grand Rapids were among the winners of Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence for 2017 by Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide®. The winners were announced at a special ceremony and gala at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) in Hot Springs, Virginia. Honors were given in multiple categories ranging from Hotelier of the Year and Hotel Historian of the Year to Best Historic Resort, Historic Hotelier of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.
Each year, these Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence honor, encourage, and recognize the most exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and leadership practices. The Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence are presented to historic hotels and hoteliers demonstrating innovative leadership, stewardship, and contribution to furthering the recognition, preservation, and celebration of these preeminent historic hotels and their histories.
From more than 200 nominees, the following Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide hotels and hoteliers were honored with these prestigious annual awards for 2017:
Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel (Under 75 Guestrooms): The Dunhill Hotel (1929) Charlotte, North Carolina
Best Historic Hotel (76-200 Guestrooms): Mayflower Park Hotel (1927) Seattle, Washington
Best Historic Hotel (201-400 Guestrooms): West Baden Springs Hotel (1902) West Baden Springs, Indiana
Best Historic Hotel (Over 400 Guestrooms): Amway Grand Plaza (1913) Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lifetime Achievement Award: Duane and Kelly Roberts at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California
“The winners of the 2017 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence represent more than 231 years of history and include the finest iconic and legendary historic hotels from across the United States of America and from around the world,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We applaud these magnificent historic hotels and their hoteliers for their dedication, passion, stewardship and success in preserving these treasures and their stories for future generations of travelers.”
Award recipients are selected from nominees received from historic hotels, historic preservation supporters, prior award recipients, and leadership from Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. As official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide provide the recognition to travelers, civic leaders, and the global cultural, heritage, and historic travel market that member hotels are among the finest historic hotels across America and around the world. The Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence program recognizes the pinnacle of this distinct group of nominees in a range of categories.
Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 member historic hotels which have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States, including 46 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated historic hotels. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
Historic Hotels Worldwide® is a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including historic hotels, castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries. Historic Hotels Worldwide represents the finest global collection of more than 260 historic hotels in more than 36 countries. Historic Hotels Worldwide is dedicated to promoting heritage and cultural travel to prestigious historic treasures. Hotels inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide are authentic historic treasures, demonstrate historic preservation, and celebrate historic significance. Embracing luxury hotel brands, chains, collections, and the finest independent historic hotels, participation is limited to those distinctive historic hotels that adhere to the following criteria: minimum age for the building is 75 years or older; historically relevant as a significant location with a historic district, historically significant landmark, place of a historic event, former home of a famous person, or historic city center; hotel celebrates its history by showcasing memorabilia, artwork, photography, and other examples of its historic significance; recognized by national preservation or heritage buildings organization or located within UNESCO World Heritage Site; presently used as historic hotel. To learn more visit www.HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com
West Baden Springs, Indiana –Historic Hotels of America 2015 Awards of Excellence winners were announced at West Baden Springs Hotel (1902) at French Lick Resort in West Baden Springs, Indiana. Honors were given in multiple categories ranging from Hotelier of the Year and Hotel Historian of the Year to Best Historic Resort, Historic Hotelier of the Year, and others.
Each year, these awards honor, encourage, and recognize the most exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and leadership practices. The Awards of Excellence are presented to historic hotels demonstrating the highest contribution to furthering the celebration of history and demonstrating leadership and innovation.
From more than 200 nominees, the following Historic Hotels of America hotels and hoteliers were honored with these prestigious awards:
Historic Hotels of America New Member of the Year
• Hilton Chicago (1927) Chicago, Illinois
Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel (Under 75 Guestrooms)
• Green Park Inn (1891) Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Best Historic Hotel (75-200 Guestrooms)
• The Jefferson, Washington, DC (1923) Washington, DC Best Historic Hotel (201-400 Guestrooms)
• Loews Don CeSar Hotel (1928) St. Pete Beach, Florida Best City Center Historic Hotel
• Hawthorne Hotel (1925) Salem, Massachusetts Best Historic Hotel (Over 400 Guestrooms)
• The Peabody Memphis (1869) Memphis, Tennessee Best Historic Resort
• Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan
Hotel Historian of the Year
• Michaelene Lusk Norton, The Lancaster Hotel (1926) Houston, Texas
Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year
• The Lusk Family, The Lancaster Hotel (1926) Houston, Texas
Best Historic Restaurant in Conjunction with a Historic Hotel
• Plume, The Jefferson, Washington, DC (1923) Washington, DC
Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel
• French Lick Resort (1845) French Lick, Indiana
Historic Hotels of America Sustainability Champion
• Xanterra Parks & Resorts
Historic Hotels of America Ambassador of the Year (Quarter Century Service)
• Bill Ott, 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa (1886) Eureka Springs, Arkansas
2015 Historic Hotelier of the Year
• Dean Lane, Palmer House®, A Hilton Hotel (1871) Chicago, Illinois
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award
• Gayle Cook
2015 Historic Hotels of America Historian of the Year Award
• Stanley Turkel, Author and Consultant
2016 Historic Hotels of America Journalist of the Year Award
• Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor for CBS News
“Historic Hotels of America is proud to congratulate the 2015 Awards of Excellence winners,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “These historic hotels and hoteliers represent the pinnacle in historic hotels and their achievements from Portland, Oregon to St. Pete Beach, Florida.”
The hotels were nominated by fellow members, past award recipients, and honorees. A panel of experts judged and weighed the nominees in each category in order to determine a winner. As the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America provides the recognition to travelers, civic leaders, and the global cultural, heritage and historic travel market that the members’ hotels are among the finest historic hotels across America.
Historic Hotels of America, founded in 1989 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to recognize and celebrate the finest Historic Hotels, has more than 275 members. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated properties. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; have been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
Click here to see the About Historic Hotels of America video. To view the Historic Hotels of America 2015 Annual Directory ebook or download the free app on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and the Windows Store.
Historic Hotels of America has launched a new Super Site that lets you follow your American Dreams and choose from a variety of different vacation ideas, including family getaways, road trips, national parks and lands, culinary destinations, urban adventures, and more (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/index) featuring more than 260 historic hotels across the United States from Puerto Rico to Hawaii.
“Exploration has always driven the American Dream. It’s this inquisitive spirit that has helped write our history books, shape America’s iconic landmarks and pave new roads to make way for memorable journeys,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director – Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “In honor of 350 years of travel, Historic Hotels of America has launched an all-new Super Site — American Dreams. This second Super Site follows on the heels of the Romance Super Site, which Historic Hotels of America launched in early February.”
When visiting the American Dreams Super Site homepage, a number of navigational tools help travelers peruse the site’s many inspirations. The main navigation: The site is divided into six content sections — Family Vacations, Road Trips, Heritage & Culture, Culinary Destinations and Urban Adventures — with each of these pages showcasing article thumbnails. When a consumer clicks on the image, they navigate to that feature story. These stories include hotel advertorials, which solely feature participating hotels, and topical editorials, which highlight select destinations based on editorial content.
Focus your family vacations in and around historic hotels. Most historic hotels include family-fun recreation and kid-friendly attractions. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a family vacation, Historic Hotels of America offers up everything from family beach vacations to amusement park thrills.
Travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, experience and Explore Hershey Park, an amusement park full of candy land thrills. After a day of fun, check into Hershey Park’s official resort, The Hotel Hershey®, built by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey in 1933. Or, travel to Tennessee and hop on board at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a train-themed hotel. Once an operating train station in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the 106-year-old terminal station was converted into a beautiful hotel in 1973, where guests can opt to sleep in one of 48 authentic Victorian train cars.
Pack up the car for a road trip, or scenic drive and stay in a historic hotels (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/road-trips). For example and long before the “interstate” was born, road trippers looked to Route 66 to venture across America. This 2,448 mile stretch is among America’s most famous roads, connecting a number of states between Chicago to California, with historic hotels along the way. Every road trip, whether spontaneous or planned, needs a few essential items — an adventurous route, road trip music and a reservation at Historic Hotels of America.
There are plenty of historic hotels located along Route 66, with comfortable lodging and fantastic amenities. In Oklahoma City, Skirvin Hilton provides respite for the weary road traveler. This 1911 beauty was named after its founder, oil tycoon William Balser “Bill” Skirvin. Meanwhile, Colcord Hotel, the city’s first skyscraper, is another overnight stop in Oklahoma City. For a one-of-a-kind Historic Hotel experience, stray an hour away from Route 66 to stay at La Fonda in Santa Fe. Well worth the extra miles, you’ll experience an authentic Pueblo-style inn.
Discover and Explore parks, lands, and heritage sites in and around historic hotels across the nation (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/national-parks). America is filled with innumerable treasures. Here’s a nod to the many parks, forests, monuments and byways that have long captured the hearts of the American traveler. For example, he Appalachian Mountains offer up the east’s breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway and a myriad of national parks, protected forests many with nearby historic hotels. Scattered throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, quant towns greet America’s road trippers, like Banner Elk, North Carolina, where the population barely peaks 1,000. In Banner Elk, The Mast Farm Inn provides a historic country retreat for travelers. The main inn features charming rooms with four-posters beds, claw-foot tubs and endless farmhouse charm.
At the other end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the boarder of North Carolina and Tennessee. Just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in Asheville, North Carolina, one of the country’s most celebrated resorts calls the Blue Ridge Mountains home — The Omni Grove Park Inn. This AAA Four Diamond Property is listed on Fodor’s “Top 10 Luxury Spa Resorts” and in Travel + Leisure’s rankings of “Top Spa Resorts” in the world.
Interested in ghost stories and the paranormal? Make your vacation truly memorable. Add a little heritage and a dash of culture by visiting one of many attractions near Historic Hotels of America (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/heritage-culture). Take in a nostalgic festival, visit a national monument or explore a historic battlefield. Your adventure awaits. We have legendary stories to share at Historic Hotels of America.
Many historic hotels are rumored to have played host to more than just their paying customers. Whether or not you believe these ghosts stories, one thing is certain — these friendly hauntings leave guests talking about their hotel experience for years! Known as “America’s most haunted hotel,” the ghost stories are plentiful at 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa. It’s said that one of the Irish stonemasons, known as “Michael,” plunged to his death after falling from Room 218 during hotel construction. Guests report a number of strange activities from this room.
The inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining,” The Stanley has lots of haunting appeal, especially when guests tour the creepy underground tunnel that runs beneath the hotel. But that’s not the hotel’s most haunting aspect. The hotel’s original owner, F.O. Stanley is known to haunt the hotel. He and his wife have been seen dressed in formal attire on the main staircase and in other public areas, and Flora’s piano occasionally echoes in the ballroom.
Experience culinary destinations, spirits, wine, food, festivals and trails throughout the country (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/culinary-destinations). There’s nothing like local flavor to add a little extra zing to your trip. From food festivals to fine dining, from Sonoma’s Wine Country to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Historic Hotels of America tips its glass to these culinary destinations. Interested in the latest vintages in the heart of Napa Valley? Nestled into the heart of Napa Valley, the Napa River Inn stands out as an upscale boutique hotel. The inn adjoins the historic Napa Mill, which offers dining, shopping and 7,300 square feet of outdoor reception space in the Riverbend Performance Plaza for wine-induced celebrations.
For more then 200 years, generations of Bourbon brewers handed down secret-family recipes and time-honored processes that shaped today’s legendary Kentucky distilleries. Experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and check into a Historic Hotel of America to enjoy more Kentucky history. Not far from the Bourbon Trail is The Seelbach Hilton, the height of Kentucky luxury. During the roaring 1920s, The Seelbach was the most glamorous spot for cards, attracting infamous gangsters, like Al Capone and the Beer Baron of the Bronx, during Prohibition.
Urban Adventures
Bustling city centers located throughout the United States from New York to San Francisco are a great way to experience famous cultural icons, museums, and history while staying at nearby historic hotels (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/urban-adventures). Choose from 11 hotels in Washington, DC. The Jefferson, DC is a luxury hotel that celebrates and embodies the spirit of one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson. Just four blocks from The White House, this downtown hotel affords a treasured account of its significant history alongside thoughtfully appointed accommodations, opulent meeting rooms, and gracious hospitality and service.
Discounts from Historic Hotels Worldwide
National Trust for Historic Preservation members save up to 30% off best available rates at participating Historic Hotels Worldwide. HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com promotes heritage and cultural travel by featuring a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including historic hotels, castles, chateaux, palaces, monasteries, haciendas and other historical lodging properties spanning twelve centuries.
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America was founded in 1989 by the National Trust for Historic Preservationwith 32 charter members. Today, Historic Hotels of America has more than 260 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated properties. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.
For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org. To receive the free Discover & Explore e-newsletter each month with advance notice about Insiders Savings, special discounts, epic package, and up and coming events in historic hotels in 30 countries, plus free or reduced rate admission to historic and cultural sites, click here.
To view the Historic Hotels of America 2015 Annual Directory eBook, click here or visit HistoricHotels.org/Directory to download the app.
Historic Hotels of America welcomed 24 historic hotels into membership in 2014. Hotels nominated and accepted into the prestigious Historic Hotels of America program range in age from 51 to 389 years old. These new additions represent historic hotels from 14 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The oldest new member hotel dates to 1625. Six of the hotels were adapted from a previous use including a former bank and courthouse. Of the 24 new members, five have reported hauntings from friendly ghosts.
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservationfor recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.
Historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America members YTD in 2014 include:
Le Méridien Tampa (1905) Tampa, Florida Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, converted to a hotel from century old federal courthouse
Hilton Hawaiian Village® Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu (1961) Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
The Drake Hotel (1920) Chicago, Illinois Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Seelbach Hilton (1905) Louisville, Kentucky Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center (1927) Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue (1926) New Orleans, Louisiana
Southern Hotel (1907) Covington, Louisiana, converted from the Grand Lodge of Louisiana’s Masonic Temple
The Westin Portland Harborview (1927) Portland, Maine
Hilton Boston Downtown/Faneuil Hall (1928) Boston, Massachusetts, converted from Boston’s first Art Deco skyscraper office building
Hilton President Kansas City (1926) Kansas City, Missouri
Hilton St. Louis Downtown at the Arch (1888) St. Louis, Missouri, converted from former Merchant Laclède National Bank and office building.
Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza (1625) Santa Fe, New Mexico, converted from 300 year old hacienda
Hilton Manhattan East (1931) New York, New York
Chateau at the Oregon Caves National Monument (1935) Cave Junction, Oregon Designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark
Abraham Lincoln Reading Hotel (1930) Reading, Pennsylvania
Caribe Hilton San Juan (1949) San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Condado Plaza Hilton (1963) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (1919) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hilton Fort Worth (1921) Fort Worth, Texas
Airlie (1892) Warrenton, Virginia, converted from picturesque farm
Capital Hilton (1943) Washington, DC
The Edgewater (1948) Madison, Wisconsin
“Historic Hotels of America is pleased to honor these noteworthy and iconic historic hotels,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “From Puerto Rico to Hawaii, each hotel represents a unique aspect of the heritage, history, and culture of the United States of America including one from more than 150 years prior to 1776. Several hotels are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and one hotel that has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark. We are delighted to welcome adaptive reuse historic hotels that previously were built as unique buildings ranging from a hacienda to a public court house.”
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America was founded in 1989 by the National Trust for Historic Preservationwith 32 charter members. Today, Historic Hotels of America has more than 260 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 46 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated properties. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.
Washington, D.C. – The Palmer House Hilton of Chicago, the Inn at the Presidio of San Francisco, Portland Regency Hotel & Spa in Maine, the Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa in Pennsylvania and The Lord Baltimore of Baltimore were among the Historic Hotels of America 2014 Awards of Excellence winners announced at a gala ceremony at The Hotel Hershey® (1933) in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Thursday, October 2.
Honors were given in multiple categories ranging from Hotelier of the Year and Hotel Historian of the Year to Best Historic Resort and Historic Hotelier of the Year.
From more than 160 nominees, the following Historic Hotels of America hotels and hoteliers were honored with these prestigious awards:
Historic Hotels of America Lifetime Achievement Award
Terry Richey, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Historic Hotels of America Historian of the Year Award
Stanley Turkel, Author and Consultant
“Historic Hotels of America is proud to congratulate the 2014 Awards of Excellence winners,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “These historic hotels and hoteliers represent the pinnacle in historic hotels and their achievements from Portland, Maine to Waikiki Beach.”
The hotels were nominated by fellow members, past award recipients, and honorees. A panel of experts judged and weighed the nominees in each category in order to determine a winner. As the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America provides the recognition to travelers, civic leaders, and the global cultural, heritage and historic travel market that the members hotels are among the finest historic hotels across America.
To find more information about award winners from previous winners, click here.
Historic Hotels of America was founded in 1989 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with 32 charter members. Today, Historic Hotels of America has more than 260 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated properties, however, more than 30 of the world’s major hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; be designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin has joined Historic Hotels of America®, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Edgewater is one of more than 250 hotels and resorts throughout the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. The Edgewater is the only Madison-based property to be included in the portfolio.
“We are delighted to induct The Edgewater, a storied lakefront hotel in the Midwest, to Historic Hotels of America prior to the hotel’s grand reopening after a $100-million renovation this September 2014.” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We welcome The Edgewater’s Owner Robert Dunn and leadership team into Historic Hotels of America.”
To be selected for membership in Historic Hotels of America, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark; listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized locally as having historic significance.
“We are extremely honored to be a member of the Historic Hotels of America,” says Ronald E. Morin, general manager and senior vice president of The Edgewater. “The people of Madison have pride in the hotel as a civic asset, a gathering place and a destination that defines the best of the city. Therefore, we are committed to honoring The Edgewater’s legacy as we enter the next chapter of the hotel’s history.”
The Edgewater is rich in history and architectural integrity. The hotel opened in Madison, Wisconsin 65 years ago and quickly became one of the city’s main attractions. Almost overnight, the hotel became the signature location for local residents and visiting guests to enjoy all things that define Madison. With an extraordinary location right on the shore of Lake Mendota, the new Edgewater, just as the previous structure, will service as a gathering place for significant family events from casual waterfront relaxation to fine dining.
Visiting celebrities stayed at the hotel from Elvis Presley to Sammy Davis Jr. and Elton John to Bob Marley, as well as many visiting notables. Local developer Robert Dunn, with a passion to recreate the unique destination, acquired The Edgewater with an ambitious plan to develop the property and return it to its cultural significance in the city.
After a multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation, The Edgewater will reopen in September 2014 at 1001 Wisconsin Place in Madison, Wisconsin, as a portal to Madison’s waterfront in the heart of Wisconsin’s capital city. A project of Madison developer Robert Dunn, the revitalization of the historic hotel property includes the construction of a new hotel tower as well as the preservation of the two original buildings erected in the 1940s and 1970s. The Edgewater will feature more than 200 guest rooms, new food and beverage concepts, a state-of-the art fitness and wellness center, a multitude of indoor and outdoor event spaces (including two rooftop spaces), an outdoor public plaza and even an outdoor skating rink in winter.
Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Founded in 1989 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with 32 charter members, today, Historic Hotels of America has more than 250 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 46 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated properties. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
