Step back in time at America's most legendary and historic hotels

A journey through US history

America may be a relatively young nation but many of its hotels offer fascinating glimpses into the past.

From storied coastal inns to city venues steeped in legend, click through the gallery to discover the most historic hotels in the USA...

The Peabody Memphis, Tennessee

The Peabody began life in 1869, though it was rebuilt in its current downtown Memphis location in 1925. It was the vision of Colonel Robert Campbell Brinkley and was named after philanthropist George Peabody, a friend of Brinkley's who passed away just before the hotel's construction. The Peabody earned its moniker – 'the South's Grand Hotel' – early on. Built to the tune of $60,000, with 75 rooms, fine dining areas, and a lavish ballroom, it was indeed one of the most luxurious hotels around.

The Peabody Memphis, Tennessee

The Continental Ballroom has seen many a socialite and celebrity come and go, and was the venue for Elvis Presley's senior prom in 1953. Other, more curious celebrities are woven into the hotel's history too: the Peabody ducks. In 1933, just back from a hunting trip, the hotel's then-manager Frank Schutt placed some live ducks in the fountain lobby for his own amusement. Some nine decades later, ducks still march for a dip in the fountain daily at 11am and 5pm.

The DeSoto, Savannah, Georgia

The DeSoto has gone through several iterations in its history. First built in 1834, it was given a luxurious face lift in 1879 and another in 1968. Its most recent upgrade was in the form of a $9.4 million renovation finished in 2017. Despite its numerous changes, the DeSoto has always been a retreat for well-heeled locals and high-profile visitors passing through.

The DeSoto, Savannah, Georgia

During the Prohibition era, the DeSoto housed notorious gangster and rum-runner Al Capone. Local mechanic Sherman Helmey would fix up the felon's moonshine-carrying motors as he passed through town, and Capone would relax in the glorious surrounds of the DeSoto while he waited. Though still located in the heart of Savannah's Historic District, the hotel has a distinctly modern feel today: a lobby art gallery and a creative craft cocktail bar are brilliant contemporary touches.

Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois

Palmer House opened in Chicago in 1871 to much applause – but it was short-lived. Less than two weeks later, it was ravaged by the Great Chicago Fire and burned to the ground. Businessman Potter Palmer, the hotel's proprietor and visionary, was not to be defeated though. He built up Palmer House bigger and better than before, reopening it once again in 1873. The star-studded guest list has since included President Harry S Truman, Louis Armstrong, Charles Dickens, Judy Garland, and many more. 

Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois

The sumptuous lobby is the biggest nod to yesteryear. Bertha Palmer, Potter's wife, had a penchant for all things French, and she commissioned celebrated French painter Louis Pierre Rigal to complete a large fresco on the lobby ceiling. That fresco is beautifully preserved to this day.

The Jefferson Hotel, Washington DC

The Jefferson was originally built as a residential building for Washington DC's elite. It wasn't until 1955 that the apartments were converted into an opulent hotel. The design of the hotel, and the objects it's filled with, were inspired by the hotel's namesake, the president Thomas Jefferson, and his home in Monticello, Virginia.

The Jefferson Hotel, Washington DC

The hotel remains a treasure trove of antiquities – look out for historic documents signed by Jefferson himself. Also look out for the Book Room, a pocket-sized wood-paneled library designed with Jefferson's Monticello library in mind. The airy skylight that soars above the Greenhouse restaurant was painstakingly restored in the hotel's 2009 renovation.

Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, Massachusetts

Located in the center of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel was established in 1925. It was a place for pleasure seekers, with a grand ballroom from which local Miss Harriet James ran a popular dance school for many years. Being in Salem, though, the hotel didn't escape the city's reputation: popular television series Bewitched filmed one of its most famous episodes here back in the 1970s.

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Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, Massachusetts

In more recent history, it has welcomed President Bill Clinton and actors Jennifer Lawrence and Robert de Niro, who stayed here as they filmed 2015 blockbuster Joy. The hotel remains bright and comfortable with two modern restaurants, Nathaniel's and Tavern on the Green.

The Brown Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

This hotel is a Louisville institution. Local magnate J Graham Brown built the hotel in 1923, and at the time it was one of the country's largest. The hotel lived through the Great Depression (during which many hotel employees worked a period with no pay), an Ohio River flooding and World War II. The latter, though, was apparently a boon for business: local residents and soldiers alike "sought relief from the anxieties of war at the Brown Hotel."

The Brown Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

Over the years, the hotel has played host to notables such as trumpeter Clyde McCoy, Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, and Elizabeth Taylor. The English-Renaissance interiors have been admired since their initial design and are still gloriously well-preserved, particularly in the lobby. Old-world touches in the rooms, such as mahogany bed heads and upholstered furnishings, keep a feeling of the past alive.

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, California

Affectionately known as 'The Del,' Hotel del Coronado was one of the first hotels to be built on the USA's west coast and, at the time, it was the largest resort-hotel in the world. A preening property, it was finished in 1888, with a handsome ballroom, steam-powered elevators and electricity (still a wonder in 1888). The aptly named Crown Room, an enormous banquet hall, was (and remains) the hotel's crowning glory.

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, California

The hotel performed a Christmas miracle when, in 1904, it became the first place to light up an outdoor tree with electricity. It's had a hand in US politics too: numerous presidents have rested their heads here (Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, to name a couple), while Richard Nixon held the first state dinner ever outside the White House at The Del. Today, the wooden lobby has barely changed in over a century and the downstairs store contains historic exhibits related to the hotel.

The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida

Florida is a place that loves its golf, and the state’s first ever golf course was built right here at The Breakers. The hotel was the brainchild of railroad pioneer Henry Morrison Flagler, starting off in 1896 as the Palm Beach Inn. After a mammoth extension in 1901, it was renamed The Breakers, since Flagler's guests were so fond of rooms "down by the breakers." The golf course came a little before the overhaul, in 1897, designed with the help of Alexander H Findlay, golf's founding father.

The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida

However, it hasn't all been plain sailing. The hotel has been razed to the ground twice in its history: once in 1903, during yet another enlargement, and again in 1925. Each time, it was built up bigger and better than before. The structure that stands today dates to 1926. It's a rambling Italian Renaissance building with frescoes painted by Florentine artists and an entrance fountain inspired by the Boboli Gardens. It remains a premier golf destination too.

Omni Parker House, Boston, Massachusetts

Established by Harvey D Parker in 1855 on the site of a former boarding house, the Parker House is now owned by Omni Hotels and Resorts. Built on Boston's historic school street, the hotel has a theatrical past. It's a stone's throw from the city's Theater District, with big-screen greats Judy Garland, James Dean, and Stevie Nicks (and more recently Ben Affleck) all overnighting here. It was also here, in Parker's Restaurant, that John F Kennedy proposed to future first lady Jackie in 1953.

Omni Parker House, Boston, Massachusetts

Usually, the Last Hurrah bar is the place to truly soak up the history of the hotel. It's a bourbon bar with wood paneling and plush leather bar stools. Black and white photos adorn the walls, including one of James Michael Curley, an eccentric former governor of Massachusetts and once a regular visitor at The Parker.

Admiral Fell Inn, Baltimore, Maryland

Admiral Fell Inn had small beginnings. It began as a boarding house, providing shelter for the many sailors that came into Baltimore's Fell's Point. In the late 1920s, it expanded into a Seaman’s YMCA before eventually closing in the 1970s. The hotel began to resemble its current shape in 1985, when the building was opened once more, and a 38-room inn was created. Finally, in 1996, upgrades transformed the space into a beautiful boutique hotel. 

Admiral Fell Inn, Baltimore, Maryland

Today, the Anchor Bar is a crowd-pleaser, serving cocktails made according to historic recipes. The cozy suites are European in style with ornate four-poster beds, chintzy rugs, and black and white photographs on the walls. Some of the rooms are rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of sailors past, so leave the light on if you're afraid of bumps in the night.

Algonquin Hotel, New York City, New York

Literary legend lives in the walls of this Big Apple hotel. Opening in 1902, the hotel gave birth to the literary group, 'the Algonquin Round Table.' The band of writers began meeting in the hotel for lunch every day from 1919 onwards – among them were George S Kaufman, Dorothy Parker, and Alexander Woollcott. Newspaper The New Yorker was also founded here by journalist Harold Ross. 

Algonquin Hotel, New York City, New York

It was in 1933 that the storied Blue Bar opened, watering Round Table members as well as other literary, theater, and Hollywood legends over the years. American caricaturist Al Hirschfeld was a regular punter. The most famous drink on the menu is the $10,000 martini, which comes with a real diamond glittering at the bottom of the glass.

The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel, Mobile, Alabama

The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel is another one that was once destroyed by flames. The first version was built in 1852 by James Battle, but was devastated entirely as fire ripped through it in 1905. The second, current Battle House was constructed once in 1908, designed by American architect Frank Andrews.

The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel, Mobile, Alabama

The hotel, however, closed once more in 1974, as the surrounding area fell into decline. It was only very recently that the Battle House was reborn once again: in 2007 the hotel, painstakingly restored, reopened its doors with an elaborate opening ceremony. Now nicknamed 'Mobile’s living room,' it is again a welcoming place for locals, visiting notables, and tourists alike.

Andaz West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

This hotel is relatively youthful when compared to many in this list. But the Andaz West Hollywood's riotous rock-n-roll history has imbued it with myth and legend. Country singer Gene Autry opened the hotel in 1963, and it enjoys a place on the east of the Sunset Strip. The spot earned the nickname 'The Riot House'  – a play on its Hyatt House name – for the debauched behavior of its celebrity guests. Over the years visitors have included Led Zeppelin, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Bolts (pictured).

Andaz West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

It's reported that Led Zeppelin in particular ran riot throughout the hotel, trashing rooms, and racking up thousands of dollars of damage. The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards also apparently threw a TV from the window, while the Red Hot Chili Peppers jumped from the roof into the hotel pool during a shoot. Today the renamed hotel remains as glamorous as ever, with stylish suites, a rooftop pool, and modern dining. Look out for portraits of musical greats throughout the property.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana

The site that now boasts the Bourbon Hotel has a long history. In the early 19th century there was a theater here, with a packed schedule of opera performances. Various iterations of the theater remained until at least the 1880s and during this time the Salle d’Orleans, a decadent ballroom, was constructed. The ballroom became a gathering place for the city's upper class, with dazzling parties and dances. But in 1881, the building took a different turn indeed.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana

The property was purchased by the Sisters of the Holy Family, who converted it into a convent, putting a stop to the years of exuberance and excess. When they eventually outgrew the building, the sisters moved on, making way for the Bourbon Hotel, established in 1964. The ballroom was restored, as was the grand staircase and the lobby. Today, the two-story French Quarter suites are the most upscale accommodations, complete with private balconies and large, comfy beds.

Mayflower Park Hotel, Seattle, Washington

Still locally owned, the Mayflower Park Hotel (once the Bergonian) was opened in 1927. The hotel was glitzy in its design, all lush palms, busy carpets, and silk drapes. Perhaps the most significant spot was the Carousel Room (pictured). The hotel was established during Prohibition, so there were no bars to be seen, but, in 1947, 14 years after nationwide Prohibition ended, the Bartell Drug Store in this spot was replaced by this quirky bar-restaurant.

Mayflower Park Hotel, Seattle, Washington

With fairground horses adorning the ceiling, the Carousel Room was one of the most unique watering holes in the city. Today, the bar is known instead as Oliver's Lounge (pictured). Over the years, many dignitaries have stayed at the hotel too: Franklin D Roosevelt penned his inaugural speech here and Winston Churchill attended a state dinner here in 1945.

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan

The Grand Hotel opened in 1888 and, as its name suggests, was one of the most impressive hotels of its time. The 660-foot porch, one of the longest hotel porches in the world, is the property's defining feature – a meeting place for everyone who was anyone on Mackinac Island and its surroundings. One of the hotel's most famous frequenters was author Mark Twain, who lectured here in the 1890s.

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan

By the 1930s, motor cars were banned on Mackinac Island – a ban that still stands today. You can reach the island, and the hotel, by ferry or plane, and then traverse it on foot, by bike, or by horse and carriage. The hotel also features an 18-hole golf course and the restaurant is known for its signature pecan balls, 70,000 of which are typically sold every year.

Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia

It's hard to believe that the Omni Homestead Resort originated as an 18-room wooden hotel, finished by Captain Thomas Bullitt in 1766. Bullitt died in action during the American Revolutionary War, and his family continued to operate the hotel until 1832, when it was acquired by physician Dr Thomas Goode. More than 250 years after the Homestead Resort's initial construction, the hotel proudly labels itself 'America's first resort.'

Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia

Significant, too, is the resort's golfing history. Homestead's Old Course, completed in 1892, celebrated its 125th year in 2017, and its first tee is the oldest in continuous use in the US. President George HW Bush and many members of the Rockefeller family have teed off here.

Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas

Like many, this hotel had humble beginnings. It started in 1859 as a brewery with only 50 rooms – the rooms were for punters who had nowhere else to overnight after an evening propped at the bar. The property was expanded after the original owner, William A Menger, passed away. Throughout the late 19th century it became the vision of new proprietor, Major J H Kampmann, who enlisted the help of lauded architect Alfred Giles. 

Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas

The Victorian Lobby, the handiwork of Giles, has been restored and updated with homage to its original state. Though no longer serving as the main lobby, this three-story atrium wows with its eight Corinthian columns and blue-hued skylight, installed in 1909. The Menger Bar is a historic spot for a nightcap: it was built in 1887 to resemble London's House of Lords Pub, and from here Theodore Roosevelt recruited many of his 'Rough Riders,' the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry.

Biltmore Hotel, Miami, Florida

This Coral Gables hotel opened in 1926, and was then named the Miami Biltmore Country Club. It was the ultimate in luxury and the place to be during the Jazz Age, with Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby, and even Al Capone all escaping to the resort at some point. The hotel barrelled through the Great Depression and played its part in the Second World War as well: it was used as a hospital during the conflict, and cared for war veterans up to 1968.

Biltmore Hotel, Miami, Florida

It wasn't until 1983 that the hotel would be restored to its former splendor. Some $55 million was injected into the Mediterranean-Revival hotel, now a National Historic Landmark. The 18-hole golf course was renovated, as was the vast swimming pool, one of the largest in the States. Today it's still the epitome of hotel luxury.

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