Explore the legendary US hotels where history was made

Historic lodgings

From Gold Rush-era boltholes to storied estates frequented by the rich and famous, many centuries-old lodgings in the USA have tales to tell. These 50 hotels all played a part in the development of America and have welcomed dignitaries and celebrities from around the world. 

Read on to find out more about the nation's most historic hotels...

Alabama: The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, Mobile

There's been a hotel on this site since 1852, when the first Battle House was opened at the location of a one-time military headquarters. Throughout the years, it has hosted notable guests, including Winfield Scott and Oscar Wilde, plus Stephen A. Douglas on the eve that he lost the presidency to Abraham Lincoln.

Former president Woodrow Wilson also stayed at the Battle House, and it was here that he uttered his most famous statement: "the United States will never again seek one additional foot of territory by conquest."

Alaska: Historic Anchorage Hotel, Anchorage

Located in the heart of Downtown Anchorage, the Historic Anchorage Hotel first opened in 1916 and has seen a lot of changes through the decades. A severe lack of maintenance led to the demolition of parts of the building in the 1960s, but today its 26 comfy rooms evoke a bygone era. 

Artist Sydney Laurence, known for his paintings of Denali (now formerly known as Mount McKinley), once lived and had a studio here. The hotel is also said to be haunted by some of Anchorage's historical figures, including the city's first chief of police, Jack Sturgus.

Arizona: The Wigwam, Litchfield Park

The Wigwam was built by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1929 and originally intended as a lodging for sales executives. Today, it's a luxury resort. The first nine-hole golf course opened in 1930, and the rest of The Wigwam continued to expand to its current size of 331 rooms, three golf courses, nine tennis courts, and three swimming pools.

Rooms have recently been renovated to combine contemporary comforts with the timeless charm that has drawn guests for decades, but the original structure known as the Organization House remains largely unchanged.

Arkansas: Capital Hotel, Little Rock

When in Little Rock, it's impossible to miss the Capital Hotel, with its ornate Victorian façade complete with decorative columns. Opened in 1876, the hotel has hosted everyone from presidents to film stars and even, rumor has it, Ulysses S. Grant and his horse too. 

In time for its150th anniversary, the hotel recently underwent a $3 million facelift.

California: The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills

Among the most iconic lodgings in America, The Beverly Hills Hotel is where Humphrey Bogart and Marlene Dietrich frequently hung out, where John Lennon and Yoko Ono went to escape the press, and where Nixon's chief of staff learned about Watergate. The hotel’s iconic bungalows were refurbished in 2020, with design paying homage to their famous residents. 

Frank Sinatra's Bungalow now has a midcentury Palm Springs-esque interior, while Marilyn Monroe’s Bungalow has a bathroom stocked with Chanel no.5 toiletries, famously all she wore to bed. The hotel is currently undergoing further major renovations to breathe new life into the underused south side of the hotel.

Colorado: Strater Hotel, Durango

Guests can experience the spirit of the Wild West at the Strater Hotel. Located two blocks north of Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, the hotel has deep roots in Colorado's Gold Rush and silver-mining heritage. Built in 1887, it also holds the largest collection of American Victorian walnut antiques in the world.

Connecticut: Inn at Middletown, Middletown

More a luxury hotel than an inn, the Inn at Middletown has a long history that dates back to 1810 when the building was the grand home of the president of Middletown National Bank. Surrounded by Main Street's stores, boutiques, and restaurants, the hotel oozes old-school New England charm and now has 100 rooms, a high-end restaurant, and an indoor pool.

Delaware: Hotel Du Pont, Wilmington

Built in 1913 to rival the grandeur of Europe's finest hotels, the Hotel Du Pont was in part the vision of European craftsmen, who spent several years working on the marble and carved-wood interiors and the artisan ceilings. Its guest rooms have hosted many US presidents, including Warren Harding, JFK, and Obama.

It was owned by one of the most esteemed families in Delaware (who share the hotel's name), and recent renovations have ensured it remains among the finest spots in the country.

Florida: The Mansion on the Sea, Key West

Occupying a spot on Key West's historic Duvall Street, The Mansion on the Sea is the southernmost hotel in the continental United States and was in fact known as The Southernmost House from 1996 to 2023. The charming beach bolthole was built in 1896 and has hosted many famous names including Louis Armstrong, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway.

The oceanfront portion of the property, including the pier, is great for a sunset stroll, while the hotel’s private infinity pool is great for a dip if the beach is too crowded.

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Georgia: Hamilton-Turner Inn, Savannah

The essence of Southern hospitality is captured in every aspect of the Hamilton-Turner Inn, a boutique hotel in historic Savannah. A gorgeous mansion built in 1873, it was owned by Samuel Pugh Hamilton, a businessman who also served on the staff of a Confederate colonel during the Civil War.

Today, the small hotel has 17 antique-filled luxury rooms and is located on Lafayette Square, right in the heart of the historic district.

Hawaii: The Royal Hawaiian, Honolulu

The pink-hued Royal Hawaiian has been attracting visitors since 1927, when it first opened as a 400-room luxury resort. A stand-out among the rest of the oceanfront properties, the hotel went on to serve as a major rest and recuperation center for soldiers and sailors in the Pacific during World War II.

Since the war, it's gone through several major renovation projects, including the addition of the Royal Tower wing in the 1960s and the new Mailani Tower wing in 2015. Locally known as the pink palace, it also offers free tours of the historic building.

Idaho: Sun Valley Lodge, Sun Valley

Dedicated ski lodges were pretty much unheard of up until the Sun Valley Lodge opened in 1936. Modeled on a Bavarian inn, the 108-room resort sits in the Sun Valley, surrounded by Dollar and Bald Mountains.

Thanks to recent renovations the country's first destination ski lodge is now a must-visit not only in winter, but also in summer, when guests can enjoy horseback riding, fly-fishing, and hiking.

Illinois: Palmer House, Chicago

This opulent Chicago landmark was built as a wedding gift from business magnate Potter Palmer to his bride Bertha Honoré for their nuptials in 1871. The original building burnt down 13 days later during the Great Chicago Fire, but tenacious Palmer rebuilt it and reopened the hotel in 1873.

It was the city's first hotel with electric light bulbs and phones in the guest rooms. It's also hosted US presidents and celebrities including Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

Indiana: French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick

Opened by Dr William Bowles as a wellness retreat (thanks to its proximity to the therapeutic water of Pluto Mineral Springs), the French Lick Springs Hotel was a popular retreat for the wealthy during the 1920s. The hotel has hosted the PGA Championship and was also the unofficial home of the Democratic party in the 1930s.

It's a popular destination for golfing, spa weekends, and conventions, and the 200-foot lobby dome is a particularly impressive sight.

Iowa: Hotel Julien Dubuque, Dubuque

The history of Hotel Julien Dubuque can be traced as far back as 1839, when the first lodging house opened on this site. The current hotel building was completed in 1915 and allegedly served as a hiding place for the notorious mobster Al Capone when things got complicated in Chicago.

During his time as the leader of the mob, Capone reportedly also owned the hotel and had an underground garage in the area in order to hide his personal cars.

Kansas: Midland Railroad Hotel & Restaurant, Wilson

There isn't much the Midland Railroad Hotel hasn't seen in its time. Opened in 1899, it was a popular stop along the Union Pacific Railroad between Kansas City and Denver, and, during the Great Depression, the third floor was apparently repurposed as a chicken coop.

Although it eventually closed in 1978 and fell into disrepair, it was bought by the Wilson Foundation in 1997, which restored it to its former glory. Currently owned by Melinda Merrill, the hotel continues to evolve. Merrill recently acquired a barn that once sat behind the hotel and has converted it into a bar, restaurant, and venue space.

Kentucky: The Brown Hotel, Louisville

When these lodgings opened in 1923, there wasn't much to Downtown Louisville. However, the debut of this Old World-style hotel, with its chandeliers and plush interiors, inspired a boom in theaters, offices, and restaurants.

The area eventually grew to a place to see and be seen in the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby. In the following years, it also served as a gathering place during the great Ohio River flood of 1937 and a first-stop home for World War II soldiers returning from Fort Knox.

Louisiana: Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans

New Orleans is blessed with a roster of intriguing historic hotels, but the French Quarter's iconic Hotel Monteleone really shines. Opened by Sicilian immigrant Antonio Monteleone in 1886, the hotel is still owned by the family today.

Writers like Capote and Hemingway used to hide out here while writing, taking an occasional break (or two) at the legendary Carousel Bar which is, as the name implies, a carousel.

Maine: The Westin Portland Harborview, Portland

The Westin Portland Harborview was the largest hotel in New England when it opened in 1927 as 369-room Eastland Park. It has gone down in history as the place that refused to let Eleanor Roosevelt stay with her dog and later became famous as Ozzy Osbourne tossed pool furniture off the rooftop.

The hotel fell into disrepair until 2011, when it underwent a $50 million renovation project and reopened under the current name.

Maryland: Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore

A Baltimore destination since 1928, Lord Baltimore Hotel features perfectly preserved and restored 1920s interiors with a magnificent lobby, vaulted fresco ceiling, and Murano glass chandeliers. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr have stayed at the hotel and the murals in the Calvert Ballroom are one of a kind.

In 1982, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Massachusetts: Omni Parker House, Boston

Omni Parker House, built in 1927 where the original stood in 1855, claims to be the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States and has seen its fair share of history. Emeril Lagasse, Malcolm X, and Ho Chi Minh reportedly all worked here, while the guest list features people like Babe Ruth, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Henry David Thoreau. 

It's also the birthplace of Boston's signature dessert, the cream pie. A $24 million renovation project completed in 2025 has seen guest rooms and bathrooms given a makeover that blends the hotel’s timeless legacy with modern sophistication.

Michigan: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

Visiting the Grand Hotel feels like stepping back in time – cars are banned from Mackinac Island, so horse-drawn carriages or bicycles are the preferred mode of transport. The hotel itself first opened in 1887, and Mark Twain used it as a regular location on his speaking tours of the Midwest. 

Thomas Edison's phonograph had its first public demonstration here too. The hotel’s iconic porch, which measures 660 feet and claims to be the longest in the world, has recently been restored along with the balconies and façade.

Minnesota: St. James Hotel, Red Wing

St. James Hotel in Red Wing has only had three owners since it opened in 1875. More humble than some of the others on this list, the hotel is all about the local community and family connections.

It's not without its celebrity clientele, though. Throughout the years, it's hosted everyone from former US presidents to Bob Dylan.

Mississippi: White House Hotel, Biloxi

This 19th-century hotel has nothing to do with the president's home. The White House Hotel was actually established by Cora White, the wife of Gulf Coast lawyer and later judge Walter White, who started accepting boarders in their home in Biloxi in the 1890s. 

Business boomed and eventually the Whites bought the house next door, joining the two together to create a lobby, a dining room, and a ballroom in 1910. After a 30-year vacancy, the hotel was restored in 2013/14. It’s currently undergoing a major renovation and expansion project which will see the addition of 49 new rooms.

Missouri: Hilton President, Kansas City

Opened in 1926 during a construction boom in Kansas City, the hotel operated as the President Hotel until it closed in 1980. During its history, it served as the headquarters for the Republican National Convention, which nominated Herbert Hoover for president in 1928.

The hotel's Drum Room lounge famously attracted performers from all over the country including Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra. The hotel reopened in the 2000s as a Hilton hotel.

Montana: Hotel Finlen, Butte

With a design inspired by Hotel Astor in New York City, the Hotel Finlen stands on the site where the old McDermott Hotel stood. The copper-mining boom meant more visitors poured into Butte, which was the largest town between Chicago and San Francisco at the time. 

So, when James Finlen purchased the McDermott in 1902, he immediately tore it down and built a 200-room, nine-story Second Empire masterpiece that's still as elegant today as it was in Butte's heyday.

Nebraska: Hotel Deco, Omaha

Hotel Deco is an important piece of Omaha's artistic puzzle, and the hotel's modern interiors have preserved as many of the original 1930s details as possible. It still stands as Nebraska's greatest Art Deco building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nevada: Golden Gate Casino Hotel, Las Vegas

Opened in 1906 as Hotel Nevada, the Golden Gate remains the oldest continuously operating hotel in Las Vegas. It only has 122 rooms, which is extremely small by Las Vegas standards.

These range from standard guest rooms to the two penthouses which occupy the entire fifth floor – perfect for those who come to Las Vegas and plan on betting big.

New Hampshire: Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle

Wentworth by the Sea has been looking over the Atlantic since its opening in 1874. History was made here in 1905 when delegates from Japan and Russia gathered to sign a treaty to end the Russo-Japanese War and Teddy Roosevelt went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the negotiations. 

The hotel closed in 1982 and was in danger of demolition but was thankfully saved by the Friends of Wentworth. After extensive renovations, it reopened as a Marriott Resort in 2003. Since 2023 it has been part of the prestigious Opal Collection.

New Jersey: Congress Hall Hotel, Cape May

Dating from 1816, the Congress Hall Hotel claims to be the oldest seaside resort in America. The lemon-yellow building in the Jersey Shore town of Cape May has been a favorite with notable figures throughout history, and President Benjamin Harrison liked it so much, he even made it his summer White House.

Today, the hotel has 108 rooms, a spa, and a beach club across the street.

New Mexico: La Fonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe

La Fonda's current building wasn't erected until 1922, but lodgings of some kind have occupied these grounds since 1601, meaning this is tipped as the oldest hotel site in America. The current hotel has 25-foot-high cathedral ceilings, stained-glass skylights, and tin chandeliers. 

New York: The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Sagamore opened in 1883, financed by several prominent Lake George summer residents. It was damaged by fire twice and today only one wing belongs to the original structure, while the rest of the white clapboard building was finished in 1930.

Through its history, The Sagamore has been a social gathering place for wealthy tourists and residents of Millionaires' Row – the stately mansions along Lake George's western shore.

North Carolina: The Inn On Biltmore Estate, Asheville

When George Vanderbilt designed his stunning Asheville estate in the 19th century, he wanted to open a grand inn overlooking the spectacular grounds. However, it never happened in his lifetime.

In fact, it wasn't until 2001 that The Inn On Biltmore Estate opened, alongside the moderately priced Village Hotel and the Cottage, the only lodging here that dates back to Vanderbilt's time.

North Dakota: Hotel Donaldson, Fargo

Throughout its history, Hotel Donaldson has been a beacon of change in the city. After a fire ravaged most of Fargo, the hotel building was one of the first to be finished and opened in 1893.

Then, after decades of disrepair, the restoration of the hotel in the early 2000s revitalized the then-neglected Downtown. The opening of the new hotel sparked the area's revival and now the 17-room boutique hotel, with each room designed by a local artist, is a destination in itself.

Ohio: Golden Lamb, Lebanon

The oldest continuously run business in the state of Ohio, the Golden Lamb is another presidential favorite, having housed 12 of the former US presidents. It began as a simple tavern in 1803, providing a resting spot for travelers on their way from Cincinnati to the old National Road (now US-40).

It offered simple rooms and stiff drinks, a tradition that hasn't changed much since.

Oklahoma: Colcord Hotel, Oklahoma City

The first skyscraper in Oklahoma City, the Colcord Hotel opened its doors in 1910. Despite several contemporary renovations, many of the original details have been preserved and the hotel still oozes the grandeur and the charm of the Roaring Twenties.

The original marble columns and walls of the main lobby, the nickel and bronze letterbox and elevator doors, and the ornamental plaster ceiling look just as stunning today.

Oregon: Timberline Lodge, Government Camp

If the exterior of Timberline Lodge seems familiar, it's probably because Stanley Kubrick used it as a stand-in for exterior shots of the notorious Overlook Hotel in his film The Shining. Built on Mount Hood's highest drivable location from 1936 to 1938, the Timberline Lodge is a popular spot with skiers and snowboarders.

The hotel has comfy rooms and a new heated outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as the Blue Ox Bar, which is known for its wood-fired pizzas and Oregon craft beer.

Pennsylvania: Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg

One of the oldest on this list, The Gettysburg Hotel is located within walking distance from the Gettysburg battlefield – site of the infamous three-day Civil War conflict – and it's the perfect base for history buffs. Established in 1797, the hotel has welcomed presidents including Abraham Lincoln and even served as a temporary command center for President Eisenhower.

The restaurant, One Lincoln, dishes up American classics from traditional wings to burgers too.

Rhode Island: Ocean House, Westerly

One of the most popular destinations for beach vacations in the 19th century, Rhode Island was frequented by wealthy northeasterners, and nowhere brought in the upper echelons of society like the Ocean House. Opened in 1868, this Victorian-era resort featured upscale rooms, croquet on the lawn, and a cabana-lined beach.

The original closed in 2003, but a replica was finished by 2010 – lemon façade and all – and furnished with everything that was salvaged from the old property.

South Carolina: The Willcox, Aiken

One of the top equestrian destinations in America, Aiken – and luxurious hotel The Willcox – has been attracting high-society horse-lovers since 1898. Established by British immigrant Frederick Willcox, the white Colonial Revival-style building is the epitome of Southern elegance.

Now guests can also spend time being pampered at the spa or feast on upscale New American dishes at the on-site restaurant.

South Dakota: Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City

Construction on the Hotel Alex Johnson – now part of Hilton's Curio Collection – began the day before work started on Mount Rushmore and it opened in 1928, spearheaded by railroad tycoon Alex Carlton Johnson. The Germanic Tudor architecture is a tribute to the state's German immigrant heritage and the place is filled with relics from Indigenous artists too.

The hotel is also famous for its ghost, the so-called Lady in White, a bride who allegedly jumped out of the window of room 812 in the 1970s.

Tennessee: The Peabody, Memphis

A true Southern classic, The Peabody first opened in 1869, but was moved to a newer building at its present location in 1925. A unique tradition, which sees resident ducks placed in the fountain to splash around, began in the 1930s and still continues. The ducks arrive twice a day via a red carpet.

Texas: Driskill Hotel, Austin

Though The Driskill's façade is Romanesque and the hand-laid marble floors feel Italian, this hotel is Texan through and through. Adorned with stuffed cattle heads, a nod to the hotel's original owner cattle baron Jesse Driskill, the hotel dates back to 1886 and remains one of Austin's treasures.

The hotel has an extensive collection of art and has also hosted numerous governors' inauguration balls. It was here that Lyndon B. Johnson awaited the results when he ran for president too.

Utah: The Peery Hotel, Salt Lake City

Built in 1910 by the Peery family to cater to those working in Utah's mining industry, The Peery Hotel, is a Salt Lake City landmark. Now part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the hotel is famous for its sharp gray and white exterior and its prairie-style interiors. 

Although recently renovated to upgrade facilities, it still maintains its quaint and historic atmosphere.

Vermont: Woodstock Inn & Resort, Woodstock

More a resort than an inn, Woodstock dates back to 1793 when it began life as a tavern. Taking pride in its charming location in Woodstock town, the luxe resort has a spa, an organic garden, and an elegant restaurant.

Established by Laurance and Mary Rockefeller, the inn was previously known as The Eagle Hotel. The name has been preserved in the hotel's logo and the large, golden eagle sculpture mounted above the entrance.

Virginia: Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs

The Homestead was founded in 1766 which means it's as old as the US itself. It's built on land that encompassed seven natural mineral springs, and Thomas Jefferson reportedly enjoyed a soak here in 1818. Today, the hotel is a luxury resort with a two-acre water park, a spa with thermal treatments, and two historic golf courses, where you’ll find the nation’s oldest first tee in continuous use.

Washington: Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel has been a pillar of Seattle's social scene since 1924, when a grand opening event debuted the glittering hotel. This epic 450-room property underwent a major $26 million refurbishment in 2020, which saw the redesign of the grand lobby as well as the addition of two new bars.

Guests can try the chic, airy Olympic Bar or the more secluded Founders Club, the hotel’s elegant take on the speakeasy culture of the 1920s.

West Virginia: The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs

Opened in 1778, The Greenbrier – popular for its natural hot springs – has been at the very center of American history over the centuries. More than half of the 46 US presidents have stayed here, and during World War II, it housed diplomats from Germany, Japan, and Italy, before it was converted into a hospital for soldiers.

Wisconsin: The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee

Built in 1893 by businessman Guido Pfister, The Pfister is a Victorian masterpiece, and it has an enormous collection of Victorian art to boot. It's famous for its grand lobby and its trompe l'oeil ceiling, and the 23-story tower (added in the 1960s) has a modern cocktail lounge offering scenic Lake Michigan views.

Wyoming: Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park

First opened in 1904, the remarkable Old Faithful Inn is the creative work of architect Robert Reamer, who focused on using materials found in the park. The lodgepole pine was cut some four miles south of the hotel site, while 500 tons of rhyolite rock for the lobby chimney was quarried about five miles away.

The 327-room property is mere steps away from the world’s most famous geyser and while rates aren’t exactly cheap, some rooms offer front-row seats for the eruption of the Old Faithful.

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