Staying in a historic hotel is like stepping into a living museum—except with room service and luxury linens. Across the United States, some hotels have hosted presidents, movie stars, and royalty. These legendary landmarks have witnessed Prohibition parties, grand balls, secret affairs, and cultural shifts—yet they still offer elegant accommodations for modern travelers. Whether you’re drawn by the architecture, the stories, or just want to sleep where the rich and famous once did, these ten historic hotels deliver timeless charm with contemporary comfort.
From Gilded Age glamour to mid-century marvels, each of these properties captures a distinct chapter of American history. Here are ten of the most iconic historic hotels in the USA where you can not only explore the past—but spend the night in it.
The Plaza Hotel – New York City, NY
Opened in 1907, The Plaza is arguably the most famous hotel in the United States. Overlooking Central Park and Fifth Avenue, this French Renaissance-style marvel has been a favorite of royalty, presidents, and Hollywood stars. F. Scott Fitzgerald set scenes here in The Great Gatsby, and Truman Capote’s 1966 Black and White Ball cemented its place in social history.
Today, The Plaza offers sumptuous rooms with gold-plated fixtures, a legendary afternoon tea in the Palm Court, and glamorous touches that still whisper of its golden age. Whether you’re sipping champagne or simply soaking in the atmosphere, a night at The Plaza is an unforgettable experience.
📍 Address: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, Find more info here!
The Hotel del Coronado – Coronado, CA
This red-roofed Victorian seaside resort opened in 1888 and became one of the first true luxury beach hotels in America. Located on the shores of Coronado Island near San Diego, it’s a National Historic Landmark known for hosting guests like Marilyn Monroe, who filmed Some Like It Hot here.
The Hotel del Coronado blends historic elegance with coastal cool. Walk beneath the soaring wood-domed lobby, lounge on the beachfront, or explore its ghost stories and secret tunnels. It’s both a romantic getaway and a step back into Old California charm.
📍 Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 – Find more info here
The Greenbrier – White Sulphur Springs, WV
Founded in 1778 around natural mineral springs, The Greenbrier has hosted 28 U.S. presidents and countless dignitaries. The sprawling estate boasts grand Georgian architecture and famously housed a secret Cold War-era bunker built to house Congress if indeed a nuclear war were to happen!
Inside, Dorothy Draper’s maximalist decor transforms every room into a bold, colorful fantasy. The Greenbrier offers everything from falconry to high tea, and its deep historical roots are present in every corner of the luxurious experience.
📍 Address: 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 – Find more info here
The Palmer House – Chicago, IL
Originally opened in 1871, just 13 days before the Great Chicago Fire destroyed it, The Palmer House was quickly rebuilt and became a symbol of Chicago’s resilience. The current version opened in 1875 and has been dazzling guests ever since with its French-inspired grandeur.
From the ceiling frescoes in the lobby to its famed brownies (invented at the hotel), The Palmer House exudes old-school glamour. With its downtown location, it’s also a prime spot for exploring the Windy City while resting your head in a piece of living history.
📍 Address: 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603 – Find more info here
The Roosevelt New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
Since 1893, this Beaux-Arts beauty has seen the city through jazz booms, hurricanes, and Prohibition. Known as The Roosevelt since 1923 and now operated by Waldorf Astoria, it was once the stomping ground of Louisiana political legend Huey P. Long.
Step inside and you’re transported to a world of crystal chandeliers, gilded trim, and old-school opulence. The Sazerac Bar, named after the city’s official cocktail, still pours a perfect pour in its art deco digs, making this hotel a must for fans of both history and cocktails.
📍 Address: 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112 – Find more info here
The Peabody – Memphis, TN
Opened in 1869 and relocated to its current downtown Memphis location in 1925, The Peabody is famed for its quirky tradition: a daily duck march through the lobby. But there’s more to this Southern gem than feathered fun.
The Peabody has long been a social and cultural hub of the city, hosting dignitaries, celebrities, and blues legends. Its ornate interiors and deep connection to Memphis’ musical heritage make it a uniquely warm and elegant stay in the South.
📍 Address: 149 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 – Find More Info Here
The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, CO
Since opening in 1918, The Broadmoor has been synonymous with Rocky Mountain luxury. This grand lakeside resort has hosted presidents, athletes, and movie stars, and it boasts one of the oldest continually operating five-star ratings in the country.
With its pink stucco façade, Italian Renaissance-style architecture, and jaw-dropping mountain views, The Broadmoor blends natural beauty with refined elegance. It’s a destination resort in every sense—complete with a golf course, spa, and its own wilderness experience.
📍 Address: 1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 – Find more info here
The Jefferson Hotel – Richmond, VA
A vision of Southern elegance since 1895, The Jefferson Hotel has welcomed guests like FDR, Woodrow Wilson, and Elvis Presley. Its majestic marble staircase is rumored to have inspired the one in Gone with the Wind.
The hotel’s Beaux-Arts architecture is breathtaking, especially the lobby with its stained-glass ceiling and alligator pond (a nod to the baby gators that once lived there). Its commitment to hospitality and historical preservation makes every stay feel like a step back into the belle époque.
📍 Address: 101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220 – Find more info here
The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, CO
Opened in 1909 by inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley (of Stanley Steamer fame), this Colonial Revival beauty became world-famous after inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining. With sweeping mountain views and an eerie elegance, it’s beloved by both paranormal fans and luxury travelers.
While ghost tours and creaky floorboards are part of the charm, The Stanley also offers upscale dining, spa treatments, and access to Rocky Mountain National Park. A stay here is equal parts supernatural and spectacular.
📍 Address: 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 – Find more info here
The Fairmont San Francisco – San Francisco, CA
Perched atop Nob Hill, The Fairmont has been an icon of San Francisco since 1907. It’s seen everything from earthquake recovery to the signing of the United Nations Charter in 1945. With its grand façade and panoramic city views, it remains one of the most prestigious addresses in town.
Inside, you’ll find opulent ballrooms, the famed Tonga Room tiki bar, and timeless touches of turn-of-the-century glamour. The Fairmont is where the past and present collide—with style.
📍 Address: 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108 – Find more info here
These historic hotels aren’t just places to sleep—they’re destinations in themselves. Whether you’re craving old-world elegance, haunted hallways, or stories from a bygone era, each one offers a glimpse into America’s luxurious and storied past. Which will you stay in first?
Now Find the Best Hotels in Italy
It is not hard to find some of the world’s most luxurious hotels in Italy. From the north of Lake Como and Cinque Terre to the Amalfi Coast and Sicily sits some of the best luxury hotels anywhere. The combination of the Italian attention to detail, partnered with their inherent hospitality (“host-italia”), and their Dolce Vita attitude makes it a delight to visit any of these.
Needless to say, in each hotel the service is impeccable, the rooms decorated beautifully, and full of all the mod-cons one expects from a five-star today. Interiors range from intimate to grand depending on your choice of hotel or room and each usually has more than one dining or bar option available.