Spotlight Hotel
16 Historic Hotels in America Where You Can Travel Back to the Past
From Coronado to Cape May, these Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection properties combine modern luxuries with fascinating backstories and beautiful historic details.
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September 18, 2025
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America has a rich, complex past, which comes to life when you stay at its most historic hotels. You’ll feel it in original design flourishes and while partaking in heritage-inspired activities like falconry, a cabaret dinner show, or a luau.
Although these hotel walls can’t talk, a stay can reveal the secrets of former guests – among them, presidents, wartime troops, Hollywood celebrities, and creative voices of generations dating back to the 1800s. Some of our favorite grand dames even have resident historians or on-site exhibitions.
Plus, Platinum Card Members get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or prepaid The Hotel Collection3 bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®*.
Get ready to time travel through our survey of America’s historic hotels – no passport necessary, just an appreciation of the past.
3The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3,*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Late check-out, when available
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Congress Hall Hotel
Open since 1816
A grand family-friendly hotel in the beloved beach town of Cape May, Congress Hall has delivered a distinguished coastal stay since America’s earliest days. In fact, one early president even declared the hotel his “summer White House” and conducted affairs of state from his suite – for the full backstory, you’ll want to join the Congress Hall History Tour. Nowadays, accommodations feature bright palettes and American heritage-style furniture like four-poster beds as well as hand-dyed linens.
Fun Fact: Original owner Thomas H. Huges called his hotel (then known as a boarding house) “The Big House.” Locals believed it was, in fact, too big to succeed and referred to the property as “Tommy’s Folly” – now the name of the lobby café, perfect for a casual breakfast or lunch.
Hotel del Coronado
Open since 1888
With dreams of building a hotel to be “the talk of the western world,” founders Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story (who had no hotel experience) established the Coronado Beach Company, which grew to encompass the Hotel del Coronado, plus a ferry company, railroad company, and networks of parks and roadways. A beachfront Victorian icon, “The Del” capped off multiyear renovations in June 2025, including the restoration of events spaces, the garden courtyard, and accommodations. Select suites include private patios, firepits, and ocean views. The backdrop for a classic 1959 comedy film, the hotel has been a haunt for many celebrities and notables – and is rumored to be haunted.
Fun Fact: The hotel made history in 1904 when it unveiled the world’s first electrically lit, outdoor, living Christmas tree – a true marvel at the time.
Hotel Jerome, Auberge Collection
Open since 1889
More than 50 years before the first chairlift began operating at this now world-renowned ski resort, Hotel Jerome was ready and waiting to welcome adventurous types. Situated at the base of Aspen Mountain, the striking brick hotel features suites with oversized bathtubs and fireplaces to relax after a day on the slopes, along with local artwork and mountain views.
Fun Fact: During Hotel Jerome History tours, a guide in period-inspired attire leads guests throughout the property while telling tales of cowboys, silver prospectors, and more.
The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Open since 1893
At the edge of the French Quarter, The Roosevelt New Orleans was one of the South’s first luxury hotels and serves as an architectural time capsule. Elegantly decorated rooms feature oversized windows with views of the bustling city beyond, and select suites include clawfoot bathtubs and decorative fireplaces. Many celebrities and dignitaries have passed through these doors, from presidents to A-list actors and musicians. Visit The Historic New Orleans Collection, a nearby museum and research center dedicated to the preservation of New Orleans’ rich history and culture.
Fun Fact: Legend has it that the hotel’s Sazerac Bar is where the classic cocktail was invented and, while that’s unsubstantiated, many consider it the “spiritual home” of the libation.
The Jefferson Hotel
Open since 1895
A Card Member favorite, this Beaux-Arts hotel was dreamt up by businessman and philanthropist Lewis Ginter, who oversaw its construction. From palm trees imported from Central and South America to antiques sourced from around the globe, every ornate detail tells a story. Ginter even ensured that rooms featured Telesemes (an early version of the telephone) so that guests could ring for room service. The elegant lobby is marked by a stained-glass skylight, and suites feature opulent furnishings, some with marble foyers and standalone soaking tubs. An on-site museum, established in 1985 in celebration of Jefferson’s centennial anniversary, displays artifacts from the hotel’s history.
Fun Fact: A group of alligators occupied the lobby from the hotel’s opening until 1948 when Old Pompey, the last of the scaly residents, passed – keep your eye out for tributes, from alligator statues in the driveway to alligator draw pulls in rooms.
The Plaza
Open since 1907
When this Manhattan hotel debuted at the coveted intersection of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, many were quick to declare it the greatest hotel in the world. It’s reputation still looms large, drawing folks for an overnight stay or a special occasion treat like afternoon tea service in the lobby’s Palm Court or bubbly and caviar at the Champagne Bar. Marked by soaring ceilings and ornate chandeliers, the hotel’s rooms and suites feature luxurious textiles, gold mosaic tiled bathrooms, and views of the city and Central Park. Select accommodations come with private butler service.
Fun Fact: The Plaza has starred in over 200 films and graced the pages of a classic children’s books about a mischievous young resident and her nanny.
The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows
Open since 1912
This Tinseltown institution is a throwback to Hollywood’s heyday. Known as the “Pink Palace,” the tony resort sits amid 12 acres of tropical gardens in the heart of Beverly Hills. Indeed, A-list stars and powerful Hollywood execs alike have long met at the hotel for both work and play, inking deals at on-site restaurant The Polo Lounge and carrying on famous romances.
Fun Fact: Hidden amongst the gardens, the bungalows offer a true Hollywood experience, each individually designed and inspired by the famous guests who've called them home.
Troutbeck
Open since the early 1900s
Troutbeck is an elegant countryside estate dating back to the 18th century and located about a two-hour drive from New York City. Poets, naturalists, and romantics have flocked here seeking solace and inspiration – and no wonder. Spread across historic buildings, the 37 rooms and suites offer unique layouts with custom-made furniture and reclaimed antiques. Accommodations can include sitting rooms with dining tables, fireplaces, sofas, four-poster beds, armchairs, and working desks. Explore the 250-acre grounds and you’ll find a wellness center, three private trout pools, tennis courts, trails, and guests trying their hand at falconery on guided excursions.
Fun Fact: Early owners Colonel Joel Spingarn and his wife Amy Spingarn were active in the Civil Rights Movement and hosted several NAACP meetings at Troutbeck.
The American Club
Open since 1918
Now a luxe hotel in the village of Kohler along the Sheboygan River, The American Club was first built as a dormitory for immigrant workers of the Kohler Co., the plumbing manufacturing company. The Immigrant Restaurant pays homage to the property’s roots across six distinct dining rooms. Horse & Plow features pub fare and craft micro brews; The Wisconsin Rooms offers farm-fresh cuisine, while the River Wildlife Restaurant is a hidden gem within a rustic log cabin offering seasonal midwestern cuisine. Suites feature separate seating areas and select accommodations have working fireplaces.
Fun Fact: Take time to visit the hotel’s on-site museum as well as the Kohler Waters Spa, which taps into the healing, restorative properties of water.
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Open since 1927
A Waikiki Beach fixture, this Spanish-Moorish resort is instantly recognizable for its cotton candy pink exterior. Its location provides easy access to restaurants, shops, and nightlife in Honolulu – and was a popular respite for Hawaiian royalty long before Waikiki became a modern tourist destination. The site was once the oceanfront playground for King Kamehameha the Great, while Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace occupied what is now the resort’s Coconut Grove. Get a taste of the past at the Aha'Aina Luau Show, a traditional Hawaiian celebration that combines music and dance with island cuisine and oceanfront front views.
Fun Fact: During World War II, the resort was temporarily leased by the Navy Recreation and Morale office, becoming a temporary haven for Navy personnel. Take a historical tour – available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays – to learn more fun facts like why the hotel was painted pink.
The Don CeSar
Open since 1928
Known as the Pink Palace® (yes, it’s trademarked) this historic hotel has long been a place to see and be seen by influential figures. Sitting atop towering dunes, the Don CeSar overlooks the sea, with beach-toned suites offering separate living and work areas. The Pink Palace has seen many evolutions throughout its storied tenure. During WWII, the opulent hotel served as a makeshift military hospital, and it’s been the set for numerous Hollywood films.
Fun Fact: The Don CeSar was built by real estate mogul Thomas Rowe in tribute to a lost lover – an opera singer. He named the hotel after the protagonist of the opera “Maritana.”
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Open since 1930
This legendary Art Deco building sits on the Upper East Side, just a block from Central Park. Suites feature pre-war era décor, black-and-white lacquered paneling, whimsical vignettes of Central Park, and other thoughtfully curated artwork and books. Relive the golden age of cabaret at Café Carlyle, a supper club that hosts live performances from leading jazz artists and actors. Bemelmans Bar is another big draw, known for its swanky, mood-lit atmosphere, original murals, extensive cocktail menu, and piano soundtrack.
Fun Fact: The Carlyle is a go-to choice for attendees of the annual Met Gala held at the nearby Met Museum. You don’t need any invite, though, to get the hotel’s support in arranging a private guided tour of the Met or another local institution.
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
Open since 1981
Deep in the heart of Dallas, this former mansion feels palatial thanks to Italian Renaissance-inspired details like marble floors, stained glass windows, and hand-carved fireplaces. Its original 1920s-era owners spared no expense, curating artworks from their travels around the globe and installing the city’s first private elevator. Rooms and suites are done up with custom furnishings, art with damask accents, and textiles in soft palettes. Prior guests have included past presidents and a famous playwright.
Fun Fact: Heritage Afternoon Tea service, hosted in the 1925 Mansion Library, features a selection of heirloom teas, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
The Union Station Nashville Yards
Open since 1986
A Gothic-style train station came first, in 1900, with striking turrets and towers and it was eventually transformed into a hotel in the late 1980s. Today, the 125 rooms and suites nod to the building’s heritage with details inspired by old carriage cars and vintage luggage. A member of the Historic Hotels of America and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Union Station Nashville Yards has hosted guests both famous and infamous, including countless country music performers. Visit the Bar Car for the Conductor’s Evening, a weeknight offering heralded by the ringing of a brass bell. The hour-long experience highlights a different historic cocktail each evening.
Fun Fact: Union Station’s iconic clock tower features a statue of Mercy, the Roman god of travelers and transporters of goods.
La Valencia Hotel
Open since 1926
This Spanish-style hotel debuted with much fanfare as Los Apartmentos de Sevilla and became a popular in-the-know hideaway for celebrities looking to canoodle in relative privacy. Locally known as “The Pink Lady,” La Valencia still brings the romance, serving up retro Hollywood glamour along with sweeping views of the Pacific coastline. Suites feature vintage-inspired furnishings and imported linens; select accommodations include separate living spaces and private terraces. Hotel guests enjoy 10% off a GPS-guided audio tour on which you’ll stroll through the coastal community learning fun historical facts at your leisure.
Fun Fact: La Jolla’s earliest indigenous inhabitants, the Kumeyaay Native Americans, called the area “mat kulaaxuy” aka “land of holes.” Local historians largely believe that this references the many sea caverns along the coast.
Cavallo Point Lodge
Open since 2008
Set upon a former U.S. Army base in Fort Baker, this Sausalito resort sits at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, with sweeping views of San Francisco across the bay. Rooms and suites have a distinguished look, complete with walnut finishings, vintage architectural details, fireplaces, and radiant heat floors. Guests can take part in a complimentary Fort Baker History Tour, with a resident historian leading you through sites like the old barracks, gymnasium, chapel, and jailhouse.
Fun Fact: The hotel is named for the wild horses that once roamed the area (“caballo” is the Spanish word for horse); a commander of one of the first European ships that entered the bay dubbed a rocky point on the coastline “Punta de Caballo” in 1775.
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