20 Historic Hotels in America Where You Can Travel Back to the Past

Open since 1855

Located in downtown Boston, steps from the Old State House, Omni Parker House is the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States. It has welcomed a long list of dignitaries and literary luminaries, and gatherings here are said to have influenced many legendary works of American literature. The hotel’s famed restaurant, meanwhile, has also left a lasting mark on American food history, with iconic treats including Boston Cream Pie and Parker House Rolls originating in its kitchen.

Fun Fact: The hotel is also credited with coining the word “scrod”—not a species of fish, but a term for the freshest whitefish catch of the day.

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 San Diego hotel has been a hotspot for celebrities—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.

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 The Jefferson Hotel's Centennial anniversary, displays artifacts.

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.

Open since 1901

Built in 1901 as Waikiki’s first hotel, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, also known as the “First Lady of Waikiki,” is considered the birthplace of Hawaii’s now famed tourism industry. Begin each morning with a traditional Ho‘ala sunrise ceremony, take part in on-site lei-making workshops led by local artisans, and embark on guided historical tours that explore the hotel’s role as a forerunner of the region’s resort culture.

Fun Fact: The hotel boasts Hawaii’s first electric-powered elevator, which remains operational today.

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 as the greatest hotel in the world. The Plaza'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.

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 presents seasonal midwestern cuisine within a rustic log cabin. 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.

Open since 1966

A Hollywood icon once dubbed “The Hotel of the Future,” the Fairmont Century Plaza at Beverly Hills is set on the former backlot of 20th Century Fox Studios. After a string of box office flops, developers purchased 180 acres from the studio in 1961, building the 750-room luxury hotel, which they imagined as a “city within a city.” It was celebrated for its modern amenities, including central air and heating, ice machines, and radios in guestroom nightstands—all considered cutting edge at the time. The hotel has hosted countless industry galas, award shows and remains a bastion of Hollywood elegance.

Fun Fact: Along with its many other state-of-the art amenities, the Fairmont made history as the first hotel to have color televisions in every guestroom.

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.

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. At Cavallo Point Lodge, 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.

Open since 2020

A stately hotel in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, Riggs Washington DC is set inside a historic 1891 former bank building. Today, it houses 181 spacious guestrooms marked by opulent bespoke furnishings and carefully curated antique accents. Four First Lady suites feature décor inspired by the aesthetics of a selection of former presidents’ wives. The hotel pays homage to its history with its Banker’s Hour (hosted Sunday-Thursday), where guests enjoy signature cocktails and small bites.

Fun Fact: The former bank was known as the “Bank of Presidents,” earning the nickname because 23 U.S. presidents banked there.