Our love affair with historic hotels began on our honeymoon. Many years ago, we spent four wonderful days walking through the French Quarter where we admired the architecture, listened to jazz, and dined in world-famous restaurants. Each night, we returned to the Bienville House Hotel (504.708.4610, www.bienvillehouse.com) with its tropical courtyard, wrought iron balconies and Southern charm. Over the years, our attraction to properties with character has never waned.
Recently, we enjoyed a night at the Roosevelt New Orleans (504.648.1200, www.therooseveltneworleans.com) with its block long lobby decorated with gold columns, shimmering chandeliers, and a ten-foot tall antique clock that was featured at the 1867 and 1878 Paris exhibition. The hotel underwent a $145 million dollar restoration and is the newest member of the Waldorf- Astoria Brand. The famous Blue Room began serving brunch in October featuring mascarpone-stuffed French toast with house-made satsuma marmalade, boiled Gulf shrimp, a carving table featuring roasted meats and much more.
Finding a Historic Hotel
Living on the northshore makes it easy to enjoy one of the most historic cities in the country. If you are traveling outside the area and want to stay in a hotel with a past, contact the Historic Hotels of America (HHA) which is a National Trust for Historic Preservation program. HHA identifies hotels that have “faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.” Currently, there are 211 member hotels and resorts. The properties must be located in buildings that are at least 50 years old and they must be listed, or are eligible, for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or be recognized locally as having historic significance.
The member properties range from the eight-room American Hotel in New York to the 1,639-room Palmer Hotel in Illinois. The location of the hotels is as diverse as mountain wilderness and bustling metropolitan cities. Some of the hotels are owned by large hotel chains and others have been in one family for generations.
Reservations made through HHA support the National Trust, a nonprofit, private membership organization that is dedicated to revitalizing America’s communities and saving historic places. Rooms at member hotels can be reserved by visiting www.historichotels.org, calling 800-678-8946, or calling the hotel’s reservation number.
A description of member hotels can be viewed online at www.historichotels.org or you can purchase a directory for $5.00 by sending a check or money order to Preferred Hotel Group (HHA), 38999 Eagle Way, Chicago IL, 60678-1389. Several member hotels offer video tours of their properties on the HHA website at http://www.historichotels.org/video_tour. Not every historic hotel belongs to the HHA. Another way to find them is to conduct an Internet search using the name of the town you’re visiting and “historic hotel.”
Almost anywhere you travel, there are one-of-kind historic hotels waiting to be enjoyed. Two of our favorites are in Memphis and Washington, D.C.
Memphis, Tenn.
The Peabody Memphis
www.peabodymemphis.com
(901) 529-4000
Known as the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll, Memphis is an iconic American city. The Peabody Hotel is located downtown and within walking distance of the famous Beale Street. The hotel itself is home to one of the city’s most popular attractions — the March of the Peabody Ducks, a tradition that began 75 years ago.
Every morning at 11:00, an audience gathers in the hotel's grand lobby to watch as the Duckmaster leads five mallard ducks from their home on the hotel roof — "Duck Palace” -- down the elevator and out to the hotel's marble fountain. The ducks parade on a red carpet to a John Phillip Sousa tune. The ceremony resumes at 5:00 p.m., when the mallards retire to their palace.
Originally built in 1925, the hotel completed a multi-million dollar renovation in 2005. The Peabody has three restaurants, two bars and an eclectic collection of retail shops on the ground floor offering everything from souvenir t-shirts to imported pearls. Guest can take a dip in the indoor pool or work out at the athletic club.
Washington, D.C.
Renaissance Mayflower
www.marriott.com
(202) 347-3000
Washington, D.C. is the center of power and the Mayflower Hotel has been the residence of vice presidents, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, senators and congressmen. Built during the boom period after World War I, the Mayflower Hotel opened in 1925. Calvin Coolidge’s Inaugural Ball began a long tradition of presidents using the hotel for formal events. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover ate lunch at the Mayflower every day for 20 years. When Franklin Roosevelt was living in the hotel before his inauguration, he dictated his famous speech, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”
Located just four blocks from the White House, the Mayflower Hotel is the largest luxury hotel in the capital city, with 583 rooms and 74 suites. Take the time to explore the hotel’s meeting rooms -- the Chinese Room has a spectacular carved ceiling and the massive chandeliers throughout the Grand Promenade are stunning. You can have breakfast in the hotel’s café and work off a few calories in the onsite fitness center, or spend an afternoon exploring the Dupont Circle neighborhood.