This summer, Americans are really getting into our history, whether it be along the coasts or in the heartland. If you’re thinking about a trip to a traditional inn that captures the essence of America, you’re in luck.
These inns have witnessed significant political events and pop culture highlights, earning a spot among the 300+ hotels listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Let’s explore some delightful inns that honor America’s spirit as we celebrate Starry Sky’s 250th anniversary.
Lobbyist
According to Jack Abramoff, known as the “King of K. St.,” we all can’t help but criticize lobbyists. Legend has it that their origins trace back to the Willard Intercontinental Washington, situated a mere stone’s throw from the White House at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Historically, its lobby was a battleground, where lobbyists vied for lawmakers’ attention, particularly during the times of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. Nathan Hawthorne even claimed that “more than the Capitol, the White House, or the State Department, the Willard Hotel could justifiably be called the heart of Washington.”
This is where Grant allegedly set the stage for pivotal discussions and Lincoln selected his cabinet in 1861. You can even wander through a gallery detailing history, where Martin Luther King Jr. famously drafted parts of his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Book one of the 335 rooms and suites starting at $500 per night by July 6 to receive a $250 hotel credit, as part of the celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
Financier
Fast forward to July 1944, and delegates from 44 nations convened at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Here, Britain’s pound held sway over global trade, but they left with the US dollar reaching new heights. Meetings in the hotel’s Gold Room led to the formation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The hotel has 269 rooms, with rates starting at $230 per night.
Enjoy the stunning views of the Presidential Mountains from the heated pool or try your hand at golf on the championship course. Wrap up your day with a drink at the Cave, a former hidden bar that once served as a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
Big House
From notorious criminals like James “Whitey” Bulger and Malcolm X to Frank Abagnale Jr., who inspired “Catch Me If You Can,” they all share a common link: the Liberty Hotel, though not on their own terms.
Previously known as the Charles Street Jail, this spot operated for over 120 years before closing in 1973 due to lawsuits alleging inhumane conditions, marking a significant moment in prison reform.
Now a 298-room hotel starting at $300 per night, it playfully honors its past with a restaurant named “Clink” and transforms a former catwalk into a lively bar. Being in the West End also puts you close to the Freedom Trail, with sites like the Paul Revere House and Boston Massacre Site just a short walk away.
Sweet Hospitality
Just 13 days after its debut in 1871, the Palmer House fell victim to the Great Chicago Fire. But it emerged from the ashes two years later, revamping the hotel experience with innovative amenities like elevators and in-room phones.
Interestingly, it’s also credited as the birthplace of the brownie, originally created in its kitchen for the 1893 World’s Fair. With 1,641 rooms, it’s among Hilton’s largest properties, with rates starting at $169 a night.
Rough Stuff
In San Antonio, Texas, discover the historical Menger Hotel, the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi River. Opened in 1859 as a modest boarding house, it became the recruiting ground for Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.
The establishment has expanded to five floors, featuring 316 guest rooms named after various iconic guests. Rates start at $120 per night.
Feministista
Los Angeles’s Hotel Figueroa has an interesting backstory. Legend suggests its pool shape was designed to challenge patriarchy. Established in 1926 by the YWCA, it was a revolutionary space where women could check in without a male chaperone, resisting the norms of the time.
The 268-room hotel now welcomes everyone, with rates starting at $185 per night—though they might spike when major events are on at LA Live across the street.
