10 Gorgeous Historic Hotels in the US Where You’ll Want to Book a Room

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. In the heart of downtown, you’ll find Casa Monica, a majestic historic landmark turned resort and spa beaming with beauty. Built by architect Franklin W. Smith in 1888, Casa Monica had many different owners over the course of a century, and eventually reopened in 2000 as the luxury hotel it is today.

The Moorish Revival-style hotel is located in St. Augustine’s historic district, and is known for its impressive art collection, with oil paintings, sculptures, and antiques displayed throughout the entire resort. Inside the lobby, you’ll find artisan details like hand-painted gold-leafed archways, Spanish tapestries, and a thoughtfully designed sitting area that mimics the same rich color story seen throughout the grounds. During your stay, enjoy champagne upon check-in; exclusive beach access; private access to the Palencia Golf Club; a boutique wellness center; and more.

The Bellwether House was once two beautiful Gilded Age townhouses in Savannah, Georgia. They were owned and built by the Palmer and Dresser families in 1876, and home to residential families for nearly 150 years. But in 2021, the two were joined together to form the beautiful boutique hotel it is today under the same name. The building has been carefully preserved to celebrate the historic character of the original build while incorporating modern amenities for a curated luxury experience. As a One Michelin Key hotel, the Bellwether is considered a very special stay, with unique character and outstanding service.

When it comes to historic hotels in Hollywood, it doesn’t get much more iconic than The Hollywood Roosevelt. The Spanish Colonial Revival hotel was built in 1927, and was the site of the very first Academy Awards in 1929. Located smack dab in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard, The Hollywood Roosevelt stands as one of the most iconic hotels in downtown Hollywood. It has an exciting list of celebrity hotel guests (including Charlie Chaplin, Shirley Temple, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald), a deep connection to the Old Hollywood glitz and glam, and a vessel for nearly 100 years’ worth of secrets from behind the silver screen. Marilyn Monroe even lived at The Hollywood Roosevelt for some time in the 1940s. (You can stay in her room today, called the Marilyn Monroe Suite, overlooking the Tropicana Pool on the second floor.)

The Palmer House is a sprawling display of grandeur and opulence, with over 130,0000 square feet of meeting space; 1,641 guest rooms; and a 16,909-square-foot exhibit hall. From the 21 paintings of Greek mythos on its ceiling to the two-story gilded lobby, the space was spared no expense. The original Palmer House was built in 1871 by Potter Palmer as a wedding gift for his bride, Bertha Honore Palmer. Just 13 days after it was completed, the building burned down in the Great Chicago Fire. However, Palmer got to work rebuilding the property immediately in a lot across the street, where the hotel still stands today. Bonus fact: The brownie—yes, the chocolatey dessert—was invented in the Palmer House kitchen for the 1893 World’s Fair.

Once home to John Rutledge—a signer of the United States Constitution, South Carolina politician, and Supreme Court Chief Justice—the John Rutledge House Inn now stands as one of Charleston’s grandest historic inns. It was originally built in 1763 as a wedding gift to Rutledge’s bride, Elizabeth Grimke, with entertaining at top of mind. He included spaces like a ballroom and a library with grand 12-foot ceilings, which became beautiful guest rooms when it was turned into an inn in 1989. There are only 19 guest rooms across three buildings (the main inn and two carriage houses), all decorated in the finest antiques and period furniture for a one-of-a-kind stay that honors the history of a bygone era. It’s located in the heart of downtown Charleston’s Historic District on Broad Street.

Known as one of America’s most haunted hotels, the Crescent Hotel & Spa has a dark, complex history that dates back to its inception in 1886. Originally built as luxury mountain resort, the beautiful Victorian structure was closed and turned into a prestigious women’s college and conservatory in the early 1900s, until the school fell on hard times and shut down in the 1930s. The Crescent was bought by Norman Baker shortly after, who turned it into a fraudulent, experimental cancer center, known as the Baker Cancer Hospital. Baker was responsible for the deaths of many patients, and was arrested for his crimes shortly after the hospital shut its doors in 1939.

The building suffered various closings and re-openings for the 60 years following, until it was purchased by Marty and Elise Roenigk in 1997. Their hard work and careful planning marked a renaissance for the hotel, which is now a gorgeous example of Gilded Age design and boutique accommodations. However, ghost stories and sightings are still abundant inside the walls of the Crescent Hotel, and you can even take a ghost tour if you dare…

Located on the historic Santa Fe Plaza, La Fonda’s history as an inn dates back all the way to the 1600s, as it was the first hotel in the first European-founded capital city in North America. The hotel is the pinnacle of luxury, thanks to its design influences (John Gaw Meem and Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter), amenities, and its exquisite art history. The Spanish Colonial Revival-style hotel features a beautiful art collection that still grows to this day—from their mix of New Mexican textiles and furnishings throughout the lobby and guest rooms, to contemporary pieces by local artisans hung along the walls of the hotel. La Fonda honors its rich past and significant cultural impact while also offering contemporary services, spa treatments, a year-round heated private pool, and more.

The Plaza isn’t just a landmark on 5th Avenue—it’s also a beacon of timeless glamour and historic luxury. When The Plaza opened in 1907, it was almost immediately dubbed as an iconic venue. It was home to Frank Lloyd Wright, the captivating setting for the children’s book, Eloise, and the venue for Truman Capote’s famous Black and White Ball. But The Plaza doesn’t just look the part—it also provides outstanding service and accommodations. Expect white-glove butler service on each floor; twice daily housekeeping; signature toiletries; Maybach house car service; 24-carat gold-plated bath fixtures; and impeccable Beaux-Arts decor throughout the entire grounds, just to name a few. In short, The Plaza is the ultimate in luxury historic hotels.

The Omni Grove Park Inn embodies the true inspiration of the Arts and Crafts movement, constructed with mined granite stones and a signature red clay tile roof. The Inn is adorned with its original Roycroft furniture and decor still displayed inside the hotel today. It features a legendary 18-hole golf course that sprawls 6,400 yards and has been played by PGA stars such as Bobby Jones and Jack Nicklaus, and even President Barack Obama. The spa features 20 water features, mineral-based pools, and two waterfalls, as well as a long list of wellness offerings—not to mention, a slurry of charming guest rooms. As a AAA Four Diamond property, the Omni Grove Park Inn is a hidden, sparkling gem on Asheville’s gorgeous Sunset Mountain.

The Eliot Hotel is a Grand Parisian-inspired redevelopment built directly next to Harvard’s Alumni Club, as a gift from former Harvard University president Charles William Eliot and his family in 1925. Composed of 95 luxury rooms and suites, the hotel has long been regarded as one of the best hotel stays in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, specifically for its personalized service and unique comforts, like complementary overnight shoe shines and same-day dry cleaning. The Eliot has polished the art of historic architectural charm and modern finishes, with elegant furnishings and bespoke decor that makes the space truly one-of-a-kind.