The Most Historic Hotel in Every State

The United States is a resilient country; dotted throughout the country are remnants of its past. These hotels were built in times where gangsters, authors and presidents traveled the country in style. They have been closed, reopened, remodeled and have weathered storms such as the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the Great Depression. Curious to see your state's most historic hotel? Check out this slideshow.

Note: These hotels are by no means the oldest hotels in each state, and neither are they the only historic hotel in each state. Many of the hotels chosen are listed as members under the Historic Hotels of America National Trust for Historic Preservation, an association that aims at preserving and restoring American hotel history. Check out their website in the link above to find more historic hotels!

Built as the iconic Empire Building, the Four Diamond Elyton Hotel is an architectural marvel. It was built in 1909 in Birmingham, AL, the Elyton Hotel is named after one of the city's entrepreneurs. Birmingham itself one shared the name with the hotel. Nestled in the city's booming financial district, it offers modern luxury in timeless style, as well as closeness to restaurants, boutiques and historic attractions. The Elyton Hotel is part of the Autograph Collection.

Hotel Captain Cook is in the heart of downtown Anchorage, AK. While it may not look like much from the outside, the inside looks like a step back into the days on major naval explorations and battles. It boasts a private art collection telling the story of Captain Cook's naval adventures. Captain Cook was instrumental in Alaska's founding. He undertook the large task of mapping Alaska's jagged coastline during the 18th century.

In the heart of Arizona's historic district, near Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the surrounding areas lies the Wigwam Resort. It has been in operation for ninety years and was originally created as a meeting place for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. It later became a retreat for wealthy travelers and a golf destination. The Wigwam Resort has now expanded to have over 330 rooms, many of which are independent casitas. While not the oldest hotel or resort in Arizona, it boasts the perfect location: it's near the big tourist attractions while offering a quiet location. It stays true to its original intent by remaining a unique Southwest retreat.

The Crescent Hotel stays true to the maxim that you must change with the times. Built in 1886 as one of the most luxurious hotels of the era, it boasted a hydraulic elevator and Edison lamps, two incredible new inventions. It was built as a sanctuary near the Eureka springs, which was thought to have medicinal and curative properties for a variety of ailments. The Crescent Hotel was built with French Renaissance and Richardson Romanesque architectural styles, giving it a unique style all to its own. It later became a women's college, Crescent College, and later a quack doctor's Baker Cancer Clinic, before being remodeled and turned, once more, into a hotel. It was instrumental in bringing the railroads to the Ozarks. Basin Park Hotel and the Arlington Resort are both good options for historic Arkansas vacations.

While not the oldest hotel in California, Hotel Whitcomb is perhaps most emblematic for the state's resilience. Built as an homage to San Francisco's strength after the devastating 1906 earthquake and designed by renowned architects Wright, Rushforth and Cahill, it was meant to stand the test of time. It was an opulent hotel, featuring Austrian crystal chandeliers, Tiffany stained glass, marble and janesero paneling, a unique style of carved wood panels. It became San Fran's interim city hall between 1912 and 1915, while the original destroyed one was being rebuilt, which meant that the Hotel Whitcomb we know today opened in 1916, boasting opulence and luxury right as the iconic 1920s-era was beginning. Today, it connects guests to the past while providing for their modern sensibilities.

Hotel Colorado was built in 1893 by silver baron Walter Devereux in Glenwood Springs, CO. Famous for its hot springs, Hotel Colorado became a destination for the sick to find a cure for ailments such as arthritis in their hot springs. The hotel was used as a hospital for the Navy during World War Two, having housed 6,500 soldiers. Presidents William Howard Taft and Teddy Roosevelts both stayed at the hotel, along with "the unsinksable" Molly Brown, a Titanic survivor. Chicago's infamous gangster Diamond Jack Alterie also enjoyed staying at the Hotel Colorado. Today it is known as a family vacation destination surrounded by beautiful Colorado wilderness. With updated amenities and rooms, guests can feel close to nature and history without sacrificing comfort.

Perhaps the most interesting hotel, while not the most historic, is Connecticut's Winvian Farm. The resort offers a variety of themed private cottages, which ensures that there's something interesting for everyone. It began in the late 1940s and is still privately owned and operated today in Morris, CT. It's a perfect retreat, with 113 acres to explore, and cottages such as a treehouse, a musical conservatory and even a decommissioned helicopter to stay in. Winviam Farms also has a spa, a farm-to-table restaurant and a swimming pool. If you're looking for a unique getaway, this would be it.

The 12-story Hotel DuPont, one of the most lavish hotels in the world upon its completion in 1913, is recognizably Delaware's most historic hotel. Built in the Italian Renaissance style, it exudes luxury, from its beautiful exterior architecture to its gilden and ornately carved ceilings. It is located in Wilmington, DE in the beautiful Brandywine Valley. A host of royalty have stayed at the Hotel Du Pont, including Prince Rainier of Monaco, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Prince Bertil of Sweden, as well as Eleanor Roosevelt and President John F. Kennedy. Today, it has been updated for the modern era, and is famous as a luxury wedding venue.

The Casa Monica Resort is located in the oldest, yet little-known, town in the United States: St. Augustine, Florida. Settled by Spanish soldiers in the late 1600s, the area is home to a menagerie of incredibly old structures, including the Castillo de San Marcos, the Spanish fort. Casa Monica is located right in the heart of this historic town and was built in 1888 in a Moorish Revival-style of architecture, one of Henry Flagler's many St. Augustine resorts. Today it is the most luxurious hotel in St. Augustine and is located steps away from the similarly historical Flagler College, as well as numerous restaurants, shops and museums.

The Candler Hotel, located in downtown Atlanta, GA, was built in the early twentieth century by Asa G. Candler, founder of Coca-Cola. The building was a behemoth 17-story Beaux-Arts style building with Corinthian pillars and exterior carvings of prominent historical artists such as William Shakespeare and Michelangelo. Once home to a bank as well as several other businesses, it is now a boutique hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. The hotel is minutes away from attractions like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia Aquarium.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is perhaps Hawaii's most iconic hotel. Opened in 1927, the Royal Hawaiian has been the host of royalty and stars for almost a century. The Royal Hawaiian offers a weekly historical tour for any of their guests, where you can learn about the Spanish-Moorish architecture and the role the "Pink Palace" has played on Hawaii's history.

Riverside Hot Springs Inn is located in Lava Hot Springs, ID and was built in 1914 as a romantic vacation destination. Famous for its mineral water hot springs as a therapeutic treatment, it also became known as a health retreat. Because of this focus on health, during the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic, all of the local residents, as well as the doctors, lodged at the hotel because it, unlike many of the patients' homes, had central heating. Today the hotel is open to guests 16 and older and offers close proximity to a variety of outdoor recreation hotspots, such as Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Choosing a historic hotel in Illinois is choosing a cafe in Paris; there are too many to choose from. However, one of the most iconic hotels in Chicago is the Congress Plaza Hotel, built in 1893 as the Auditorium Annex for the World's Columbian Exposition, the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's journey to the Americas. It became a hotel shortly after, and during WWII was a headquarters for the U.S. Army officers. Presidents Cleveland, McKinley, both Roosevelts, Taft, Wilson, Harding and Coolidge all stayed at the hotel, and it was the scene of many political gatherings. Today it has been renovated to offer modern comfort with a classic, historic style that harkens back to an age of decadence. Nearby, other historic hotels are the Millenium Knickerbocker, the Drake, the Warwick and the Whitehall Hotels.

Indiana's historic hotel is actually a two-in-one deal: the French Lick Resort, consisting of the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Hotel in the Hoosier National Forest. Like its name suggests, the French Lick Springs Hotel was opened in 1845 by a doctor who wanted to help people get access to the natural sulfur springs in the area. Another doctor and competitor built the West Baden Springs Hotel one mile away. The West Baden Springs Hotel became one of the grandest spas in the country. Both hotels remained separate, and the West Baden Springs hotel closed and became a shadow of its former self after the Great Depression. It wasn't until 2006 when both of the hotels were purchased together and completely restored to its former glory. The resort now has a casino and is known for being family-friendly.

Along the Mississippi River in Iowa lies the Hotel Julien, a spot in which a hotel has stood for almost two hundred years. It has hosted guests as famous as Abraham Lincoln, "Buffalo Bill" Cody, Mark Twain and Al Capone - who may have even owned the hotel at one point. Today it's known as one of the many hotels on the Mississippi, known for a legacy of change and trade on the historic river.

Perhaps many historic hotels boast of having famous political figures as guests, but the Eldridge takes the cake for being the most politically driven hotel. Built in Lawrence, Kansas in 1855 as the Free State Hotel, its guests were northern settlers staying there while their houses were being built. The name itself came from their purpose of settling: to ensure that Kansas would remain a free state when it entered the union. A year after it was built, Sam Jones and other pro-slavery individuals burned it to the ground. Col. Eldridge rebuilt the hotel and vowed to do it again each time it was destroyed. In 1863, Quantrill, a Confederate guerilla leader, led the charge against the hotel and destroyed it a second time, along with Lawrence itself. Col. Eldridge promptly rebuilt it, renaming it after himself. The seal of the city of Lawrence is a phoenix rising from the ashes, a symbol of rebirth, chosen because of these events. The hotel closed and was renovated, reopening again in 2005.

The Seelbach Hilton, a Beaux-Arts style Baroque hotel in the heart of Louisville, KY opened in 1905. Back then, it boasted of being the only fireproof hotel in the city and has the only surviving Bavarian-style Rathskeller, a type of bar made out of rare tile. Prohibition saw a rise in gangsters and bootleggers to the hotel, like Al Capone, among others. F. Scott Fitzgerald got his inspiration to write The Great Gatsby during his stay at the hotel. The hotel employs an official Seelbach historian who gives tours and answers any of the guest's questions. Today it is still known as an incredible place to stay, close to Louisville's main attractions and nightlife.

Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter of New Orleans began in 1886 by Antonio Monteleone, an Italian immigrant. It is still family-owned and operated to this day, making it one of the oldest family-owned hotels in America. The hotel has long been a respite for Southern authors such as Hemingway, Faulkner, Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams. Later on, these ranks would be joined by Anne Rice, John Grisham and Stephen Ambrose. It is today recognized as an official literary landmark by the Friends of the Library Association, one of only three hotels in America recognized with this honor. It's also known for being haunted, and both guests and staff have noticed strange happenings in its halls. Today, it still carries the prestige of an independent hotel in the heart of the hubbub of New Orleans.

The Regency Hotel was named one of America's best historic hotels by Historic Hotels of America. Located in an 1800s Neo-Classical armory building in the heart of downtown Portland, Maine's Old Port District, it offers views of the sea and proximity to sea activities, the symphony and other cultural and entertainment venues. It wore many hats before becoming a quaint hotel, but now it boasts cozy rooms, modern amenities and fresh sea air.

Maryland's hotel choice is unique because it's actually a collection of three historic inns: The Historic Inns of Annapolis. Comprised of the Maryland Inn, the Governor Calvert House and the Robert Johnson House, this collection of boutique hotels are some of the oldest in the nation. The Maryland Inn was where the delegates of the U.S. Congress stayed when Washington ratified the Treaty of Paris in 1783-4. The Governor Calvert House was built in 1695 and was home to Governor Benedict Leonard Calvert and continues to host state legislators today. The Robert Johnson House was owned by the prominent Johnson family in the eighteenth century. The three inns are unique, cozy and full of history.

Concord's Colonial Inn combines Revolutionary War-era history with literary history in Concord, Massachusetts. The inn was built in 1716 and became the site of the Revolutionary War's first battles, the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Later, in the early 1800s, Henry David Thoreau lived there as he attended Harvard. It celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2016 and is located in Concord's Monument Square, near the town's other prominent historical landmarks. For a larger historic hotel in Massachusetts, try the Omni Parker House.

Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel is a timeless American classic hotel. The picturesque island of Mackinac (pronounced Mack-in-aw) is practically a historic landmark itself: it forbids the use of cars on the island, so only horse, bike and foot traffic are allowed. The Grand Hotel opened in 1887, and its massive front porch, boasted to be the longest porch in the world, becomes the gathering place for residents and guests of the island, and also is nicknamed a "Flirtation Walk." In 1895, Mark Twain gave a lecture at the hotel, the price of admission? One dollar. The list of famous guests to the hotel is almost limitless: several of their rooms have been named after their esteemed guests, such as Nancy Reagan. The Grand Hotel continues to draw in guests looking for a posh stay on a remote picturesque island.

Minnesota's Saint Paul Hotel is known as a romantic wedding venue with a sense of timeless elegance. The hotel once welcomed guests like Charles Lindberg and JFK. Today, the pay homage to their prestigious past by offering their Afternoon Tea and Etiquette Classes. They also host an annual production of "It's a Wonderful Life" for local residents during the holidays. It's located to many nearby museums and historical sites, as well as shopping and nightlife.

Walking into Natchez, Mississippi's Monmouth Historic Inn is like walking into the past. Built in 1818 in the south's characteristic antebellum style, this was once the manor home of John Quitman and his family, once the governor of Mississippi. The hotel's website comments on the manor home's legacy: "Over the span of more than 190 years of existence, Monmouth witnessed generations of births and deaths, as the home and workplace of slaves, tenant farmers, American statesmen, businessmen and enterprising housewives, all contributing to its historic saga as one generation passed from view and the next took its place." During and after the Civil War, the Monmouth House fell into disuse and disrepair. The Monmouth House began renovations in 1978 and still continues to be restored and updated today. Today it carries the prestige of having a AAA Four Diamond Award, which it has kept for over 30 years, the longest of any southern hotel.

Kansas City, MO's Raphael Hotel was once the apartment complex of the city's wealthiest. Built in 1928 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, the apartments were converted into the Raphael, a boutique hotel, in 2010 after its renovation. The hotel is ornate and luxurious but is unique because of its Mediterranean style.

When one thinks of Montana, they think of the many national parks and unsullied natural wonders found within the broad state. That is why Montana's historic hotel is actually a national park lodge: Many Glacier Hotel. It was built in 1915 by the Great Northern Railway and is located inside Glacier National Park next to Swiftcurrent Lake. The hotel has a rustic, lodge appeal, and is inspired by Alpine Swiss lodges. For a similarly historic and rustic hotel that also features private cabins, try Lake McDonald Lodge.

Omaha, Nebraska's Hotel Deco is committed to keeping its Omaha Art Deco style alive. Situated within the vibrant art, theater and restaurant scene of Old Market, the hotel boasts that it has always been ahead of its time. Built in 1930 as the Redick Tower, it shares similarities to the nearby Joslyn Art Museum and even influenced the architecture of the Nebraska State Capitol Building. It became a hotel in 1989. While it is closed for further renovations for the rest of 2020, they will be reopening to guests in January 2021.

Nevada's hotel had to be unique, just like Nevada itself. What can be more unique than USA Today's #1 Haunted Hotel in America? That's Mizpah Hotel, in Tonopah, Nevada. Built in 1907, the hotel was a prime spot for luxury in the mining town. It was the tallest building in Nevada at one point, measuring five stories tall. Tonopah itself was a town of cowboys, miners and prospectors. Famous gunman Wyatt Earp called it home for a time. While the hotel's website doesn't specify the reason for it being the best-haunted hotel in America, it does create a sense of mystery, doesn't it?

New Hampshire's Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa was built in 1865 as a relaxing outdoor getaway. Its signature yellow color and large white porches give it a picturesque look, nestled within the White Mountains. It boasts ample outdoor activities and panoramic views of the mountains, as well as over ten awards of excellence. The resort's website offers a collection of historic photos and videos about the resort's unique history. A large variety of famous people have been guests, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Stephen King. No matter what season you visit, there's always beautiful scenery and fun activities to do for the whole family, like skiing and golf.

New Jersey's mid-century Caribbean Motel is like nothing you've ever seen. Every room looks completely retro, and that's the point! It opened in 1957 and still continues to operate today on Jersey Shore. It is the first motel listed under Historic Hotels of America and is recognized as a state and national historic landmark.

Located in the historic Santa Fe, New Mexico, La Posada de Santa Fe is steeped in the rich history and culture of the American Southwest. Numerous Native American historical sites, as well as a blooming arts culture, surround La Posada, like the Bandelier National Monument and the Santuario de Chimayo, which is thought to have healing properties. La Posada itself was once a private residence, which expanded to a hotel and art school in the 1930s. It hosted many well-known artists and other people and is known today as it was back then, a "resting-place," as it is named in Spanish.

What is a more well-known hotel in New York than The Plaza? Famous for being the home of Eloise, the famous children's book character, it has hosted the elite since 1907. The French chateau-inspired Beaux-Arts hotel is still one of the most lavish hotels in New York City and boasts over 1,600 crystal chandeliers! Frank Lloyd Wright, Greta Garbo, the Vanderbilts and Frank Sinatra were once guests. For a more literarily minded historic hotel in New York, try The Algonquin Hotel.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the historic Green Park Inn, the second oldest hotel in North Carolina and the last "Grand Manor Hotel" in the state. It was built in 1891 by three businessmen, including Major George Washington Findlay Harper, and partially served as the closest post office for miles around. Annie Oakley, John D. Rockefeller, Eleanor Roosevelt and Presidents Coolidge and Hoover all stayed at The Green Park Inn. The hotel has undergone renovations to stay current and welcomes guests to a relaxing stay, ample outdoor activities and daily afternoon tea.

North Dakota is known for its incredible natural wonders, so it's only fitting that the state's "hotel" is actually a campground. The International Peace Garden Campground is located in the heart of the Turtle Mountains straddling the border of North Dakota and Canada. Ontario native Dr. Henry J. Moore proposed the idea of a garden of peace and friendship in 1928, and it opened in 1932. With the onslaught of hardship directly after with the Great Depression and WWII, the Peace Garden continued to flourish and grow. Today, a variety of different styled buildings dot the flowered landscape, and it remains a picturesque piece of evidence that friendship knows no borders. Today, you can camp in the garden's forest from mid-May to the end of September.

The Cincinnatian Hotel began operation in 1882 as the premier hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was built in the French Second Empire style and boasted of having incandescent lighting and electric elevators. Today, it has undergone a large renovation to modernize the guest rooms, but it still provides a historic feel in the heart of Cincinnati as part of the Curio Collection.

The Price Tower in Bartlesville, OK is home to the Inn at Price Tower. The tower is the only fully realized skyscraper designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It was finished in 1956 and is primarily built of concrete and copper, creating a stunning and singular building. Frank Lloyd Wright was interested in the use of architecture to influence society; using inspiration from nature, his idea was to build a multi-function building that operated like a vertical street, to save space on the ground for parks and other natural features. The Inn at Price Tower opened in 2003, making it the newest historic hotel. However, the hotel does give architect lovers the opportunity to stay at one of Frank Lloyd Wright's famous buildings, and the hotel itself is an homage to Frank Lloyd Wright's style.

Portland's Heathman Hotel, opened in 1927 and built in a Jacobean Revival style, has always been at the forefront of Portland's cultural heritage. The radio station KOIN made its home studio there, and the hotel boasted a variety of entertainers as guests. Today, Portland's cultural landmark is still dedicated to preserving its unique heritage and has undergone two renovations to restore the hotel to its former glory.

Hotel Gettysburg has been in operation since 1797. Close to the historical battlefield of Gettysburg and its surrounding museums and cultural hotspots, Hotel Gettysburg is Pennsylvania's most historic hotel. The hotel has been renovated to include contemporary-style guest rooms and amenities for those who love history but don't wish to lose their 21st-century creature comforts.

Rhode Island's Hotel Viking is near Newport Harbor. Built in 1926 during the height of the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties and the Art Deco movement, this hotel experienced it all. It has undergone renovations as well, but still maintains a connection to its storied past as a lavish setting for parties for ninety years, hosting celebrities like Ella Fitzgerald and Bob Dylan. The hotel even features a clock in the lobby inscribed with ancient Nordic runes, a nod to the hotel's name and to America's first real discoverers.

South Carolina's historic hotel is located in Charleston, at the former home of a signer of the Constitution, John Rutledge. The John Rutledge House Inn was voted the second-best hotel in Charleston in 2020 and #12 in the country by Travel + Leisure. The charming house dates to 1763, making it one of the oldest hotels on this list. The inn is visually stunning and is a popular spot for weddings.

Rapid City, South Dakota's Alex Johnson Hotel captures the state's history in one building. Built with two designs in mind: that of the Plains Native Americans and Germanic Tudor architecture, a nod to the German immigrants that settled in the area, the Alex Johnson Hotel is truly one of a kind. The hotel is also known as one of the state's most haunted hotels, boasting as many as three different ghosts on their website.

Nashville's Union Station opened in 1900 as the city's hub for the railroads. It was built in a stunning Victorian Romanesque Revival style that continues to awe onlookers today. The station was abandoned in 1977 and became a hotel in the 1980s. Today it is one of the most unique hotels in the country. The building features Gothic stone archways and curved windows with a view of downtown Nashville.

Texas's Omni La Mansión del Rio Hotel opened in 2006, being formerly the site of St. Mary's University, the building of which was built in 1851. Built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, this hotel boasts picturesque arches and a stunning natural landscape. It is one of San Antonio's riverwalk hotels and is a great holiday destination.

Utah's Zion Lodge is located in Zion National Park. Built in 1924 to attract customers going on Union Pacific passenger trains, the lodge was meant to be rustic and warm, a retreat, as the name Zion suggests. The hotel mirrors the dramatic landscape with its warm wood and stone features.

Woodstock Inn & Resort in Vermont is a beautiful retreat. Built on the site of the town's first tavern in 1793, the hotel became a hotel in 1830. It changed hands multiple times. It wasn't until 1956 when Laurance and Mary Rockefeller bought the hotel, with the dream of creating an eco-friendly hotel. Today, it is known for being a golf and ski resort, somewhere to go to reconnect with nature.

The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia has been the home of a hotel since 1766, and the hotel has won two Awards of Excellence from Historic Hotels of America in 2016 and 2017. It is located in the Allegheny Mountains and was known as a healing retreat because of its hot springs. Even Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison enjoyed being guests here, along with later presidents and celebrities. In 2016, it celebrated its 250th anniversary, making it the oldest continuous hotel in the United States! The hotel is massive and beautiful, with manicured gardens, bubbling brooks running through its lawns and a golf course.

Captain Whidbey Inn is a special retreat in Whidbey Island, Washington. The Inn has been open since 1907 and has hosted guests looking for the serene majesty of the sea and appreciating the nature of Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve. The Inn features private, rustic cabins, tasty meals and memorable back-to-your-roots vacation experience.

The Blennerhassett Hotel opened in 1889 in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Its style is a Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival blend, making it look a little like a small castle, and was one of the first buildings in the city to have electricity installed. Today, it is the only hotel out of Parkersburg's eleven original downtown hotels to survive the test of time. The guest rooms pay homage to the hotel's history, replete with four-poster beds and period-appropriate furniture.

Milwaukee's own Pfister Hotel, built in 1893, is one of the best hotels in the Midwest. Its Romanesque Revival design by architect Charles Koch incorporated fireproof construction and its own electrical power plant, which made it the first hotel in America with individual thermostats in each room. It also contains the largest collection of Victorian art at any hotel in the world. Located in the heart of Downtown Milwaukee, the Pfister boasts of ghosts and stunning views of Lake Michigan.

Wyoming's Sheridan Inn Hotel boasts of its connection with America's Wild West. Its location, in Sheridan, WY and its age, beginning operations in 1893, lends credence to its claims. The picturesque and inviting hotel was once owned by "Buffalo Bill" Cody, one of the most famous people of the Wild West. He performed his Wild West-themed show right on the wide front porch of the hotel. Each suite represents the individual histories of Buffalo Bill and his friends, which helps to bring the past to life for guests. If you're a fan of the Wild West, this is a must-see spot.