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21 New Members Inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2024
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Washington, DC – January 2025 / NewsmakerAlert: Historic Hotels of America® is pleased to announce that 21 new historic hotels, resorts, and inns were inducted into membership in 2024. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels from across the United States of America.

To be selected for membership in Historic Hotels of America, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance. Today, there are more than 300 historic hotels that are active members in this prestigious program, which is comprised mostly of independently owned and operated historic hotels. Additionally, more than 35 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. Visit HistoricHotels.org to learn more and sign up to receive Discover & Explore, with future news and specials from Historic Hotels of America.

The 21 new members illustrate the breadth and depth of the program, bringing fresh and fascinating histories and new experiences for travelers to discover. These hotels, inns, and resorts represent 10 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and among them are purpose-built hotels, as well as adaptive reuse projects, which include a former 19th-century convent, palatial homes, and a permanently moored luxury ocean liner. Read more about these historic hotels below.
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21 New Members Inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2024
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The Oaks Waterfront Hotel (1800s)
Easton, Maryland
Located on the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay, The Oaks Waterfront Hotel is a former Gilded Age manor, set on 10 acres of beautifully maintained estate grounds near the pastoral town of Easton, Maryland. A recent $10 million investment by its owners restored the manor and outlying buildings to their former glory. Inside, the hotel offers a range of elegantly appointed guestrooms that include options featuring waterfront views, private balconies, and soaking tubs. The neighboring cottages provide additional space and privacy, making them the perfect choice for guests seeking a more secluded experience. A perfect setting for a quiet getaway or a celebration, The Oaks Waterfront Hotel is a comfortable and exclusive retreat and venue.

Visitation Hotel Frederick, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (1846)
Frederick, Maryland
The elaborate façade of Visitation Hotel Frederick has greeted visitors for more than 150 years, as it served as an iconic Catholic educational institution in historic Frederick, Maryland. The school was a community center throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, even briefly serving as a field hospital during the Civil War for wounded troops after the nearby Battle of Antietam. Today, guests can enjoy the striking architectural details and warm hospitality in the hotel’s welcoming spaces, while relaxing in comfortable guestrooms, dining at the hotel’s locally inspired restaurants, and hosting events in some of Frederick’s most elegant and well-appointed venues.

Hotel 1829 (1829)
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Hotel 1829 on the island of St. Thomas was built in 1829 as the home of a wealthy French sea merchant and has been a hotel since 1906. Since its transformation, it has hosted kings and queens, artists, celebrities, musicians, athletes, authors, and poets—as well as history lovers. Located in the heart of the Charlotte Amalie Historic District with gorgeous views of the harbor, the hotel features a stunning courtyard with a uniquely designed staircase, lounge and pool, tiered gardens, and an original Tiffany window. The hotel features a full restaurant and one of the oldest bars in St. Thomas, serving craft rum cocktails, local delicacies, and fresh Caribbean favorites. The guestrooms are well-appointed with vintage furniture and curated with local artwork. Hotel 1829 is a celebration of the unique history and people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Boar’s Head Resort (1834)
Charlottesville, Virginia  (linked profile coming soon)
Boar’s Head Resort is a premier destination known for its beautiful natural surroundings and exceptional amenities. There is a unique infusion of local spirit and thoughtful details throughout the resort, with a direct connection to the University of Virginia. Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s picturesque natural landscape, the resort offers a blend of relaxation and recreation. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including golf, tennis, and spa services, all while taking in the stunning views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Famous for its sport facilities, Boar’s Head Resort is ranked as one of the top 25 tennis resorts in the world, is the premier racquet sports destination on the East Coast, and is the home court for the University of Virginia’s squash and tennis teams. This award-winning country resort intermingles the best elements together, mixing classic with contemporary, refined with casual, and tranquil with dynamic.

Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton (1852)
Charleston, South Carolina
Situated in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, at the intersection of Queen Street and Meeting Street, Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton has been an iconic landmark of this coastal South Carolina city since 1852. Once a stately manor, it was later turned into a luxurious hotel by entrepreneur Otis Mills. Throughout its history, it has hosted such illustrious guests as Elizabeth Taylor, Tony Bennett, Princess Caroline of Monaco, and four U.S. presidents. Today, this “pretty-in-pink” hotel charms guests with its grand Italianate-style architecture, warm Southern hospitality, and rich history. Along with its distinctive design and hospitality heritage, guests staying at Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton can also delight in elegant yet relaxed guestrooms brimming with Southern-inspired details, a rooftop pool made for days enjoying the South Carolina sunshine, and three delicious dining venues. Whether exploring the city with family and friends, or enjoying a romantic getaway, Mills House Charleston is the perfect place to experience the best that Charleston has to offer.

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa (1885)
Sausalito/San Francisco, California
Built in 1885 as a private home, Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa was once the private residence of local businessman William G. Barrett. Styled after both Tuscan villas and Victorian-style architecture, with its porticos and verandas, the estate would quickly become a popular destination for travelers after the Barretts left in 1906. The hotel hosted Pink Floyd during their first American tour in 1967. Today, guests can relax in luxurious suites with expansive views of San Francisco, either in the mansion or in hillside cottages. The spa offers soothing, holistic treatments, while Poggio Trattoria offers a selection of delicious traditional Italian cuisine and fine wines.

Hilton Richmond Downtown (1885)
Richmond, Virginia
Founded as a postwar department store in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, the reimagined Hilton Richmond Downtown spent over a century as a center of the community, offering local shopping as well as hosting events like fashion shows and luncheons. The hotel now offers comfortable modern guestrooms and amenities with historic Art Deco-style architecture. The hotel restored its original entertainment spaces to offer dining venues, unique event spaces, and lounges. This fantastic destination is one of the finest places to visit in the heart of Richmond.

Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown (1907)
Baltimore, Maryland
Opening in 1907 as the Central YMCA Building, Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown has been an important landmark for locals and city visitors alike for over 100 years. The character of the hotel’s YMCA origins still show through in its restaurant and bar, as well as its intricate Rennaissance Revival-style foyer and window fixtures. The hotel today specializes in group events, from intimate to grand in size, and offers several meeting and event rooms for groups, as well as catering. Whether hosting business meetings, family events, or wedding receptions, the hotel has an option for any interested parties. It is also perfect as a city-center base for exploring Baltimore. Guests can tour local museums like the Walters Art Museum and Baltimore Museum of Art, and visit fun locations for the whole family, including Oriole Park and the National Aquarium. At the hotel’s restaurant, Poet’s Modern Cocktails and Eats, guests can unwind and enjoy live jazz on Thursday Jazz Nights.

Glidden House (1910)
Cleveland, Ohio  (linked profile coming soon)
Guests are invited to indulge in luxury at Glidden House, a Tudor Revival-style historic inn on the Case Western Reserve University campus. It was once the private home of a local businessman and was later used as university offices, but new owners transformed it into an inn during the 1980s. Rich Tudor Revival-style motifs have been preserved, and they define every aspect of the house’s façade, such as its imitation half-timbering and steeply pitched roof. Glidden House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and the original house maintains most of its historic features, including the library, parlor, and loggia. An ornate manor resembling a medieval palace, Glidden House has emerged as one of the best historic destinations to experience in Cleveland.

Hotel Shattuck Plaza (1910)
Berkeley, California  (linked profile coming soon)
A forward-looking historic hotel in a prime location, Hotel Shattuck Plaza has hosted visitors of Berkeley, California, for 125 years. This Mission-style building was the premier social gathering spot in downtown Berkeley when it opened in 1910 and has endured as a leader in hospitality in the region ever since. In recent years, new owners have invested in maintaining its high standards with renovated guestrooms and fresh Mediterranean dining at ZINO. The hotel is just blocks away from the University of California, Berkeley campus, and offers special rates for the parents of these students.

Keswick Hall (1912)
Charlottesville, Virginia
Built in 1912 as a luxurious family home in the regal Italianate-style, the former Villa Crawford became a popular resort and country club in the post-World War II era. Today, guests can enjoy a restful stay with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and see many of Villa Crawford’s original architectural features. Visitors can enjoy a day playing on the strategically designed Full Cry golf course or the newly renovated tennis center’s red clay tennis and pickleball courts, and swimming in the Horizon Pool or family pool. The Spa at Keswick Hall offers guests a refreshing and serene retreat. Idyllic days can be capped off with a meal or drink at the resort’s signature restaurants and bars, which feature a selection of ingredients grown on the resort’s own farm.

Hotel Petersburg, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (1915)
Petersburg, Virginia
Nestled in the center of downtown Petersburg, Virginia, the reimagined Hotel Petersburg, Tapestry Collection by Hilton opened its doors in December 2024. The seven-story building blends artful design with Second Renaissance Revival-style architecture, featuring original marble columns, a grand marble staircase with brass handrails, and fine terra cotta cornices with Italianate-inspired scrolls. These architectural elements have been carefully restored, embracing the history and elegance of this beloved Petersburg landmark hotel. The upscale boutique hotel features 64 guestrooms and 5 suites with separate seating areas. The Hotel Petersburg is once again a gathering place for both locals and visitors alike.

The Biltmore Los Angeles (1923)
Los Angeles, California
Designated a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument in 1969, The Biltmore Los Angeles is a truly legendary historic hotel. This iconic hotel in the heart of the city set the stage for one of the film industry’s most celebrated events, the Academy Awards, going on to host eight Oscars ceremonies throughout Hollywood’s Golden Age. The Biltmore Los Angeles also famously ushered in the presidential nomination of John F. Kennedy during the Democratic National Convention in 1960, with the hotel serving as the headquarters for the Democratic National Committee. Today, with its central location not far from Hollywood, The Biltmore Los Angeles is ideally situated for guests to explore the best that the city has to offer, while also providing guests with no shortage of the colorful history within its walls. Along with its elegant setting and rich heritage, guests at The Biltmore Los Angeles can also enjoy luxurious amenities, like an indoor saltwater pool reminiscent of a Turkish hammam, and a selection of signature culinary venues.

The Eliot Hotel (1925)
Boston, Massachusetts
As witnesses to the grand Parisian-inspired redevelopment and subsequent economic success of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, former Harvard University President Charles William Eliot and his family wanted the university to have a presence in this neighborhood. The hotel, built next to the Harvard Club for alumni, initially housed visiting and retired professors. It would change hands several times after the Great Depression, before ultimately becoming one of the city’s preferred entertainment, culinary, and holiday destinations in the latter half of the 20th century. Today, guests can enjoy the historic charm of the hotel and its surroundings from one of 95 modern deluxe guestrooms and suites. Guests are invited to indulge at UNI, the hotel’s celebrated Japanese izakaya, or gastropub. The restaurant, with its innovative sushi, small plates, and sake selection, was recognized as one of the Best Restaurants in America by Zagat and was named the #1 Restaurant in Boston by Boston Magazine and features a James Beard Award-winning executive chef.

Fairmont Breakers Long Beach (1926)
Long Beach, California
Opening in 1926 at the height of the Roaring Twenties, Fairmont Breakers Long Beach is a legendary Southern California hotel that has played host to Hollywood’s finest. Its signature lounge—the Art Deco-themed Sky Room, the brainchild of renowned hotelier Conrad Hilton—was the favorite date night spot for celebrities and Los Angeles locals alike. The hotel closed in the 1960s but gained a second life after a group of investors decided to purchase the building and restore it to its former glory. Today, Fairmont Breakers Long Beach once again carries on the tradition of excellence that began almost a century ago. It welcomes guests with 185 boutique guestrooms and suites, a two-story spa, a live jazz club, breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean from the rooftop pool and lounge, and five culinary venues—including, of course, the iconic Sky Room restaurant.

The Queen Mary (1936)
Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary is one of the most distinctive destinations in the United States. This hotel was once a passenger ship. At the height of the Great Depression, the prestigious Cunard Line began construction on The Queen Mary, an impressively large and spectacular ocean liner that would feature four restaurants, two libraries, a spa, and a full gymnasium. The project endured the global economic pressures of the Great Depression, and the ship sailed for several decades, ferrying celebrities and royals, as well as many World War II soldiers across the Atlantic Ocean until the rise of air travel. Today, The Queen Mary is permanently moored in Long Beach, California. Newly renovated, the ship is now both a luxurious hotel and a special event venue, and stands as a tribute to the history of ocean travel. Guests can relax in one of the 347 upscale staterooms and suites, dine at one of the ship’s excellent restaurants, and take tours through its fascinating past.

The Hermosa Inn (1935)
Paradise Valley, Arizona (linked profile coming soon)
Once the private, turn-of-the-century retreat of American painter Lon Megargee, the intimate and luxurious Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley retains all of the magic that inspired Arizona’s “dean of cowboy artists.” Today, this secluded, award-winning boutique hotel, nestled in the foothills of Camelback Mountain, casts its spell on both art lovers and adventurers alike. The talented Megargee was known for his distinctive illustrations, which usually showcased authentic portrayals of ranch life, Native American culture, and the expansive Arizona wilderness. In 1935, Megargee directed the construction of his “Casa Hermosa,” where he worked and hosted other artists. The estate changed hands several times, but its original atmosphere is still felt through thoughtful touches, like Megargee’s original artwork on the walls, flourishing gardens, and menus showcasing globally inspired Arizona cuisine. Here, guests can unwind, surrounded by history and art, while enjoying outstanding amenities and hospitality.

Nassau Inn (1756)
Princeton, New Jersey
Nassau Inn has a long history of hospitality. The current building dates to 1937, but the inn can trace its roots to a private residence in 1756, which then reopened as a tavern called the College Inn. It hosted Princeton students and faculty, and notably hosted local Committee of Safety meetings during the American Revolution. Its success continued, becoming integral to Princeton life, and was mentioned in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise. Revived by Edward Palmer before World War II as part of Palmer Square, it remains a community hub today. Guests can mingle with community members and students alike in the inn’s elegant public spaces and the famed Yankee Doodle Tap Room. Comfortable, spacious guestrooms and suites welcome visitors with luxurious modern amenities and historic décor. The inn is perfectly situated within walking distance to the university, museums, shopping, and dining, as well as other landmarks from the city’s history, including its Revolutionary War history.

La Casa Del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa (1937)
Borrego Springs, California
Nestled in the heart of Borrego Springs, California, sits La Casa Del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa. The resort, built in 1937, is a historic property situated on 42 acres with a rich cultural history. The first settlers of the region date to nearly 6,000 years ago, and included diverse cultural groups with different languages, agricultural systems, and lifestyles, which still influence the region today. Borrego Springs is designated a “dark sky community,” with guests able to see planets and millions of stars that are visible to the naked eye at night. La Casa Del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa is located near California’s largest state park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and offers many opportunities for the ultimate desert adventure, including off-roading through the stunning desert scenery, or hiking up the rugged landscape to capture the perfect view of the Pacific Ocean. From canyons to waterfalls to ocean views, guests are in for a memorable experience at La Casa Del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa.

Trapp Family Lodge (1942)
Stowe, Vermont
Purchased as a family home by the famous singing Von Trapp Family in 1942, and transformed into a full-service lodge eight years later, this lodge in the celebrated ski resort town of Stowe, Vermont, in the Green Mountains, offers guests year-round outdoor experiences. The lodge celebrates the family’s success as a singing group and Alpine origins through its architecture and décor. The family’s Austrian influence is further reflected in the resort’s delicious dining halls and restaurants, featuring locally grown ingredients from the family farm. Comfortable and rustic guestrooms, suites, and event venues are inviting spaces for guests. Guests can ski, hike, bike, or just relax in any season at this welcoming lodge.

Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown (1968)
Fort Worth, Texas
Atthe intersection of Texas heritage and cultural innovation sits Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown. The 14-story, 188 guestroom historic hotel features chic, timeless interior design, with breathtaking views of the Fort Worth skyline. This boutique hotel is a nod to the city’s storied past and vibrant downtown, melding together French-inspired grandeur and Texas bravado. Guests can discover timeless design throughout the hotel, such as the beautifully appointed guestrooms, as well as refined comfort and next level hospitality.

“Historic Hotels of America is delighted to induct these 21 historic hotels into the program,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We commend their owners and leadership teams for the careful historic preservation work, stewardship, and vision that will allow future generations of travelers to experience them.”

Reservations for member hotels can be made at HistoricHotels.org, or by calling 800-678-8946. Reservations made through Historic Hotels of America support the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America’s communities.

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About Historic Hotels of America®
Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels from across the United States of America. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was chartered by U.S. Congress in 1949 and is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the movement to save places where our history happened. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, please visit HistoricHotels.org.

Media Contact:
Katherine Orr
Historic Hotels of America | Historic Hotels Worldwide
Director, Marketing Strategy and Communications
Tel: 202-772-8337

Previous Release: The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America® Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays List Is Announced (12/18/24)

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Publishing Dates: 01/28/25 – 03/28/25
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