The Plaza
Where elegance meets Fifth Avenue
Est. Collection 2024
A Curated Guide to American Hospitality
Iconic
Hotels
From gilded lobbies to sun-drenched verandas, these twenty establishments have shaped the American hospitality experience across three centuries.
Our Mission
Preserving the Legacy of American Hospitality
Long before boutique hotels and lifestyle brands, there were grand dames—properties that defined what it meant to travel in style. These hotels witnessed history unfold in their ballrooms, hosted presidents and poets in their suites, and set the standard for service that endures to this day.
This collection brings together twenty of the most significant hotels in American history. Each property represents not just architectural achievement, but a philosophy of hospitality that has influenced generations of hoteliers worldwide.
20
Properties
247
Years of History
14
States
Editor's Selection
Featured Landmarks
Three properties that define American luxury across different eras and coasts
By Geography
Four Distinct Regions
Northeast
6 Properties
The cradle of American hospitality. From Manhattan's Gilded Age palaces to New England's coastal retreats, these properties embody old-money elegance and urban sophistication.
South
4 Properties
Where warm hospitality meets architectural grandeur. Palm Beach society, Miami glamour, and mountain resort traditions converge in the American South.
West
9 Properties
Hollywood legends, Pacific coastlines, and Rocky Mountain retreats. The West pioneered resort culture and redefined casual luxury for the modern age.
Midwest
1 Property
The heartland's singular gem—where industrial heritage transformed into world-class hospitality, proving excellence knows no geographic bounds.
Complete Collection
Twenty Legendary Properties
Each hotel in our collection has earned its place through decades of impeccable service, architectural significance, and cultural impact. Use the filters below to explore by region, or browse the complete collection to discover properties that have defined American hospitality.
Through the Ages
A Timeline of Excellence
1778–1899
The Pioneers
Victorian grandeur and frontier ambition shaped early American hospitality
4
Properties
1900–1939
The Golden Age
Art Deco glamour met Jazz Age opulence in unprecedented luxury
9
Properties
1940–1989
Mid-Century
Modernism emerged alongside the rise of American resort culture
4
Properties
1990–Today
Contemporary
Boutique sensibilities and sustainable design lead the new era
3
Properties
About This Project
Documenting America's Grand Hotels
This archive began as a simple curiosity: which American hotels have truly stood the test of time? The answer led us through presidential archives, architectural journals, and countless hours of research into properties that have shaped how the world experiences American hospitality.
Our selection criteria emphasizes historical significance, architectural merit, and enduring influence on the hospitality industry. These are not simply old hotels—they are living monuments to the art of welcoming guests.
- Oldest Property The Greenbrier, 1778
- Most Properties New York, 3 Hotels
- Largest Region West Coast, 9 Hotels
- Newest Addition Acqualina Resort, 2006
"
A great hotel is not merely a place to rest one's head, but a stage upon which the drama of life unfolds in comfort and style.