| What’s Old is New Again in Hotels
Historic Properties Preserve Charm of Bygone Era for Travelers to Enjoy
The Signal - Business Section, March, 2006
Whenever a new hotel is built, another one becomes an antique. For those who appreciate the elegance and mystique of a bygone era, these historic properties are sought-after destinations for travelers.
Thankfully, many hotel developers have tapped into this market and respected the integrity of an architectural gem when renovating a property. They have preserved and restored to the original quality each detail that made a hotel a landmark. Since there are no new Frank Lloyd Wright hotels or buildings under construction anywhere in the world, the responsibility to preserve the integrity of design-influenced properties rests in the hands of owners like the Arizona Biltmore.
This landmark hotel by architect Wright opened in 1929 to much fanfare. Quickly the hotel was crowned the “jewel of the desert” for its beauty and use of indigenous materials to create a property that was in harmony with nature. Over the years the hotel underwent upgrades and new construction, but all the while keeping with the original design and feel of the Wright style.
Having recently stayed at this hotel, the experience was like taking a step back in time. It was so well preserved that you half expected flappers to greet you in the hallway of this glamorous property. Somehow it felt like spending the night at a museum where you were allowed to go behind the red velvet ropes and sit on the furniture. How cool is that.
These living museums are scattered throughout the country and reflect the changing times of American history. The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and the Plaza Hotel in New York City are two properties that have gone to every effort to stay in sync with the originality of the building throughout modernization and new construction. Rather than hiring trendy designers to change the integrity of the hotels, these owners instead brought on historians to lend their knowledge and eye for design. And by the results, it worked.
While the exteriors of some hotels still look old and are registered landmarks, many have fundamentally changed on the inside. The historic Palace Hotel in San Francisco is an example. Reeking with old-world charm and holding the ghosts of San Francisco past, the lobby is now comparably modern and sleek. This hotel has combined the old with the new, and it is lovely but not reflective of opening day elegance.
With a selection of so many different hotel chains and boutique properties offering individual and distinctive styles, all travelers can find a comfortable place to stay. It’s really a matter of personal preference. Old or new, modern or charming, city or resort, whatever you’re looking for there is a hotel to accommodate your needs.
So what is your favorite historic hotel in America? Take a minute and send me an email telling why you like a particular property and where it is located.
What’s old is new again when it comes to the demand for historic hotels. And lucky for us, these well-preserved properties are still around to experience. Prepare to take a step back in time and enjoy your stay behind the red velvet rope.
For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368
