What’s Old is New Again in Hotels
Historic Properties Preserve Charm of Bygone Era for Travelers to Enjoy
Los Angeles, CA – March 14, 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.
“Having recently stayed at the Arizona Biltmore, 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,” said Eric Maryanov, president and founder of ALL-TRAVEL, the leading provider of personalized travel services to the greater Los Angeles area. “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.”
Many developers have tapped into the demand for historic hotels 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.
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.
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,” explained Maryanov. “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. “
For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368
