Boston Omni Parker House Hotel, Boston, Mass., AAA Three
Diamond Rated
Located on the Freedom Trail, this hotel claims to be the oldest of
Boston's elegant inns and the oldest continuously operating hotel in the
United States. Built in 1855 by Harvey Parker, the list of legends that
have passed through the doors, both in the front and back of the house,
is extensive. The hotel was home to the Saturday Club which consisted of
great writers, such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry David Thoreau,
Charles Dickens and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Baseball greats including Babe
Ruth and Ted Williams wined and dined here and John F. Kennedy announced
his candidacy for Congress in the hotel's Press Room. It is known as the
origin of the Parker House Roll and Boston Cream Pie. There are many notables
and firsts for this historic gem.
Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Denver, Colo., AAA Four Diamond Rated
This elegant, triangular-shaped hotel has maintained its status as
an elite accommodation since it opened its doors in 1892. The Brown Palace
Club served as the campaign headquarters for Dwight D. Eisenhower prior
to his election as president. Four of the hotel's suites are named for
their famous residents: The Beatles Suite, Eisenhower Suite, Reagan Suite
and Teddy Roosevelt Suite. While practicing golf in his room, President
Eisenhower hit a wayward golf ball and made a dent in the fireplace mantel
that remains in the Eisenhower Suite. Today, this hotel is known for its
relaxing spa, fabulous restaurants and decadent tea service.
Casa Marina Resort, The Waldorf Astoria Collection, Key West,
Fla., AAA Four Diamond Rated
Opened on New Year's Eve, 1920, the Casa Marina Resort was conceived
by American railroad tycoon Henry Flagler. The purpose was to accommodate
wealthy customers of Flagler's Overseas Railroad, which spanned from Key
West to the Florida Mainland, but Flagler passed away before construction
began. Architects Thomas Hastings and John M. Carrere (who also designed
New York's Metropolitan Opera House, New York Public Library and the Senate
and House of Representatives office buildings in D.C.) handled the hotel's
interior and exterior, ensuring every detail honored Flagler's original
vision. In 1942, the United States Navy purchased the property and it was
used as officers' quarters for the duration of World War II. During the
Cuban Missile Crisis the resort was used by the United States Army's Sixth
Missile Battalion. Today the property provides guests a glimpse of the
past while enjoying the upscale amenities of today.
The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel, Dearborn, Mich., AAA Four
Diamond Rated
Built in 1931 by Henry Ford on the grounds of the Ford Motor Company
to provide food and accommodations to those flying to Ford Airport, the
inn is officially the country's first airport hotel. Designed by Albert
Kahn in early American Colonial style, the main inn and surrounding colonial
homes have retained their original historic exteriors. In 1937, five colonial
homes were added to the inn and were designed as replicas of the homes
of famous Americans Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Barbara Fritchie, Oliver
Wolcott and Patrick Henry. In the same year the property also became the
first hotel in the country to offer air conditioning. World War II prevented
further expansion of the colonial homes; however, the inn dedicated special
rooms on the first floor to pilots flying in and out of nearby Detroit
airport during the war.
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Mich., AAA Four Diamond Rated
Opened in 1887, the Grand Hotel is located on Michigan's historic Mackinac
Island. Located high on a bluff, resort guests enjoy an exceptional view
of the Straits of Mackinac from the hotel's famous 660-foot porch. In 1895,
Mark Twain lectured in the Grand Hotel Casino when admission was one dollar.
Horse and carriage, walking and bicycles are the only forms of transportation
permitted on the island. There are many historic sites to see including
a tour of Fort Mackinac.
The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, Tenn., AAA Five Diamond Rated
The Hermitage Hotel (named after Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate)
opened its doors in 1910. As Nashville's first million-dollar hotel, it
was a preferred gathering place for the city's socialites and became a
frequent stop for some of the nation's most prominent figures including
presidents, actresses, war heroes and gangsters. For years, the hotel served
as the headquarters of the state Democratic Party. At one time the famous
pool legend Minnesota Fats had his own table on the Mezzanine above the
lobby. A AAA Five Diamond property, the hotel features Italian Sienna Marble
floors, a beautiful vaulted ceiling and Russian walnut covered walls. This
turn-of-the-century landmark is an attraction of its own.
The Settlers Inn at Bingham Park, Hawley, Pa., AAA Four Diamond
Rated
Located in the lake region of the Poconos, the inn was built in 1927
and has been beautifully restored in English arts and crafts tradition.
Guest rooms are furnished with an eclectic blend of antiques, stained-glass
lamps, luxury bedding and modern amenities. A terrace overlooks their herb
garden and guests can stroll along the banks of the Lackawaxen River. The
inn's AAA Four Diamond "farm to table" restaurant features quality ingredients
from local farms.
Sir Francis Drake Hotel, San Francisco, Calif., AAA Three Diamond
Rated
Located just steps from Union Square on the Powell Street Cable Car
line, this grand dame has a colorful past. Opened in 1928 for the pricey
sum of $5 million, the Sir Francis Drake offered impressive innovations
such as an indoor golf course, ice water on tap and radios in every guest
room. Owned at one time by Conrad Hilton, stars like Elizabeth Taylor graced
the hotel and during wartime the military blocked rooms for soldiers. Currently
it is one of the most popular hotels for brides and one of the last hotels
with rooftop dancing.
West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden Springs, Ind., AAA Four
Diamond Rated
Guests drive along a red brick pathway winding through the hotel's
beautiful gardens before being met by a huge domed area, which has been
restored to its original grandeur. This resort was called "The Eighth Wonder
of the World" when it first opened in 1902, either due to the huge domed
building or the resort's mineral baths, which were said to cure many ailments.
The building laid claim to the largest free-spanning dome in the United
States until 1963 and the largest in the world from 1902 - 1913.
The Wort Hotel, Jackson, Wyo., AAA Four Diamond Rated
This hotel officially opened in 1941 with original construction costs
estimated at $90,000. In 1950, the famous Silver Dollar Bar was added,
using 2,032 uncirculated silver dollars from the Federal Reserve in Denver.
Although gambling has always been illegal in Wyoming, it was tolerated
for years in resort areas and the hotel had gambling from its opening until
the 1950's. The hotel exudes Western elegance, from original paintings
by famous Western artists to leather couches and chairs in the lobby. Located
in the center of the action in Jackson Hole, it continues to be a favorite
spot for locals and visitors to Jackson Hole.
Detailed reviews by AAA's inspectors of 41 historic properties can be found
at AAA's 65 full-time, professionally-trained inspectors visit and rate
more than 31,000 lodgings in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the
Caribbean using a scale of One to Five Diamonds. In order to be classified
as historic in AAA's TourBook(R) guides, a property is typically more than
75 years of age and exhibits features of a historic nature with respect
to architecture, design, furnishings, public record or acclaim. Properties
must also meet one of the following criteria: maintained the integrity
of the historical nature; listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
or a National Historic Landmark or located in a National Register Historic
District.
As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization,
AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial
and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit,
fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and
security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at
AAA.com.
