Historic Hotels of the Midwest
Some of the Most Luxurious Hotels in the Midwest
When you think of hotels in the Midwest, visions of skyscrapers in St. Louis, waterparks in Minnesota, and beach resorts in Michigan may be the first thing that comes to your mind, but there are actually many historic hotels in this region.
Historic Hotels of America recently held an event at The Drake Hotel in Chicago to showcase some of their best hotels in the region, as well as a few more – The Peabody in Tennessee, Grand Hotel Marriott Resort in Alabama, The King and Prince in Georgia, the Brown in Kentucky, Capital Hotel in Arkansas, and Safety Harbor Resort in Florida.
Here’s a rundown of the 11 Historic Hotels of America in the Midwest that should be on your bucket list.
First: Palmer House, Chicago
Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
Business magnate Potter Palmer built the city’s most extravagant hotel as a wedding gift for his socialite wife, Bertha Honore. Unfortunately, the original hotel was a victim of the Great Chicago Fire just two weeks later. Palmer would rebuild and open on November 8, 1873, making The Palmer House the nation’s longest continually operating hotel.
Next: The Talbott, Chicago
The Talbott
Chicago, Illinois
The Talbott is a small, independent property, but it is still rich in history. It was originally built in 1927 as a luxury boutique property for this Gold Coast neighborhood. Jack and Basil Kromelow purchased the hotel in the 1960s and though they have modernized the rooms, they have left the feel of a European townhouse.
Next: Hilton Chicago
Hilton Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
The architectural firm of Holabird & Rouche helped design this hotel in 1927 at a cost of $30,000,000. It’s late Renaissance design, original oil paintings and huge stature had what was then referred to as the Stevens Hotel called a “City Within a City.” The Hilton Chicago has continued to impress with its 1,500 guest rooms.
Next: The Drake Hotel, Chicago
The Drake Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
The Drake Hotel opened its doors on New Year’s Eve in 1920. It’s remained one of the most luxurious places in Chicago, garnering such guests as Princess Diana, who has a suite named after her, Queen Elizabeth II, who has enjoyed Afternoon Tea in the Palm Court, and the Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, who carved their initials in the wooden bar.
Next: French Lick
French Lick Resort
French Lick, Indiana
In 1845, Dr. William Bowles opened the French Lick Springs Hotel. The physician was looking to explore the healing properties of mineral springs in the region. A group of investors would by it in 1901 and form the French Lick Hotel Company. Since that time, it has become a full service resort, where Franklin D. Roosevelt organized the Democratic Party’s Presidential Nomination in 1931.
In 2007, the French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel were restored and renovated, with the original charm.
Next: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island became a popular summer destination in the late 19th century. It was at this time that construction began for the Grand Hotel. The hotel’s historical ambiance has been preserved along with that of the island, where your luggage is brought from the pier by horse and buggy, because cars are not allowed here.
Next: The Saint Paul Hotel
The Saint Paul Hotel
St. Paul, Minnesota
Sophistication and European elegance are two terms that are used to describe the Saint Paul Hotel, which was opened in 1910. It’s even located in the perfect spot – on Rice Park, steps from theater, hotels, and the Mississippi River.
Next: Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza
Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio
This French Art Deco hotel is located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, next to Fountain Square and a skywalk away from restaurants and shops. The Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza restaurant, Orchids at Palm Court, has been ranked among the top ten in the United States.
Next: The Edgewater, Madison
Hilton Milwaukee
Madison, Wisconsin
In the center of Madison, The Edgewater is on the shore of Lake Mendot. It has been an accommodation for many well-known celebrities, from Elvis Presley to the Dalai Lama. A complete renovation in 2014 brought the hotel into modern luxury, though historical preservation remained.
Next: Hilton Milwaukee
Pfister Hotel
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Originally called The Schroeder Hotel, the Hilton Milwaukee was opened in 1927 with classic art deco design. Steps from the shoreline of Lake Michigan, this luxury property has recently renovated its 729 guest rooms as well as the regal Empire Ballroom.
Next: Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Since the 19th century, the Pfister Hotel has been considered one of the grandest luxury hotels in Wisconsin. The only thing that surpasses the amazing architecture is the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world.
For additional historic hotels in the Midwest and throughout the country, visit the Historic Hotels of America website.
Return to Historic Hotels in the Midwest
When you think of hotels in the Midwest, visions of skyscrapers in St. Louis, waterparks in Minnesota, and beach resorts in Michigan may be the first thing that comes to your mind, but there are actually many historic hotels in this region.
Historic Hotels of America recently held an event at The Drake Hotel in Chicago to showcase some of their best hotels in the region, as well as a few more – The Peabody in Tennessee, Grand Hotel Marriott Resort in Alabama, The King and Prince in Georgia, the Brown in Kentucky, Capital Hotel in Arkansas, and Safety Harbor Resort in Florida.
Here’s a rundown of the 11 Historic Hotels of America in the Midwest that should be on your bucket list.
First: Palmer House, Chicago
Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
Business magnate Potter Palmer built the city’s most extravagant hotel as a wedding gift for his socialite wife, Bertha Honore. Unfortunately, the original hotel was a victim of the Great Chicago Fire just two weeks later. Palmer would rebuild and open on November 8, 1873, making The Palmer House the nation’s longest continually operating hotel.
Next: The Talbott, Chicago
The Talbott
Chicago, Illinois
The Talbott is a small, independent property, but it is still rich in history. It was originally built in 1927 as a luxury boutique property for this Gold Coast neighborhood. Jack and Basil Kromelow purchased the hotel in the 1960s and though they have modernized the rooms, they have left the feel of a European townhouse.
Next: Hilton Chicago
Hilton Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
The architectural firm of Holabird & Rouche helped design this hotel in 1927 at a cost of $30,000,000. It’s late Renaissance design, original oil paintings and huge stature had what was then referred to as the Stevens Hotel called a “City Within a City.” The Hilton Chicago has continued to impress with its 1,500 guest rooms.
Next: The Drake Hotel, Chicago
The Drake Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
The Drake Hotel opened its doors on New Year’s Eve in 1920. It’s remained one of the most luxurious places in Chicago, garnering such guests as Princess Diana, who has a suite named after her, Queen Elizabeth II, who has enjoyed Afternoon Tea in the Palm Court, and the Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, who carved their initials in the wooden bar.
Next: French Lick
French Lick Resort
French Lick, Indiana
In 1845, Dr. William Bowles opened the French Lick Springs Hotel. The physician was looking to explore the healing properties of mineral springs in the region. A group of investors would by it in 1901 and form the French Lick Hotel Company. Since that time, it has become a full service resort, where Franklin D. Roosevelt organized the Democratic Party’s Presidential Nomination in 1931.
In 2007, the French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel were restored and renovated, with the original charm.
Next: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island became a popular summer destination in the late 19th century. It was at this time that construction began for the Grand Hotel. The hotel’s historical ambiance has been preserved along with that of the island, where your luggage is brought from the pier by horse and buggy, because cars are not allowed here.
Next: The Saint Paul Hotel
The Saint Paul Hotel
St. Paul, Minnesota
Sophistication and European elegance are two terms that are used to describe the Saint Paul Hotel, which was opened in 1910. It’s even located in the perfect spot – on Rice Park, steps from theater, hotels, and the Mississippi River.
Next: Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza
Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio
This French Art Deco hotel is located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, next to Fountain Square and a skywalk away from restaurants and shops. The Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza restaurant, Orchids at Palm Court, has been ranked among the top ten in the United States.
Next: The Edgewater, Madison
Hilton Milwaukee
Madison, Wisconsin
In the center of Madison, The Edgewater is on the shore of Lake Mendot. It has been an accommodation for many well-known celebrities, from Elvis Presley to the Dalai Lama. A complete renovation in 2014 brought the hotel into modern luxury, though historical preservation remained.
Next: Hilton Milwaukee
Pfister Hotel
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Originally called The Schroeder Hotel, the Hilton Milwaukee was opened in 1927 with classic art deco design. Steps from the shoreline of Lake Michigan, this luxury property has recently renovated its 729 guest rooms as well as the regal Empire Ballroom.
Next: Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Since the 19th century, the Pfister Hotel has been considered one of the grandest luxury hotels in Wisconsin. The only thing that surpasses the amazing architecture is the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world.
For additional historic hotels in the Midwest and throughout the country, visit the Historic Hotels of America website.
Return to Historic Hotels in the Midwest
