Iconic U.S. hotels celebrate classic grandeur as they continue to evolve for today’s traveler.
MCLEAN, VA. – From Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel – Chicago to Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 20 storied Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties have been designated to join the prestigious Historic Hotels of America organization. The official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America recognizes and celebrates the finest hotels for faithfully maintaining their authenticity, sense of place and architectural integrity. To qualify for the program, hotels must be at least 50 years old, designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and have historic significance.
As the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Hotels & Resorts boasts a vibrant 95-year history marked by once-in-a-lifetime celebrations and iconic moments that have taken place at many of its more than 550 properties across six continents in more than 80 countries and territories. Combining touches of classic grandeur with industry-leading amenities geared for today’s modern traveler, each honored historic hotel exemplifies Hilton’s commitment to setting the stage for some of the world’s most celebrated moments.
“From the invention of the classic pina colada, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary, to the role the brand has played in some of the world’s most famous events, including hosting Civil Rights March leaders following Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in 1965, we are proud of Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ notable past and continued evolution,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. “The distinctive properties joining Historic Hotels of America exemplify the brand’s status as the global leader of hospitality, and we are honored to share the stories of so many of our outstanding hotels through this exciting partnership.”
In celebration of the achievement, Hilton Hotels & Resorts invites guests, team members and members of our communities to take a journey back in time with vibrant stories, photos and historical facts available online at Historic.Hilton.com.
The properties that have been recognized by the prestigious Historic Hotels of America program include:
| Hotel Name | Location | Year Opened | Property Fact |
|
Hilton Hawaiian Village® Waikiki Beach Resort |
Hawaii |
1957 |
Setting of Elvis Presley’s famed movie, “Blue Hawaii” (1961) |
|
Palmer House®, A Hilton Hotel |
Illinois |
1873 |
Invented the brownie when Bertha Palmer requested a dessert for ladies attending the Chicago 1893 World’s Fair |
|
Hilton Chicago |
Illinois |
1927 |
In 1942, the U.S Army purchased the hotel for $6 million for use as barracks and classrooms for the Army Air Force during World War II |
|
Hilton Orrington/Evanston |
Illinois |
1923 |
Named in honor of Orrington Lunt, well-known philanthropist and co-founder of Northwestern University |
|
The Drake Hotel* |
Illinois |
1920 |
Newlyweds Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio carved their initials into the bar’s wooden counter |
|
The Seelbach Hilton Louisville |
Kentucky |
1905 |
Inspired Tom and Daisy Buchanan’s wedding reception in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” |
|
Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue |
Louisiana |
1926 |
Upon completion, this magnificent 20-story Gothic Revival story Neo-Gothic style building was hailed as the first skyscraper in New Orleans |
|
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center* |
Louisiana |
1927 |
Briefly served as the Louisiana State Capitol in 1931 during a power struggle between Governor Huey Long and Lieutenant Governor Paul Cyr |
|
Hilton Boston Downtown/Faneuil Hall |
Massachusetts |
1928 |
Boston’s first Art Deco skyscraper that was originally designed as an office building |
|
Hilton President Kansas City* |
Missouri |
1926 |
Headquarters for the 1928 Republican National Convention |
|
Hilton St. Louis Downtown at the Arch |
Missouri |
1888 |
Retains the original vaults of its19th century predecessor, Merchant Laclède National Bank |
|
Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza |
New Mexico |
1625 |
Housed in a landmark 300-year-old hacienda; three luxury casitas were built within the adobe walls of the original coach house of the 17th century estate |
|
Hilton Manhattan East |
New York |
1931 |
The 20-story Tudor City apartment complex at 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue was hailed as the first residential skyscraper complex in the world upon the building’s completion |
|
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza |
Ohio |
1931 |
One of the world’s finest examples of French Art Deco style; hotel has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark |
|
The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City* |
Oklahoma |
1911 |
Provided a safe room for guests to privately drink during the Prohibition era |
|
Hilton Fort Worth* |
Texas |
1921 |
President Kennedy delivered his last address in the Crystal Ballroom, on Nov. 22, 1963 |
|
The Capital Hilton |
Washington, D.C. |
1943 |
Built a hidden auto-lift for President Franklin D. Roosevelt to access the second-floor Presidential Ballroom |
|
Hilton Milwaukee City Center* |
Wisconsin |
1928 |
The city’s largest classic Art Deco hotel with rich furnishing and distinctive architecture |
|
Caribe Hilton |
Puerto Rico |
1949 |
Beachcombers Bar is the birthplace of the piña colada (1954); hotel is located two miles from Old San Juan, a UNESCO World Heritage site |
|
The Condado Plaza Hilton |
Puerto Rico |
1963 |
Designed by renowned architect Morris Lapidus, known for his neo-baroque modern style that defined the era |
* Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
“These diverse and fascinating Hilton historic hotels celebrate rich aspects of the heritage, history and culture of the United States of America,” said Lawrence Horwitz, executive director, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We are proud to welcome these iconic and legendary hotels as members of Historic Hotels of America. Hilton Hotels & Resorts has an impressive record for saving and restoring some of the finest historic hotels going back to its founder, Conrad Hilton.”
In addition to honoring these 20 properties, the organization recognized two existing Hilton Hotels & Resorts Historic Hotels of America properties with the Historic Hotels of America 2014 Awards of Excellence:
- Historic Hotelier of the Year – Michel Sheer, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza
- Hotel Historian of the Year – Ken Price, Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel – Chicago
- Best Historic Hotel (over 400 guestrooms) – Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel – Chicago
- Best Historic Restaurant in Conjunction with a Historic Hotel – Orchids at Palm Court, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza
In celebration of the honor, many of the recognized hotels may welcome guests to experience the history and evolution of their properties through lobby photography exhibitions, special events, promotions and more throughout the year.
Photo caption: Opened in 1920, The Drake Hotel in Chicago is one of 20 Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties joining the prestigious Historic Hotels of America organization. (Credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts).
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
