Hotel History

Hollywood thinks it knows drama? It could take a page from the Beverly Hilton's book. From star-studded events to political scandals to celebrity tragedies, few hotels have packed quite so many sordid happenings into seven decades of history.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here.📚 Shop our bookshelves here. Support indie bookstores!☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Airport Lounge" by Kevin MacLeod licensed under CC-4.0.

Not too long ago, jets from TWA airline ruled the skies, and its terminal at JFK was a marvel of futuristic design. Its name conjured images of fashionabLe flight attendants, first class service, and eccentric billionaire owner Howard Hughes. Today the airline is no more, but its terminal lives on as the TWA Hotel, where you can travel back in time for a night or just a layover. Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here.📚 Shop our bookshelves here. Support indie bookstores!☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Shades of Spring" by Kevin MacLeod licensed under CC-4.0.

For our latest bookclub episode, we discuss Ann Hood's memoir of her time as a TWA flight attendant at the end of the "glamorous" Jet Age in Fly Girl. To stay up to date on our current read, join our book club here. 📖Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here.📚 Shop our bookshelves here. Support indie bookstores!☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Pickled Pink" by Kevin MacLeod licensed under CC-0.

If you're going to call yourself the longest continuously operating hotel in America, you'd better have some juicy history to back it up. Luckily, the Omni Parker House delivers. Predating the Civil War by 10 years, the Parker House has hosted celebrities, politicians, revolutionaries, assassins, and at least one ghost. Not to be outdone, its restaurant is responsible for culinary delights like the Boston cream pie. The Omni Parker House has carved out a place as a true American icon.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. This month's book is Fly Girl by Ann Hood.📚 Shop our bookshelves here. Support indie bookstores!☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🇺🇸 Listen to the entirety of JFK's speech about the Four Freedoms here.

Bashar Wali wants to be your hotel guy, and you really couldn't find someone who knows hospitality as intimately. With 30 years of experience as a hotelier and hundreds of hotel stays notched on his bedpost, he knows a thing or two about happy customers. For Wali, everything in hospitality comes down to one thing—human connection.Find Bashar on LinkedIn and This Assembly.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. This month's book is Fly Girl by Ann Hood.📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Afternoon Nap" by Ghostrifter licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0.Free Download: hypeddit.com/track/r2ukk2

Part two! The Lodge at Marconi is a picturesque escape an hour north of San Francisco on Tomales Bay, But don't let its tranquility fool you—its history still packs a punch. We interview General Manager Leah Fritts Vitali to find out how this property, spanning 62 acres on a state park, has transformed from its first inception as a radio receiving station—and later on the site of an infamous cult—into a chic 70s-inspired nature retreat for families, business professionals, and nature lovers.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. This month's book is Fly Girl by Ann Hood.📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Jive Melon Farmer" by Doug Organ from Uppbeat

The Lodge at Marconi is a picturesque escape an hour north of San Francisco on Tomales Bay, But don't let its tranquility fool you—its history still packs a punch. We interview General Manager Leah Fritts Vitali to find out how this property, spanning 62 acres on a state park, has transformed from its first inception as a radio receiving station—and later on the site of an infamous cult—into a chic 70s-inspired nature retreat for families, business professionals, and nature lovers.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. This month's book is Fly Girl by Ann Hood.📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Sunshine Strut" by Goldeny from Uppbeat.

Part two of our foray into Cannes' most historic (and luxurious) hotels continues our interview with travel writer JQ Louise and digs into the history of the Hotel Martinez and the iconic casino and members club, Palm Beach Cannes. Don't forget to check out part one about the Carlton Hotel.🧳 Follow JQ Louise and the JQ List for travel, food, and lifestyle content.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. This month's book is Fly Girl by Ann Hood.📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"The Urban Gentry" by Beat Mekanik is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.."Duet Musette" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution.

We're dreaming of blue waters, sandy beaches, and beautiful people, which means we're off to the French Riviera (figuratively). With the Cannes Film Festival happening this week, we're bringing you two episodes about its most historic (and luxurious) hotels, the Carlton and the Martinez, along with the iconic casino and members club, Palm Beach Cannes. We interview JQ Louise from the JQ List about her many stays on the Côte d'Azur and her experiences there (pay no attention to the sounds of our piqued jealousy).🧳 Follow JQ Louise and the JQ List for travel, food, and lifestyle content.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. This month's book is Fly Girl by Ann Hood.📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Parisian" by Kevin MacLeod via Free Music Archive licensed under Creative Commons License."French Toast" by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive licensed under Creative Commons License."Duet Musette" by Kevin MacLeod licensed under Creative Commons License.

The Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, is known for its Old World grandeur, its relaxed, Southern style, and its proximity to the most exciting two minutes in sports—it's just a couple miles away for Churchill Downs, the site each year of the Kentucky Derby. While its history isn't quite as old as the famed horse race that kicks off the Triple Crown, the Seelbach has still stacked up plenty of stories in its 120-year existence. (Spoiler alert: Drinks, jazz, gangsters, and heists to come.)Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"River Valley Breakdown" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

We explore the very real history of the Hotel Metropol in Moscow through the lens of Amor Towles' bestselling novel, A Gentleman in Moscow. The fictional Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov is a member of the aristocracy at a very inconvenient time—the Bolshevik Revolution. Saved by a twist of fate, instead of an execution, he faces house arrest at the Metropol for the rest of his days. Over the next few decades we see the Soviet dream rise and fall through the eyes of the Count and a cadre of comrades who all discover in their own ways just how much a person can adapt and endure in difficult times—but fate is not equally kind to all.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here.📚 Shop our bookshelves here.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | X🎶 Music"June (Tchaikovsky)" by Vladimir Takinov is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

We return to NYC for the iconic Empire Hotel. Perhaps best known these days as a recurring setting in Gossip Girl, it has more than 100 years of history on 63rd and Broadway. Its famous neon sign overlooks the popular rooftop bar and sweeping views of the city.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music"Perspetive Shift" by Brigida from Uppbeat

The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., has seen some incredible history. We finish up their centennial series with JFK and Jackie O through Russiagate, and then learn what's next for this stately Grand Dame.. Thanks again to Katherine Orr of Historic Hotels of America for your insightful answers on the past and future of historic hotels.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. (This month we're reading A Gentleman in Moscow.)📚 Shop our bookshelves here.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | X🎶 Music"Theme 6""Spy Glass" by Kevin MacLeod licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License"Sexy Lounge Music" by Saavane via Pixabay.

We continue celebrating the Mayflower Hotel's centennial with part 2 of her incredible history. This episode takes us on a mid 20th century roller coaster ride, including the New Deal, World War II, and the Truman and Eisenhower presidencies. We also continue our interview with Katherine Orr of Historic Hotels of America.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. (This month we're reading A Gentleman in Moscow.)📚 Shop our bookshelves here.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | X🎶 MusicSwing Big Band Music For Apocalyptic Open World Game by Nicholas Panek is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, is an icon, and she's turning 100 this month! Known as the Grande Dame of Washington, the Hotel of Presidents, and Washington's Second Best Address, we're digging into the history behind this storied landmark. We also interview Katherine Orr of Historic Hotels of America for her take on the significance and impact of the Mayflower and historic hotels like it.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.

The Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel and Spa in Cascais, Portugal, has been named Europe's most romantic destination of 2025. Sweeping seaside views, a Roman bath-inspired spa, and serene ocean- or garden-side suites will provide the romantic getaway you've been searching for. But behind all the amore is the story of the May King, the rise and fall of fascism, and the end of the Italian monarchy.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. (This month we're reading A Gentleman in Moscow.)📚 Shop our bookshelves here.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | X🎶 Music:La Vita Bella by Albert Behar from Uppbeat (free for creators!)License code: WJVO3IPT9LFLBUPK

Travelers looking for hotels that speak to the heart of a destination should immediately check out Hotels Above Par, a curated guide to the coolest boutique hotels and travel experiences. What began as a fun social media project during the COVID-19 Pandemic by founder Brandon Berkson has become a full-fledged media company covering the best of boutique hotels, restaurants, and destinations around the world.👩‍💻 Visit Hotels Above Par.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate?📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. This month's book is Fly Girl by Ann Hood.📚 Shop our bookshelves here.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.🎶 Music:Afternoon Nap by Ghostrifter licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0.Free Download: hypeddit.com/track/r2ukk2

We sat down with Michelle Heston from Fairmont Hotels to talk about a Berkeley, CA, gem – the Claremont Club & Spa. Any hotel that starts out as a castle built on the American Dream is a guaranteed Hotel History destination!☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. (This month we're reading A Gentleman in Moscow.)📚 Shop our bookshelves here.Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | X🎶 Music:Bedtime After a Coffee by Barradeen via Chosic licensed under CC BY-SA.

Picture it: Sicily, 1922 BCE. You're traveling on an errand for your local city-state. Where will you find lodging for the night? Or will you have to camp and fall prey to bandits on the road? We explore ancient hospitality covering Ancient Greece, Persia, and the Roman Empire, including a notorious inn that had no room for a Jewish family traveling to Bethlehem.☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.🤳 Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | X🎶 Music:The Hellespont by Omri Lahav (0.A.D. Soundtrack) under a Creative Commons License.Desert City by Kevin MacLeod under a Creative Commons License.Mystery Bazaar by Kevin MacLeod under a Creative Commons License.Exotic Plains by Darren Curtis is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Hotels and their predecessors have been around for thousands of years. So what were they like back in the medieval period? Were they full of knights, adventurers, drunkards, bandits, and a wench or two? Turns out, just like today, you had a choice of accommodations based on the coin in your pocket, so where would you have stayed?☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon.📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN.📖 Join our book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.🤳 Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | X🎶 Music:Medieval Minstrel Music - English Bard by Theme Cloud is licensed under a Creative Commons License.The Britons by Kevin MacLeodAle and Anecdotes by Darren Curtis is licensed under a Creative Commons License.