Best Historical Hotel

Historical hotels provide an excellent two-for-one benefit for families and history lovers: lodgings plus historical exploration. From colonial inns to 19th-century mountain retreats, our list of top historical hotels in the U.S. provides an outstanding way to explore American history as well as enjoy top-tier accommodations with striking architecture. Which of these historical gems is your favorite place to stay?

These 10 historical hotels were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best. Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Historical Hotel contest.

1. The Greenbrier—White Sulphur Springs, WV

Spanning 11,000 acres of breathtaking Allegheny mountainscape, The Greenbrier offers a luxury resort stay with plenty of adventure. It began in 1778 as a mineral-spring retreat and, with the railroad, expanded in 1913 to include its opulent hotel. Since before the Civil War, it has drawn presidents, dignitaries and celebrities. During the Cold War, a now-declassified fallout shelter to house Congress was constructed and can now be toured.

2. Mohonk Mountain House—New Paltz, NY

Mohonk Mountain House dates back to 1869, when Albert K. Smiley purchased land south of the Catskills to found a restorative mountain retreat. The resort proved so popular that it was enlarged several times. It has hosted U.S. presidents as well as important national and international conferences. Still run by the Smiley family, this lakefront resort offers a host of outdoor activities, a spa, upscale dining and gorgeous accommodations.

3. The Peabody—Memphis, TN

Known as the South's Grand Hotel, The Peabody Memphis was built in 1925 to replace its 1869 predecessor, which had already established itself as the hub of Blues City life. The current building bears an Italian Renaissance style courtesy of Chicago architect Walter W. Ahlschlager. The famous Peabody Ducks made their first appearance in the 1930s, and guests enjoy watching their daily journey from rooftop to lobby fountain.

4. The Royal Hawaiian—Honolulu, HI

A luxury resort on Waikiki beach, The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1927 bearing a Spanish-Moorish design in a bubblegum color that earned it the nickname the Pink Palace of the Pacific. In addition to its upscale amenities, private beach and fantastic dining venues, the resort offers a free weekly guest tour that covers the history of the hotel and the grounds it was built on.

5. Hotel Monteleone—New Orleans, LA

A French Quarter landmark, the Hotel Monteleone boasts ornate Beaux Arts architecture and a storied past that dates back to 1886. The hotel has hosted and inspired numerous Southern writers, including Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, who wrote The Sound and the Fury while honeymooning there in 1929. In addition to tower rooms and luxury suites, guests can book special suites that pay homage to these writers.

6. Grand Hotel—Mackinac Island, MI

Billed as America's Summer Place, the Grand Hotel began welcoming visitors to escape the city heat with a Lake Huron getaway in 1887. Guests still experience a more leisurely pace on picturesque Mackinac Island, which contains the nation's second national park and where the only forms of transport are by foot, bicycle or horse. A beautiful example of Gilded Age architecture, the hotel includes the world's longest front porch.

7. The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa—Parkersburg, WV

Built by Colonel William Nelson Chancellor during a gas/oil boom that brought prosperity to Parkersburg, The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa officially opened in May 1889. While the hotel has undergone three renovations (and survived one fire), its beautiful Queen Anne architecture of stone-trimmed red brick remains. Elegant rooms and fine dining offer guests a sumptuous stay near downtown.

8. Congress Hall—Cape May, NJ

Billed as America's first seaside resort, Congress Hall dates back to 1816. Combining modern luxury and historic charm, this four-star hotel offers guests casual elegance on Cape May's beachfront. From meals at The Blue Pig Tavern or Brown Room to relaxing at the Sea Spa in a private beach tent or on a rocker overlooking the Grand Lawn, it delivers unforgettable seaside stays.

9. The Clifton—Charlottesville, VA

Originally built in 1799 as a home for Thomas Jefferson's daughter, The Clifton comprises five buildings that range up through the early 19th century. A 2018 interior renovation blended the inn's historic past with a contemporary sensibility. Resting on 100 beautiful acres that include walking trails and a private lake, the colonial estate offers sweeping views of Monticello and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

10. Moana Surfrider Hotel—Honolulu, HI

Built in 1901 as the Moana Hotel, the Moana Surfrider Hotel, A Westin Resort & Spa bears the distinction of being Hawaii's first hotel. Much of its original grandeur and beachfront charm has been retained. The second floor houses a history museum, and guests can take complimentary tours and enjoy the time-honored traditions of afternoon tea and enjoying the view from a rocker on the front porch.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

During her career as a travel journalist, Katherine Rodeghier has researched destinations in nearly 100 countries and taken cruises across the globe. Her travel experiences span all seven continents, including close encounters with penguins and leopard seals in Antarctica, lions in Tanzania and tortoises in the Galapagos Islands. She's waded into a cranberry marsh in Wisconsin, danced the two-step in the Texas Hill Country and hiked into Havasupai Canyon in Arizona. Her travel journalism career began in suburban Chicago writing and editing an award-winning travel section for The Daily Herald. She's a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. Follow her @traveljournophotog.

Marla Cimini is an award-winning writer and content creator who is passionate about travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures. An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), European getaways and incredible domestic and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Residing in New Jersey (Philadelphia area), Marla is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California and covers those destinations often. Follow her adventures at marlacimini.com.

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.