Summer in the United States evokes a special kind of wanderlust, one that consists of driving for miles to get to a destination and discovering new adventures along the way. Some of the iconic road trips this vast country has to offer are traversing the Pacific Coast, following the Great River Road along the mighty Mississippi, and uncovering the colonial history of the East Coast. Whichever one you choose, there is a Historic Hotel waiting for you!
Discover & Explore the wide open road with Historic Hotels!
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Hot Springs, Virginia (1773)
In 1766 Captain Thomas Bullitt constructed the very first iteration of Omni Homestead Resort—a rudimentary 18-room log hotel. A commander of a local militia, Bullitt had received some 300 acres of land just beyond the Shenandoah Valley in honor of his service during the French and Indian War. Following its construction, Bullitt and his contemporaries began advertising the location as “Hot Springs” to local travelers for the first time.
Expanding in both size and offerings since its humble beginnings over 200 years ago, the stunning Resort provides amenities ranging from two historic golf courses to luxurious spa services to falconry lessons! Notably The Cascades Course opened in 1924 and celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Any golfer, novice or expert, can enjoy each of this historic Resort's two amazing courses.
This year is the 100th anniversary of The Cascades Course!
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Historic Hotels of America®
& The Great American Road Trips!
Fill up the gas tank and grab the snacks! Across the United States there are a few well-worn paths to explore. Among those, the Pacific Coast, the Atlantic Coast, and the Great River Road are some of the most iconic road trips intrepid travelers can take. Follow the tire marks of those who came before and explore some amazing Historic Hotels on the way!
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(1901) San Francisco, California
Cavallo Point is one of the best holiday destinations in the greater San Francisco area. For over a century, this fantastic vacation getaway was a beautiful housing complex that cared for soldiers at the historic Fort Baker, a massive military base that spanned much of the local shoreline. Mostly developed throughout the first decade of the 1900s, the fort was actually one of several military installations built at the behest of the War Department to protect San Francisco’s strategically important harbors.
Located right outside of San Francisco proper, this location is ideal for those traveling the Pacific Coast. The hotel overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay and is near the charming town of Sausalito. A mere 10 minutes by car to San Francisco shopping, museums, and sights, the hotel also offers a shuttle to the city and a ferry is available. Lastly, the hotel is within an hour’s drive to the famed wine country of Napa & Sonoma Valleys. Cavallo Point is part of Golden Gate National Parks, near Muir Woods and Alcatraz, with 75,000 acres of hiking and biking trails nearby.
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(1910) St. Paul, Minnesota
Nestled on a bend of the Mississippi River in Minnesota sits the The Saint Paul Hotel, a gorgeous Italian Renaissance Revival building. A luxury European-style hotel built in 1910 at the behest of local businessman Lucius P. Ordway, this magnificent historic destination was originally designed by Reed and Stem, the architects responsible for creating New York’s Grand Central Terminal. The Saint Paul Hotel known for its sophistication, superlative service and gracious accommodations, combines early 20th-century elegance with contemporary 21st-century amenities. Located in the heart of the city amid St. Paul’s business and cultural districts, the hotel overlooks historic Rice Park while offering guests respite in its tranquil English garden setting.
For road trippers following the Great River Road, the hotel is well located in the heart of St. Paul. Adjacent to historic Rice Park and near local businesses, shopping, and historic and cultural sites such as the Landmark Center, Ordway Theatre, Fitzgerald Theater, Minnesota History Center, and Science Museum, the hotel is an easy walk or ride to the best the city has to offer.
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(1937) Durham, North Carolina
The 21c Museum Hotel Durham inhabits the former home of the Durham Bank & Trust Company. Famed architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon designed the building during the mid-1930s for the bank’s co-founder, John Sprunt Hill. Finished in 1937, the building stood as the tallest structure in Durham and housed the bank for the next 68 years. 21c Museum Hotels bought the location during the 2000s, transforming it into a full-service hotel. Debuting as the 21c Museum Hotel Durham in 2015, this historic building has been restored as a glamorous destination and a contemporary art museum with rotating exhibits.
This destination is smack in the center of the East Coast making it a wonderful stopping point for road trippers. The hotel is situated within Durham’s vibrant cultural district, surrounded by art galleries, museums, and storefronts. Guests will not have to venture far to locate a number of exciting cultural attractions, such as Duke University, the Durham Performing Arts Center, and Research Triangle Park.
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The iconic Omni Homestead Resort offers guests opportunities to tee off at two very historic Allegheny Mountains courses: The Cascades and The Old Course. The Old Course opened in 1892 as a six-hole course, later expanding to nine and then 18 holes. It currently features the most historic first tee in continuous use in the USA.
The Cascades Course opened in 1924. Known for designing courses in concert with natural terrain, William S. Flynn’s deft architectural skills created a course that fit perfectly within the scenic Allegheny Mountains. Golf legend Sam Snead once remarked that if he could play only one course, it would be The Cascades in Hot Springs, Virginia. One of the greatest players of the 20th century, Snead had strong ties to the game at Omni Homestead Resort. As a young boy, he worked at the Old Course as a caddy and eventually served as the golf professional at The Cascades Course. At the age of 71, he finished par-72 The Cascades Course 12 under par. Over the decades since, Hollywood celebrities, business leaders, and foreign royalty have also walked the fairways of these renowned courses.
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Historic Hotels Worldwide®:
Preserving World History
Is the United States just not enough ground to cover? Adventurers can continue their North America road trip into Mexico or Canada! These are two of the closest Historic Hotels to the respective borders of the United States. Grab your passport and hop in!
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(1551) Queretaro, Mexico
Hacienda Jurica by Brisas has thrived at providing authentic Mexican hospitality for countless visitors. Long before it became a renowned holiday destination, the structure served as the grand estate for the Second Viceroy of New Spain (present-day Mexico), Luís de Velasco. Velasco eventually passed away and gave the land to Don Juan Sánchez de Alanis during the 1550s, in recognition to his service to the Spanish crown. Alanis then transformed the site into a massive hacienda that employed over 500 people. It was not until four centuries later in 1969 that the location became a luxurious boutique hotel. Situated in the UNESCO-recognized Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro, Hacienda Jurica by Brisas is today a magnificent vacation destination nestled in the heart of Mexico, only two hours away from Mexico City.
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(1929) Toronto, Canada
The Fairmont Royal York was built in 1929 on the grounds of what was once the Queen’s Hotel. Intended to be the largest hotel in the Toronto area it featured 28 floors, 10 elevators, 1,048 rooms, and had private bathrooms. There was even a hospital, a concert hall, and the largest hotel kitchen in Canada. It was considered a city within the city. Renovations throughout the years have increased the number of rooms to over 1,300 with the addition of the East Wing, and an indoor garden was created to supply the restaurants on site with fresh ingredients! Surrounding the hotel, Toronto offers much to guests. The CN Tower has the world’s highest glass-enclosed elevator and a glass-bottomed observation deck for thrilling views, the beautifully impressive Niagara Falls has a gorgeous park for strolling and picnicking, and the 13 blocks of Canada’s star-studded Walk of Fame features musicians, actors, and athletes.
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Discover and Explore is a service mark of Historic Hotels of America. © Copyright 2023 Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide®. All rights reserved.
Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide
1420 New York Avenue, Washington, DC 20005
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