7 Iconic Hotels Tied to American Presidents

Just a few years after the Watergate opened its doors, the downtown Washington, D.C. hotel became enmeshed in an epic political scandal. However, the Watergate isn’t the only hotel steeped in US presidential history. Since 1789, when George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States, leaders have been dining, deliberating, writing, and resting their heads in hotels across the country. Below, find seven iconic properties forever tied to American Presidents.

The Watergate Hotel, Washington, D.C.

The capital city’s Watergate Hotel became suddenly and forever synonymous with one of America’s most notorious political scandals in 1972, involving President Richard Nixon and a break-in to the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Moreover, it’s not the Watergate’s only connection to American leaders. Nancy and Ronald Reagan frequently visited the Watergate, where the First Lady hosted a birthday bash for her husband inside the hotel’s famed French restaurant, Jean-Louis. Designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti and first opened in 1967, the Watergate reopened in 2016 after an elegant renovation. Nowadays, the five-star property has a mid-century modern vibe, with staff uniforms designed by Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant, an on-site spa, indoor pool, and a rooftop bar that overlooks the Potomac River. There’s also a playful take on the notorious narrative with the Scandal Room – a reimagining of room 214, which G. Gordon Liddy used as a command post during the infamous break-in.

The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, El Paso, Texas

Famed hotelier Conrad Hilton’s first high-rise, the Pueblo Revival art deco hotel opened in El Paso in 1930. However, the building has origins dating back to the 1800s. Prior to Hilton’s takeover, it was known as the Sheldon Hotel, which was the most lavish hotel in the southwest. It also served as the unofficial headquarters for members of the Mexican Revolution. Notably, the 27th president, William Howard Taft, was a guest at the hotel when he met with Mexico’s President Porfirio Díaz on October 16, 1909. The property underwent another restoration this past June, maintaining its iconic art deco architecture while adding luxury modern amenities, such as rooms stocked with Matouk bathrobes and Nespresso coffee makers, and a 17th story rooftop bar with views of Mexico, New Mexico, and the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

The Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Historic Hotels of America, the elegant Mayflower Hotel is infamous for hosting several presidents throughout its 95-year history. On March 3, 1933, amid the Great Depression and on the night before his inauguration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote his inaugural address in the hotel’s room 776, which included one of the most memorable lines in political history: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Additionally, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover dined in the Carvery Restaurant and Coffee Shop almost every day for 20 years, placing the same order each time. Notably, President Harry Truman referred to it as “Washington’s Second Best Address.”

The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee

The beautiful, beaux arts-style Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville features Tennessee marble floors, Italian marble columns, and a painted glass skylight in the lobby that remains striking today. Throughout its 110-year history, the property has hosted Hollywood royalty, sports icons, and music legends, but it’s also been a favorite among politicians. The hotel not only serves as a hub for local lawmakers and lobbyists, given its proximity to the state Capitol, but it has also welcomed Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and William Howard Taft, who delivered a speech in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom during a banquet held in his honor.

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley, Arizona

The 125-acre Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in the Sonoran Desert has served as a peaceful escape for high-profile visitors since its opening in the 1930s. President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara frequently enjoyed this secluded sanctuary, featuring a 32,000-sq-ft spa, a 36-hole golf course, and sprawling desert landscapes. Furthermore, before he became president, John F. Kennedy recuperated here after his infamous PT-109 boat accident during a confrontation with a Japanese vessel in 1943. Additionally, Arizona Senator and presidential candidate Barry Goldwater gave his concession speech from his campaign headquarters at the Camelback Inn after losing the election to incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.

Hotel du Pont, Wilmington, Delaware

Built in the early 20th century and modeled after grand European hotels, the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware has hosted both President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. More recently, in August, former Vice President and current Presidential candidate Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his new running mate from the hotel’s Gold Ballroom. The century-old Italian Renaissance building features its original gilded ceilings, hand-carved woodwork, and marble floors.

In September, the hotel’s landmark restaurant, the Green Room, reopened as Le Cavalier, a contemporary French brasserie that retains its original hand-laid terrazzo floors.

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, California

President Benjamin Harrison became the first in-office president to visit San Diego and the Hotel del Coronado in 1891. He arrived by cross-country train and met with dignitaries over breakfast at the hotel. Furthermore, a long list of US Presidents and Veeps have stayed or visited this iconic beachfront property, including William H. Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. Notably, Nixon also hosted a state dinner for Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz on September 3, 1970, at the hotel’s historic Crown Room – the first state dinner in history to be held outside the White House.