From Lincoln’s stealthy 1861 arrival to Roosevelt’s wartime strategy sessions, these iconic hotels have welcomed presidents, heads of state and global leaders for more than a century. Today, you can sleep where history unfolded, sip cocktails where policies were debated and step into lobbies still echoing with legacy and lore.
Willard InterContinental – Washington, D.C., USA
Often referred to as “the Residence of Presidents,” the Willard has hosted every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce—whether as an overnight guest or an honored attendee at major events. Abraham Lincoln was even brought here under guard in 1861 amid assassination threats, staying until his inauguration.
Despite its monumental past, the Beaux-Arts grand dame feels wonderfully current. Enjoy afternoon tea beneath towering columns, book a treatment at its celebrated spa or settle into sleek guest rooms that balance vintage charm with modern comfort. Elegant dining and grand oval suites complete the experience, all just a block from the White House.
The Greenbrier – White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA
A resort with more stories than some small towns, The Greenbrier is still buzzing with activity—think falconry lessons, pickleball, championship golf and tours of its once-secret Cold War bunker. Its Dorothy Draper–designed interiors are a riot of color, equal parts vintage glamour and Instagram gold.
Stroll past the Presidents’ Cottage Museum, try your luck at the casino or simply “take the waters” like 28 U.S. presidents before you. From spa indulgence to mountain adventure, the Greenbrier remains a slice of classic American luxury.
The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa – Denver, Colorado, USA
With its ornate ironwork balconies and glowing stained-glass ceiling, The Brown Palace marries timeless elegance with a distinctly Colorado cool. The hotel has welcomed many U.S. presidents, starting with Theodore Roosevelt, and continues to attract dignitaries and celebrities from around the world.
Join a guided history or ghost tour, sip afternoon tea accompanied by live jazz or unwind in the spa, which uses water drawn from an artesian well deep below the hotel. Cap off your evening with a small-batch bourbon at the atmospheric Churchill Bar.
Hotel del Coronado – Coronado (San Diego), California, USA
The first sitting U.S. president to visit The Del was Benjamin Harrison, who stopped for breakfast here in 1891. Since then, the guest list has grown to include numerous presidents and world figures drawn to its Victorian turrets, Pacific views and iconic red-roof silhouette.
Today, the resort blends its rich history with modern SoCal luxury—sunset bonfires, breezy beachfront cabanas and the contemporary Shore House enclave. And for those who love a good mystery, the famously haunted Room 3327 (formerly 302) remains the hotel’s most talked-about guest room.
The Peabody Memphis – Memphis, Tennessee, USA
While countless U.S. presidents have passed through The Peabody’s soaring lobby, the real VIPs here are the ducks. Each day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., the hotel’s resident waterfowl march the red carpet to and from the lobby fountain in a tradition that dates back nearly a century.
Beyond the fanfare, The Peabody mixes old-world elegance with lively Southern hospitality—think crystal chandeliers, rooftop parties, live music and bourbon-forward menus. It’s refined, but never stiff.
The Drake Hotel – Chicago, Illinois, USA
U.S. presidents, European royalty and Hollywood legends have all stayed at this Magnificent Mile landmark, a property that still radiates roaring twenties glamour. Step into the lobby and it feels like a portal to 1920s Chicago, only with fast Wi-Fi and expertly crafted martinis.
Enjoy tea under the Palm Court chandelier or raise a glass at Coq d’Or, one of the city’s first post-Prohibition bars. For a true presidential flourish, book a suite with sweeping skyline views.
Omni Parker House – Boston, Massachusetts, USA
JFK had a deep connection to Parker House—he launched his political career here, celebrated key victories, and, according to the hotel’s own history, proposed to Jackie in its namesake restaurant. The hotel also lays claim to two culinary icons: the Boston Cream Pie and the buttery Parker House Roll.
Inside, you’ll find vintage elegance with a lively modern pulse, and outside, the Freedom Trail runs directly past the front door. Staying here means stepping into Boston’s living history.
Omni Homestead Resort – Hot Springs, Virginia, USA
Established in 1766, the Homestead is one of America’s oldest resorts and has hosted 24 U.S. presidents, from Thomas Jefferson to both Bushes. Surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains, the property blends colonial charm with luxury resort amenities.
Soak in the hot-spring-fed pools, tee off on historic golf courses or explore miles of scenic trails. Winter adds tubing and ice skating; summer brings falconry, fly fishing and hiking. Plush robes, crackling fireplaces and tranquil spa treatments make it a destination worthy of its presidential lineage.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – Québec City, Canada
Perched atop Old Québec like a fairytale fortress, Château Frontenac played host to some of World War II’s most pivotal moments: here, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill convened during the 1943 and 1944 Québec Conferences. The hotel’s Roosevelt Suite still honors these historic gatherings.
With copper turrets, sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and an interior of polished marble and Art Deco warmth, the hotel offers a regal escape. Enjoy fine dining at Champlain Restaurant or sip a cocktail where world-shaping discussions once took place.
Hotel Adlon Kempinski – Berlin, Germany
Just steps from the Brandenburg Gate, the Adlon is a Berlin institution with a guestbook that reads like a diplomatic hall of fame. U.S. presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Barack Obama, have all stayed at this storied hotel.
Today, the Adlon remains a symbol of European sophistication—marble-clad suites, Michelin-star dining and unmatched views of the city’s most famous monuments. Even standard rooms whisper understated luxury.
