Iconic hotels that embrace their compelling histories
I f walls and halls could talk, you might get more than you bargained for. These five hotels have their own story to share with you and your family.
Hyatt Place St. Paul St. Paul, Minn.
Once a wilderness outpost at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, this one half of the Twin Cities (along with sister city Minneapolis) is now the state capital and abuzz with a thriving arts and entertainment scene. Stay in the recently restored Custom House, first built in 1933 along the sloping shores of the Mississippi. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel offers rooms with 13-foot windows showcasing the city. Expect a sense of history paired with modern amenities in a location that makes it easy to visit museums and CHS Field. Enjoy walking and biking paths and be sure to hop aboard an authentic riverboat for a tour along the storied waterway.
Contact: visitstpaul.com; stpaul.place.hyatt.com.
The Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
This National Historic Landmark has been welcoming guests, including 26 U.S. presidents, since 1778. It’s now a luxury mountain resort tucked into the Allegheny Mountains. The Greenbrier has long been a popular destination for royalty, celebrities and thought leaders and served as a military hospital during World War II. At the height of the Cold War, The Bunker, a top-secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress, was built on the property. Today, tours are offered of the now declassified Greek Island Project. Families can take advantage of the wide range of sporting activities, shopping and the Adventure Zone where kids younger than 10 will find ageappropriate fun.
Contact: greenbrier.com.
Rancho de los Caballeros Wickenburg, Ariz.
This family-owned ranch has welcomed guests eager for a glimpse of the Old West since the 1940s. The area’s vibrant history has been painted by the Yavapai Indians, trappers who encountered a bounty of beavers and, in time, pioneers eager to strike it rich after gold was discovered in the area. Today, visitors enjoy horseback riding, team penning, hiking, biking and hot-air ballooning over the high Sonoran Desert, mentored by members of the Gant family who still honor the style of the Spanish caballeros. The kids will learn about ranch life in the Caballeros Kids program, enabling adults to relax by the pool or head out for an extended ride in a stunning landscape.
Contact: ranchodeloscaballeros.com.
The Stanley Hotel Estes Park, Colo.
While it is located just 6 miles from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, this historic inn is best known for its supernatural history. In fact, some say the chilling laughter of children still fills the hallways of the 155-room inn that served as the inspiration for scaremaster Stephen King’s popular book and film, “The Shining.” The brave may opt for the history and ghost tour offered for families eager to hear more about Room 217, where King’s story began. For a different kind of thrill, ask about the fire engine tours where the young and young at heart can gear up and take a spin through Estes Park in an open-air, antique fire engine.
Contact: stanleyhotel.com; colorado.com.
La Fonda on the Plaza’s entrance on San Francisco Street Santa Fe, N.M.
According to Santa Fe city records, La Fonda rests on the ground where the town’s first inn evolved, as far back 1607. Since then, it’s said, the hotel site has hosted important business meetings, legal wranglings, fur trading, gambling and iconic social events. Today, the venerable hotel serves as an ideal central location from which to explore the art, culture, music, markets and history of Santa Fe and the surrounding countryside. Ask about the hotel’s art and history tour.