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Nights In The Past

Truly Historic UK and European Hotels

Historic Hotels, Castles, Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, Luxury Spas, Romantic Getaways, Old Inns

USA

New York City & New York State

New York

NEW YORK CITY

This famous old hotel is something of a national treasure, first opening its doors over a century ago in 1902 and never looking back. Having had millions of dollars spent on a recent historical restoration, what H.L. Mencken once described as �the most comfortable hotel in America� continues to welcome guests to midtown Manhattan.

Historic Significance: The list of famous figures to have called The Algonquin home-from-home has something of a literary and artistic flavour: Booth Tarkington, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., John Barrymore, and Simone de Beauvoir to name but a few.

NEW YORK CITY

A two-year $400 million renovation; 282 guest rooms; world-renowned service and a cherished New York landmark � The Plaza is, perhaps, the definitive classic American hotel.

Historic Significance: Ernest Hemingway is said to have once told F. Scott Fitzgerald to give his liver to Princeton and his heart to the Plaza. But there were no shortage of great names queuing up to stay or live in what was regarded as one of the finest hotels in the world upon opening in 1907.

NEW YORK CITY

Situated on West 23rd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, the Chelsea Hotel is one of the most famous in America. Originally built as a luxury co-op, its extraordinary history ensures that it continues to attract visitors seeking much more than simply somewhere to sleep after a day in the shops.

Historic Significance: The roll call of artistic luminaries to have resided at, or visited, the Chelsea Hotel is too extensive to list in its entirety here. However, some of the most notable figures include Mark Twain, Thomas Wolfe, Jean-Paul Sartre and Tennessee Williams. Though more modern in historical terms, it should be noted that it was at the Chelsea that Sid Vicious was alleged to have stabbed his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, to death, and also where Dylan Thomas died in 1953.

NEW YORK CITY

With 1700 rooms, Hotel Pennsylvania is certainly one of New York�s largest. Built by � and named after � the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1919, the hotel is located right at the heart of Manhattan opposite the world famous Madison Square Garden.

Historic Significance: this is one for aficionados of big band music: the hotel (and, specifically, its phone number) was immortalised in the 1940 Glenn Miller hit �Pennsylvania 6-500�. Unsurprisingly, its Caf� Rouge Ballroom played host to numerous big-band greats including Count Basie.

NEW YORK CITY

With 125 guest rooms and suites, the Gramercy Park hotel has recently benefited from a makeover by hotelier Ian Schrager. Some have even described it as an �entirely new genre of hotel�. But it�s still the famous old Gramercy Park.

Historic Significance: Built in 1925, the hotel was the venue for the wedding of Humphrey Bogart and Helen Menken in 1926. Its bar was also famously frequented by Baseball legend Babe Ruth during the Great Depression.

UTICA

Reopening in 2001 having had a $13 million restoration, Hotel Utica is now listed as one of the Historic Hotels of America. The hotel boasts 112 rooms (including 14 suites) all of which are furnished in 18th century mahogany.

Historic Significance: Franklin D Roosevelt was a regular patron, even using the hotel for campaigns during the 1920�s. Other notable figures include President Taft (1912), Amelia Earhart (1928) and numerous stars from show business during the 1940�s including Mae West and Rita Hayworth.

NEW PALTZ

Only 90 minutes away from New York City, Mohonk Mountain house is an undeniably grand Victorian castle dating back to 1869. The 265 guest rooms are divided between the main property and cottages.

Historic Significance: From 1883 until 1916, the house was the venue for an annual conference designed to improve living standards of the native American Indian population. It also hosted the Lake Mohonk Conferences on International Arbitration between 1895 and 1916. The property has been visited by presidents Taft, Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester A. Arthur and Theodore Roosevelt.

RHINEBECK

It may well have been completely refurbished in 1995, but the Beekman Arms remains one of the USA�s longest continually operating hotels. Ideal for those seeking to visit the Hudson Valley, the inn is today made up of several different buildings and provides around 60 guest rooms.

Historic Significance: The Beekman Arms really does have a place in American history: dating back to 1766, the grounds were used by the Continental Army in 1775 prior to the American Revolution. It was also from the front porch that Franklin D. Roosevelt began every one of his campaigns for governor and president, and it is said that George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benedict Arnold stayed here.