They once hosted royalty, celebrities, and flocks of tourists. Now, their lobbies are silent, their ballrooms gathering dust. These once-thriving hotels are ghostly reminders of a more glamorous past. Let’s take a virtual tour through 15 historic hotels that have checked out of the hospitality game for good.
1. The Baker Hotel – Mineral Wells, Texas
Imagine a time when the mineral waters of Mineral Wells were the talk of the town, and The Baker Hotel was its crown jewel. Built in 1929, this luxurious spa destination offered Olympic-sized pools and mineral treatments that promised rejuvenation. However, the allure faded by the 1970s, leaving behind an elegant ghost of its former self. Restoration efforts are now underway, but the eerie beauty of its neglected halls continues to captivate the imagination of those who pass by.
2. Hotel Pennsylvania – New York City
Once upon a time, the notes of Glenn Miller’s orchestra filled the grand halls of Hotel Pennsylvania, located conveniently across from Penn Station. Built in 1919, it was a Manhattan staple, a witness to countless stories and memories. However, after years of decline, the grand establishment was demolished in 2023. Its absence leaves a void in the fabric of New York’s historic landscape, where echoes of its bustling past still linger in the minds of those who knew it.
3. The Ambassador Hotel – Los Angeles, California
Known for its Hollywood allure, The Ambassador Hotel was a beacon of elegance and sophistication. Hosting celebrities and countless glamorous events, it was also the tragic site of RFK’s assassination in 1968. Despite its star-studded history, it was demolished in 2005 to make way for a school campus. The glamorous echoes of old Hollywood now reside only in photographs and memories, reminding us of the transient nature of fame and fortune.
4. Grossinger’s Resort – Liberty, New York
In the heyday of the Catskills, Grossinger’s Resort was a lively playground where families gathered and memories were made. This iconic destination even inspired the classic film “Dirty Dancing.” Yet, since the 1980s, it has sat abandoned, a shadow of its former self. A fire in 2022 further ravaged its decaying structures, leaving behind only whispers of laughter and the soft hum of long-ago summers spent in joyous retreat.
5. Fort Shelby Hotel – Detroit, Michigan
The Fort Shelby Hotel opened its doors in 1916, offering travelers a taste of Detroit’s burgeoning elegance. Its 10-story grandeur stood witness to the city’s rise and challenges. Vacant for decades, the building was eventually renovated and transformed into apartments in the 2000s. Though its days as a hotel are over, the architectural splendor of its facade continues to tell stories of a bygone era, harmonizing with Detroit’s ever-evolving skyline.
6. The Old Hilton – Las Vegas, Nevada
The Old Hilton, formerly the International Hotel, was a cornerstone of Las Vegas’ entertainment scene. It hosted iconic performances, including those by Elvis himself. Over time, the hotel has been renamed and rebranded, losing much of its original glamour. Today, it stands as a reminder of Las Vegas’ vibrant past, its original identity faded but never forgotten amidst the dazzling lights of the Strip.
7. Mount Washington Hotel Annex – Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
The Mount Washington Hotel is famed for its grandeur and historical significance, notably hosting the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference. While the main hotel thrives, the annex structures have long been abandoned. These neglected outbuildings stand in stark contrast to the bustling main resort, whispering tales of the past amidst the tranquil beauty of the White Mountains, where history and nature converge.
8. Shenango Inn – Sharon, Pennsylvania
Once a stately mansion that welcomed steel executives, the Shenango Inn has long stood silent since its closure in 2004. Its grand architecture now crumbles, bearing the weight of time and neglect. Despite its decay, the inn captures the imagination of those who see it, a testament to Pennsylvania’s industrial past, where echoes of prosperity and the scent of history linger in the air.
9. The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Known for its opulence, The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel was once the crown jewel of Philadelphia. It is infamous as the site of the 1976 Legionnaires’ outbreak, which marred its reputation. Reopened under new names, the hotel has lost its original identity, yet its ornate architecture continues to charm visitors. It stands as a bridge between Philadelphia’s storied past and its dynamic present, a relic of grandeur and resilience.
10. The Belleview Biltmore – Belleair, Florida
Once attracting the likes of the Rockefellers and Roosevelts, The Belleview Biltmore was a beacon of elegance and refinement. Built in 1897, its storied halls have mostly been demolished, with remnants transformed into a boutique inn. The past blends with the present, as pieces of its history are lovingly preserved, offering a unique glimpse into the luxurious retreats of America’s elite, where echoes of opulence still resonate.
11. The Leamington Hotel – Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Leamington Hotel once echoed with the vibrant energy of the jazz age, its grand ballrooms alive with music and laughter. Yet, as the city progressed, this icon was torn down in the 1990s for new developments. Though physically absent, its spirit lingers in the cultural fabric of Minneapolis, a reminder of an era when the music played on, and the nights were alive with possibility.
12. The Windsor Hotel – Garden City, Kansas
The Windsor Hotel stands as a Victorian relic in Garden City, hosting dignitaries and Wild West figures in its prime. Now abandoned and deteriorating, it occasionally opens its doors for tours, offering a glimpse into the past. Its weathered facade tells stories of grandeur and adventure, capturing the imagination of visitors who walk its echoing halls, where the whispers of history linger.
13. The Desert Inn – Las Vegas, Nevada
Opened in 1950, The Desert Inn was a classy strip hotel that hosted legends like Frank Sinatra and Howard Hughes. Demolished in 2001, it made way for the extravagant Wynn. Though its physical presence is gone, the glamorous legacy of The Desert Inn continues to influence Las Vegas’ vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene, where memories of its iconic days are woven into the city’s cultural tapestry.
14. The Roosevelt Hotel – New Orleans, Louisiana
Once a beacon of Southern charm, The Roosevelt Hotel fell into disrepair after Hurricane Katrina. Renovated and reopened under the Waldorf Astoria brand, its original iteration is history. Yet, the hotel’s charm endures, blending its storied past with modern luxury, echoing with the vibrant heartbeat of New Orleans, where every corner whispers tales of resilience and revival.
15. The Pine Bluff Hotel – Pine Bluff, Arkansas
The Pine Bluff Hotel, an 11-story relic from 1929, once symbolized the town’s prosperity. Its grand architecture now stands empty, a haunting shell bearing witness to decades of change. Though closed for years, its storied past continues to intrigue those who glimpse its facade, where history and mystery intertwine under the Arkansas skies, whispering secrets of bygone days.
