New York City

Algonquin Hotel:  Named one of “America’s Ten Great Historic Hotels” in the premiere issue of Historic Traveler Magazine, The Algonquin opened its doors at 44th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in 1902, just minutes from New York City’s world-famous Theater District. Despite undergoing renovations in 1998 and 2004, it has all but lost its original splendor. Timeless elegance will surround you as soon as you step into the Algonquin’s restored lobby, which boasts oak panels and Edwardian furniture in jewel tones. Designated a New York City landmark in 1987 and a literary landmark in 1996, the hotel’s Round Table Room is named for the celebrated group of writers, critics and actors – among them were Robert Benchley and Alexander Woollcott – who gathered at the hotel daily to dine, share ideas and play cards. You’ll also step back in time to a more glamorous era while in the Oak Room, which offers dinners and performances seasonally Tuesday through Thursday each week. With its white tablecloths, dark paneled walls and gleaming piano, the room was a launching pad for such renowned celebrities as Andrea Marcovicci and Harry Connick Jr.

San Francisco

Westin St. Francis: Perhaps best known for the historic Magneta Grandfather Clock that adorns its lobby, this Union Square hotel is suffused with early 20th century charm. Opened in 1904, the hotel was gutted in the fire that took place following an earthquake that rocked San Francisco on April 18, 1906. Reconstruction was completed in 1907 and the hotel in turn reopened that same year. Throughout the years, the hotel has played host to such acclaimed figures as Douglas MacArthur, Ernest Hemingway and several U.S. presidents. The Westin St. Francis’ rooms exude turn-of-the-century sophistication with ornate woodworking, high ceilings with shimmering chandeliers, and windows opening out onto the city by the bay. Moreover, the property is widely considered the center of the city’s literary, social and artistic life.

Boston

The Lenox Hotel: A prestigious member of Historic Hotels of America and Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Lenox Hotel in Boston’s historic Back Bay is a prime example of a property that fuses old-world charm with modern technology. The Lenox was the tallest building in Boston at the time of its opening in 1900. Over the years, the hotel has become a popular refuge of big names in business, entertainment, sports and the arts, from noted opera singer Enrico Caruso and actress Judy Garland to former Boston Celtics basketball coach Red Auerbach. The Lenox has notched 12 consecutive AAA Four Diamond Awards since 1998 and boasts an opulent ballroom, fine restaurants and sumptuous accommodations, each bedecked with mahogany furniture, high ceilings with brass chandeliers and Italian marble bathrooms.

Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers: Yet another Back Bay hotel steeped in Boston’s venerable history is the lovely Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers. A member of Historic Hotels of America, the property has drawn a host of U.S. presidents and celebrities since its inception in 1927. It is located only 200 yards from the nation’s first public parks, Boston Common and Public Garden, the latter of which served as the inspiration for the hotel’s logo. It was also the first hotel to feature many of the standard conveniences we find in hotel rooms today, such as guestroom radios and telephones. Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers is conveniently located near Newbury Street shopping, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and Boston’s theater and financial districts.

New Orleans

Le Pavillon Hotel New Orleans: A proud recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award since 1996, this elegant hotel in the heart of downtown New Orleans is a member of both the Leading Hotels of the World and Historic Hotels of America. Upon opening its doors in 1907, the hotel boasted the first hydraulic elevators ever to be installed in New Orleans, as well as the first basement ever built in the historic city. The hotel came under new ownership in 1970, a year that saw the addition of crystal chandeliers from Czechoslovakia, marble railings from the Paris Grand Hotel, Italian columns and statues, and antiques from all over the world to complement the hotel’s quaint, old-world charm.

There’s no question that there’s more to these hotels than meets the eye. So, next time you book a hotel room, do some research on the properties listed above or others you have your sights set on. You’re likely to dig up some interesting stuff!

Algonquin Hotel – New York:  This famed hotel at 44th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues opened in 1902, and though it underwent renovations in 1998 and 2004, it has all but lost its original splendor. Designated a New York City landmark in 1987 and a literary landmark in 1996, the hotel’s Round Table Room is more than your typical New York City restaurant. It is named for the celebrated group of writers, critics and actors – among them were Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley – who convened daily to dine, exchange ideas and play cards. You’ll also step back in time to a more glamorous era while in the Oak Room, which offers dinners and performances seasonally Tuesday through Thursday each week. With its white tablecloths, dark paneled walls and gleaming piano, the room was a launching pad for such noted celebrities as Harry Connick Jr. and Andrea Marcovicci. Guests can also grab a drink at the art-laden Blue Bar, a popular meeting spot among locals and travelers like, or inside the stately Lounge.

Westin St. Francis – San Francisco: Opening its doors in 1904, this Union Square hotel is imbued with early 20th century charm. Rooms feature ornate woodworking, high ceilings with shimmering chandeliers, and windows opening out onto the city by the bay. Each brings modern comforts including the hotel’s signature Westin Heavenly Beds and Westin Heavenly Baths. Travelers have their choice of several fine restaurants and well-equipped meeting rooms, and the on-site spa is sure to help ease away stress. The St. Francis is considered the center of the city’s literary, social and artistic life, much like the previously mentioned Algonquin Hotel is in New York City.

The Lenox Hotel - Boston: A member of Historic Hotels of America, The Lenox Hotel is yet another prime example of a property that fuses old-world charm with modern technology, this time in Boston’s historic Back Bay. What makes this 214-room boutique hotel unique, however, is that it’s among a select few to be named “1 of the 5 Greenest Luxury Hotels in America” by U.S. News & World Report and featured on Conde Nast Traveler’s “Green List.”  So what, you might ask, has earned The Lenox 12 consecutive AAA Four Diamond Awards since 1998? Maybe it’s everything from its opulent ballroom and sophisticated restaurants to its elegantly chic accommodations, bedecked with mahogany furniture, high ceilings with brass chandeliers and Italian marble bathrooms.

Luxury Suites at The Signature at MGM Grand in Las Vegas: You might be hard-pressed to believe that this 5 star property – rated the number one boutique hotel in Las Vegas – currently offers rooms below $100/night. Its three exclusive towers are non-gaming, making it a good option for travelers wishing to evade bustling casinos. Whether you’re in town for business or leisure, don’t miss the intimate swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, well-equipped business center and spa. A sense of luxury permeates the suites as well, which have designer furnishings, spacious living areas and gleaming marble bathrooms.

The Metropole Hotel South Beach in Miami:  South Beach is synonymous with vibrant nightlife, ever-present sunshine, fine dining, turquoise waters that lap against pearly white sand, and – you guessed it – scores of chic hotels. Though it’s set in the very heart of the action on South Beach, a much more relaxed and subdued atmosphere awaits on the premises. The hotel’s private courtyard setting makes a great place to unwind after a day of shopping jaunts or meetings. Travelers who need to book or change flights can do so using the uniguest airline system in the lobby. Serving as a popular retreat for renowned celebrities like P Diddy and Heidi Klum, The Metropole also offers ample meeting space, stylish suites with 42″ inch plasma TVs and complimentary shuttle service to Miami International Airport.

No matter what your idea of the perfect luxury hotel is, one thing is for certain: If there’s anything better than enjoying 4 and 5 star luxury, it’s enjoying it a 2 or 3 star price.