The Fairmont Copley Plaza, which opened in 1912, has hosted nearly every U.S. president since Taft.

Meeting in historic, high-end resorts can leave attendees (and planners) feeling like they’re being treated like royalty, with white-glove service, culturally rich, idyllic settings and experiences, and classic architecture and ambience that evoke bygone eras.

The royalty rub-off is real: Many historic properties have hosted world leaders, and social and business events for celebrities and renowned corporate families such as the Vanderbilts, Fords, Morgans and Astors. Experience catering to the rich and famous is a big reason why these top-drawer hotels continue to be prime locations for corporate VIP guests, board members and clients.

The celebrated hotels provide plenty of local flavor with fascinating stories about famous people and events associated with the properties. The rich origins of historic hotels range from a hospital during the Civil War and a girls-only school to an army bachelors quarters and the home of a signer of the U.S. Constitution. Many properties are National Historic Landmarks and have been recognized by the National Trust of Historic Hotels of America.

Unique & Idyllic Settings

Some planners choose a historic property hotel because of its unique setting. That’s a prime reason why Mary Kay Inc. returns year after year to Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina, located on a private waterfront in the East Hampton hamlet of Montauk, Long Island. The property specializes in small meetings and offers 106 guest rooms and two suites, including 23 villas.

Mary Kay has held a sales meeting at Montauk Yacht Club for the past 13 years. “We continue to have our function at the Montauk Yacht Club because it’s beautiful, peaceful and tranquil,” says Donna Clark-Driscoll, independent elite executive senior sales director and meeting planner for Mary Kay. “We love the quaintness and warmth of the property, being by the water and the lighthouse. My sales force and visiting guests from all over the U.S. over the many years are in awe of the location.”

Montauk Yacht Club’s rich history was also attractive. The property was built in 1928 by businessman Carl Fisher, whose construction projects helped transform Miami from a small town into a major resort city. Fisher brought his vision to the sleepy seaside village of Montauk to create a resort destination for the rich and famous. Montauk Yacht Club’s original membership included business greats J.P. Morgan, Vincent Astor, Edsel Ford, Harold Vanderbilt and Nelson Doubleday.

A tradition of catering to the rich and famous is still reflected in Montauk Yacht Club’s service. “They remember and appreciate our business and it is evident each year,” says Clark-Driscoll. “The hotel has always met our needs, from the doorman, onsite crew for AV and maintenance, to setup and picking up people at the train station if needed. They are also very professional in dress and appearance. That is extremely important to me.”

Clark-Driscoll also was impressed with the property’s nearly 10,000 sf of meeting space, which includes the newly renovated Farmhouse Ballroom and four other meeting rooms as well as breakout and outdoor spaces. “Ballrooms are open, spacious, bright and alive, and overlook the water,” says Clark-Driscoll. “We had most of our activities on the premises, other than shopping, visiting the historic lighthouse and local restaurants.”

Montauk Yacht Club’s cuisine was also key factor. “The food is fabulous,” she says. “Over the many years, they are always on trend and staffed properly with the finest chefs. All of my needs are met, including any food restrictions or allergies. Any time there may have been a small issue, it was taken care of immediately with no questions. I’ve never been disappointed.”

Feedback from attendees is excellent every year. “I will continue to recommend the property,” says Clark-Driscoll. “The staff has always been on top of making sure my event runs in a professional and fun way. On a personal note, I have also stayed there as a vacationer and loved it.”

Another historic hotel with an idyllic setting is The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, at the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains. With Pikes Peak as a dramatic backdrop, this five-star grande dame of the Rockies was constructed and opened in 1918 by entrepreneur Spencer Penrose. The 5,000-acre property includes three championship golf courses, a spa, salon and fitness center, renowned tennis program, 26 shops and 185,000 sf of meeting and event space. Among the hotel’s 20 restaurants is the Penrose Room, Colorado’s only AAA Five Diamond, Forbes Five Star restaurant.

For incentives and executive retreats, the new Broadmoor Wilderness Experience features offsite venues including Cloud Camp, which just debuted The Overlook, a 1,500-sf meeting space. Situated atop Cheyenne Mountain, 3,000 feet above The Broadmoor, Cloud Camp is anchored by an 8,000-sf main lodge that accommodates 60 guests. The Wilderness Experience also features The Ranch at Emerald Valley and The Broadmoor Fishing Camp.

A Milestone Meeting

A hotel doesn’t have to be a centenarian for planners to consider it a historical landmark that perfectly matches a meeting. A Fortune 500 business held a gala meeting at the half-century-old Washington Hilton because of its modern historical significance and for another reason: The meeting, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the company, coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Washington Hilton, which offers 110,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event and function space, including the 36,000-sf International Ballroom complex, which accommodates up to 2,670 guests.

The property also complemented the company’s vision for the event. “Both spacious and affordable — and historically significant — the Washington Hilton offered the exact environment, staff and amenities we needed, all in an attractive, central location,” says the event’s planner. “All staff members seemed to go out of their way — in both big and small ways — to make sure we had a terrific meeting. The service was excellent.”

The Washington Hilton’s status as a property rich in late 20th century culture also was a factor. The hotel was seared into the national consciousness in part due to the failed assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan in 1981 just outside the property. The ballroom hosts annual iconic events, including the National Prayer Breakfast and the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which is attended by the sitting president of the United States, politicians and top celebrities. Rock music icons such as Jimi Hendrix and the Doors have performed in the ballroom.

The meeting at the Washington Hilton included several touches related to the hotel’s history. “The first night, we had a cocktail reception that included a tour of the President’s Walk (the path the president takes from the Presidential Holding Room to the International Ballroom, and features the Library of Congress’ official portrait of every U.S. president and first lady),” says the company’s planner.

Attendees also received a light historical touch: blueberry jelly beans. The flavor was created in honor of President Reagan’s 1981 inauguration, which involved an inaugural ball held in the hotel’s International Ballroom.

The meeting was a big hit. “Our attendees expected an inspiring event in a memorable location, and we truly believe that they received that,” says the planner. “From the feedback we received, the attendees really enjoyed the hotel, as well as its staff, service, amenities and food.”

Iconic Stature and Service

Historic hotels that have it all — good rates, a great setting and ample meeting space — are attractive to planners, and that is precisely why one company chose The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston for a two-day meeting for 80 attendees. “Rate played a role in the selection, as well as the phenomenal location in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay,” says Jennifer Squeglia, CMP, owner of RLC Events Inc., a Warwick, Rhode Island full-service event and meeting planning company. “However, the iconic stature of The Fairmont was also a factor. About one-third of the attendees were from Europe, and we felt The Fairmont and its historic beauty would be of great appeal to our attendees, and it was.”

The 383-room Fairmont Copley Plaza, which opened in 1912, has hosted nearly every United States president since Taft. Following a $20 million renovation and restoration, the hotel remains themed around Boston’s rich history and culture, and offers 23,000 sf of Renaissance-inspired meeting space, including the luxurious Oval Room ballroom, which features a sky and cloud ceiling mural. “Our general session was held in the Oval Room, which is a beautiful and historic room overlooking Copley Square Park that was perfect for a group our size,” says Squeglia. “People truly enjoyed the décor and view.”

The staff’s experience and knowledge of the group helped make the meeting special. “Several of the banquet servers have been at the property for over 20 years,” says Squeglia. “I have done several programs there in the past, and they welcomed me back and took great care of our attendees. No request was too big or too small. The staff was gracious and accommodating.”

The top-notch service contributed to the post-meeting feedback. “It was very positive,” says Squeglia. “Everyone loved the hotel. The setting, food and location were what people said they enjoyed the most.”

Restorations and Renovations

Here is a summary of historic hotels that have undergone renewal, restoration or expansion while preserving their traditional look and feel.

Loews Don CeSar Hotel in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, was recently named Best Historic Hotel (201–400 guest rooms) by Historic Hotels of America. The 277-room property, built in 1928, was a playground for notable figures such as famed attorney Clarence Darrow and author F. Scott Fitzgerald. Today, the Don CeSar features European grandeur amid renovated guest rooms, refreshed public spaces and the Spa Oceana along with award-winning dining.

The Plaza New York, one of the nation’s most celebrated and historic hotels, has completed an extensive renovation project that includes a restored façade. The iconic property, constructed in 1907 and managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, also underwent waterproofing, roofing repairs, and a thorough cleaning as well as restorations of deteriorated brick, marble and terra cotta.

The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, which opened in 1918 as the Hotel Cleveland, is undergoing a $22 million renovation that includes the entire property, including guest rooms and public spaces. The renovation will pause prior to the Republican National Convention in July and continue afterwards.

The 277-room St. Anthony Hotel San Antonio, which opened in 1909, has completed a redesign and renovation that restored the property to its original grandeur. The renovation includes fully remodeled guest rooms and suites. The redesigned lobby features sculpted columns, Calacatta marble floors and a grand staircase. Public spaces feature new furniture, artwork, and restored chandeliers and torchieres. The rooftop pool and deck also were renovated. The St. Anthony is known as “the Waldorf on the Prairie” because it hosted celebrities such as John Wayne, who has a suite named after him.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, which opened in 1887, recently updated 200 guest rooms and added Sushi Grand, Mackinac Island’s first sushi restaurant. The Grand Hotel features 390 guest rooms and suites, including more than three dozen historic suites that are named after former U.S. presidents, first ladies and other historical periods and individuals.

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, housed in a historic building in Center City, is undergoing a $24 million refresh that recently unveiled 26,000 sf of meeting space. Originally built as a reproduction of the Pantheon when it opened in 1908 as The Girard Trust Company, the building’s original charm has been reinstated in conference spaces, and even the original bank vault now serves as a luxurious function room.

For planners looking to elevate the meeting experience, historic hotels will set the tone the minute attendees step inside their grand lobbies. These properties can complement the theme of a meeting, be the central element of the theme or simply serve as a unique and fascinating setting to enrich the experience of attendees who will take back priceless memories — and maybe even feel a part of history. C&IT