The US is packed with hotels known for being historic, haunted, or simply the best, but each state has only a handful that can be considered truly famous.
Business Insider went state by state to find the most iconic hotel in each state, ranking places to stay based on criteria including architectural significance, historic value, celebrity sightings, relevance to pop culture, and local fame.
From expensive resorts to quaint inns, every state has a hotel that has stood out from the rest.
Keep reading to find out which hotel is the most famous in your state.
ALABAMA: Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, Mobile
Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa in Mobile, Alabama, has a long history. During the War of 1812, it was a military headquarters for Andrew Jackson. During the Civil War, the building also acted as a Confederate hospital.
Today, it’s a popular hotel frequented by celebrities and politicians.
ALASKA: Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage
Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, Alaska, is a luxury hotel in the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide brand. While it’s often popular among celebrities, the hotel is also known to locals as a favorite place for weddings and large events. Locals also know it as the best spot to view the city and the Chugach Mountains.
ARIZONA: Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix
Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright consulted on the design of Phoenix’s Arizona Biltmore hotel in 1929. Since then, presidents, diplomats, and celebrities have all stayed at this hotel. The Wright Bar on the property is also the birthplace of the Tequila Sunrise.
The Arizona Biltmore features eight swimming pools, two 18-hole golf courses, seven tennis courts, and 740 guest rooms.
ARKANSAS: Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs
The Arlington in Hot Springs has hosted hundreds of grand balls, survived a devastating fire, and welcomed some of the biggest names in history. For example, presidents like Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Bill Clinton have all stayed at this hotel. Celebrities like Babe Ruth, Barbra Streisand, and Yoko Ono have also checked in in the past.
CALIFORNIA: The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
The Beverly Hills Hotel opened in 1912 and has since become as famous as the city itself. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, some of the biggest stars stayed here. Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned at the hotel, and Marilyn Monroe was a frequent guest. Frank Sinatra enjoyed the Polo Lounge, which is still a favorite among celebrities.
COLORADO: The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park
The Stanley Hotel is just minutes from the Rocky Mountain National Park and an hour outside Denver. The hotel is known as the inspiration for Stephen King’s famous novel “The Shining.” The book is set in a fictional hotel, called the Overlook, which is overrun with spirits. The Stanley Hotel is also said to be haunted, and guests can take tours to experience it for themselves.
CONNECTICUT: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
Mohegan Sun opened in 1996, and people have been flocking to the resort’s hotel, casinos, and live arenas ever since. The hotel has 1,563 rooms, two spas, and 45 restaurants.
It’s also popular among celebrities. A-list stars come to Mohegan Sun to perform year-round, but they can also be spotted at the casino. Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, and Kevin Hart have all been seen on the premises.
DELAWARE: Hotel du Pont, Wilmington
Hotel du Pont opened in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1913 and became internationally known for its grandeur. Built by French and Italian craftsmen, the hotel rivaled those in Europe and New York. Over the years, Hotel du Pont has welcomed A-listers such as Katharine Hepburn, John F. Kennedy, and Joe DiMaggio.
FLORIDA: The Setai, Miami
The Setai in Miami Beach is known as a favorite among celebrities. Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Paris Hilton, Madonna, and Britney Spears have all been guests at the hotel. At one time, Lenny Kravitz had a recording studio at the Setai.
Beyond the celebrities, the hotel is known for its Japanese-inspired decor and cuisine.
GEORGIA: Four Seasons, Atlanta
In Midtown Atlanta, the Four Seasons hotel, which opened in the GLG Grand building in 1997, is known for its luxury accommodations, towering neoclassical structure, and its grand lobby.
The hotel, a celebrity hot spot, is also known for its cocktail bar, Bar Margot, its restaurant, Brasserie Margot, and its rooftop garden that gives views of the city.
HAWAII: Moana Surfrider, Waikiki
Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, was the first hotel built in Waikiki, dating back to 1901. As a result, the hotel earned the nickname the “First Lady of Waikiki.”
The hotel became a popular destination for tourists and royalty, including King Charles and Lord Louis Mountbatten.
IDAHO: Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene
Although Coeur d’Alene Resort is located on an alpine lake, has an infinity pool, and welcomes all types of guests, it’s truly famous for two key features.
First, the hotel has the world’s only floating green (pictured), which is a golf course that floats on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Second, the hotel is famous for its Christmas light show, the largest in the US, featuring 1.5 million lights. Travel + Leisure named the hotel one of the best places to spend Christmas in the US.
ILLINOIS: The Drake, Chicago
The Drake opened in Chicago on New Year’s Eve in 1920. Over the years, the hotel has become a landmark in the city, attracting notable figures from around the world. Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, and Pope John Paul II have all checked into this hotel.
Others might recognize the hotel from famous movies like “The Blues Brothers” and “Risky Business.”
INDIANA: West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden Springs
West Baden Springs Hotel may be over a century old, but it’s still earning praise for its famous lobby. The dome-shaped atrium is 200 feet wide and 6 stories tall. At one time, it was called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” US News & World Report named the hotel’s lobby as one of the most beautiful in the country.
Beyond the famous atrium, guests can also enjoy a spa, a golf course, and shopping at the West Baden Springs Hotel.
IOWA: Hotel Julien, Dubuque
Hotel Julien’s fame dates back to the mid-1800s. Around 1830, Hotel Julien was called the Waples House and was known as the first building you’d see crossing the Mississippi River into Dubuque, Iowa.
Decades later, the hotel was once again catapulted into the spotlight when notorious gangster Al Capone checked in. He isn’t the only notable name to visit the hotel. Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, and Buffalo Bill were all past guests.
Guests can now experience the history of Hotel Julien by staying a night in the Al Capone-themed suite.
KANSAS: Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, Wichita
The Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview opened in 1922. During the Prohibition era, its basement featured the only speakeasy in Wichita.
The hotel’s Crystal Ballroom, constructed in 1948, includes a 1,500-square-foot mosaic designed by Blackbear Bosin, a Native American artist.
KENTUCKY: The Brown Hotel, Louisville
Built in the Georgian-Revival style in 1923, the Brown Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Its first guest was Britain’s former prime minister David Lloyd George — and the list of celebrity visitors didn’t stop there. Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, Joan Crawford, and Elizabeth Taylor have all checked in.
LOUISIANA: Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans
While Hotel Monteleone is a historic establishment in New Orleans, it’s actually famous for its bar, which is a carousel that turns as customers drink cocktails. For 70 years, the carousel has been one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions.
MAINE: The Bar Harbor Inn
The first iteration of the Bar Harbor Inn was built in 1887. Designed by William Ralph Emerson for use as an exclusive social club, it was visited by President William Howard Taft in 1910 and served as a Navy observation quarters during World War II before becoming a hotel in 1950.
David J. Witham bought the property and named it the Bar Harbor Inn in 1987. Its proximity to Acadia National Park makes it a popular destination for tourists in the coastal town.
MARYLAND: Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Baltimore
Kimpton Hotel Monaco is a boutique hotel housed in a former railroad headquarters in Baltimore.
Celebrities who have chosen the Kimpton Hotel Monaco as their accommodation of choice include Sade, Common, Melanie Fiona, and Robin Thicke, The Baltimore Sun reported.
MASSACHUSETTS: The Boston Park Plaza, Boston
The Boston Park Plaza, located near Boston Common and Public Garden, opened as The Statler Hotel in 1927.
Its founder, Ellsworth Milton Statler, envisioned the hotel as “a city within a city” with a barber shop in the basement, carpentry, print, and upholstery shops on the roof, and radios in every room.
It’s now known as the Hilton Boston Park Plaza, after Hilton acquired the property in 2023, and it features a 20,000-square-foot health club and a golf simulator among other amenities.
Throughout the years, A-listers have checked in, including Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland, Winston Churchill, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
MICHIGAN: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, is famous for being over 130 years old. Opened in 1887, it was advertised as a summer getaway for people coming from Chicago, Montreal, and Detroit.
In 1980, the hotel was the setting for the movie “Somewhere in Time.” The film was shot at the hotel, which hosted the film’s stars: Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer.
MINNESOTA: Saint Paul Hotel, St. Paul
The Saint Paul Hotel, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, is known as “St. Paul’s Million-Dollar Hotel.” Opened in 1878, the hotel was originally named The Windsor until it was turned into an arcade and theater.
In 1908, the Saint Paul Hotel officially opened in its place, and it has been attracting notables, including John F. Kennedy and Charles Lindbergh, for decades.
MISSISSIPPI: Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, Biloxi
Located in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino is known as the tallest building in the state, at 32 stories. The hotel has also been called the “crown jewel of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
The hotel has several restaurants, bars, and clubs that attract both guests and celebrities.
MISSOURI: The Elms Hotel & Spa, Excelsior Springs
The history of The Elms Hotel dates back to the 1800s when the Excelsior Springs in Missouri were thought to heal illnesses. Quickly, a town popped up around the springs, creating homes and businesses. One of those businesses was The Elms Hotel.
Throughout the years, the hotel caught fire and was rebuilt, all while attracting famous guests. Al Capone is said to have hosted gambling and bathtub gin parties in the rooms. Professional boxer Jack Dempsey and, later, the New York Giants were also guests.
Today, the hotel continues to welcome guests, especially those interested in the building’s history.
MONTANA: The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg
The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana, is known as a luxury dude ranch, but the establishment is especially famous because it’s considered one of the most expensive hotels in the US. During the peak summer months, prices range from $2,000 to $20,000 per night, according to the travel concierge site Top 50 Ranches.
That price includes access to the hotel’s 6,000 acres of activities, including hiking, horseback riding, a ropes course, fly fishing, and rodeo.
NEBRASKA: Hotel Deco, Omaha
Hotel Deco, located in Omaha, is aptly named because of its art deco architecture and decor. Built in 1930 as an office building, it was eventually turned into a hotel in 1989.
Hotel Deco calls itself the only luxury boutique hotel in Omaha. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Throughout the hotel, guests can find a blend of old and modern furnishings.
NEVADA: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Caesars Palace opened on the Las Vegas strip in 1966, becoming one of the most iconic hotels in the country. The hotel has hosted numerous iconic pop-culture moments, including Evel Knievel’s famous crash, Muhammad Ali’s fight with Larry Holmes, Frank Sinatra’s concerts in the showroom, and Celine Dion’s record-breaking residency.
In the early 2000s, Caesars Palace jumped into the spotlight as the setting of the hit comedy “The Hangover.” The iconic scene where the actors swim in the fountain solidified this hotel as the most famous in Nevada.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle
Since 1874, Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire, has been dubbed the “Grand Dame by the Sea.” It has also been called the “Ship Building” because of its nautical architecture.
The Wentworth by the Sea is notable because it hosted the signers of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, which ended the Russo-Japanese War and helped President Theodore Roosevelt earn the Nobel Peace Prize.
NEW JERSEY: The Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park
The Asbury Hotel, known as the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore,” is situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the hotel’s star attractions is the Baronet, a 4,300-square-foot rooftop that hosts outdoor movie screenings. The hotel also has two well-known bars, Soundbooth and Salvation.
NEW MEXICO: The Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas
The Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, has nothing to do with the famous hotel in New York, nor the famous city in Nevada.
New Mexico’s Plaza Hotel is a historic hotel dating back to the 1800s. Through the years, the hotel has been featured in films like “Longmire,” “No Country for Old Men,” and “Easy Rider.”
NEW YORK: The Plaza Hotel, New York
New York City’s Plaza Hotel opened in 1907 and has remained an iconic destination on Fifth Avenue.
The hotel has been the setting for countless Hollywood movies like “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “North by Northwest.” Similarly, famous guests have passed through the halls of The Plaza, including Elizabeth Taylor, John Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and even The Beatles.
NORTH CAROLINA: The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville
The Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville opened in 2001, but the mansion was originally constructed by George Vanderbilt in the 1800s.
Built as a private residence for the wealthy Vanderbilt family, Biltmore Estate served as a social center of high society during the Gilded Age. Guests at the landmark hotel enjoy free admission to the mansion, which is now a public museum.
NORTH DAKOTA: The Hotel Donaldson, Fargo
The Hotel Donaldson, dubbed “HoDo,” is a local landmark in downtown Fargo. The boutique hotel started as a lodge over 100 years ago. The building was revitalized in 2003 and now has 17 rooms, each highlighting a local artist.
OHIO: Hotel Cleveland, Cleveland
Hotel Cleveland opened in 1918 and underwent numerous name and ownership changes until Marriott added the property to its Autograph Collection as Hotel Cleveland and reopened the hotel in 2024 after a renovation.
Famous guests have included President Harry Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt, and The Beatles.
OKLAHOMA: The Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City
When the Skirvin Hilton opened in downtown Oklahoma City in 1911, it was the largest hotel in the Midwest with 225 guest rooms. Since then, the Skirvin Hilton has welcomed A-listers through its doors, including Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Harry Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
OREGON: The Heathman Hotel, Portland
The Heathman Hotel has been known as an iconic landmark in downtown Portland since it opened in 1927. From the ’30s to the ’50s, the hotel was home to a radio station, KOIN, that welcomed some of the most famous names in music through its doors.
Today, the hotel has been recognized on the list of Historic Hotels Worldwide. It’s also known as the backdrop for the bestselling novel “50 Shades of Grey.”
PENNSYLVANIA: Deer Head Inn, Poconos
While the Deer Head Inn in the Pocono Mountains has accommodations for short-term stays, the hotel is famous for an entirely different reason: It’s the oldest continuously running jazz club in the US. Since 1950, some of the most popular jazz artists have performed at the inn, including Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, Keith Jarrett, and Phil Woods.
RHODE ISLAND: Castle Hill Inn, Newport
Newport, Rhode Island, is known for its lavish mansions, but one stands out from the rest: Castle Hill Inn. The property was originally built in 1875 as the summer home of Harvard marine biologist Alexander Agassiz and served as a base for naval officers during World War II. After the war, it was turned into a hotel.
Castle Hill Inn was a favorite among celebrities, especially Grace Kelly, who stayed there while filming “High Society” with Frank Sinatra in the ’50s. The private beach in front of the hotel is known as “Grace Kelly Beach” because she loved to visit it.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Wentworth Mansion, Charleston
Located in Charleston, South Carolina, Wentworth Mansion is known for its Gilded Age architecture and decor. Completed in 1886, the hotel is filled with mahogany furniture and grand stylings.
Travel + Leisure‘s readers voted Wentworth Mansion as one of their favorite hotels in Charleston in 2025.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City
Hotel Alex Johnson has stood in Rapid City, South Dakota, since the late 1920s. The hotel features Germanic Tudor-style architecture and Native American art, including a chandelier in the lobby made of war spears.
The hotel is also famous for reports of being haunted. Atlas Obscura reported that some guests have spotted a “Lady in White,” the ghost of a bride who jumped out of one of the hotel’s windows to her death. It’s fitting, then, that Alfred Hitchcock stayed at this hotel when filming “North by Northwest” in the late ’50s.
TENNESSEE: The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville
The Hermitage Hotel is known for being Nashville’s first million-dollar hotel. Built in 1910, the hotel made a name for itself with its Beaux Arts architecture and design. The Italian and French finishings, the grand staircase, and the elaborate ballroom have been attracting famous guests for years. Babe Ruth, Johnny Cash, Charlie Chaplin, and Patsy Cline have all walked through the hotel’s halls.
TEXAS: Hotel ZaZa, Houston
Hotel ZaZa has locations in Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
The Texas hotel chain is known for its themed rooms, which include “Houston We Have a Problem,” “Rock Star,” and “Fatal Charms.”
The unique hotel experience has attracted many A-listers, like Amy Adams, Michelle Williams, Lauren Conrad, Jessica Simpson, Victoria Beckham, and Pat Benatar.
UTAH: Amangiri, Canyon Point
Amangiri is located in the Utah desert, surrounding a 164-million-year-old rock formation. This minimalist five-star resort is also known as a celebrity hotspot. Kim Kardashian celebrated her birthday there in 2017, and model Emily Ratajkowski spent her honeymoon at the hotel. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Gordon Ramsay, and John Travolta have also visited.
The hotel’s offerings include slot canyon tours, water sports, rock climbing, and UTV off-roading.
VERMONT: von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort, Stowe
Many know the von Trapp family from the classic movie “The Sound of Music,” but the family is real and owns the von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort in Vermont.
When the von Trapps traveled around the US, they decided to build a home in Stowe, Vermont, because the mountains reminded them of Austria. By the 1950s, they started welcoming guests into their home, eventually turning it into a hotel.
Today, the hotel is known for its Austrian architecture and its regular “The Sound of Music” sing-alongs.
VIRGINIA: The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond
Located in Richmond, Virginia, The Jefferson Hotel has been a city landmark since its opening in 1895. Its well-preserved Beaux-Arts-style architecture landed it on the National Register of Historic Places.
Through the years, several politicians and A-listers have entered The Jefferson Hotel. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Barack Obama are just a few examples.
It’s also said that the hotel’s grand staircase was the inspiration for the one featured in “Gone With the Wind.”
WASHINGTON: The Edgewater Hotel, Seattle
The Edgewater in Seattle is known as the city’s only over-water hotel. It was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and became a popular landmark when The Beatles stayed at the hotel during their US tour two years later. Other legends like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Blondie, and Willie Nelson have also checked in.
WEST VIRGINIA: The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs
The Greenbrier markets itself as “America’s Resort,” as people first started visiting the resort in 1778, shortly after the United States of America was founded. The hotel building was added in 1913.
Today, the resort is known for its Dorothy Draper decor and sprawling size.
Among its amenities, there are 10 lobbies, 96 guest houses, an 11,000-acre playground, and a 103,000-square-foot entertainment venue. There’s also a golf course, as well as several bars and restaurants.
WISCONSIN: The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
The Pfister Hotel was known as the “Grand Hotel of the West” when it opened in 1893. In addition to its Romanesque Revival architecture, the hotel is also famous for housing the largest collection of Victorian art of any other hotel in the world.
WYOMING: Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful Inn is the most popular hotel in Yellowstone National Park, even though it’s open for only a few months each year. Completed in 1904, it holds the distinction of being one of the largest log-built structures in the world.
Inside the log inn, guests can find a restaurant, a lounge, and a huge stone fireplace.
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