Any hotel can call its best room the presidential suite. The Hilton Omaha has a presidential suite.
It takes a special level of accommodation, though, to lure our nation’s leaders time and again over the decades. Ever wonder what the title of POTUS — or $30,000 a night — gets you in five-star amenities? Everything you’d expect, plus gold-plated faucets.
Here are five of the ritziest.
The Hay-Adams
Washington D.C.
When the Obama family arrived in D.C. in January 2008, George W. Bush’s White House denied their request to stay at the official White House guest residence (the 119-room Blair House, which was apparently booked by former Australian Prime Minister John Howard). The Obamas instead pitched up for 12 days at the Hay-Adams’ Federal Suite, with two bedrooms, views of the White House (naturally) and best-in-class Frette sheets.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Islamorada, Florida
This low-key Islamorada resort was a favorite of George H. W. Bush, who lends his name to the hotel’s annual charity bonefishing tournament — and to the Bush 41 Presidential Retreat, which sports some of the president’s personal memorabilia. Cheeca isn’t as exclusive as it was when it opened doors in 1946 (to President Harry Truman, its first guest, as well as celebrities like Paul Newman and Bing Crosby), but there’s still an executive nine-hole golf course (designed by Jack Nicklaus) plus a private beach with sand (not rocks) — worth noting in the Keys.
The Brown Palace Hotel
Denver, Colorado
Every president since Roosevelt (the first one) has checked into this 1892 Denver hotel, save Calvin Coolidge and Barack Obama. Dwight Eisenhower stayed here so frequently while visiting the in-laws that his favorite room earned the title of “Western White House.” Today the hotel has three presidential suites, named for Ronald Reagan (styled like a 1950s ranch house), Teddy Roosevelt (who visited 110 years ago) and, of course, Eisenhower (featuring an eight-seat dining room table below a chandelier).
The Fairmont San Francisco
San Francisco, California
The Fairmont, at the crest of San Francisco’s Nob Hill, calls itself “the San Francisco residence” for U.S. presidents; all of them have stayed there since (and including) William Taft. Today, the Presidential Suite offers 180-degree views from Twin Peaks to the Golden Gate from the 23rd floor, along with design accents in copper, gold and granite, a nod to the city’s mining wealth. There’s just one bedroom, though, unless you want to add on the neighboring room.
The Plaza, New York
New York, New York
Since its opening in 1907, every single sitting President has checked into the Plaza. Their top offering is called the Royal Suite, and the decor is suitably non-democratic: the 4,400-square-foot space takes its design inspiration from the OTT stylings of French monarchy, with dining for 12, views of Fifth Avenue and Central Park, and 24-karat gold-plated faucets in the bathroom.
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