Historic Hotels of North America Quiz

Answer: The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier has been in business since 1778, when it became a destination for those wishing to 'take the waters' of the sulphur springs on the property. In WWII the hotel was sold to the U.S. government where it was first used to house the diplomats, after which it was used as a hospital.

After the war, it returned to its original use, and is considered one of the nicest resorts in the U.S.

Answer: Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon married Pat on 6-21-40, in a Quaker ceremony held in one of the Inn's chapels. The Mission Inn takes up a whole city block. In one of the chapels there are windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Inn is especially known for its beautiful Spanish and Moorish architecture.

Answer: The Plaza

The Plaza hotel opened October 1, 1907. It was designed by a famous architect, Henry Janeway Hardenberg. His design was based on a French chateau. It was decorated with elaborate chandeliers and marble.

Answer: The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor was first opened over 75 years ago. It was owned by Spencer and Julie Penrose, who had made a fortune from gold and copper mines. They wanted to bring an elegant hotel in the grand style of European resorts to the Rockies.

Answer: The Waldorf-Astoria

The Waldorf-Astoria has been an official New York City landmark since 1993. It is especially known for its beautiful Art Deco decor. It was first opened by Mr. Astor in 1893. In the 1920s the hotel was demolished so that the Empire State Building could be built. The hotel was rebuilt on Park Avenue. It was officially reopened on October 1, 1931.

Answer: The Breakers

The Breakers first opened in 1896 on 140 acres of oceanfront property. Henry Morrison Flagler built it in order to draw visitors to the Palm Beach area that he was developing. It was first named the Palm Beach Inn. The hotel burned down and had to be rebuilt twice.

Its last rebuilding occured in the late 1920s. When it reopened in 1926, the rate was four dollars a day, and included three meals each day.

Answer: The Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel

The Regent Beverly Wilshire sits at the corner of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Blvd. The love affair between the characters played by Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in the movie 'Pretty Woman' was to have begun at the hotel. Currently it is owned by The Four Seasons Corp.

Answer: The Olympic Hotel

The Olympic Hotel first opened in 1924. It is on the National Register of Historic Places as well as Historic Hotels of America.

Answer: The Hotel Jerome

The Hotel Jerome is considered the most luxurious of all the Aspen hotels. Long a favorite of celebrities, past guests include Melanie Griffith, Warren Beatty, Don Johnson, numerous members of the Kennedy family, and many more. The hotel was listed in the Top 100 Hotels in the U.S. (2004) by "Travel and Leisure" Magazine.

It was also listed as a top ski resort hotel by "Conde Nast" Magazine for the years 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Answer: The Hotel Del Coronado

The Hotel Del Coronado opened in 1888. In the year 2004, "USA Today" named it one of the top ten resort hotels in the world. The Disney Company designed their own Grand Floridian Hotel after its exterior.

Answer: The Mansion on Turtle Creek

The Mansion at Turtle Creek has also been honored by Zagat as "the top hotel in the world for service", and by "Travel and Leisure" as having "the top hotel restaurant in the U.S.".

Answer: The Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1927. Its achitectural design included both Spanish Moorish and California Mission elements. The building is painted pink. Located on what was the site of the Hawaiian kings' playground, it has hosted many celebrites and political figures. Past guests include Shirley Temple, Joe DiMaggio, and Bing Crosby. During WWII it was leased to the Navy as an 'R and R' site for Pacific Fleet personnel.

It reopened to the public in 1947.

Answer: The Beverly Hills Hotel

The Beverly Hills Hotel opened in 1912. At the time, Beverly Hills was an undeveloped area. The hotel was opened by Margaret Anderson and Stanley Anderson because water had been found in the area and the land was slated to be developed. Previously, the Andersons were known for their Hollywood Hotel. Soon after the luxury hotel opened, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. built their magnificent estate close by.

This led to more celebrities moving into the area and made Beverly Hills one of Southern California's priciest neighborhoods.

Answer: The Peabody Hotel

The Peabody Hotel opened in 1869. It was named in honor of international financier George Peabody, who passed away shortly before the hotel was opened. The owner, Robert Brinkley, wanted to create a luxury hotel in Memphis. For 76 years the hotel has been known as the home of a group of ducks.

The ducks, which are always kept as one male and four females, live in the hotel. Every day at 11:00 am the red carpet is rolled out and the ducks make their famous walk to the fountain in the lobby. At 5:00 pm the red carpet is once again rolled out and the ducks make their walk back to their rooftop home.

Answer: The Ahwahnee Hotel

The Ahwahnee Hotel is located in the Yosemite Valley region of Yosemite National Park in California. From the hotel, it is possible to view some of the most famous sites of Yosemite, including Half Dome Rock, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point. The hotel opened in 1927, and is known for its granite facade and grand lodge elegance.