By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com
April 19, 2006
Finding trustworthy hotels is always a daunting task for consumers - except for historic hotels that stand the test of time.
Membership in Historic Hotels of America gives that guarantee, since its roster includes properties that are listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, recognized locally for their historic significance, and aged at least 50 years.
The 13th largest hotel consortium in the world, Historic Hotels represents more than 34,000 rooms - including those contained by its newest members:
• The Ambassador Hotel, Milwaukee
• The Castle Hill Resort & Spa, Ludlow, VT
• Gasparilla Inn & Cottages, Boca Grande, FL
• The Kelley House, Edgartown, MA
"Historic Hotels of America gives travelers the opportunity to enhance their journey by staying in a historic hotel," said Thierry Roch, the group's executive director. "The diversity of these four hotels showcases the variety of experiences available through Historic Hotels."
The addition of the four new members gives the Washington-based group a roster of 211 properties, spread across 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
The Ambassador, a fixture on the west side of downtown Milwaukee for nearly 80 years, was designed in 1927 but restored to its original grandeur within the past few years. The 133-room property features vintage radios, spacious accommodations, and an architectural motif marked by archways.
Castle Hill is a 45-room resort tucked into the Green Mountains. Designed by one-time Vermont governor Alan Fletcher, it was the first home in the state with elevators and electricity. The original grand staircase, 1905 wallpaper, and woodwork remain, though guests also appreciate 21st-century conveniences.
A seasonal resort on a barrier island between Ft. Myers and Sarasota, Gasparilla has 149 rooms in its main hotel and guest cottages. The 1912 hotel bears the name of legendary Spanish pirate Jose Gaspar and exudes an "old Florida" flavor.
Unlike Gasparilla, which operates from October-June, Kelley House caters to guests who relish summer on Martha's Vineyard (May-October). Perched near the Edgartown waterfront since it first opened as a tavern in 1742, Kelley House has a classic clapboard exterior, dark wood shutters, and period antiques. It also retains its original maritime ambiance, thanks to a total makeover completed six years ago.
The Historic Hotels membership directory can be purchased for $4 from National Trust Historic Hotels of America, P.O. Box 320, Washington, DC 20055-0320 (Tel. 800-678-8946, www.historichotels.org). Reservations made through Historic Hotels support the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a non-profit organization with 200,000 members.
