It took the world of design by storm in the 1920s and ’30s but Art Deco is far from over. Since its heyday in the early 20th Century, Art Deco’s look of bold geometry and Jazz-Age opulence has enjoyed a constant cycle of resurgence… and we’re in one now.
Emerging after World War I, the original concepts of the Art Deco style—which was introduced at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris—embodied a spirit of creativity, freedom and modern innovation.
Influencing everything from interior design to decorative arts and fashion, Art Deco’s impact on architecture remains a vibrant force, from New York City’s Chrysler Building to Miami Beach’s Art Deco District.
In honor of Art Deco’s 100th anniversary this year, we’re showcasing some quintessential Art Deco hotels—that also happen to have event space.
The Chatwal, New York City
Built by the ill-fated architect Stanford White in 1905, The Chatwal—part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt—is nothing short of luxurious, with 76 rooms and suites, some with spacious terraces overlooking the city, butler service, custom amenities and distinct private bars.
Event spaces include the fabled Lamb’s Club and The Stanford White Room, featuring a wood-paneled 600-sf space complete with an original open working fireplace and private outdoor terrace.
The New Yorker
Towering over the New York skyline since 1929, The New Yorker was technologically advanced for the day, built with a private power plant, an underground tunnel to Penn Station and even an ice rink. At the height of her popularity, the “Grand Old Lady” hosted influential politicians, celebrities, and sports figures, and entertained in The Terrace Room with the who’s who of the Big Band era.
Today part of Wyndham Hotels, The New Yorker offers more than a thousand Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites along with 23,000 sf of historic event space. And it’s still steps from Penn Station.
The Hollywood Roosevelt
The Hollywood Roosevelt was financed by a group of Tinseltown stars and has been a defining part of Los Angeles since 1927. An Art Deco masterpiece, the Roosevelt is where history and culture intersect, from hosting the first Academy Awards in 1929 to hosting icons like Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and Gable and Lombard, who inspired the name for the hotel’s top-floor penthouse—the Gable & Lombard Suite.
The hotel offers 25,000-sf of event space, including the Blossom Ballroom where the first Academy Awards were held. The ballroom’s vintage ceiling is still in place, now complemented by LED lights, custom chandeliers and 10-foot radial doors.
Hotel Allegro, Chicago
Art Deco flourishes abound at The Allegro Royal Sonesta, set in Chicago’s Theater District and offering 483 rooms and suites with distinctive Deco touches—a nod to the city’s Prohibition days—not to mention a bar serving such old-timey favorites as the Hemingway Daiquiri.
A diverse range of versatile event spaces totals more than 14,000 sf, with 15 sophisticated meeting rooms boasting rich Art Deco interiors.
The Siren Hotel, Detroit
Built in 1926, the former world headquarters of the Wurlitzer Co. is now the landmark Siren Hotel, celebrating the grandeur of Detroit at the turn of the last century.
The impressive 13-story property offers sweeping views across downtown Detroit, with 106 guestrooms creating a sanctuary above the city in muted pink and burgundy hues, decorated with vintage design elements, retro-modern pieces and museum-quality antiques.
Though fully remodeled, the building has retained its Art Deco charm in every nook and cranny, including a lavish cocktail lounge and ornate lobby, both available for private events.
Higgins Hotel and Conference Center, New Orleans
Located directly across the street from New Orleans’ National WWII Museum—and its official hotel—the Higgins offers 230 era-inspired guest rooms and specialty suites along with a second-floor conference center boasting more than 18,000 sf of meeting and event space including ballrooms and breakout rooms as well as a terrace with city views.
Speaking of amazing views, the rooftop bar, Rosie’s, is available for private or semi-private rental, hosting groups up to 250.
The National, South Beach
Lined up along Ocean Drive like decorated birthday cakes, the hotels of Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District are part of a National Register district of more than 800 buildings, representing Art Deco as well as other modern architectural styles from different eras of Miami’s history.
Once facing a developer’s wrecking ball, the hotels of the Art Deco District have been protected, cherished and renovated into perfect examples of vintage meeting modern. One such property, The National, offers more than 1,300 sf of dedicated meeting space indoors, plus another 25,000 sf of spectacular outdoor event space, including the lush pool area.
The Betsy, South Beach
Family-owned and -operated, the oceanfront Betsy opened in 2009 following a restoration of the historic Betsy Ross Hotel. In December 2016, the property underwent a groundbreaking expansion to merge with the former Carlton Hotel (originally designed by architect Henry Hohauser, best known for his innovative Art Deco designs) to become a single 130-room property.
Welcoming events is The Carlton Room, a communal “beach-chic” gathering space. Group spaces also include a central garden-like atrium, and an oceanfront deck with views of the Atlantic.
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