Luxury Hotels, Gotta Love Them

Lets face it, who doesn’t like a little bit of luxury every once and awhile? Beds and bath products are just a few enticements to up the lodging ante. The battle for luxury bucks started in Boston in 1829 according to the book, When the Astors Owned New York: Blue Bloods and Grand Hotels in a Gilded Age. The Tremont House was the first hotel built on grandiose lines according to author Justin Kaplan.

“Single and double guest rooms upstairs- the $2 daily rate, exorbitant for its time, kept out all but well-to-do private citizens-offered not only comfort, security and prestige but novel features such as a unique lock and key for each door.”

In the 1880’s Henry Flagler single handedly developed Florida by building a rail connection and luxury hotels. When he died his widow had his body embalmed and placed in the lobby of the Ponce de Leon, his first Florida hotel. Maybe Paris Hilton isn’t so weird after all!