This article is a time machine into the 1930s of America with a list of Art Deco treasures where you can stay for the night.
Right before World War II, which turned the world into a mess, the French (who else?) developed a new style called Arts décoratifs, AKA Decorative Arts, or Art Deco in short. Bright colors and bold geometric shapes turned the 20s to early 30s into an era that turned small items to the tallest skyscrapers into exquisite craftsmanship.
Using some of the most expensive materials, architects brought to life some of the most famous buildings in the world, like the Empire State Building, which has a facade made of Swedish granite, Indiana limestone, and architectural terracotta. Many of these visually appealing structures were originally built as hotels, while others were converted at a later time.
So, let's see some brilliant examples of Art Deco hotels in the USA.
Pendry - 1929 - Chicago
Pendry Chicago
The 37-story Carbide & Carbon Building was constructed by the Union Carbide and Carbon Company in 1929 as their regional headquarters. The building is a prominent example of Art Deco architecture, featuring dark granite, marble, and terracotta. Its distinctive green and gold color scheme was inspired by champagne bottles, symbolizing luxury and exclusivity.
The building's construction coincided with the era of Prohibition and the rise of jazz in Chicago. Its design reflected the rebellious and dynamic atmosphere of the time, challenging traditional architectural norms.
Today, Chicago's 503-foot (153 m) tall landmark is an exclusive, 5-star hotel with a staggeringly beautiful interior. The hotel is operated by Montage International, owners of the Pendry Hotel chain.
Biltmore Resort and Spa - 1929 - Phoenix
Biltmore Resort and Spa, Phoenix, Arizona
The Biltmore Resort is famous for its association with Frank Lloyd Wright, whose student designed the property. It opened in 1929 and has a rich history, including being a hot spot for Hollywood celebrities during the Prohibition era. It features Art Deco design elements and has undergone renovations to maintain its historic charm while adding modern touches to meet guest demands.
Did you know Marilyn Monroe was into water slides? Biltmore Resort features multiple pools, including the Paradise Pool with a new water slide tower, the adults-only Saguaro Pool, and the Catalina Pool, Marilyn Monroe's favorite.
The Sunset Tower Hotel - 1929 - Los Angeles
Sunset Tower Hotel
The Sunset Tower, designed by architect Leland A. Bryant in 1929, officially opened in 1931 and is one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Los Angeles. This landmark building is located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood and was among California's first reinforced concrete high-rise buildings.
The tower's facade is adorned with plaster friezes illustrating plants, animals, airships, legendary creatures, and Adam and Eve. You have to look closely as the moldings are white.
After experiencing a period of decline in the early 1980s, the building underwent renovations and has since operated as a luxury hotel under various names, starting with The St. James's Club and The Argyle, and it is currently known as The Sunset Tower Hotel. In 1980, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Georgian Hotel - 1933 - Santa Monica
The Georgian Hotel
The Georgian Hotel, also known as the First Lady, is a historic hotel in Santa Monica Beach, California. The eight-story tower first opened its doors in 1933, attracting Hollywood's elite, who sought refuge from the valley heat at the beach. The building features a distinctive turquoise facade accented with a golden-yellow top and a striped canopy.
The fabulous hotel's popularity grew over the years, and its basement restaurant became one of the last strongholds of the Prohibition era, functioning as a true speakeasy. The Georgian has hosted many notable figures, including Bugsy Siegel, Al Capone, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, and many others.
With its stunning beachfront views and beautiful Art Deco architecture, the Georgian draws vacationers from around the world who come to experience classic Hollywood.
Since 1995, the Georgian Hotel has been listed as a City of Santa Monica Designated Historic Landmark.
Hotel Edison - 1931 - New York City
Hotel Edison New York City - Image courtesy of Triumph Hotels
Yes, Hotel Edison was named after the brilliant inventor and businessman. The hotel was built in 1931 as one of the first Art Deco hotels in New York City's Theater District. Its exterior features curved edges and bold lines, characteristic of the Art Deco style. These elements contribute to its eye-catching facade, which gleams proudly in the heart of Midtown.
The vintage charm continues inside. The hotel's double-decker lobby has amazing Art Deco murals depicting New York City's heyday.
It's located in Manhattan's busiest spot, on 47th Street between 8th Avenue and Broadway, near iconic locations like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Broadway shows. Hotel Edison has 795 rooms with nice city views if you get one of the rooms on the upper floors.
Fun fact: During its inaugural ceremony, Thomas Edison himself turned on the hotel's lights.
Carlyle Hotel - 1930 - New York City
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
The Carlyle Hotel, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, is a great example of Art Deco architecture that has been around since 1930. The hotel's look is inspired by Westminster Cathedral, cladded with beige terra cotta stripes and geometric patterns on its outside.
Inside, the Art Deco style continues in the lobby, with a marble floor, yellow-leather furniture, and a green frieze. These details have been well-maintained, keeping the lobby's elegant feel.
In 2002, the hotel's bar was updated by designer Thierry Despont. He kept the Art Deco style with brown leather seats, black glass tables, and a black granite bar. The ceiling is covered in gold leaf, adding a touch of glitz. The bar also has unique artwork by Bemelmans (Austrian-American writer and illustrator), making it a cozy and unique place to visit for an evening drink.
The Bryant Park Hotel - 1924 - New York City
The Bryant Park Hotel
The Bryant Park Hotel in Midtown Manhattan is a brilliant piece of Art Deco architecture. The American Radiator Building, where this luxury hotel is housed, is a timeless and elegant icon of Art Deco design in New York City.
It was built in 1924 and designed by famous architects Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells. The building mixes Gothic and Art Deco styles with bold geometric patterns and unique decorations that capture the spirit of the early 20th century.
The hotel's exterior stands out with its dark facade and gold accents, especially the gold-colored shapes at the top. These characteristics and the gold-accented details around the windows give the building its distinctive Art Deco look.
In 2001, the building was converted into the Bryant Park Hotel. The renovation, led by British designer David Chipperfield, kept the original Art Deco features while adding modern touches. The hotel now has 130 guest rooms, a movie screening room, a cocktail lounge, and a restaurant.
New Yorker Hotel - 1930 - New York City
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
The New Yorker was built in 1930 at the height of the Jazz Age. The hotel was designed by Sugarman and Berger Architects and stands as one of the most state-of-the-art buildings of its time. The hotel's design has intricate decorative motifs, which are characteristic of the Art Deco style that was popular in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s.
The New Yorker Hotel is also famous for its hidden secrets. The hotel originally had a private power plant, an underground tunnel connecting to Penn Station, and even an ice rink. The beautifully tiled Art Deco tunnel and other hidden artifacts add to the hotel's mystique.
In the late 2000s, New Yorkers underwent a substantial renovation, and its guestrooms were redesigned with geometric carpets, star-shaped ceiling lights, and curtains, all inspired by the original Art Deco style.
Bottleworks Hotel - 1931 - Indianapolis
Bottleworks Hotel
The Bottleworks is a 300 million-dollar new district in the former Coca-Cola bottling plant in Indianapolis. It's a mixed-use urban project with food halls, residential buildings, a marketplace, and a unique boutique hotel. All this is housed in pretty 1930s Art Deco buildings with terracotta facades.
The 139-room boutique hotel is inside the gorgeous former administration building, with a central atrium, a restaurant, and a bar.
The Don CeSar - 1928 - St. Pete Beach
The Don CeSar
The majesticly pink beachfront hotel, Don CeSar, became famous as a luxury destination for America's elite during the Jazz Age. In 1924, Thomas Rowe purchased 80 acres of seafront land in Florida for $100,000 to begin his dream of building a "pink castle" and hired Indianapolis architect Henry Dupont to design the hotel and make sure it didn't sink in the soft white sand during and post-construction.
The hotel's "accidentally West Anderson" facade features a Mediterranean-revival styling, while its interior has flamboyant Art Deco ornaments, lamps, and furniture.
The SLS South Beach - 1939 - Miami Beach
SLS South Beach
The SLS South Beach (formerly The Ritz Plaza) is located in the Miami Beach Architectural District, where Art Deco beauties are lined up like people looking for fun on Ocean Drive. With its eye-catching spire, this hotel was the tallest in the city for 30 years. The Art Deco tower, designed by architect L. Murray Dixon, was originally opened as the Grossinger Beach Hotel and was the first air-conditioned hotel in Miami Beach. During World War II, the building was utilized by the US Army to house high-ranking officers. After the war, it reopened in 1946 under the name Ritz Plaza.
Today, the seafront property is home to the luxurious SLS South Beach hotel with a pool and awesome garden parties. The more expensive rooms offer views of the Atlantic Ocean, while the most exclusive option, the Tower Penthouse, comes with its own private rooftop terrace.
Cavalier South Beach Hotel - 1936 - Miami Beach
Cavalier South Beach Hotel
The Cavalier South Beach Hotel, built in 1936, is a classic example of art deco architecture in Miami. Designed by architect Roy F. France, the hotel features typical Art Deco elements like molded ceilings, pastel colors, and clean lines. The exterior has colorful decorative ribbons, and inside, you'll find terrazzo floors and neon lighting that add to its charm.
The Cavalier is on Ocean Drive in South Beach, right in the heart of Miami's Art Deco district. The hotel offers 46 rooms that blend the original Art Deco style.
The Century Hotel - 1939 - Miami Beach
Century Hotel Miami Beach
The Century Hotel is a small, two-story building with 26 rooms, including options with views of Ocean Drive.
The Henry Hohauser-designed Century Hotel building features a beautiful beachfront facade with pastel colors and neon lighting, which were popular decorations of the era. It's another classic hotel in the Art Deco District of Miami Beach, famous for its vibrant colors and window "eyebrows." Its design reflects the glamour and optimism of the Art Deco era.
The Crescent Hotel - 1941 - Miami Beach
Hilton Vacation Club Crescent on South Beach Miami
The Crescent is yet another excellent design by the Art Deco master Henry Hohauser. The cute three-story building has a two-tone pastel-colored facade with amoeba-like geometric shapes, making it one of the most unique hotels in Miami Beach.
It's now run by the famous Hilton Hotel Group and has an ocean-view rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi.
Delano South Beach Hotel - 1947 - Miami Beach
Delano South Beach Hotel
The white tower of Delano is an iconic example of Art Deco architecture that used to be the tallest building upon its completion. It was designed by architect Robert Swartburg and completed in 1947, and it quickly became one of the landmarks of Miami Beach.
The hotel's facade includes vertical paint bands and terrazzo flooring, which are typical Art Deco elements. The Delano has a distinctive crown-like cap at the top, adding to its iconic appearance. As of 2025, it's undergoing yet another major renovation after its last significant update in 1994. It's slated to reopen by the end of the year.
