Legends of the Americas: Grand Historic Luxury Hotels Across North & South America

If the Walls Could Talk in Historic Hotels

Some places don’t just exist in the present—they live in the past as well. In this third of our four-part series on historic luxury hotels, we’ll focus on the Americas where certain grand hotels have stood as silent witnesses to revolutions, red carpets, and roaring jazz. Check out our first two articles about luxury time travel in Europe and timeless glamour in Asia.

Historic hotels in the Americas have seen tango dancers twirl through gilded ballrooms and heads of state whisper through cigar smoke. If the walls could talk, they’d tell a hundred tales. Whether nestled in the foothills of Argentina or gleaming above New York’s skyline, these hotels are icons in their own right. You can almost hear the echoes of past conversations in their lobbies, feel the charm of old-world service, and soak in that exquisite, spine-tingling feeling that you’re staying somewhere truly special. Let’s discover the American giants that continue to enchant the world.

The Plaza, New York City – An Empire State of Elegance

Few hotels carry the weight of New York’s grandeur like The Plaza. Since opening in 1907, it’s been a crown jewel at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. A beacon of sophistication with a past as rich as its interiors, F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Beatles called it home, at least for a while.

Marilyn Monroe once hosted an entire press conference in a suite here, while Truman Capote’s famous Black and White Ball turned the Grand Ballroom into the epicentre of Manhattan’s social scene. Even Hollywood loves it. The hotel starred in Home Alone 2 and The Great Gatsby, a nod to its literary roots and cinematic splendour.

The moment you step through its revolving doors, you’re swept into a world of crystal chandeliers, hushed corridors, and velvet-draped elegance. Afternoon tea at The Palm Court is a ritual not to be missed. The suites are lush, layered, and so very New York. You feel important here, like the city itself has opened its arms and said, “Welcome, darling.”

Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Havana – Revolution and Romance

Overlooking the Malecón with an air of sun-soaked dignity, Hotel Nacional is the soul of Havana’s hospitality. Built in 1930, its blend of Moorish, neoclassical, and Art Deco design has seen the city through every twist and turn of its turbulent history. With palm trees swaying over whispered secrets, it’s where elegance meets intrigue.

Frank Sinatra stayed here during the golden age of Cuban nightlife, as did Ava Gardner. But it’s not all glamour. In the 1940s, the hotel hosted a now-legendary mob summit attended by Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano, an event that inspired events in The Godfather Part II. That tension between beauty and grit is what gives the Nacional its singular magic.

Soft pastel walls, arched windows, and a lingering sense of nostalgia give the rooms a vintage charm. Every night, a live band serenades guests with boleros and rumba. You don’t just stay here. You feel Havana in your bones, long after check-out.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Québec City – Castle Above the Clouds

It rises above the St. Lawrence River like something out of a fairytale. More than a hotel, Le Château Frontenac is a symbol. Since 1893, this towering monument to French-Canadian culture has welcomed royalty, artists, and anyone enchanted by its castle-like façade and warm hospitality.

Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt met here during WWII for the Quebec Conferences, helping to shape the course of the war. Grace Kelly also stayed here on a royal visit, her elegance mirroring that of the hotel itself. There’s an old-world charm in its wood-panelled halls and turreted suites that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a different century.

There’s a playfulness in the air, a joy in every corner. Snowflakes drift outside stained-glass windows in winter, and in summer, the terrace fills with laughter and clinking glasses. The staff welcome you like family, the views are sublime, and the experience is one of true enchantment. This isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s a place to dream.

Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil – Jungle Luxury by the Falls

Tucked within the lush embrace of Iguaçu National Park, the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas offers a front-row seat to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. But beyond the falls, this pink-hued colonial gem became a haven for artists, diplomats, and dreamers.

Princess Diana once visited for a private retreat, soaking up the tranquillity and awe of the cascades. David Bowie, ever drawn to offbeat beauty, spent several days here sketching and writing. Beyond the extraordinary view, what makes this hotel so extraordinary is the feeling of being removed from the world, yet cocooned in luxury.

There’s something deeply spiritual about waking up to the roar of the falls, watching toucans glide past your balcony. Inside, it’s all Portuguese tiles, dark woods, and gracious service. Walk through the gardens, and you’ll feel a sense of wonder that defies language. This is where nature and history meet—in style.

And just south of the falls, another gem awaits—tucked in the Andean foothills of Argentina, where elegance meets the rhythm of the Pampas.

Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Patagonia – Patagonian Grandeur with a View

Cradled between the glacial lakes and soaring peaks of Argentine Patagonia, the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort is a masterpiece of alpine architecture and South American soul. Originally opened in 1938 and rebuilt after a fire in the 1940s, it remains a timeless sanctuary where rugged beauty meets refined comfort.

Walt Disney stayed here during a scouting trip for his South American-themed animated films, enchanted by the landscape’s magic. Decades later, Argentine First Lady Eva Perón hosted diplomatic guests at the resort, lending it a sense of prestige that still lingers in its grand halls.

The lodge’s exposed timber beams, roaring fireplaces, and sweeping lake views make you feel both rugged and regal. There's a wild luxury to the place—morning mist curling over the water, the scent of woodsmoke in the air, and the distant call of the Andes reminding you that this is no ordinary retreat. It’s a place where you can hike through pristine forests by day and sip Malbec by the fire at night, wrapped in a blanket of both nature and history.

History Echoing Down Corridors

From the icy elegance of Québec to the sultry charm of Havana and the rainforest romance of Brazil, the Americas are home to some of the world’s most unforgettable hotels. These aren’t just places to stay—they’re places to be, steeped in stories, beauty, and soul. Every corridor echoes with footsteps of legends, every room holds whispers of the past.

In the last part of our four-part series, we’ll journey to Africa and the Middle East, where ancient grandeur meets timeless hospitality in palaces and mansions you’ll never forget.