A historic hotel anchors a town. It’s the civic beating heart from which special occasions, cherished memories, and daily rituals flow. And just about every prestigious property can tell tales of economic swings and underappreciated eras. As is the case for its human guests, an inn, hotel, or resort reaching one hundred years is a milestone worthy of accolades. Here are five we’re celebrating in 2026.
The Boca Raton
Boca Raton, Florida
Architect Addison Mizner designed the Cloister Inn, a Mediterranean Revival marvel of arches, loggias, and courtyards, in 1926. Four more distinct hotels arose over the following century, including the adults-only Yacht Club and the family-friendly Beach Club, which recently received a $100 million redesign. “Mizner described [the Cloister Inn] as the world’s most architecturally beautiful playground,” CEO Daniel Hostettler says. “A century later, his ambition is still the assignment, and there is no finish line.”
La Concha Key West
Key West, Florida
It’s not surprising that Tennessee Williams is rumored to have penned much of A Streetcar Named Desire while staying at the grande dame of Key West, given the property’s reputation at the time as South Florida’s most modern and luxurious accommodation. Guests still gather daily at the Tropicado to launch cocktail hour by blowing the conch shell. The hotel’s Centennial Package features two tickets for a sunset cruise, a commemorative brass key, a vintage postcard, and other history-inspired amenities.
The Lancaster Hotel
Houston, Texas
Located in Houston’s Theater District, the erstwhile Auditorium Hotel calls back to the now-demolished City Auditorium with its dramatic columned twelfth-floor windows. This year, guests can book a special Centennial package, which includes a commemorative book and a candle featuring the hotel’s signature scent. “Reaching one hundred years is an extraordinary milestone for an independent hotel,” says general manager Pete Shim. “In November, we’ll host a special centennial celebration recognizing those who’ve been part of the Lancaster’s story over the past century.”
The Orchard Inn
Saluda, North Carolina
The Brotherhood of Railway Clerks constructed their “mountain home” as a summer retreat above what was then a thriving resort destination. Though Saluda’s fortunes fell victim to car travel and the Great Depression, the Brotherhood maintained the property until 1962. Several owners later, guests enjoy the same broad porches, cottages, and common spaces. “We’ve added two luxury suites and a Zen-inspired spa,” innkeeper Marianne Blazar says. “But we remain very much the craftsman-influenced property that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.”
St. Regis Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor’s mother loved roses, so the St. Regis Washington, D.C. planted one hundred fresh “American Beauty” bushes in the Caroline Astor Rose Garden to commemorate its centennial. Built as the Carlton Hotel by developer Henry Wardman, the White House–adjacent property has served as a government and a celebrity hub since its founding. A Centennial Sabrage Series kicked off the anniversary celebration, with Mayor Muriel Bowser sabering the first Champagne bottle, and throughout the year, the 1926 Experience offers a third night’s lodging for $19.26.
Crai Bower regularly writes about golf, gardens, nature, human-powered adventures, and other passions for Garden & Gun and many other publications. Follow his sojourns to the South and around the world on Instagram @travelcrais.