The Lost Great Hotels of America (Documentary)

This captivating full-length documentary goes in-depth into America's lost architecture in hotels - from the Gilded Age to Golden Age Hollywood - by covering the grandeur and eventual demise of some of the most opulent hotels that once adorned the United States' streets.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
0:52 The Savoy-Plaza Hotel, New York
18:48 The Royal Palm Miami Hotel
36:10 The San Francisco Palace Hotel
50:00 The Las Vegas Sands
1:06:43 The Original Waldorf and Astor Hotels, New York
1:20:46 The Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles
1:41:50 The Garden of Alla, Los Angeles

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In a time when elegance and extravagance defined American hospitality, some of the country’s finest hotels left an indelible mark on the nation's cultural landscape before vanishing into history.

The Royal Palm Hotel in Miami, opened in 1897, was Henry Flagler’s masterpiece, attracting elite travelers to Florida’s coast and laying the foundation for Miami as a luxury destination.

Across the country, San Francisco’s Palace Hotel stood as a marvel of engineering and opulence, boasting the world’s first hydraulic elevators and surviving the 1906 earthquake, only to be lost to a fire shortly after.

In Los Angeles, the Ambassador Hotel was more than just a hotel—it was the social hub of Hollywood royalty and hosted six Academy Awards before falling victim to changing times and a tragic historical event in 1968.

The Garden of Allah, nestled in West Hollywood, wasn’t simply a residence but a bohemian retreat for writers, artists, and actors, whose Mediterranean villas and lively pool parties inspired some of the era's most creative minds.

New York City’s Original Waldorf and Astor Hotels redefined luxury in the late 19th century, with the Waldorf-Astoria eventually merging into a single entity that would become synonymous with high society and sophisticated living.

In Las Vegas, the Sands Hotel became an icon of mid-century glamour, famous for its Rat Pack performances and renowned Copa Room, forever linking the Sands with the mystique of Sinatra and his circle.

The Savoy-Plaza Hotel, another New York City gem, overlooked Central Park and was celebrated for its art deco style and high-profile clientele before being razed for a new skyscraper in the 1960s.

Each of these hotels was more than just a place to stay—they were destinations in themselves, where America’s elite gathered, history was made, and legends were born.

While they have disappeared, the legacy of these “lost” great hotels continues to inspire and remind us of an era when hospitality was an art form, and luxury reigned supreme.

From Miami’s sunny shores to New York’s bustling heart and the deserts of Las Vegas, these hotels symbolized the peak of American grandeur, now preserved only in memories, photographs, and the stories left behind.

Today, they serve as a testament to the changing times and the evolution of American hospitality, as newer establishments seek to capture a piece of their unforgettable magic.

[ThatBearHasMoxie]

I absolutely love the writing and descriptions Old Money Documentaries uses to describe these hotels. So well done!!!

[desstanbridge]

I'm so glad the movement was started to preserve this architecture. From the little art deco 2 story hotels in Miami to the Georgeon Cape Dutch style in Cape Town. Not all is lost😢

[MaryBethPetra]

The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego does a beautiful afternoon formal tea on Sundays that’s just lovely.

[titizroyal]

Who is able to build Hotels like these nowadays? Thank you for your very interesting documentation.

[desstanbridge]

The artisans and skills that produced these buildings is a true loss when they were destroyed 😢

[paullewis]

Didn’t mention 2 of the worst losses. The Astor, Times Square (its demolition heralded the downward spiral of the area) and the no expense spared NY Biltmore.

[timeforcoffee]

I'm glad we Brits appreciate and have preserved our oldest hotels, hence we still have our Savoy, Ritz, Claridges etc.

[hjpngmw]

This documentary was just as informative as it was entertaining. I learned quite a bit. I do wish preservationists had been able to save many of these hotels, however.

[LydiaGordy]

President Trump won, stop It’s not His fault that he knows what a woman is 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[lj]

Pure snobbery not unlike the top 10% of America with Trump.