1600 Pennsylvania Avenue might be home base for the POTUS, but when you're the leader of the free world, you're bound to spend a lot of time traveling, too.
Over the course of his two-term presidency, Barack Obama jetted off to 58 different countries and embarked on plenty of firsts, including being the first sitting president to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years, Malaysia in almost half a century, and Kenya, Myanmar, Laos, and Ethiopia ever.
And while the commander-in-chief and those before him have laid their head in many a hotel during their journeys, there are a select few properties that have earned multiple U.S. president visits (or hosted more than one POTUS). Below, we put together a list of 11 hotels that have been popular among U.S. presidents.
1. Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
As the name suggests, this 142-year-old luxury hotel is indeed palatial. The glass-roofed indoor pool, restaurant with gold atrium ceiling, and lobby with vintage chandeliers are fit for a VIP -- or more specifically, a president. After all, the SoMa district property, which typically hosts a mix of business travelers and tourists, has also welcomed eight U.S. presidents, including both Roosevelts and Warren G. Harding. If you want even more of the commander-in-chief experience, book a stay in the Presidential Suite, which features six rooms, antique fireplaces, a baby grand piano, and a kitchen.
2. The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Hawaii
Built in 1964, this luxury hotel might be located in a posh Honolulu neighborhood, but it still manages to create a non-pretentious, family-friendly atmosphere. That's not to say its pedigree isn't impressive — not only was this the place where Liz Taylor and Richard Burton hid from the paparazzi after getting married (the first time) in 1964, but famous faces like Michael Jackson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Snoop Dogg, and every president since Lyndon B. Johnson have all rested their head here. And just in case you need reminding of the good company you're in, make your way to the lobby, where you'll find a Wall of Fame with framed photos of former famed guests.
3. The Fairmont San Francisco
There's something to be said about a hotel that has hosted every U.S. president since William Taft — and that word is wow. Truman came by in 1945, Kennedy stayed here nearly two decades later, Clinton three decades after that, followed by President Obama. It's no wonder, then, that the Nob Hill property, which opened in 1907, is known as the White House of the West. But it's not all about the politicos here — movies like "Vertigo," and "Dirty Harry" were filmed on the premises, too. And it certainly takes pride in its distinguished guests — the hallway is outfitted in framed photos of past visitors. If its star-studded history doesn’t do it for you, come for the decor, which includes marble Corinthian walls, vaulted ceilings, and velvet chairs.
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