Mid Century Modern Hotels from Chicago, Portland and More

Craving a change of scenery? Whether you file these away for future reference or you’re able to get out now, these 5 Mid Century Modern hotels from Chicago to Portland are worth the trip.

Watergate Hotel library — The funky room divider and bold colors infuse the library with a luxurious and playful MCM mood. Photo by Ron Blunt/The Watergate Hotel.

The Watergate | Washington DC

If the name and location has you thinking Nixon, you’d be right. It’s not just this hotel’s decor that has history. Designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti, the hotel opened in 1967. Its modern style was a subject of controversy and consternation. Then the reason you know the name Watergate happened on June 17, 1972 when five men broke into the Democratic National Convention in the Watergate complex and then hid out in Room 214 of the Watergate Hotel.

Watergate Hotel Scandal Room — Now preserved as The Scandal Room, this very room is where Nixon’s Watergate scandal gets its name. Photo by David Preta/The Watergate Hotel.

Decades later, the hotel nods to the history that is forever tied to its name. Room 214 is now named and preserved as The Scandal Room. But today the hotel also offers luxurious Mid Century Modern accommodations. Now the drama is all in the decor, smartly appointed and refreshed by designer Ron Arad. To learn more about the hotel’s history or to book a visit, see thewatergatehotel.com.

Watergate Hotel suite — This suite overlooks the Potomac River. Photo by Ron Blunt/The Watergate Hotel.

The Jupiter Hotel | Portland, Oregon

Jupiter Hotel Property — In addition to the MCM-style rooms, Jupiter Hotel has several spaces guests can enjoy such as a heated outdoor tent and rooftop balcony. Photo courtesy of Jupiter Hotel.

Located in Portland’s Central Eastside Entertainment District, The Jupiter Hotel is for the urbanites who love MCM. The hotel is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along, and each room is equipped with chalkboard doors and chalk. Siderooms and an outdoor courtyard afford places outside your room to hang out and enjoy the MCM ambience. To book, visit jupiterhotel.com.

The Robey | Chicago, Illinois

The Robey Chicago lobby — The Robey sits at the intersection of Damen, Milwaukee and North Avenues in Chicago, and the building itself is a confluence of Art Deco and Mid Century Modern. Photo by Adrian Gaut.

The Robey combines two historic buildings in Chicago. One is a 1929 Art Deco skyscraper designed by Perkins, Chatten, & Hammond as an office building. The second is a 1905 Hollander Fireproof Warehouse. The skyscraper houses The Robey’s Tower Rooms, lobby and rooftop spaces. Belgian designers Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors transformed the office building into a sophisticated MCM hotel. The former warehouse nods to its past by retaining industrial touches “with boutique finishes and custom-designed furniture brought to life by DELORDINAIRE architects.” It now houses The Robey’s Annex rooms. To book a stay, including for a day-use work space, visit therobey.com.

The Robey hotel room — The Robey’s interior, including the rooms, are designed by Belgian duo Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors. The Panorama Suite includes a desk, private bar, and a 180-degree view of the Chicago skyline. Photo by Adrian Gaut.

Kate’s Lazy Meadow | Catskill Mountains, New York

If you’re craving a rustic retreat, Kate’s Lazy Meadow might be just the ticket. Inside the cabins, enjoy the playful 50s design by owners Kate Pierson of the band B-52s and Monica Coleman. Outside, enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of the Esopus River and Catskills Mountains. They offer pet-friendly options as well. Book a minimum two-night stay at lazymeadow.com.

The Fredonia | Nacogdoches, Texas

This hotel dates back to April 1955 in Nacogdoches, which purports to be Texas’ oldest town. Hotel Fredonia was originally a community-owned hotel, and a successful one at that. In 2016, new owners Barbara and Richard Dewitt oversaw a renovation that refreshed the hotel’s Mid Century Modern roots.

Today the Fredonia Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and, along with its MCM design, offers amenities such as two outdoor pools—including one with an outdoor movie screen—a business center, and pet-friendly rooms. To learn more, visit thefredoniahotel.com.