Hotel History

Yael & D’Etta
  • 4.9 (24)
  • Places & Travel

We take you with us through the sordid history and scandals of some of the world’s most famous – and infamous – hotels. https://www.hotelhistory.com

  1. Take Me to Your Innkeeper: Adventures on the Extraterrestrial Highway

    21h ago

    Take Me to Your Innkeeper: Adventures on the Extraterrestrial Highway

    Welcome to Cosmic Summer, where we'll be exploring strange skies all over the world and the hotels that cater to them. First up is the lonely road that crosses south central Nevada and runs parallel to the secret base the U.S. government swore didn't exist for decades—Area 51. On our way there, we stopped in Tonopah, NV, a former mining town with gorgeous historic hotels and an even more beautiful ghost haunting one of them. Then we drove down the Extraterrestrial Highway and stopped at alien hunter HQ, also known as the Little A'Le'Inn—the closest roadside motel to Area 51 and the UFOs (or UAPs?) in the dark skies above. On our way home we absolutely had to hit a leg of Route 66—this year is its Centennial, after all—and find as much neon signage as possible. Check out our socials for photos and videos of our journey and check back in for more cosmic content. And remember, the truth is out there! Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music: "Tumbleweed” by Christian Larssen from Uppbeat. "Hyperfun" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under CC: By Attribution 4.0. "Phantom from Space" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under CC: By Attribution 4.0. “Road Trip” by Yeti Music from Uppbeat. *affiliate link

    1h 4m
  2. Route 66: One Hundred Years of Roadside Motels and Funky Americana (recorded at The Eden Hotel)

    Jun 5

    Route 66: One Hundred Years of Roadside Motels and Funky Americana (recorded at The Eden Hotel)

    Route 66—perhaps the world's most famous patch of asphalt—is turning 100 year this, so we sat down with LA Times travel writer Christopher Reynolds to discuss his 2,400-plus-mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica. This episode was recorded at the Eden Hotel, which overlooks the Pacific and sits across the street from the unofficial end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier. To read more about Route 66 (or anywhere else Christopher has traveled), go here. Check out our bookshelf about Route 66 here. Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music: Blues Got a Groove On by Vocalista from Uppbeat. License code: GOZSBXVLINAISMQI *affiliate link

    59 min
  3. The Art of Hotel Design

    May 24

    The Art of Hotel Design

    What exactly goes into designing an iconic hotel? How do hundreds of design decisions—some tiny, some substantial—shape the guest experience? We interview Paige Byrd of Thiel & Team, the design firm behind the restoration of the historic Baker Hotel, to dig into the details that make you want to check in... or out. Learn more about the restoration of the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, TX here. Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music: "Coffee 2 - Cafe" by Cliff Patrick *affiliate link

    46 min
  4. The Sheraton Stockholm

    Apr 21

    The Sheraton Stockholm

    Fresh off a three-year renovation, the five-star Sheraton Stockholm Hotel is combining its reputation for international elegance with its Scandinavian roots. In a conversation with the hotel's general manager, Elin Roquet, we discuss this national landmark 's redesign, from the smallest details like texture and scent to the hotel lobby bar, Sally's, a glamorous nod to the Disco Era. Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music "Trip" by Scandinavianz is licensed under CC BY 3.0. *affiliate link

    48 min
  5. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel

    Apr 10

    The Royal Hawaiian Hotel

    Looking for a pink palace perched on the shores of paradise? Welcome to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki aka the Pink Palace of the Pacific. Once the playground of Hawaiian monarchs, it soon became a premiere destination for the well-heeled, followed inevitably by Hollywood celebs. Its doors have seen everyone from World War II sailors to American presidents and from child star Shirley Temple to the Shah of Iran. Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music "A Little Bit of Fun" by Jonny Boyle *affiliate link

    42 min
  6. Hidden Hospitality: The History of Black Hoteliers

    Mar 31

    Hidden Hospitality: The History of Black Hoteliers

    As we wearily check into our hotels, BnB's, and roadside lodges after a long day of travel, we seldom stop to think about the difficulties minority travelers faced doing those exact things in the not-too-distant past. Calvin Stovall Jr. is the author of Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, a book that explores the often-overlooked experiences of Black travelers and the entrepreneurs who created the thriving businesses that catered to their needs. From the days of wagon trails all the way to the Civil Rights Act, Black hoteliers faced down discrimination to build vibrant hubs of culture across the country. Buy your copy of Hidden Hospitality here. Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music "Lounge Cruisin" by Airstream. *affiliate link

    56 min
  7. Book Club: Last Call at the Savoy with Brisa Carleton

    Mar 6

    Book Club: Last Call at the Savoy with Brisa Carleton

    Our first live episode! We got to interview the queen of literary cocktails (and acclaimed Broadway producer) Brisa Carleton live at the Algonquin Hotel's historic Round Table, where literary greats like Dorothy Parker once lunched and quipped. We discuss Carleton's debut novel, Last Call at the Savoy, which spotlights the forgotten history of London's first female bartender, Ada Coleman. She also lets us in on her writing process along with some extra history tidbits about the Savoy and the Algonquin. Buy your copy of Last Call at the Savoy here.* Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music "Opportunity Walks" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under CC-4.0. *affiliate link

    33 min
  8. Secrets on the Line: The Life & Times of the Hotel Phone

    Jan 9

    Secrets on the Line: The Life & Times of the Hotel Phone

    Thank you for calling. Your call is important to us. Please hold. Dial 0 for the operator. These familiar expressions began 150 years ago when Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call in Boston. It didn't take long for luxury hotels to adopt the technology, and eventually the phone became a commonplace amenity used to request room service, wakeup calls, and extra towels. But behind the hotel's phone lines were the women running the switchboard... and keeping the secrets of their celebrity guests. Follow us: TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube 📰 Sign up for our free newsletter, The CHECK-IN. 📖 Join our free book club here. 📚 Shop our bookshelves here.* Support indie bookstores! ☕️ You can support Hotel History (and our caffeine addiction) here or on Patreon. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 Want to collaborate? 🎶 Music "Mining by Moonlight" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under CC-4.0. "analogic_dial_telephone" by trip_sound is licensed under CC-3.0. "phone-pickup-click-22" by Adam_Joseph is licensed under CC 3.0. *affiliate link

    35 min
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4.9
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

We take you with us through the sordid history and scandals of some of the world’s most famous – and infamous – hotels. https://www.hotelhistory.com

Information

  • Creator
    Yael & D’Etta
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © D'Etta Brown 2026
  • Show Website
    Hotel History

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