Before the Inauguration: Obama's Favorite Hotels

Four years ago, President Obama moved his family into the Presidential Suite at this historic hotel with White House views after former President George W. Bush rejected his request to stay in Blair House, the White House’s guest residence. President Obama wanted to move to Washington three weeks before his inauguration so that his daughters could start at Sidwell Friends School without missing the beginning of the term, but he was informed that Blair House was already booked (for former prime minister of Australia John Howard and several receptions, as it later turned out). Lucky for him, The Hay-Adams is one of DC's most luxurious stays.

President Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton chose this luxurious 57-room resort in Los Cabos as the official host for the entire U.S. delegation during the G-20 Mexico Summit in June 2012. The delegation crew met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the proceedings, which likely left little time for taking a dip in the resort's gorgeous infinity pool. But hopefully the picturesque setting helped this dynamic duo brainstorm ways to improve US-Russian relations. Unfortunately, if they did at the time, things are looking strained again after Putin imposed an adoption ban last month.

Every U.S. president since Herbert Hoover has stayed at this New York City icon, and Obama is no exception. He appropriately stayed in the four-bedroom Presidential Suite, which costs $8,500 a night (which, believe it or not, isn't all that much compared to the cost of these exorbitant presidential suites). Built in 1931, the Waldorf retains its stunning art deco grandeur and strict dress code (no jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, or baseball hats recommended in the public areas after 6 p.m.). There even used to be a secret train platform underneath the hotel at 49th Street for high-profile guests.

While still on the campaign trail in 2008, Obama swung through Germany and announced that “America has no better partner than Europe.” And apparently Berlin has no better hotel than the grand, old-world Hotel Adlon Kempinski, as that’s where POTUS chose to stay. Everyone from Albert Einstein to Queen Elizabeth II has slept at this classically elegant hotel centrally located near the Brandenburg Gate.

When President Obama visited Las Vegas in January 2012, he broke away from the mega-resorts of The Strip (POTUS had previously stayed at Caesars Palace, Aria, and the home of Palms chairman George Maloof) and surprisingly chose to stay at this modest 123-room hotel in Summerlin. But what the hotel is lacking in size -- the room Obama stayed in was just 600 square feet -- it makes up for in purpose: A green hotel, Element strives to be as eco-friendly as possible. Obama also wanted to help out smaller, local businesses during his stay, even ordering in from Dom Demarco's Pizza one night -- 12 pizzas and 20 cannolis made their way the second floor, which had been booked by the President -- and meeting with the owner of both establishments.

Upon first glance, one might not guess that this unassuming row of four Georgian townhouses is home to Dublin's most luxurious hotel. And because the block The Merrion sits on is dominated by the Edwardian Government Buildings, where Ireland's prime minister has his office, it's even more understandable that the hotel might get overlooked. But this only enhances The Merrion's appeal: The hotel is quietly exclusive and utterly discreet. Though it is now public knowledge that Barack and Michelle Obama made The Merrion their home base when they visited Dublin in 2011, the Dublin media didn't even know the Obamas had been to the hotel until after they departed.

We know that Obama’s team slept at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles while on the campaign trail back in 2008, so we think it’s a safe bet that the President himself slept here too (after all, it is one of the best luxury hotels in Los Angeles). The campaign was in town for a $2,500-per-person fundraiser held at the hotel, at which Barbra Streisand performed in support of the candidate. Earlier in the night, the team held a $28,500-per-plate dinner at the Greystone Mansion -- it must have been tasty!

This luxe Fairmont property in Chicago served as Obama's headquarters on Election Day 2012. POTUS held several press conferences at the Fairmont during the day, before picking up a quick basketball game in the afternoon at a nearby athletic facility. The President then returned to the hotel to view the election results, along with First Lady Michelle Obama and the Biden family.

Obama’s decision to stay at this then brand-new InterContinental became quite the controversy in 2009: Every president since Herbert Hoover had stayed at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa when visiting Phoenix. Although there was no word as to why the new president chose the Montelucia, it could be the Biltmore’s strong connection to John McCain: He announced his concession to Obama from the Biltmore’s lawn; he was married there in 1980; and he had planned a fundraiser there for a week after Obama’s visit to Phoenix. Or maybe it was just because the $325 million Montelucia is a gorgeous getaway at the foot of beautiful Camelback Mountain.


RELATED LINKS:

• Gunshots, scandals, and ill-fated banquets: Presidents and the hotels that host them
• The campaign hotels of the 2012 election
• Which presidential suite is best for America: Cast your vote!