The Saint Paul Hotel Celebrates 100 Years

One of the United States' most widely recognized hotels, the historic Saint Paul Hotel in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, will celebrate its 100th birthday on April 18, 2010. The festivities will continue throughout the year, helping Minnesota's most established and luxurious hotel share the stories of the movers and shakers who have passed through its doors – and shaped the success of the state and region – in the decades since the hotel was founded.

The Saint Paul Hotel has occupied a top position among the region's luxury hotels during its lifetime, welcoming Presidents, world leaders, movies stars, sports figures, and royalty. The U.S. Presidents who have stayed at the hotel include George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, John F. Kennedy, Herbert Hoover, and Theodore Roosevelt. Other notable moments in The Saint Paul Hotel's history:

• During prohibition, deliveries of liquor were made to the hotel and the bellhops were ready with envelopes of cash to accept the merchandise at prices of $25 a gallon.
• On June 26, 1937, a young band leader named Lawrence Welk began playing at the hotel on Saturday nights.
• On September 13, 1937, Gene Autry – and his horse, Champion – checked into the hotel for eight days. They were in town performing in the World Championship Rodeo at the Saint Paul Auditorium.
• Shortly after John F. Kennedy's first televised debate with Richard Nixon in 1960, Kennedy addressed a group of 2,500 at a reception in The Saint Paul Hotel's grand ballroom and was greeted by another 17,000 supporters outside the hotel.

To celebrate, The Saint Paul Hotel is offering a special rate of US$100 a night, based on availability, throughout 2010. "This is our way of giving back to our community, which has provided so much support to us throughout our history," said General Manager David Miller.

The hotel is also interested in hearing stories from the public about what the hotel has meant to them. People who contribute a memory between January and December 2010 will be eligible to win a one-night stay at the hotel each month. People interested in sharing their stories can simply visit the hotel's website (www.saintpaulhotel.com) and click on "Our Hotel," "History of The Saint Paul Hotel" and then scroll down to the "Submit a Memory" section.

"The Saint Paul Hotel holds a very special place in Minnesota history," said Miller. "As stewards of this hotel, we know we've inherited not only a piece of history to care for, but a commitment to quality and excellence that must be lived up to. Everyone at the hotel is dedicated to maintaining those standards, continuing that legacy of excellence for the next 100 years."

Consistently ranked as one of the top hotels in the country, the iconic Saint Paul Hotel has been a destination for the discerning traveler for nearly a century. Blending Old World charm, modern style and sophistication, and unparalleled service, the hotel’s 254 renovated guestrooms, including 31 suites, feature sweeping views of Rice Park, Cathedral Hill, and the Capitol, along with luxurious 300-thread-count sheets and down comforters and pillows. The award-winning Saint Paul Grill serves classic American cuisine.

For more information about The Saint Paul Hotel, visit www.PreferredHotels.com.