U. S. Grant Hotel
Encyclopedia
The U.S. Grant Hotel is a historic hotel in downtown San Diego, California
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. It is 11 stories high and has 270 guest rooms in addition to meeting rooms and a ballroom.
, who named the hotel after his father. Grant bought the Horton House Hotel and demolished it to construct the current hotel in 1910. Noted architect Harrison Albright
designed the hotel. San Diego voters helped finance $700,000 for the $1.5 million needed to construct the hotel after Grant lacked the funds to do so.
Famous guests have included Albert Einstein
, Charles Lindbergh
, Franklin D. Roosevelt
and twelve additional United States Presidents
.
The hotel was refurbished in the 1980s, but fell upon hard times in the subsequent decade due to a financial slump. The hotel changed hands several times during the 1990s. In 2003, the hotel was purchased by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
, who closed the doors for 21 months to renovate the building. It reopened in November 2006. The hotel is operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts
as a part of their Luxury Collection.
The hotel's signature restaurant is the Grant Grill, which opened in 1952. It became a power-lunch spot for downtown businessmen and politicians, so much so that "ladies" were not permitted in the restaurant after 3 PM. In 1969 a group of prominent local women staged a sit-in which resulted in the restaurant abandoning its men-only policy.
The Grant Hotel was, for nearly 35 years, until 1974, known as the site of the annual reunion dinner of the "Great White Fleet Association," a group of sailors who sailed on the cruise of 16 white battleships from 1907-09. These dinners attracted a wide range of military officials and guests from all over the world.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It is 11 stories high and has 270 guest rooms in addition to meeting rooms and a ballroom.
History
The hotel was built by Ulysses S. Grant, Jr., son of president Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
, who named the hotel after his father. Grant bought the Horton House Hotel and demolished it to construct the current hotel in 1910. Noted architect Harrison Albright
Harrison Albright
Harrison Albright was an American architect best known for his innovative design of the West Baden Springs Hotel in Orange County, Indiana, which boasted the largest free-spanning dome in the world at the time of its construction.- Biography :Born in the Ogontz neighborhood of North Philadelphia,...
designed the hotel. San Diego voters helped finance $700,000 for the $1.5 million needed to construct the hotel after Grant lacked the funds to do so.
Famous guests have included Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
and twelve additional United States Presidents
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
.
The hotel was refurbished in the 1980s, but fell upon hard times in the subsequent decade due to a financial slump. The hotel changed hands several times during the 1990s. In 2003, the hotel was purchased by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation is a federally recognized tribe of Mission Indians from Southern California, near the El Cajon. The Sycuan band are a Kumeyaay tribe, one of the four ethnic groups indigenous to San Diego County....
, who closed the doors for 21 months to renovate the building. It reopened in November 2006. The hotel is operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is a hospitality ownership and management organization, headquartered in White Plains, New York. One of the world's largest hotel companies, it owns, operates, franchises and manages hotels, resorts, spas, residences, and vacation ownership properties...
as a part of their Luxury Collection.
The hotel's signature restaurant is the Grant Grill, which opened in 1952. It became a power-lunch spot for downtown businessmen and politicians, so much so that "ladies" were not permitted in the restaurant after 3 PM. In 1969 a group of prominent local women staged a sit-in which resulted in the restaurant abandoning its men-only policy.
The Grant Hotel was, for nearly 35 years, until 1974, known as the site of the annual reunion dinner of the "Great White Fleet Association," a group of sailors who sailed on the cruise of 16 white battleships from 1907-09. These dinners attracted a wide range of military officials and guests from all over the world.