Celebrate the 100th anniversary of ‘The Great Gatsby’ at this Louisville hotel
The Seelbach Hilton in Louisville, Kentucky, has an illustrious history. The historic hotel has hosted U.S. presidents, Grammy-winning musical acts, movie stars and even infamous gangsters. But nobody cemented the Seelbach’s landmark status more than American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. Not only did Fitzgerald himself spend time at the hotel, but the Seelbach served as …
The Seelbach Hilton in Louisville, Kentucky, has an illustrious history. The historic hotel has hosted U.S. presidents, Grammy-winning musical acts, movie stars and even infamous gangsters. But nobody cemented the Seelbach’s landmark status more than American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Not only did Fitzgerald himself spend time at the hotel, but the Seelbach served as a backdrop in his third and most well-known novel, “The Great Gatsby.” In real life, Fitzgerald visited the Seelbach while stationed at Louisville’s Camp Taylor during World War I (most notably to drink and dance with the local ladies). In “The Great Gatsby,” the hotel makes a cameo as Tom and Daisy Buchanan’s wedding location.
April 25 marks the book’s 100th anniversary, and the Seelbach is celebrating by bringing the novel off the page and into its storied halls. On Feb. 1, the hotel debuted a two-room Great Gatsby Suite, with one room styled after Daisy and the other after her one-time suitor and the book’s namesake, Jay Gatsby.
The suite’s lavish art deco decor befits the book’s decadence, glamour and “new money versus old money” juxtaposition. Guests enter the suite through the Jay Gatsby-themed lounge. The room’s deep colors and rich fabrics are accented by extravagant gold drapery on the ceiling and a three-tiered crystal chandelier.
The bedroom is inspired by Daisy’s generational wealth and old-money vibe. The pink bedding, pillows and wallpaper are complemented by hints of gold; delicate details include a pink glass-blown vase, gold peacock-shaped lamps atop pedestal tables flanking the queen-size bed and pearls strewn around the vintage telephone.
Of course, the suite is not without its fair share of Easter eggs. You’ll find several Fitzgerald titles on the bookshelf, along with a smattering of Ernest Hemingway tomes and art deco design books.
There’s also a green light in the lounge that represents the literal and thematic “green light” that’s ever-present in “The Great Gatsby.” Framed pictures of Fitzgerald and the Seelbach Hilton are also on display, as is artwork modeled after the fictional towns of East Egg and West Egg.
You can currently book the suite by calling the Seelbach Hilton directly, though the hotel is planning to make it available online soon. The Great Gatsby suite isn’t available for points redemptions, but Hilton Honors members can earn points and utilize elite status perks during their stay.
The suite has already proven quite popular, but if your preferred dates aren’t available, don’t worry: The celebration isn’t relegated to guests who stay in the Great Gatsby suite.
Guests and visitors can visit the hotel’s Old Seelbach Bar to order a Seelbach Cocktail (a mix of Kentucky bourbon, orange liqueur and Champagne) or one of three new cocktails inspired by the book: the Jay Bird, Jazzhound and Angry Diamond.
Hotel guests and the public are welcome to join free weekly tours led by historian Larry Johnson. The tours touch on the hotel’s 120-year history, including its ties to Fitzgerald and “The Great Gatsby.” The tours are generally held on Thursdays and Fridays at 4:30 p.m., but you can call the hotel to confirm.
During the tour, you’ll visit the basement Rathskeller bar (now an event space), where Fitzgerald is said to have conducted the aforementioned drinking and dancing (reportedly to the point of being kicked out at least once).
It is believed that Fitzgerald met George Remus, a Cincinnati mobster also known as “The King of Bootleggers,” here. Many believe that Remus’ lavish lifestyle served as character inspiration for the book’s protagonist, Jay Gatsby.
The tour will also take you through the Seelbach’s Grand Ballroom, the setting for Tom and Daisy’s wedding reception in “The Great Gatsby.”
Elsewhere in town, the city is planning several special events to mark the book’s centenary. Opening night at Churchill Downs (April 26) will feature a Great Gatsby theme, and the Belle of Louisville is hosting a speakeasy cruise May 30. (In terms of dress code, 1920s garb is highly encouraged at both events.)
You can also eat and drink your way through Louisville’s Prohibition-era history on Louisville Food Tour’s Phantoms of Prohibition: Ghosts, Cocktails, & Bites Tour. Check Louisville Tourism for additional events and information on Gatsby’s connections to Derby City.
The Great Gatsby suite is a permanent addition to the hotel’s suite offerings. So, even after the confetti has settled and the Champagne has gone flat, guests will have the chance to experience the Seelbach’s Jazz Age.
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