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 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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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.