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Louisville's oldest operating hotel is celebrating its rich history with a newly unveiled Great Gatsby suite ahead of the novel's centenary this April. Opened in 1905, the Seelbach Hotel has a storied past with a guest list that includes former U.S. Presidents, Academy Award winners, and famous musicians. F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of the classic American novel The Great Gatsby, is said to have frequented the hotel to imbibe in its infamous Rathskeller while on break from Louisville's Camp Taylor, where he was stationed in 1918 during World War I.
Photo credits: Seelbach Hotel
In honour of The Great Gatsby's 100th anniversary on 10th April 2025, the Seelbach Hilton Hotel has unveiled a newly renovated two-room suite embellished with Art Deco décor reflecting the opulence, bold colors, and glamour of the era. Designed by Louisville native Terra B. Nelson, founder of boutique consulting firm T.B. Nelson Hospitality Design, the two rooms of the suite were designed to highlight the dichotomy between The Great Gatsby characters Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchannan.
In the Daisy-inspired bedroom, guests will find the look of established old money of Tom and Daisy: lavish but delicate, with the room featuring 1920's furniture, décor and vintage objets d'art including plush velvet armchairs, an Art Deco dresser turned mini bar and the three-tiered crystal chandelier. Other noticeable hints of the book's characters and places can be found on the walls, featuring photos of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Buchannan, and Jay Gatsby, as well as coastal art representing the fictional towns of East and West Egg.
“In order to get people talking, you have to give them something to talk about, and one of the best ways to do that is by creating spaces that go beyond functionality and aesthetics to offer vivid and unforgettable experiences,” said Terra B. Nelson, designer, and Founder of T.B. Nelson Hospitality Design. “We were able to add some really nice vintage pieces. One of my favorite features that brings the rooms together is the vintage green light that hangs by the door leading into the Daisy bedroom. The green light at the end of Daisy's dock is a recurring theme in the book, always calling Gatsby to her.”
For food and beverage options, guests can visit the hotel's in-house breakfast spot, Gatsby's on Fourth, for an East Egg or West Egg omelette. Or, stop into the Old Seelbach Bar for a classic Seelbach Cocktail, a decades-old Prohibition-era-inspired libation that mixes Bourbon, champagne, and orange liqueur.
Additionally, to honour the literary milestone, Louisville Tourism has curated a "Guide to Gatsby's Louisville," highlighting key locations that influenced Fitzgerald's writing. In addition to the Seelbach, notable sites include the Cherokee Triangle where visitors can stroll through this historic neighbourhood, believed to have inspired the description of Daisy Buchanan's Louisville home. Alternatively, sample some bourbon on Whiskey Row and experience Louisville's bourbon heritage along Main Street, where Fitzgerald likely enjoyed the local spirits that influenced his portrayal of the roaring twenties.
To further celebrate the novel's anniversary, the city of Louisville will host a number of special events, one being the World Ballet Company's "The Great Gatsby.” On April 13, 2025, at the Louisville Palace, this new production will bring the book to life with a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, adorned in handcrafted costumes and performing against lavish sets reminiscent of the novel's opulent scenes.
The Seelbach's Great Gatsby Suite will officially be available to book on the hotel's website from 1st February. For guests who want to experience more of the hotel's opulent history, the Hilton property provides free hotel tours at 4:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The tour includes facts about the hotel's120-year history, with stops in the Oakroom, where Al Capone was said to have played cards, The Grand Ballroom, where Fitzgerald penned as the location of Tom and Daisy's lavish June wedding, and the Rathskellar, a one-of-a-kind historic space that was a USO during World War I and where Fitzgerald himself is to said have imbibed during his time off.
For information on upcoming The Great Gatsby-themed events and a Gatsby's guide to Louisville, visit www.gotolouisville.com/Gatsby.
For more information on the Seelbach visit www.seelbachhilton.com.
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