Tag Archive for mansion

My Summer Cottage was a Mansion, and Other Stories of the Super-Rich

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Guests staying at the Mill Street Inn in tony Newport, Rhode Island will almost certainly include a visit to one of the town’s famous mansions during their stay.

But you don’t need to travel to Newport to catch a glimpse of extravagance from a bygone era. Here are four famous homes worth visiting around the country.

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Clockwise from top: Falling Water, courtesy of www.wright-house.com, Pabst Mansion, Vizcaya, and Hearst Castle, courtesy of shutterstock.com

Vizcaya, Miami, FL – The summer home to industrialist James Deering, this elaborate mansion is set on 10 acres overlooking Miami’s Biscayne Bay.

Falling Water, Bear Run, PA – Not a mansion per se, but this elegant Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece is perhaps the best-known home in the U.S. It is the only public, major Wright-designed house with all of its original details still intact.

Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA – This sprawling complex famously started out as a “bungalow” before ballooning into one of the most opulent and eccentric homes in the country. The Neptune Pool is adorned by an actual roman temple facade!

Pabst Mansion, Milwaukee, WI – One doesn’t necessarily equate PBR with high society, but Captain Frederick Pabst built himself quite a house–to the tune of $32.7 million in 2011 dollars.

And Behind Door #1 We Have…

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One of our favorite neighborhoods in D.C. is Dupont Circle and one of our favorite hotels in Dupont Circle is Palomar Washington DC, a Kimpton Hotel (it had us at complimentary wine reception). Aside from its awesome amenities, the hotel is just a 3-minute stroll from another D.C. favorite—the too-cool-not-to-share O Street Museum.

Palomar Washington DC, a Kimpton Hotel

Photo courtesy of the O Street Museum Foundation

The museum is housed in a mansion made up of 5 adjoining townhouses, 100 rooms and 32 secret doors (in our opinion, if your mansion doesn’t have secret doors…you’re doing it wrong). You’ll come across unusual art, books and memorabilia, along with themed guest accommodations like the “Beatles Room.” All we can really say is: Go. Now. (And keep an eye on that silver mirror on the second floor.)

P.S. Happy Halloween!