For lots of travelers, staying in a presidential suite is a bucket list item. It’s a way to experience how the rich and famous live and it can be one of the most memorable and exciting ways to travel.
But what exactly can you expect when booking a presidential suite? Just how cheap or expensive can they be and what kind of special amenities or room features might you have?
We researched over 100 presidential suites in the US and abroad and have broken down a lot of the key things you need to know about presidential suites, including how to find presidential suites for under $1,000!
Table of Contents
Where did the term presidential suite come from?
Where and when exactly the term “presidential suite” originated is up for debate.
Some sources claim it originated from Woodrow Wilson’s presidency from 1913–1921, while others attribute it back to the time of Ulysses Grant in 1890 or even to the European tradition of royal suites.
Regardless of where the term came from, it’s now undoubtedly a term associated with the most luxurious type of lodging.
What exactly is a presidential suite?
It will help to define a presidential suite before we dive in too deep.
The presidential suite is usually the premier hotel suite offered at a property. It’s the “biggest and the baddest” room. The type of room that makes you feel like royalty.
This top level residence is not always labeled with the name presidential suite and can go by other names like Pinnacle Suite, Ambassador Suite, or even take on a namesake. You might even run into an actual presidential-themed room like the JFK Suite at the Hilton Fort Worth.
One thing that makes these suites special is that lots of these rooms have hosted presidents, world leaders, and other high profile individuals. Case in point: the Waldorf Astoria in New York has hosted every U.S. president since Herbert Hoover.
That would explain the bullet proof windows in some of these suites….
Sometimes there are suites better (and larger) than the presidential suite, especially when you venture overseas.
Look to the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London which has a presidential suite with 1,023 square feet but a number of other suites much bigger like the three bedroom penthouse with a little under 5,000 square feet!
It’s also worth noting that some presidential suites fail to deliver because hotels use the term “presidential suite” wayyy too loosely.
I break down these shortcoming suites into two different categories.
- Vice presidential suites: These are presidential suites that are nice and quite spacious but lack the unique character and features of a true presidential suite.
- Faux presidential suites: These are suites worthy of being impeached and that have absolutely no business using the term presidential in their name!
Booking
Some hotels don’t allow you to book presidential suites online and sometimes they don’t even publish a lot of (or any) details about them.
Instead, you’ll have to call to make a booking and get pricing information from the sales department although a concierge is sometimes involved.
I’m guessing they prohibit online bookings so that they only get people seriously interested in staying.
For the really pricey presidential suites, don’t be surprised if you are required to pay upfront (even if they have a flexible cancellation policy).
Finding availability is sometimes difficult because some people — usually celebrities or high profile net worth individuals — occupy the presidential suite for extended periods of time. For example, an actor could be in town shooting a movie and could be staying in that presidential suite for a couple of months.
That’s probably yet another reason why hotels like to have personal interaction to book the suite — they don’t want people tying up inventory.
If you’re hoping to get upgraded to a presidential suite, the odds are definitely stacked against you. However, I have seen some people with elite status get bumped to the presidential suite on occasion.
Usually it’s for something like a one night stay and often that person has stayed with that chain many times, perhaps even earning a high tier of lifetime status. But if you see that the suite is available, it never hurts to ask.
How much do presidential suites cost?
We analyzed about 100 presidential suites in the US and in different countries. On average, we found the price for a presidential suite came out to $4,453 and the median price came out to $2,127.
However, the price range for a presidential suite can vary dramatically.
For example, the cheapest presidential suite we found was at the Riverwalk Plaza Hotel and it was going for only $230 per night. It was a nice suite but it did not have true presidential suite qualities.
As for the most expensive, it was at The Carlyle, a luxury property in New York. The sales team told us that it went for $42,500 per night (and that’s not even including all the taxes).
So obviously your experience in a presidential suite can be extremely different depending on what property you are staying at.
But you’ll be happy to know that we also found plenty of presidential suites for under $1,000 per night.
If you have a credit card like an American Express card, you can often find deals where you can get around $100 to $200+ off on stays when spending several hundred dollars. This can turn one of these cheaper presidential suites into a pretty reasonable rate for a “splurge.”
Also, if you are set in stone on your dates you can purchase an advanced purchase rate (that you can’t cancel) and that could save you a good amount on a presidential suite.
Here are some examples of presidential suites (or rooms that are effectively presidential suites) that cost under $1,000/night:
| Riverwalk Plaza Hotel | Presidential Suite | $229 |
| Residence Inn Phoenix Glendale Sports & Entertainment District | Presidential Suite | $318 |
| Kimpton: Hotel Monaco Seattle | Ambassador Suite | $364 |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park | Presidential Suite | $388 |
| The Ashton (Fort Worth) | Presidential Suite | $468 |
| Menger Hotel (San Antonio) | Luxury Suite | $678 |
| Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego La Jolla | Presidential Suite | $694 |
| Andaz West Hollywood | Presidential Suite | $729 |
| Kimpton: George Hotel | The George Presidential Suite | $736 |
| Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk | Presidential Suite | $789 |
| Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk | Presidential Suite | $845 |
| Kimpton : Hotel Monaco Philadelphia | Presidential Suite | $856 |
| The Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton | Presidential Suite | $863 |
| Kimpton : Pittman Hotel (Dallas) | Presidential Suite | $906 |
| Kimpton: Hotel Palomar Phoenix | Presidential Suite | $940 |
| The Guild Hotel, San Diego, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel | Penthouse Suite | $940 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel (San Diego) | Master Suite | $949 |
| Hotel Elysée (New York) | Presidential Suite | $959 |
| New York Hilton Midtown | Presidential Suite | $967 |
| San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter | Presidential Suite | $969 |
| The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel | Governor’s Suite | $999 |
Keep in mind that presidential suites can often go for discounted rates, especially for high-level executives who are capable of bringing in a lot of business for the hotel. Other times a discount might be given for those on an extended-stay.
How big are presidential suites?
After analyzing 100 presidential suites in the US and in different countries, we found the average size for a presidential suite to come out to 1,812 square feet. An average hotel room is probably about 300 to 500 square feet so a presidential suite is easily 4 to 6 times larger than a standard room.
The smallest presidential suite at the Kimpton: George Hotel had only 535 square feet while the largest one was the Park Hyatt Bangkok at 4,100 square feet.
(The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa had the Overwater Reef Residence with a whopping 9,634 square feet but that type of room is designed for multiple guests so it’s sort of in a different league.)
So based on all the above you can probably guess that one of the main qualities of a presidential suite is that they are going to be huge in terms of the square feet.
So what can you expect to find with all this space?
Let’s take a look.
What to expect inside a presidential suite
Whether it’s the high ceilings, grand entryways, or stunning decor, each room can blow you away with its elegance, features, and sophistication.
Sometimes you’ll find a presidential suite that provides more of a cozy “home” feeling like the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile shown above.
Other times it will be all about the ultra-modern swank or traditional opulence (especially with historical hotels).
But regardless of which way the hotel goes with its interior design style, one thing that I’ve noticed is that the suites often have a much different feel than the other rooms found in the hotel.
Usually, standard rooms, junior suites, and even deluxe sweets, all kind of have a similar look or feel. They get progressively more interesting as you go up in price but the color schemes, decor, and art, all usually fall within the same design theme.
But when it comes to the presidential suite, hotels sometimes put a lot of effort into giving them a very distinguished feel and it’s almost as if you’re entering a different property.
For your bedroom, you can expect it to be extra spacious. Sometimes the bedspread is extravagant with ornate pillows and soft, high-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens.
Your room may be tricked out with automated drapes, shades, and lights — you might even have a tablet for enhanced control of things like temperature, lighting, and entertainment. Quality sound systems may offer surround sound that you can easily take advantage of with Bluetooth.
A huge TV often hangs from the wall or you might even have your own projector screen system that lowers from the ceiling. If you’re in a high-rise hotel, you may have the best view in the whole building just outside your windows.
A good presidential suite will also have an impressive office for those people who need to get things done. For example, the office at the InterContinental New York Barclay features a library office with an ultra stately feel. Much different from your ordinary hotel room desk sitting under a TV.
Others offices may even offer a quality work computer like a Mac to go along with personalized stationary.
You’ll usually find plenty of comfortable seating in the living area that’s ideal for having multiple guests or even small business events and private parties. They will surely be dazzled by sparkling chandeliers, Spanish rugs, and original artwork.
If you’re visiting during the holidays, small touches to the living areas like a fully decorated Christmas tree can add some festive spirit to your stay.
A large dining table that can also function as a meeting table for eight to 12 people is a staple of a presidential suite because of all of the executives that often occupy these rooms.
And if it’s cooking that you’re interested in, some of these suites offer a full-sized kitchen with a fully stocked pantry and refrigerator, not to mention top of the line appliances.
Some hotels like the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills offer a special media room for you to enjoy movies in your own little private movie theater.
Huge, impressive balconies and terraces are another common fixture for presidential suites.
Often you’ll find wraparound balconies with exceptional views of the city, the coast, or the surrounding hills or mountains. A fireplace can warm you up while you enjoy magnificent sunsets and lounge seating can help you keep guests entertained.
The bathrooms in the presidential suite can be exceptional.
Expect to find oversized tubs and showers along with beautiful marble floors, counters, and spotless glass. Lots of presidential suites come with a soak tub — sometimes big enough for a couple of people.
The bathroom might even have your own steam room or an interesting shower layout like the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale which features an indoor and outdoor shower. And of course, premium towels and robes will be waiting on you when you get out.
Some presidential suites could have multiple bedrooms allowing extra guests to stay with you. Other times there could be a pull out bed.
But don’t invite all your friends and family for a stay just yet. Despite the huge amount of square feet you may have in your suite, the occupancy limits for the suite may be still relatively low at only a few guests.
And beware: Hotels know that presidential suites are prime targets for partiers. Some hotels like the Kimpton: La Peer Hotel will even make you sign a “no party policy” if you plan on staying in the presidential suite.
Related: Why Do Hotels Ask How Many Guests are Staying in Your Room?
Room amenities
Now let’s get into some of the different amenities you can expect to find in a presidential suite.
The special amenities can really make a presidential suite stand out because in some cases you’ll find some pretty over the top amenities like your own personal gym or pool.
Pools
Some of the more impressive presidential suites may include a hot tub or even a personal pool. For example, the Cozumel Palace has not one but two hot tubs in a two bedroom presidential suite.
Lots of presidential suites will impress you with their pools like the Hotel Principe di Savoia, which comes with a Pompeii styled swimming pool. One of the coolest features I’ve seen is the private pool offered at the Park Hyatt Bangkok, which also comes with a spa room.
But if you really wanted the ultimate private pool experience, you’d have to go with the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. The only drawback is that you may have to play your own life guard. That is, unless your butler is up for it.
Gyms
One of the coolest features of a presidential suite is an in-room gym which you can find at hotels like the Conrad Hong Kong, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Park Hyatt Shenzhen, and many others.
You might have your own elliptical, treadmill, peloton, and even a small free weights section and bench to work on.
The drawback is that you are probably missing out on some really nice gym equipment in the fitness center so you may not always want to limit your workouts to your presidential suite. However, if you were a high profile individual wanting some privacy this would be a perfect set up for you.
Pianos
Piano players can rejoice because one of the most common features of a presidential suite to find is a piano. These could be grand pianos, baby grand pianos, or some other type.
Other interesting amenities and perks
Some other random amenities include:
- Japanese Zen garden
- Private staircase to panoramic tower (Molino Stucky)
- Pool table
- Wine refrigerators
- Complimentary limousine service
- Fireplaces
- Expansive balconies
- Stunning artwork or decor
- Shoeshine
- Extra attentive housekeeping
- Instant hot water
- Daily gifts
- Free valet
- Washer and dryer
- Telescope
- Multiple large TVs
- Complimentary use of conference rooms
- Steam room/sauna
- Private elevator
- Open bar
- Aquariums
- Showers with scented water
- Powder room
- Welcome champagne and chocolates/fruit
- Projector screens
- Complimentary spa treatments
Special services
Another way that presidential suites stand out is that they offer you special services.
Butler service
Butler service often comes with a presidential suite reservation.
Sometimes you may have a special phone number you can call or they could have the service linked to a tablet or phone. You can ring them if you need anything, sometimes even on a 24-hour basis.
They can help you out with different things like room service, getting your clothes pressed, dealing with luggage, etc.
Sometimes they have overlapping duties with the concierge so they can help with booking things like shows and restaurant reservations. Or they could hook you up with local services like a barber.
Chef
Sometimes you can get special dining privileges as a guest in the presidential suite.
For example, you might be able to get a special breakfast or even have a chef come up into your kitchen and cook something up for you like at the Banyan Tree Bangkok or Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. We are talking high-quality dining tailored to your preferences and dietary needs.
For true foodies, this might be one of them most enticing reasons for booking a presidential suite!
The overall service level
In addition to all of the above, a good hotel will offer top-of-the-line service throughout the stay for someone staying in a presidential suite.
If it’s not your personal butler staying on top of things, the concierge may be more proactive checking up on you and making sure that you are having an amazing stay.
List of Presidential Suites
This list provides a straightforward overview of presidential suites, offering details on both pricing and square footage.
| Hotel Name | Suite Name | Price | Square ft. |
| Riverwalk Plaza Hotel | Presidential Suite | $229 | 631 |
| Residence Inn Phoenix Glendale Sports & Entertainment District | Presidential Suite | $318 | 701 |
| Kimpton: Hotel Monaco Seattle | Ambassador Suite | $364 | 960 |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park | Presidential Suite | $388 | 990 |
| The Ashton (Fort Worth) | Presidential Suite | $468 | 810 |
| Menger Hotel (San Antonio) | Luxury Suite | $678 | 922 |
| Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego La Jolla | Presidential Suite | $694 | 1,175 |
| Andaz West Hollywood | Presidential Suite | $729 | 800 |
| Kimpton: George Hotel | The George Presidential Suite | $736 | 535 |
| Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk | Presidential Suite | $789 | 1,751 |
| Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk | Presidential Suite | $845 | 1,100 |
| Kimpton : Hotel Monaco Philadelphia | Presidential Suite | $856 | 1,366 |
| The Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton | Presidential Suite | $863 | 1,350 |
| Kimpton : Pittman Hotel (Dallas) | Presidential Suite | $906 | 970 |
| Kimpton: Hotel Palomar Phoenix | Presidential Suite | $940 | 1,325 |
| The Guild Hotel, San Diego, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel | Penthouse Suite | $940 | 1,809 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel (San Diego) | Master Suite | $949 | 850 |
| Hotel Elysée (New York) | Presidential Suite | $959 | 950 |
| New York Hilton Midtown | Presidential Suite | $967 | 1,259 |
| San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter | Presidential Suite | $969 | 650 |
| The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel | Governor’s Suite | $999 | 1,600 |
| Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London | Presidential Suite | $1,013 | 1,420 |
| Hyatt Centric The Woodlands | Centric Suite | $1,057 | 1,635 |
| Hyatt Regency Austin | Presidential Suite | $1,095 | 1,404 |
| Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale | Camelback Presidential Suite | $1,099 | 1,123 |
| Banyan Tree Bangkok | Presidential Suite | $1,145 | 2,195 |
| Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa (San Diego) | Presidential Suite | $1,200 | 2,600 |
| Hilton Americas – Houston | Presidential Suite | $1,210 | 1,904 |
| Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa | Presidential Suite | $1,219 | 1,250 |
| Courtyard San Diego Downtown | Presidential Suite | $1,279 | 985 |
| Kimpton: Hotel Born (Denver) | Presidential Suite | $1,282 | 1,140 |
| Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Presidential Suite | $1,348 | 1,050 |
| Omni Dallas Hotel | Hospitality Suite | $1,349 | 1,770 |
| The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa | Presidential Suite | $1,504 | 1,288 |
| Andaz Singapore | Presidential Suite | $1,667 | 2,023 |
| Royal Palms Resort and Spa | Presidential Villa | $1,729 | 1,700 |
| The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | Presidential Suite | $1,757 | 1,708 |
| Kimpton: Alma – San Diego | Skyline Penthouse Suite | $1,804 | 1,510 |
| Loews Philadelphia Hotel | Presidential Suite | $1,817 | 1,650 |
| Loews Ventana Canyon Resort | Presidential Suite | $1,849 | 2,000 |
| Omni La Mansion del Rio | Presidential Suite | $1,899 | 1,900 |
| Kimpton: La Peer Hotel | La Peer Penthouse Suite | $1,910 | 1,200 |
| Hotel Van Zandt (Austin) | Presidential Suite | $1,969 | 900 |
| Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk | Penthouse Suite | $1,978 | 2,100 |
| W Scottsdale | Extreme WOW Suite | $1,979 | 2,100 |
| Virgin Hotels Dallas | Richard’s Flat King Suite | $1,994 | 1,400 |
| Graduate Roosevelt Island | Presidential Suite | $2,000 | 1,145 |
| The Westin San Diego Bayview | Presidential Suite | $2,000 | 2,000 |
| W Chicago – City Center | Extreme WOW Suite | $2,057 | 1,600 |
| Hotel Emma | The Emma Koehler Suite | $2,095 | 1,643 |
| Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows | Albers House | $2,099 | 1,800 |
| Hotel Valley Ho | Presidential Loft Suite | $2,154 | 1,500 |
| Kimpton: Tryon Park Hotel | Presidential Suite | $2,222 | 1,290 |
| Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa | Presidential Suite | $2,279 | 2,840 |
| JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | Presidential Suite | $2,331 | 2,240 |
| JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa | Manor House | $2,410 | 1,866 |
| The Shay (Los Angeles) | Presidential Scene Suite | $2,459 | 1,100 |
| JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE | JW Suite | $2,489 | 1,189 |
| SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills | Presidential Suite | $2,555 | 1,900 |
| Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort | Villa Two Bedroom Suite | $2,603 | 1,600 |
| Conrad New York Downtown | Conrad Suite | $2,733 | 1,500 |
| The Driskill (Austin) | Cattle Baron Suite | $2,734 | 1,230 |
| InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile | Presidential Suite | $2,791 | 1,700 |
| W Dallas – Victory | Extreme WOW Suite | $2,940 | 1,323 |
| W Austin | Extreme WOW Suite | $3,429 | 1,798 |
| The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago | Presidential Suite | $3,440 | 1,937 |
| The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey | The Ritz-Carlton Suite | $3,500 | 1,500 |
| The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton | Presidential Suite | $3,668 | 2,500 |
| JW Marriott Houston Downtown | Presidential Suite | $3,693 | 1,320 |
| Austin Proper Hotel | Proper Penthouse Suite | $3,770 | 1,110 |
| Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia | Camelback Presidential Suite | $3,794 | 2,800 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | Grand Suite | $3,809 | 2,840 |
| Hilton Molino Stucky Venice | Presidential Suite | $4,060 | 3229 |
| Hotel Casa Del Mar | Pacific View Suite | $4,080 | 1,800 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa | Presidential Suite | $4,100 | 2,140 |
| Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa | Presidential Beach House Suite | $4,175 | 2,500 |
| The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale | Presidential Suite | $4,337 | 1,800 |
| Park Hyatt Bangkok | Presidential Suite | $4,550 | 4,100 |
| Conrad Hong Kong | Presidential Suite | $4,610 | 2,519 |
| Park Hyatt Chicago | Presidential Suite | $4,625 | 1,600 |
| The Westin Houston, Memorial City | Presidential Suite | $4,909 | 1600 |
| Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North | Pinnacle Suite | $4,940 | 3,000 |
| Marriott Marquis Houston | Presidential Suite | $5,000 | 2,130 |
| The Rittenhouse Hotel (Philadelphia) | Presidential Suite | $5,099 | 1,400 |
| The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio | Presidential Suite | $5,360 | 3,012 |
| Beach Village at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton | Presidential Suite | $5,575 | 2,035 |
| Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo | Presidential Suite | $5,995 | 2,077 |
| The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami | Presidential Suite | $6,045 | 2,800 |
| InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown | Presidential Suite | $6,570 | 2500 |
| Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London | Presidential Suite | $7,022 | 1,023 |
| Grand Hyatt Tokyo | Presidential Suite | $8,142 | 2,799 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Houston | Presidential Suite | $8,370 | 1,570 |
| Hôtel Plaza Athénée | Presidential Suite | $8,729 | 1,180 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia | Presidential Suite | $9,920 | 2,137 |
| Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa | Overwater Reef Residence | $14,100 | 9,634 |
| Park Hyatt Shenzhen | Presidential Suite | $14,974 | 3,229 |
| InterContinental New York Barclay | Presidential Suite | $25,000 | 3,400 |
| The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park | Presidential Suite | $25,000 | 2,175 |
| Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills | Presidential Suite | $25,000 | 3,215 |
| The St. Regis New York | Presidential Suite | $28,000 | 3,000 |
| Park Hyatt New York | Presidential Suite | $30,000 | 2,300 |
| The Carlyle | Presidential Suite | $42,500 | 2,722 |
Final word
Staying in the presidential suite can be extremely memorable. You can instantly feel like royalty and enjoy special amenities and perks that could blow your mind. But do your research because the price and quality of a presidential suite can vary drastically!
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.