History & Heritage

Many of our most cherished rituals are inspired by the tirelessly inventive mind of Gilded Age doyenne, Caroline Astor. She invited only a select “400” acquaintances, friends and luminaries to private teas, midnight suppers and affluent galas, creating America’s first high society register. As artists, visionaries and influencers of all kinds vied for inclusion, her social circle evolved to shape the first true expression of New York society.

Caroline Astor’s son, Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, introduced The St. Regis New York in 1904 to immediate acclaim, with The New York Times declaring it “the finest hotel in America.” A true visionary, inventor and entrepreneur John Jacob Astor ensured the original St. Regis was as technologically advanced as it was luxurious, insisting that each room have its own telephone. Astor perished during the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. More than a century later, the legacy of one of the Titanic’s wealthiest and most famous passengers lives on through the continued growth and evolution of St. Regis.

The Old King Cole mural, an original work by celebrated artist Maxfield Parrish, is unveiled at The St. Regis New York. This iconic work of art has become the inspiration for other mural paintings to be displayed throughout most of our St. Regis Hotels & Resorts.

The St. Regis New York head bartender, Fernand Petiot, creates the iconic Bloody Mary cocktail which leads to unique Bloody Mary creations for St. Regis Hotels and Resorts worldwide.

St. Regis redefined the luxury hotel in 1904, and more than 100 years later this quintessential lifestyle has expanded to more than 40 St. Regis Hotels & Resorts around the world.

St. Regis began its Connoisseur program in 2010 with the renowned Argentinian polo star, Nacho Figueras. Today, we are honored to include notable luxury fashion designers, exceptional musical talents and other outstanding tastemakers in this program who share our innovative spirit and tradition of excellence.

For St. Regis, to Live Exquisite is about creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, especially families. Therefore, our Family Traditions program was crafted to celebrate togetherness by experiencing a destination in its truest form.