Memphis has the 'Best Historic Hotel' in the United States for the 3rd consecutive year

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For Immediate Release

The Peabody Memphis has been named ‘Best Historic Hotel’ in USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards of 2020. In addition, Chez Philippe has taken 3rd Place in the “Best Hotel Restaurant” category. Both awards come on the heels of The Peabody’s 150th Anniversary celebration last year.

This is the third consecutive year that the “South’s Grand Hotel” has taken the top spot in the contest. This was the first time that The Peabody’s signature dining room, Chez Philippe, has been nominated for a USA TODAY 10 Best Award.

The Peabody and Chez Philippe were nominated among a field of 20 historic hotels and 20 hotel restaurants from around the country. A panel of experts partnered with 10 Best editors pick the initial 20 nominees, and the Top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

The 2020 Top 10 winners in the ‘Best Historic Hotel’ category are as follows: 

1. The Peabody Memphis – Memphis, Tenn.
2. Historic Hotel Bethlehem - Bethlehem, Penn.
3. Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa - Point Clear, Ala.
4. Mission Inn Hotel & Spa - Riverside, Calif.
5. The Francis House - Calistoga, Calif.
6. Deer Path Inn - Lake Forest, Ill.
7. Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island, Mich.
8. The Hermitage Hotel - Nashville
9. Congress Hall - Cape May, N.J.
10. The Langham, Huntington - Pasadena, Calif.

The 2020 Top 10 winners in the category ‘Best Hotel Restaurant’ are as follows:

1. The Smokehouse Restaurant - Antrim 1844 - Taneytown, Md.
2. The Immigrant Restaurant - The American Club - Kohler, Wis.
3. Chez Philippe - The Peabody Memphis – Memphis, Tenn.
4. Restaurant at Harbor House Inn - Harbor House Inn - Elk, Calif.
5. Circa 1886 - Wentworth Mansion - Charleston
6. Herons - The Umstead Hotel and Spa - Cary, N.C.
7. Woods Restaurant - Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island, Mich.
8. TÈ - Inn at Leola Village - Leola, Penn.
9. Jack Rose - Pontchartrain Hotel - New Orleans
10. Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman - La Cantera Resort & Spa - San Antonio

A Forbes 4-Star, AAA 4-Diamond property, The Peabody Memphis has also been named ‘Best Historic Hotel’ by Historic Hotels of America and #1 Historic Hotel by Southern Living. The luxury downtown Memphis hotel opened in 1869 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.

Opening in January 1982, shortly after The Peabody Memphis’ noteworthy restoration and reopening, Chez Philippe quickly rose to fame as one of the finest restaurants in the South. It’s refined French cuisine and opulent dining room depicting a masquerade ball have earned the restaurant both Forbes Travel Guide’s Four-Star Award and AAA’s Four Diamond Award every year since 1989. 

While Chez Philippe is temporarily closed for dinner service due to COVID-19, guests can experience the quaint magnificence of the dining room via Afternoon Tea, served Thursday – Saturday, 1pm – 3:30pm.