Boston's Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel Celebrates 100th Anniversary

This year The Fairmont Copley Plaza will celebrate its centennial with 100 days of celebration leading up to its anniversary on August 19, 2012. Together with Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library, this landmark hotel is one of the architectural jewels of Copley Square. From community events and historic tours to weekend packages to a search for hotel memorabilia, the hotel will celebrate this milestone in grand style. In addition to centennial celebrations, the hotel will also debut a complete restoration totaling in excess of $20 million.

“The Fairmont Copley Plaza is poised at one of the most exciting times in its history,” said Paul S. Tormey, regional vice president and general manager. “The significant investment in the hotel includes a renovation of all guestrooms and suites, Fairmont Gold, and the addition of a new 3,000 square foot rooftop health club. The project also includes the Lower Lobby meeting space and enhancements to hotel's grand lobby and ballrooms. A new restaurant, in the space that formerly housed the legendary Merry-Go-Round, Oak Room and Oak Bar, will also debut. The reimagining of the restaurant includes a thoughtful renovation to the space which will take into account the architectural details and historic significance. Scheduled for completion in spring 2012, our renovation will ensure that The Fairmont Copley Plaza begins its next century of service shining more brightly than ever before.”

For guests who want to become part of the celebration, The Fairmont Copley Plaza offers two centennial celebration packages. Built on the original site of the Museum of Fine Arts, the hotel is at the heart of Boston's Back Bay. From now through December 31, 2012, join The Fairmont Copley Plaza for its Celebration of a Century Package. This package includes an overnight stay in a newly renovated guestroom, a private hotel history tour and a history booklet. Rates for this package start at $100 per person for a Fairmont Room. Minimum double occupancy required and package subject to hotel availability.

The Fairmont Copley Plaza continues to be the most lavish backdrop for weddings and honeymoons in Boston. This year, in honor of the hotel's Centennial, The Fairmont Copley Plaza is inviting couples back to celebrate their own anniversaries – at their original room rate. For example, a couple who spent their honeymoon at The Copley Plaza in 1947 would have paid a rate of approximately $7 per night. The Anniversary Package includes accommodations in a newly renovated guestroom and a hotel history booklet. This package is available for a minimum two night stay, based upon availability. Present the original folio, and enjoy one night at the original rate paid and the second night at the hotel's best available rate. This package is available through December 30, 2012.

As part of the celebration, The Fairmont Copley Plaza will be conducting a memorabilia search. In basements and closets throughout New England there are countless pieces of Copley Plaza memorabilia that have become personal treasures and wonderful memories for those who have collected these items over the years. For anyone who would like to share these ‘treasures' the hotel will be collecting memorabilia to put together a display as part of its historic tours. From silver and china to historic photographs to postcards and menus to glassware and art, individuals may send items to the hotel. Those with submissions should include their name and contact details, as well as fun stories or anecdotes about the provenance of the piece. Memorabilia may be sent to The Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, attention: Public Relations. For information about the memorabilia search please email boston@fairmont.com.

Throughout the year, there will be a number of Centennial activities including hotel tours, memorabilia displays, historic programs and a ribbon cutting event. For a full schedule of community events, please visit fairmont.com/cop/copley100 or become part of The Fairmont Copley Plaza's online communities at facebook.com/FairmontCopleyPlaza or twitter.com/FairmontCopley.

Since its prestigious opening in 1912, The Fairmont Copley Plaza has stood as a landmark and symbol of Boston's tradition of culture, history, elegance and hospitality. Designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, architect of The Copley Plaza's sister hotel, The Plaza in New York, as well as The Willard in Washington D.C. and The Dakota apartment building in New York, the palatial quality and opulent décor create the feeling of a bygone era and of life lived on a grand scale. The Fairmont Copley Plaza is owned by Texas-based FelCor Lodging Trust (NYSE: FCH), which owns interests in 82 properties with approximately 23,000 rooms in the Unites States and Canada. For reservations or additional information please visit fairmont.com/copleyplaza or call (800) 441-1414.

Hotel Profile, more photos: The Fairmont Copley Plaza