Louisville’s iconic Seelbach Hotel is celebrating its storied legacy with the unveiling of a luxurious Great Gatsby suite in honor of the novel’s 100th anniversary this April.
Opened in 1905, the Seelbach has hosted an illustrious guest list, including U.S. Presidents, Hollywood stars, and celebrated musicians. F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of The Great Gatsby, is among its famed visitors, known for frequenting the hotel’s Rathskeller bar while stationed at Camp Taylor in 1918 during World War I.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby on April 10, 2025, the Seelbach Hilton has introduced an opulent two-room suite, inspired from the novel’s main characters Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, designed by Louisville native Terra B. Nelson, founder of T.B. Nelson Hospitality Design.
“Spaces that transcend functionality and aesthetics to create unforgettable experiences spark meaningful connections,” said designer Terra B. Nelson in a press release to LEO Weekly. “For the suite, we sourced vintage pieces from my personal collection and local antique shops. One standout feature is the vintage green light near the Daisy bedroom—an homage to the symbolic green light at the end of Daisy’s dock in the novel, representing Gatsby’s longing for her.”
Easter eggs inspired by the book are scattered throughout the suite, from photographs of Fitzgerald and Gatsby’s world to coastal art representing East and West Egg. Fans will notice a pearl necklace draped over a vintage phone, evoking the incessant ringing of the Buchanans’ phone in the novel.
Starting February 1, guests can book the Great Gatsby suite via the Seelbach’s website. Those eager to explore the hotel’s storied past can join complimentary tours offered at 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Highlights include the Oakroom, where Al Capone once played cards, the Grand Ballroom—fictionalized as the site of Tom and Daisy’s wedding—and the Rathskeller, where Fitzgerald is said to have spent his evenings.
