62
Once the largest wooden hotel in the world, the Royal Poinciana Hotel was a grand Palm Beach resort built by Henry Flagler in 1894. Stretching nearly 1,800 feet long, it catered to America’s elite, including the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers.
The hotel had its own railway station, lavish dining halls and a private fire department. At its peak, over 2,000 guests enjoyed its luxurious amenities, though when initially opened it started with just 17 guests. Visitors enjoyed activities including golf, swimming and a daily orchestra performance in the main lobby.
As travel trends shifted, the hotel declined and was then demolished in 1935.
– Rebecca Hastings, The 100 Companies