Few local establishments have as storied a past as the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, located off of I-270’s exit 11 on the corner of 355 and Montgomery Village Ave. It once made national headlines for an audacious offering that was a symbol of 1970s opulence– a single suite priced at an astronomical $1,400 a night.
In 1973, the newly built Holiday Inn Gaithersburg gained national renown when its largest accommodation, a three-bedroom, four-bath Presidential Suite, was booked by Rolls-Royce-chauffeured guests for the extraordinary price. To understand just how remarkable this was, consider that in 1972, a hotel room in a prime vacation spot like the Florida Keys could be had for around $35. The Holiday Inn’s suite was a world apart, not just in price, but in prestige.
For decades, the property became a surprising stop for a roster of legendary entertainers, hosting a diverse range of celebrities from the silver screen to the concert stage. Famous guests included Hollywood heartthrob Rock Hudson, the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, the dynamic duo Sonny & Cher, and the flamboyant pianist Liberace.
The hotel also served as a proving ground for one of Maryland’s most celebrated culinary talents. In the 1990s, before he became a household name on the show “Top Chef,” a young Bryan Voltaggio launched his career at the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, serving as a sous chef for the hotel’s restaurant and banquet facilities.
After a temporary three-year closure and subsequent reopening in 2023, the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg is once again welcoming guests. While the Presidential Suite may be a thing of the past, and its standard room rates are now a more modest starting at around $119 per night, the hotel remains a landmark with a history as unique as the famous figures who once walked its halls.
Most information courtesy of a press release when the hotel reopened in 2023.