I have long appreciated a beautifully designed hotel. While many of the properties I admire are a bit out of reach for an overnight stay, I’ve been fortunate enough to wander through their lobbies or enjoy a cocktail at the bar to get a taste of their magic. And as someone who strives to make her apartment feel like a luxe hotel, it’s only fitting that I have fun scooping up decorative accents that remind me of these dreamy destinations. My go-to way to do this? Shopping secondhand, of course!
I’ve had excellent luck over the years sourcing affordable accents that are either inspired by these bucket-list properties or have come directly from them. If you’re looking to do the same, here are my top tips for tracking down chic hotel memorabilia that won’t break the bank.
Run Frequent eBay and Etsy Searches
Both eBay and Etsy have proved incredibly fruitful when it comes to sourcing hotel memorabilia such as ashtrays (which I like to use as little trinket dishes throughout my space), prints, and photos. I check both sites often and will run searches like “Plaza Hotel ashtray” (on the more specific end) or “vintage Beverly Hills Hotel” (on the more general end) and have discovered some great finds. Just be sure to review an item’s condition if a price seems too good to be true, since you likely won’t be able to examine the piece in person or return it if there’s an issue. Why end up with a chipped champagne glass when you can possibly pay $10 more for one in pristine condition?
Shop Flea Markets, Too
Flea markets all over the globe are bound to offer hotel memorabilia. You just need to practice patience and see what you find. Items have a funny way of making it into unexpected locations. While traveling in Paris last summer, I discovered an adorable black and white sketch of the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City at a local brocante—it’s a piece I never thought I’d find in Europe but treasure nonetheless. And funny enough, later on at my go-to flea market in Manhattan, I lucked out and found not one but two ashtrays from the beautiful Paris Ritz. Who would’ve thought!
Browse Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace can also be a good resource for tracking down hotel memorabilia, especially if a given property is located in your area. It’s safe to say that you’ll encounter the occasional collector looking to part ways with a souvenir piece they picked up years ago. I suggest running searches using terms similar to what you’d plug in on eBay and Etsy.
Check Used Bookstores
Many top hotels have coffee table books associated with them, and while they’re sometimes rare and don’t come cheap, you might have luck tracking down one of these titles at your local used bookstores. There’s nothing better than displaying a coffee table book that isn’t just pretty but also has personal significance.
Try a DIY
Striking out still? You can always create your own special piece of hotel memorabilia by hunting for a matchbook or postcard from a property and then popping it into a frame. Even a vintage room key or something else unexpected could look stunning in a shadowbox.
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Country Living. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.
