It started with Hotel Paisano – and continued. The 223 Collection – named after Room 223, James Dean’s Room at the Hotel Paisano where he stayed while filming GIANT in 1955 – is a testament to the beauty of history and the stories that come from unique places in remote locations.
Room 223 remains largely untouched, preserving the spirit of where Dean slept during his stay. Like our hotels, it’s iconic; legendary; filled with the spirit of revival; and brings the magic and lore of our unique properties to life. From Trost architecture to haunted lodges, celebrities to courtyards, stunning sunrises to sweeping views, story is at the heart of our collection.
Historic hotels sing with iconic architecture. And here, the 30s truly come to life thanks to famed architect Henry Trost. Hotel Paisano and Hotel El Capitan were built as a gateway to the West, hotels that served as meeting places for cattle ranchers and businessmen; a respite for weary travelers on the train; and places for wanderers and families alike to take a break from the everyday. Trost's blueprints hang in the lobby at The Lodge, showcasing his original design for that historic lodge rebuild. He designed buildings with the location in mind, creating places that didn’t just feel like a part of the landscape, they welcomed it.
Featuring Spanish and Mission Revival styles, Trost’s Hotel Paisano pairs a stucco facade with arches, tiled roof, balconies with wrought-iron railings, and a charming courtyard with a burbling fountain as its centerpiece. Hotel El Capitan includes some of the same features, like colorful tiles, high ceilings with exposed beams, and an exterior courtyard filled with desert plants and a grand fountain. There’s character around every corner. And stepping into his hotels is like stepping back into the 1930s, but with the modern touches of today.
Secret tunnels and celebrities, hidden bank vaults and a ghost. These are just a few stories you’ll find at 223 Collection hotels. History is never boring, especially when it’s rooms stayed in by legends like James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson at Hotel Paisano, Ben Hogan at Hotel El Capitan, and Judy Garland and Clark Gable at The Lodge.
At Hotel El Capitan, secret tunnels and a hideout were discovered during renovation, along with a historic jewelry vault, which now lives behind the infamous Gopher Hole Bar. And if you run into Rebecca, The Lodge's resident ghost, don’t be alarmed, she’s friendly – and playful. From Hollywood glamour to secret passageways to the supernatural, our hotels make history entertaining, too.
223 Collection is more than a collection of hotels; it’s a labor of love. That’s because owners Joe and Lanna Duncan, history and historic preservation enthusiasts, bought one hotel at a time and restored it to its former glory.
For almost thirty years, the Duncans have restored three historic hotels, many historic homes, and three of their properties are listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, D.C. From Fort Davis to Marfa, Van Horn to Cloudcroft and beyond, the Duncans are bringing properties and communities to life.
The 223 Collection Hotels are more than historic; they’re historically yours, inviting every guest to create their own story, and revitalizing each town with friendliness, hospitality, and the sense of togetherness that comes from preserving history and sharing it with others. History comes to life in these places, and communities do, too.
Story lives here – and wherever you are. Sign up for our marvelous missives and magical lore of the 223 Collection. You’ll love it. (Pinky swear.)
