By VOICE-TRIBUNE Photos by Matt JohnsonÂ
Louisville’s historic Seelbach Hotel, a beloved landmark since 1905, has unveiled a stunning tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby ahead of the novel’s 100th anniversary in April 2025. The hotel, steeped in history and once frequented by Fitzgerald himself during his World War I service at Camp Taylor, now offers guests the chance to live out their literary fantasies in a Gatsby-inspired suite. This newly unveiled two-room suite, designed by Louisville native Terra B. Nelson, captures the spirit of the Jazz Age with Art Deco details, bold colors, and vintage touches that echo the opulence of Fitzgerald’s masterpiece.
The suite artfully embodies the dichotomy of old money and new money central to The Great Gatsby. The Daisy-inspired bedroom is classically elegant with gold peacock table lamps, a 1920s Victorian settee, and a vintage telephone adorned with pearls. In contrast, the Gatsby Lounge channels the flashier exuberance of new wealth with plush velvet armchairs, a golden textile ceiling converging on a crystal chandelier, and an Art Deco minibar. Terra B. Nelson, the designer, notes that one of her favorite features is the vintage green light near the Daisy bedroom—an homage to the iconic green light at the end of Daisy’s dock that symbolizes Gatsby’s longing.
Fans of The Great Gatsby will delight in the suite’s thoughtful details, which bring the novel to life. Photographs of Fitzgerald and other characters, coastal art representing East and West Egg, and subtle nods like theincessantly ringing vintage telephone and pearl necklacecreate an immersive experience. Guests can peruse Art Deco design books and copies of The Great Gatsby, ensuring every detail speaks to the novel’s themes and timeless appeal.
The Seelbach invites visitors to fully embrace its literary and historical connections. Guests can book the Great Gatsby Suite beginning February 1, take guided tours highlighting the hotel’s storied past, or sip era-inspired cocktails like the Jay Bird and Jazzhound at the Old Seelbach Bar. From the Oakroom, where Al Capone once played cards, to the Rathskeller, where Fitzgerald enjoyed his downtime, the hotel weaves its history with the allure of the Jazz Age, offering an unforgettable journey into Louisville’s rich past and the enduring charm of Fitzgerald’s iconic work.Â