Restored Art Deco Tower Updated with Modern Luxuries

When the Redick Tower was first built in 1930, its architects envisioned a structure that that balanced artistry with a forward-thinking design that embraced modern machinery. In turn, they built their hotel in grand art-deco style, and with indoor parking—a rarity at the time, as an exclusive few people owned automobiles. Today, the 14-story building, with its distinctive tiered façade of brick and terra cotta, has earned a designation on the National Register of Historic Places. But it now hosts the AAA Four Diamond Hotel Deco XV, and restoration efforts have helped to preserve its original glamour while adding modern indulgences and luxurious touches.

The Hotel Deco XV's front-desk area is a model example of the building’s memorable design: carved friezes crown the doorways, and inlaid patterns of fans are speckled across the ceiling. Across the lobby, which dons entirely black-and-white décor, the Encore Lounge furthers the throwback feel with bourbons, malts, and classic cocktails, accompanied by zesty appetizers. For full-scale dining, the chefs of the onsite Zin Room craft an American fusion menu of steak and seafood, complemented by wines from an expansive list—including a vast spectrum of zinfandels that earned the eatery its name.

Upstairs, guest rooms adopt neutral tones of slate, navy, and umber. Glossy hardwood flooring and custom draperies lend a classy feel, and complimentary room perks include an overnight shoeshine, a copy of the Wall Street Journal, and a goodnight hug from a Clark Gable impersonator. When it comes time to explore downtown Omaha, a free shuttle navigates within a 3-mile radius of the hotel.

Omaha, Nebraska: Historical Downtown with Vibrant Arts Scene

Bordering the hotel, the Old Market historical district is lined with cobblestoned streets, horse-drawn carriages, and mansions from the turn of the century. There’s also a lively cultural scene; crowds fill the Orpheum Theater for plays and concerts and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, and a smattering of independent art galleries showcase pottery and glassworks. During the summer, the neighborhood comes to life with the Omaha Summer Arts Festival (June 8–10, 2012), when dozens of crafters hawk colorful wares to the tunes of live jazz.

Just northeast of downtown, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge stretches 3,000 feet across the Missouri River to Iowa. During the area’s crisp, mostly snow-free winters and hot, humid summers, strollers and bikers can jaunt across the state border or hold a microscope to the ground find the official state boundary line drawn in Sharpie.