US 2020 election: Inside 7 hotels where US residents can vote

From Chicago's The Drake to Hotel Figueroa in LA, these hotels are gearing up for a different type of visitor this election day

Hotel Havana. Courtesy Nick Simonite

Kimpton La Peer Hotel, West Hollywood, California. Courtesy Kimpton La Peer

Omni Houston Hotel, Texas. Courtesy Omni Hotels

Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles, California. Courtesy Hotel Figueroa

The Drake in Chicago will host voters on November 3. Courtesy Hilton

Aloft Silicon Valley, Newark, California. Courtesy Marriott

The Crowne Plaza Englewood near New York City is an approved polling station. Courtesy IHG Hotels & Resorts

This year, thanks in no small part to the global pandemic, the presidential election on November 3 is primarily being conducted by mail ballots. Polling locations across the country have been reduced and people have been encouraged to vote from afar where possible to avoid spreading the virus.

That said, there are still several places in each state where voters who don't receive a vote by mail or who prefer to vote in person can go to cast their ballot. And with many hotels across the country facing low occupancy numbers, again thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, several have decided to take this chance to get involved in politics instead.

The coronavirus pandemic means that voting in this year's election is largely being done remotely, but some hotels are welcoming voters to have their say on November 3. Unsplash

From California to New Jersey, hotel ballrooms, meeting spaces and even rooftops are being transformed into approved polling stations. And while there is always the chance of a last-minute change of polling locations before Tuesday, November 3, here are seven hotels across the US that look likely to be a place where voters can make their 2020 nomination count.

1. Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood, California

Kimpton La Peer Hotel, West Hollywood. Courtesy Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants / Laure Joliet

California's Kimpton La Peer Hotel has been getting involved in the election by setting itself up as an early voting space and a vote-by-mail ballot drop-off point. On election day, voters can head to the hotel's outdoor rooftop where booths are being set-up in the open air to allow people to cast their nomination while ensuring they keep a safe distance from others doing the same thing. Awesome views over West Hollywood are a nice reward for voters doing their part for democracy.

2. Omni Houston Hotel, Texas

Having recently undergone a $30 million renovation, the four-star Omni Houston Hotel in prestigious Uptown is a luxurious abode that will welcome voters inside to cast their vote on November 3. The swish hotel has all the comforts and amenities of a holiday resort coupled with the convenience of an urban setting. It's temporarily transforming into a bit of a political hub as it set up socially distanced voting booths in its Constellation Ballroom.

Election day polling will be open at the hotel from 7am until 7pm and all eligible Harris County residents are welcome to cast their ballot there.

3. Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles, California

Hotel Figueroa in West Hollywood. Courtesy Hotel Figueroa

"This year, we are proud to serve our community as an official LA County polling centre," reads Hotel Figueroa's Facebook page. The boutique hotel in downtown Los Angeles will be opening its doors as a polling place from October 30 until November 3. Dating back to 1926 when it first opened as a women's hostelry during a time when single women travellers were unable to book their own accommodation without the permission of a male companion, Hotel Figueroa then became a local haunt for Moroccan-themed soirees and has a track record of being involved in community debates and campaigns.

The historic hotel has recently undergone a two-year restoration so there are some stunning interiors for voters to check out as they head through its doors on November 3.

4. The Drake Hotel in Chicago, Illinois

One of Chicago's most renowned hotels, The Drake is another place where Americans can head to cast their vote this month. Throughout the Roaring Twenties, the Beaux-Arts hotel was the place to be seen and the rooms and suites here have played host to Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana.

The Hilton hotel is also looking ahead to December when it will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Until then, for voters looking to make their mark on society from one of the most historic abodes in the windy city, the Drake Hotel is wide open.

5. Aloft Silicon Valley Hotel in Newark, California

This trendy boutique hotel in Newark is another spot that will be open for voters to have their election day say. Up until November 3, the hotel will be open for early voting, same-day voter registration and ballot drop-offs. Located beside some of the biggest tech companies in the US and only a few kilometres from Stanford University, the hotel also has a 24-hour fitness centre and a decent-sized outdoor heated pool.

It's also in a great location for anyone heading to The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay for hiking, kayaking or fishing – making it easy for eligible voters to swing by and make their choice before heading off for some outdoor adventures.

6. Hotel Havana in San Antonio, Texas

Originally opened by a local grocer in 1914, Hotel Havana has changed hands numerous times over the past century, and created something of a legendary reputation for itself in the process with tall stories filled with FBI visits and other colourful events. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986 and is a worthy port of call on any San Antonio itinerary.

In October, the hotel set up an early voter registration booth and is now waiting patiently to see what happens on election day. The hotel's parent group, Bunkhouse, has also been busy in the political spectrum, rolling out a collection of voting resources on its website to give people information and assistance related to the coming election.

7. Crowne Plaza Englewood, New Jersey

The Crowne Plaza Englewood near New York City is an approved polling station. Courtesy IHG Hotels & Resorts

On the other side of the Hudson River, the Crowne Plaza in Englewood is one of New Jersey's official polling stations for the coming election.

Normally frequented by travellers who want to be close to New York but not necessarily in the thick of it, the hotel is focusing its energy on a different type of guest this November. Staff have been busy turning some of its almost 4,980 square feet of event space into safe voting quarters for residents. The surrounds of Leafy Englewood is filled with period homes, Victorian architecture and an old world charm and was also the birth lace of John Travolta, the city where Sarah Jessica Parker went to high school and the former home town of Alicia Keys.