New York, NY

lodging

Lotte New York Palace

Obama created quite a stir in September 2015 when he decided to stay at Lotte New York Palace instead of the Waldorf Astoria (now closed for long-term renovations) during the United Nations general assembly. American presidents had been staying at the Waldorf Astoria for decades, and though Obama never said why he made the switch, the rumor was that it had to do with his security in the wake of Chinese cyber attacks on government databases

Berlin, Berlin

lodging

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

Obama’s European “farewell tour” in November 2016 wasn’t the first time he stayed at Hotel Adlon – it was also his choice when he was campaigning in 2008 and again in 2013. The hotel is a history nerd’s dream come true: For example, in 2002, Michael Jackson dangled his infant out one of its windows; during World War II, the hotel included a luxurious bomb shelter; and it became a military field hospital during the Battle of Berlin. During his last stay, Obama dined at Adlon’s on-site gourmet restaurant, Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel

San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro

experience • lodging • restaurants

Llao Llao Hotel

From the Llao Llao, Obama, the first lady, and the first daughters trekked through Patagonia. Later, Obama sent the hotel a photo from the hike. In his enclosed thank you note, he described the natural beauty they encountered and mentioned the importance of the fight against climate change.

Panama City, Panama

lodging • restaurants

The Westin Playa Bonita Panama

Obama stayed where celebrities (Joe Biden is another) often stay when visiting Panama: in Villa Bonita, part of the Westin Playa Bonita, a collection of 20 villas with a private helipad so that guests (e.g. POTUS 44) can come and go undisturbed. Villa Bonita has an extensive wine cellar for guests to enjoy and each villa comes with a butler. The Pacific Ocean view is dizzyingly gorgeous and that week a lot was going on below the surface, too: Submarines full of Secret Service had surrounded the property.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem District

lodging

King David Hotel

Obama’s March 2013 trip to Israel was controversial for a number of reasons, including widespread mistrust of Obama among Israelis and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support of Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. But when he stepped off of Air Force One, Obama told Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, who were waiting to greet him, “I see this visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the unbreakable bonds between our nations.”

Mumbai, MH

lodging

The Taj Mahal Palace

At Taj Mahal Palace, a symbol of great wealth in the region, terrorists bombed the restaurant, the elevator, and the lobby, and took hundreds of hostages. Two years later, an item on Obama’s agenda during his trip to Mumbai was to condemn international terrorism. But his visit included lighter moments, too, like when Mr. and Mrs. Obama danced with Indian school children.

Oslo, Oslo

lodging • restaurants

Grand Hotel Oslo

Later that night, a parade marched on the street outside of the Grand Hotel, lighting the dark with torches. From the Grand Hotel, which opened in 1874 and has historically hosted the Nobel Peace Prize winners, Mr. and Mrs. Obama stepped out onto their balcony to wave to the approximately 10,000 people who had gathered. They stayed in the “Nobel Suite,” 764 square feet with its own living room.

Port of Spain, San Juan-Laventille Regional Corporation

lodging • restaurants

Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre

In April 2009, when Trinidad and Tobago hosted the fifth Summit of the Americas, an annual meeting of the leaders of North American, Central American, and South American countries, Obama’s speech centered on the importance of repairing long-damaged relations between the U.S. and the other countries in attendance.