Though The Mayflower Hotel has no association with New York City’s infamous 1980s Madame of the same name, it will now be forever linked to a certain high profile New York john. This national landmark and historic hotel, often referred to as The White House Hotel, will remain noteworthy for its proximity to the Smithsonian, national monuments, and Suite 776 where in 1933 FDR composed his inaugural speech—the one with the timeless line we all know: “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” However, its aboveboard fame may soon be surpassed by its newfound infamy as the hotel is brought to its knees with requests for Room 871 where former New York governor Eliot Spitzer met the end of his career in politics and high-class call girl “Kristen” (Ashley Alexandra Dupre). And with The Mayflower’s special Escape to Romance package, everyone can afford to stay and play. But, thankfully, no laws need be broken, jobs lost, or reputations tarnished. All can accommodate a love of politics and sleep in infamy without the repercussions or fear of federal indictment. From just $229 per night. Tempted? You certainly aren’t alone.

Scandals of all sorts attract travelers to slumber at the scene of sordid and seedy acts the world over. That and people just like to spend the night where someone famous did the same. Here’s a list of 10 such hotels and their famous or infamous rooms.

1. Room 538 at the Sheraton Sands Key Resort, Florida: Jim Bakker was caught here after an illicit romp in 1980. The hotel now promotes the room on its web site.
2. Room 100 at the Chelsea Hotel, New York City: Sex Pistol bassist Sid Vicious murdered his girlfriend Nancy Spungen in this very room in 1978.
3. Presidential Suite at the Adlon Kempinski Hotel, Berlin: Everyone’s favorite eccentric, Michael Jackson, precariously dangled his bundle of joy from the balcony as the world watched in horror. The year was 2002.
4. Room 118, Cadogan Hotel, London: Way back in 1895 Victorian society was aghast when playwright Oscar Wilde was arrested here for “indecent acts.”
5. Fleming House, Golden Eye, Jamaica: It is here, in this lush and secluded setting, that Ian Fleming wrote all of the James Bond novels. Bond lovers can rent Fleming’s original three-bedroom house, perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean.
6. Room 702, Hilton Hotel, Amsterdam: John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s first weeklong “bed-in” for peace took place here in 1969.
7. Room 203, Hotel Mark Twain, San Francisco: In 1949, singer Billie Holiday was arrested in this room for possession of opium. The hotel has made its lobby something of a shrine to Holiday, featuring plaques, photos, and artwork of the legendary blues artist.
8. Room 217, Stanley Hotel, Colorado: This hotel/room inspired Stephen King to pen The Shining after a stay here with his family.
9. Kobe Room, The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Colorado: While hotel management simply wants the story to go away, it is still inundated with requests for the “Kobe Room” where basketball star Kobe Bryant allegedly raped a woman. Rather than cater to the requests, the hotel opted to renumber the rooms and won’t say where Bryant actually stayed.
10. Anna’s Room, The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Florida: After Anna Nicole Smith was found unconscious here in 2007 the hotel marked her room “out of inventory” until the story died down.

Sweet dreams and happy travels!

Find a luxury hotel for your next memorable getaway at Perfect Escapes.

By Marisa Williams for Perfect Escapes