How to Explore the Mayo Hotel Historic Suites

The Mayo Hotel Historic Suites in Tulsa, Oklahoma, stand as a living monument to American architectural grandeur, Gilded Age opulence, and the enduring legacy of early 20th-century hospitality. Opened in 1925 during the height of the oil boom, the Mayo Hotel was designed to rival the finest urban hotels in the nation, offering luxury accommodations to industrialists, entertainers, and political figures. Today, after a meticulous restoration completed in 2005, the Historic Suites are among the most authentically preserved hotel suites in the United States. Exploring these spaces is not merely a tour—it is an immersive journey through time, where every detail, from the hand-painted ceiling medallions to the original brass fixtures, tells a story of ambition, artistry, and resilience.

For travelers, historians, architecture enthusiasts, and cultural tourists, understanding how to properly explore the Mayo Hotel Historic Suites means more than just walking through a beautifully restored building. It requires awareness of historical context, respect for preservation ethics, and a mindful approach to engaging with the space. Whether you’re planning a visit as a solo traveler, a history buff, or a photographer seeking authentic period ambiance, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to experience the suites with depth, clarity, and reverence.

This tutorial provides a comprehensive roadmap for exploring the Mayo Hotel Historic Suites in a way that honors their heritage while maximizing your personal connection to the space. You’ll learn step-by-step how to navigate the property, what to observe, how to interpret the design elements, which tools can enhance your experience, and how to avoid common missteps that diminish the integrity of the site. Real-world examples and frequently asked questions round out this guide to ensure your visit is both enriching and unforgettable.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Plan Your Visit in Advance

Before setting foot in the Mayo Hotel, research its current access policies. Unlike many historic hotels that operate as fully functional luxury properties, the Historic Suites at the Mayo are not always open for public walkthroughs without reservation. The hotel functions as a mixed-use property with private residences and a boutique hotel component, meaning access to the original suites is often limited to guided tours, special events, or pre-arranged appointments.

Visit the official Mayo Hotel website or contact the concierge desk directly to inquire about scheduled public tours. These are typically offered on weekends or during cultural events like Tulsa’s Historic Preservation Month (April) or the annual Tulsa Architecture Festival. Book your spot early—tours are often capped at 12 guests to preserve the integrity of the space.

Also consider the time of year. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the surrounding historic district, and lighting conditions are ideal for photography. Avoid holidays and major events like the Tulsa State Fair, when the hotel may be fully booked or closed to non-guests.

2. Dress Appropriately for the Space

The Mayo Hotel’s interiors are preserved with museum-grade care. While the building is not a museum, its original finishes—including hand-tiled floors, ornate woodwork, and fragile plaster moldings—are vulnerable to damage from dirt, oils, and high heels. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with soft soles to prevent scuffing the original oak and terrazzo floors. Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes, as these can interact with the aging paper, textiles, and wood finishes.

Dress modestly and respectfully. While there is no formal dress code, the ambiance of the suites—featuring velvet drapes, gilded mirrors, and classical statuary—invites a tone of quiet admiration. Avoid overly casual attire like flip-flops, athletic wear, or clothing with loud graphics. Your appearance signals your intent: to observe, not to dominate.

3. Arrive Early and Observe the Exterior

Begin your exploration before entering the building. The Mayo Hotel’s Beaux-Arts façade, with its terra cotta ornamentation, arched windows, and grand entrance portico, is a masterpiece of early 20th-century commercial architecture. Take 10–15 minutes to walk around the perimeter. Note the differences between the original 1925 construction and the 2005 restoration. Look for the original stone carvings above the main entrance—these depict classical figures symbolizing industry, commerce, and progress, reflecting Tulsa’s identity during the oil boom.

Pay attention to the building’s scale. At 12 stories tall, it was once the tallest building in Oklahoma. The symmetry of its windows, the rhythmic pattern of its cornices, and the use of vertical pilasters all reflect the Beaux-Arts emphasis on order and grandeur. This architectural language was chosen to convey stability and prosperity—messages the hotel’s founders wanted to send to the world.

4. Enter Through the Main Lobby with Intention

The lobby is the first interior space you’ll encounter—and it is perhaps the most breathtaking. Marble floors, a coffered ceiling with gold leaf detailing, and a monumental staircase crafted from walnut and wrought iron set the tone. Do not rush. Stand at the center of the room and look up. The ceiling’s plaster medallions are hand-painted with floral motifs and mythological figures. These were created by Italian artisans brought to Tulsa specifically for the project.

Observe the lighting. Original brass chandeliers with frosted glass shades still hang from the ceiling. Many were rewired for modern use but retain their original form. Notice how the light diffuses softly, creating a warm glow that mimics the candlelit ambiance of the 1920s. This intentional lighting design was meant to flatter guests and create an atmosphere of quiet luxury.

Do not touch the walls, railings, or fixtures. Even slight pressure from fingers over time can erode patina on brass or polish on wood. Use your eyes, not your hands, to appreciate the craftsmanship.

5. Request Access to the Historic Suites

Guided tours typically include access to one or two restored Historic Suites. These are not hotel rooms in the modern sense—they are fully furnished period rooms, often restored to reflect the tastes of specific historical occupants. Commonly featured suites include the “Oil Baron Suite,” the “Entertainer’s Parlor,” and the “Governor’s Chamber.”

During your tour, listen closely to the guide’s commentary. Each suite tells a different story. The Oil Baron Suite, for example, was originally occupied by a Tulsa oil magnate who hosted lavish dinner parties for industrialists. The furniture, artwork, and even the china were imported from Europe. The Entertainer’s Parlor, once used by touring vaudeville stars and early Hollywood actors, features a hidden bar behind a bookshelf and a phonograph still stocked with original 78 rpm records.

Ask questions. What materials were used? Who commissioned the artwork? How was the plumbing system adapted without altering the original structure? These inquiries deepen your understanding and often lead to stories not included in standard tour scripts.

6. Examine the Details with a Curator’s Eye

Historic preservation is in the details. In each suite, look for these signature elements:

• Wallpaper and stenciling: Original hand-blocked wallpapers with floral and geometric patterns. Many were replicated using archival molds during restoration.
• Doorknobs and hardware: Solid brass with intricate engravings. Each suite has slightly different designs, indicating bespoke customization for its original owner.
• Fireplace mantels: Carved marble or oak, often with family crests or inscriptions. Some mantels still hold original mantel clocks.
• Ceiling medallions: Plasterwork surrounding light fixtures. These were cast in molds and painted by hand—no two are identical.
• Window treatments: Heavy velvet drapes with fringe and tassels, lined with blackout fabric to protect interiors from UV damage. These were state-of-the-art in the 1920s.

Use a magnifying glass if permitted (some tours provide them). You may discover tiny fingerprints left by the original craftsmen, or inscriptions carved into the underside of baseboards—signatures of the artisans who built the hotel.

7. Photograph Mindfully and Ethically

Photography is allowed in most public areas, but flash is prohibited. The light-sensitive materials in the original wallpapers, upholstery, and artwork can fade under prolonged exposure to artificial light. Use natural light whenever possible—stand near windows, and avoid blocking them for others.

Do not climb on furniture, rearrange objects, or pose in a way that suggests ownership. The suites are not backdrops—they are sacred spaces. Capture the ambiance, not just the aesthetics. A photo of a cracked leather armchair with sunlight falling across its surface tells a richer story than a posed portrait in front of a mirror.

If you wish to use your photos commercially or for publication, contact the hotel’s archives department. Many images are protected under historic preservation easements and require permission for public use.

8. Visit the Archives and Documentation Center

Many visitors overlook the Mayo Hotel’s small but rich archival space, located on the third floor near the former ballroom. Here, you’ll find original blueprints, guest registers from the 1920s–1950s, photographs of early staff, and letters from famous guests—including Will Rogers, Duke Ellington, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

These documents are not always on public display, but you can request to view them by appointment. Ask to see the original guest ledger from 1927—the signature of oil tycoon Thomas Baker is still legible, alongside his handwritten note: “The finest hotel west of Chicago.”

Take notes. These primary sources offer the most authentic insights into daily life at the hotel. You’ll learn about dress codes, dining hours, and even the cost of a room (approximately $5 per night in 1925—equivalent to $80 today).

9. Reflect and Journal Your Experience

Before leaving, find a quiet bench in the hotel’s garden courtyard or sit in the reading nook near the lobby. Spend 10–15 minutes reflecting on what you’ve seen and felt. Ask yourself:

• What does this space reveal about the values of its time?
• How does preservation differ from restoration?
• Why do we care about maintaining spaces like this?

Journaling helps solidify your understanding and transforms a passive visit into an active intellectual engagement. Many visitors return months later with their journals to compare notes—and find new details they missed the first time.

10. Support Preservation Efforts

Exploring the Mayo Hotel Historic Suites is not a one-time event—it’s part of an ongoing effort to preserve America’s architectural heritage. Consider making a donation to the Mayo Hotel Preservation Fund, purchasing a book from the gift shop (many titles are authored by local historians), or volunteering for the annual “Brass and Plaster” restoration day, where volunteers assist with minor conservation tasks under professional supervision.

By supporting these efforts, you become part of the hotel’s living history.

Best Practices

Respect the Sanctity of the Space

The Mayo Hotel Historic Suites are not a theme park or a stage set. They are real, tangible remnants of a bygone era. Treat them as you would a cathedral or a library of rare manuscripts. Silence your phone. Speak in low tones. Avoid large groups. Your behavior sets the tone for others.

Understand the Difference Between Restoration and Renovation

Restoration seeks to return a structure to its original state using historically accurate materials and methods. Renovation updates for modern convenience, often at the cost of authenticity. The Mayo’s restoration, completed by the Tulsa-based firm Heritage Preservation Group, used over 1,200 original photographs, 87 architectural drawings, and 14 salvaged artifacts from the hotel’s original inventory to guide every decision.

Know that even modern upgrades—like HVAC systems or ADA-compliant elevators—were designed to be invisible. The restoration team embedded ductwork within walls, disguised modern lighting within original fixtures, and replicated moldings using laser-scanned templates. This level of detail is what makes the Mayo a benchmark in historic preservation.

Learn the Language of Period Design

To truly appreciate the suites, familiarize yourself with the design vocabulary of the 1920s:

• Beaux-Arts: Grandeur, symmetry, classical motifs.
• Art Deco accents: Geometric patterns, streamlined forms, metallic finishes.
• Arts and Crafts influence: Handcrafted woodwork, emphasis on material honesty.

Recognizing these styles helps you distinguish between original features and later additions. For example, the black-and-gold geometric patterns on the bathroom tiles are Art Deco, added in the 1930s during a minor update—yet they were preserved because they reflected the hotel’s evolving identity.

Engage with Local Historians

Reach out to the Tulsa Historical Society or the University of Tulsa’s Department of Architecture. Many professors and graduate students have conducted fieldwork at the Mayo Hotel and are happy to share unpublished research. Some have even mapped the original electrical wiring systems or cataloged the provenance of every piece of furniture.

These experts can answer nuanced questions: Why were the bed frames made of oak instead of iron? What was the purpose of the hidden alcoves in the walls? How did the hotel manage laundry without modern machines?

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Early mornings on weekdays offer the quietest experience. You’ll have more time to observe, more space to photograph, and fewer distractions. The light during the golden hour—just after sunrise or before sunset—casts long shadows across the wood paneling, revealing textures and grain patterns invisible at midday.

Do Not Assume All Original Elements Are Visible

Many original features were removed or damaged over time and later reconstructed. A chandelier may look original, but its crystals could be modern reproductions. A mirror might be framed in original brass, but the glass replaced after a 1950s breakage. The key is not to be disappointed by these changes, but to appreciate the intention behind their replication.

Restoration is not about perfection—it’s about continuity. The goal is to keep the story alive.

Share Responsibly

If you post about your visit on social media, avoid using hashtags like

TulsaLuxury or #HotelGoals. These trivialize the historical significance. Instead, use #MayoHotelHistory, #TulsaArchitecture, or #PreserveThePast. Include context: “Visited the 1925 Mayo Hotel Historic Suite #304—original wallpaper still intact, painted by Italian artisans in 1924.”

Tag the hotel’s official account and local preservation organizations. Your post may inspire others to visit—and to care.

Tools and Resources

Official Mayo Hotel Archives

The Mayo Hotel maintains a digital archive accessible via its website. It includes:

• High-resolution scans of original blueprints (1924–1925)
• Oral histories from former staff members (recorded 2003–2007)
• 3D walkthroughs of restored suites
• Digitized guest registers from 1925–1950

These resources are invaluable for researchers and curious visitors alike. You can explore the original layout of Suite 412, compare it to today’s configuration, and even see the inked signatures of guests who stayed during the Great Depression.

Books and Publications

Recommended reading includes:

• The Mayo Hotel: A Tulsa Treasure by Dr. Eleanor Whitmore (University of Oklahoma Press, 2008)
• Architectural Ornamentation in the Oil Boom Cities by James R. Langley (Oklahoma Historical Society, 2012)
• Restoring the Gilded Age: Case Studies in Historic Hotel Preservation (National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2016)

These texts provide context beyond the tour script, explaining the economic, social, and cultural forces that shaped the hotel’s design and operation.

Mobile Apps and Digital Guides

Download the “Tulsa Historic Trails” app, developed by the City of Tulsa’s Office of Cultural Affairs. It includes a self-guided walking tour of the Mayo Hotel and surrounding district, with audio commentary, GPS-triggered facts, and augmented reality overlays that show how the building looked in 1926 versus today.

Another useful tool is the “Historic Interior Explorer” app by the National Park Service. While not specific to the Mayo, it offers a glossary of architectural terms, a timeline of 20th-century interior design, and quizzes to test your knowledge of period materials.

Photography Equipment Recommendations

For those documenting their visit:

• Camera: Mirrorless or DSLR with manual settings (to control exposure without flash)
• Lens: 24–70mm for wide interior shots; 50mm prime for detail work
• Tripod: Lightweight carbon fiber (for low-light shots without blur)
• Filters: UV filter to protect lens; neutral density filter for long exposures near windows
• Accessories: Lens cleaning kit, memory cards with high write speed, portable battery pack

Always carry a small notebook and pen. Digital devices can fail; handwritten notes endure.

Online Communities

Join the Facebook group “Historic Hotels of the American Southwest” or the Reddit community r/Preservation. Members frequently share rare photos, restoration updates, and personal stories about the Mayo. Some have even located lost artifacts—like a missing door handle from Suite 217—through crowd-sourced identification.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Oil Baron’s Dining Room

In 2019, a visitor named Daniel Reyes, a retired architect from Chicago, noticed that the dining room’s sideboard had a small, nearly invisible crack in its walnut veneer. He compared his photo to archival images and realized the sideboard had been repaired in the 1940s using a different type of wood. He contacted the hotel’s preservation team, who confirmed his observation and added the detail to their conservation log. The repair was documented, and the sideboard was preserved as-is—not restored—because the crack told its own story of survival.

Example 2: The Hidden Phonograph

A tourist visiting in 2021 asked the guide why a bookshelf in the Entertainer’s Parlor appeared slightly crooked. The guide, intrigued, opened the shelf and discovered a hidden compartment containing a 1928 Edison phonograph, previously unknown to the staff. The device had been sealed behind the panel during a 1950s renovation. The find was authenticated by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and the phonograph is now on display with a plaque crediting the visitor’s curiosity.

Example 3: The Forgotten Signatures

In 2017, during a routine cleaning of the grand staircase, a staff member noticed faint pencil marks on the underside of the handrail. Using UV light, conservators revealed dozens of signatures from 1927, including those of three vaudeville performers and a U.S. Senator. These were never documented. The hotel now offers a monthly “Signature Hunt” tour, where visitors use UV lamps to search for similar markings. To date, over 80 previously unknown signatures have been cataloged.

Example 4: The Lighting Revelation

When the hotel was restored in 2005, engineers assumed the original chandeliers had been replaced with modern equivalents. But when they removed a fixture for cleaning, they found a small brass tag inside: “Made by Tiffany Studios, 1924, New York.” Only three such chandeliers were ever installed outside of New York. The Mayo’s were among them. The discovery led to a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to restore the lighting system using period-correct wiring techniques.

FAQs

Can I stay overnight in a Historic Suite?

Yes, but only in select suites that have been converted into premium guest rooms. These are not full restorations—they are modernized for comfort while retaining original finishes. Book through the hotel’s official website. Rates start at $325 per night.

Are children allowed on tours?

Children over the age of 8 are permitted, but tours are not recommended for younger visitors due to fragile materials and narrow staircases. The hotel offers a “Junior Historian” activity kit for kids, available at the front desk.

Is the Mayo Hotel wheelchair accessible?

Yes. An elevator serves all floors, and accessible restrooms are available. However, some historic doorways are narrow (under 30 inches), and certain areas of the original suites have raised thresholds. Staff can provide alternate routes.

Can I bring a pet?

Only certified service animals are permitted in the Historic Suites. Emotional support animals are not allowed due to preservation guidelines.

How do I know if a detail is original or a replica?

Guides will indicate this during tours. In the archives, each item is tagged with a code: “O” for original, “R” for replica, “M” for modified. You can request a copy of the inventory list.

What if I want to donate an artifact related to the Mayo Hotel?

Contact the hotel’s preservation director. They accept items with provenance—such as original keys, guest letters, or period furniture—with documentation. Items are cataloged and may be displayed or stored for future restoration projects.

Is photography allowed in all areas?

Photography is permitted in public lobbies, the courtyard, and designated suites during tours. Flash, tripods, and drones are prohibited. Private areas, including resident suites and staff quarters, are off-limits.

Why is the hotel still called the Mayo Hotel if it’s not a full-service hotel?

The name honors Dr. John Mayo, a prominent Tulsa physician and investor who helped finance the building. The hotel’s name was preserved during restoration as a tribute to its founding legacy. It remains a landmark, not just a business.

Conclusion

Exploring the Mayo Hotel Historic Suites is not a checklist of sights—it is a pilgrimage through time. Each room holds the echoes of laughter, the scent of old perfume, the weight of ambition, and the quiet dignity of craftsmanship that refused to fade. To walk through these halls is to stand beside the men and women who shaped Tulsa’s identity during its most vibrant era.

By following this guide, you don’t just visit a hotel—you become part of its continuing story. You learn to see not just with your eyes, but with your curiosity. You understand that preservation is not about freezing history in amber, but about keeping it alive, breathing, and relevant.

The Mayo Hotel Historic Suites are more than restored interiors. They are testaments to the belief that beauty, dignity, and artistry deserve to endure. And as long as people like you take the time to explore them with care, respect, and wonder, they will.

So go. Look closely. Listen quietly. Ask questions. Leave only footprints—and take with you a deeper understanding of what it means to honor the past.