The Blackstone has been dubbed "The Hotel of Presidents".  The hotel was once considered one of Chicago's finest luxury hotels, and a dozen 20th century U.S. Presidents have stayed at the hotel.  In addition the Blackstone has also become part of Chicago's history as the city that has hosted more United States presidential nominating conventions (26) than any other two American cities, a history which goes back to the 1860 Republican National Convention hosted at the Wigwam.