06/15/2026
By 1956, Royal Palms entered a new chapter under hospitality leader Fred Renker, a former nationally ranked tennis player with a deep love for hotels, people, and culture.
Renker refreshed the interiors, welcomed Midwestern winter travelers, and quietly transformed Royal Palms into a gathering place for artists, performers, and celebrities appearing at nearby theaters. Names like Eva Gabor, Buster Keaton, Joan Bennett, and Walter Pidgeon found their way here, drawn by the inn’s privacy, warmth, and understated elegance.
During this era, Royal Palms closed for the summer months and reopened each fall, becoming a seasonal retreat where conversation lingered, tables were dressed with care, and stories filled the rooms just as much as guests did.