What's in a name? Why is our hotel called "The Peabody Orlando,"
and why are The Peabody Orlando ducks named "Peabody?" Is there
a specific "Peabody" duck species? Was there a Mr., Ms. or Mrs.
Peabody?
Once upon a time, long ago, back in 1865 to be precise, a very wealthy man
named Robert Brinkley decided to build a beautiful new hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.
He wanted it to be the finest hotel in the south, an oasis of elegance and
good taste where local gentry, wheelers and dealers could congregate in comfort
to wine and dine on the finest foods and rarest wines; where their ladies
could meet for genteel afternoon tea in opulent, exquisite surroundings. The
hotel was to be named The Brinkley House Hotel.
No expense was spared. Craftsmen, artisans, carpenters, bricklayers, interior
designers and decorators of the highest order worked on the building. They
designed impressive public areas and comfortable guest rooms which reflected
state-of-the-art hotel facilities of the day. The finest bone china, silverware
and crystal glassware were purchased. The best of chefs and hotel management
and staff were hired.
Just before the official opening of the hotel in 1869, Mr. Brinkley's best
friend, George Peabody, an international financier and philanthropist, died
suddenly in London, England. Brinkley was devastated by the sudden loss of
his dear friend. Without hesitation, Brinkley decided to honor the name of
his cherished friend, and changed The Brinkley House Hotel to The Peabody
Hotel.
Today, Peabody Hotel Group, The Peabody Memphis, The Peabody Orlando and
The Peabody Little Rock, all proudly bear the name of George Peabody, an extraordinary
American whose generous, enlightened spirit mirrors those of our existing
owners and management.