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These storied hotels are steeped in show-biz history.
The city of Los Angeles, the heart of celebrity culture, has seen its share of both glowing and grim publicity. These varied moments in time contribute to the mixed reputations of L.A.'s famous hotels. Some of these historic, luxurious destinations are frequented by stars, offering guests the chance to encounter their favorite celebs. However, one might also stumble upon the ghost of someone who met a tragic fate within the hotel walls. Some establishments, like the infamous Hotel Cecil, have such dark histories that they've permanently closed their doors.
Yet, as the saying goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Read on to discover which famous L.A. hotels you can still visit and what makes them so legendary.
The Beverly Hills Hotel, also known as the "Pink Palace," first opened its doors in 1912 and has remained an icon of the city since then. From housing Hollywood royalty to being the site of glamorous parties and whirlwind romances throughout the years, this famous L.A. hotel still serves as the epitome of luxury and five-star service.
Secluded and elegant, the Hotel Bel-Air will enchant anyone who stays on the 12-acre property. This famous L.A. hotel has been charming movie stars and socialites since it opened in 1946, and it's still going strong. Its lush beauty and "non-hotel" feel make it known and loved by many.
As the site of the first Academy Awards, The Millennium Biltmore is a Los Angeles institution. However, that fun fact isn't the only—or arguably even the most—interesting thing about the iconic building. The 1923-built hotel has been featured as a location in many popular movies, like Ocean's Eleven, Wedding Crashers, and Spider-Man, and it was where John F. Kennedy was chosen as the presidential nominee in 1960 at the Democratic National Convention.
Listen to House Beautiful's podcast, Dark House, and the episode about The Biltmore and the Black Dahlia murder case.
Despite its current laid-back vibe, the Andaz West Hollywood was once known as the "Riot House" in the 1960s and '70s due to its proximity to popular nightclubs. It's at this famous L.A. hotel where Robert Plant yelled, "I am a golden god!" off one of the balconies, where multiple scenes were filmed for Almost Famous, and where several rockstars dropped TVs out of open windows. And that's not even the half of it.
No, this famous L.A. hotel was not dreamed up by Wes Anderson, though the cheerful Art Deco design definitely makes it look like it. The Georgian is a boutique hotel that opened its doors in 1933 and saw the likes of iconic socialites and Old Hollywood royalty such as Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Rose Kennedy to name a few. Even if you don't reserve a room at this one-of-a-kind waterfront gem, you should at least stop by to grab a stiff cocktail and people watch.
Thanks to its landmark status, this iconic L.A. hotel still looks the way it did when it was erected in 1929—at least from the outside. Designed by architect Leland A. Bryant, the Sunset Tower Hotel has appeared in numerous old films and was a favorite among the Hollywood elite like Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra. John Wayne even lived in the penthouse suite for a while, and it was rumored that he kept a cow in his apartment—though his estate has denied that claim.
Chateau Marmont, originally built as an apartment building, transitioned into a hotel during the Great Depression. Since then, this famous L.A. hotel has served as both a long- and short-term residence for iconic figures and visitors. From F. Scott Fitzgerald to Anthony Bourdain to Lana Del Rey, the landmark has witnessed countless stories within its walls and has been a filming location and inspiration for various forms of media. The Gothic-inspired architecture and many original historical details have been preserved, even as the building continues to be modernized.
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This famous L.A. hotel is the epitome of Old Hollywood glamour. Built in 1927, the hotel has hosted Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and Marilyn Monroe, and it's still going strong. It's not shocking as to why: The interior is swathed in old-world elegance and historical details. Even the Hollywood Roosevelt's pool is iconic, as that's where Monroe had her first professional magazine shoot.
Built by Conrad Hilton himself and designed by architect Welton Becket, the Beverly Hilton is a Los Angeles staple. It has hosted the Golden Globes since 1961 and is the site of Whitney Houston's tragic death. Guests have apparently seen the ghosts of multiple presidents and celebrities within the building.
Visiting this famous L.A. hotel might feel familiar—it has served as the backdrop for numerous TV shows and movies, including an episode of Entourage and the 1946 film The Blue Dahlia. The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, set on five acres overlooking the Pacific, offers many private spaces, making it a popular retreat for A-listers. Originally built in the 19th century, this estate has welcomed numerous famous faces since it opened as a resort hotel.
Hotel Cecil is one of the most notorious hotels in L.A. Recognizable from the Netflix documentary series Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel or the widely discussed 2013 death of Elisa Lam, this Art-Deco building was once a shining gem in the city. Over the years, it has witnessed numerous violent crimes. Now closed to visitors, the latest update from the Los Angeles Times indicates that it's listed for sale after a failed housing project attempt.
Related Story: The True and Tragic Stories Beyond Hotel Cecil's Violent Fall From Grace
Hotel Figueroa held an important place during the women's movement in the 1920s. It was the largest commercial building funded by women for women, and it allowed solo female travelers to book a room without a male chaperone, which was unheard of at the time. The hotel and attached coffee shop and salons became a creative hub and safe place for women, eventually hosting political rallies and press conferences. It was reopened to the public in 2018 with its restored Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.
Built by Albert R. Walker and Percy A. Eisen in 1926, the Hotel Normandie quickly gained notoriety among the Hollywood elite as famous guests—like English author Malcolm Lowry—began staying there. Though the hotel has experienced a number of renovations to bring it into the 21st century, many of its beloved original features still stand, such as the famous Cassell’s Hamburgers, which opened its doors in 1948, and beautiful terrazzo floors in the lobby.
This historic hotel was one of the filming locations for Julia Roberts's Pretty Woman and housed many Hollywood A-listers since opening its doors in 1928—think Elvis Presley and Warren Beatty. The Beverly Wilshire overlooks the iconic Rodeo Drive and just recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, transforming the already grand hotel into an even greater, more ornate getaway.
Related Story: Julia Roberts Is Selling Her Historic San Francisco Home
Directly on Silicon Beach sits the Hotel Casa Del Mar, a luxury hotel originally built in 1926. Both the interior and exterior are built to impress, as the Mediterranean vibes and opulent details throughout the building are exquisite. Interior designer Michael S. Smith recently renovated the ocean-view lobby and Terrazza Lounge, providing a refreshing, modern contrast to the Italian Renaissance exterior.
The stunning Hotel Per La is in the old Giannini Building in downtown Los Angeles, which was once the headquarters of the Bank of Italy. This famous L.A. hotel was built in 1922, and though many of the Neoclassical details have been preserved in the public areas—marble floors, Doric columns, and the ornate golden ceilings—new designs have been introduced to create a wabi-sabi aesthetic to reflect the eclectic population of the city.
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