Hotels

Chateau Marmont, by Alan Light

HOTEL SITE

Jesse Spencer of House

CELEBS SPOTTED: Clare Danes, Christopher Lloyd, Lindsay Lohan, Lily Allen, Demi Moore, Anthony Kiedis, David Cook, Robert Deniro, Dita Von Teese, Jesse Spencer, Josh Hartnett, Eliza Dushku, Zac Effron, Rosario Dawson, Leonardo, DiCaprio, Katy Perry

Originally built as apartments in the late ’20s, Chateau Marmont in Hollywood became a hotel in 1931 and it’s been a celebrity hot-spot ever since. Infamous because it’s where the late, great John Belushi died in 1982, it’s never stopped the stars from hanging out.

Everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to Jim Morrison to James Dean to Lindsay Lohan has spent time at the Chateau Marmont. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have even recorded songs there.

Private terraces and balconies abound at the Chateau Marmont

The founder of Columbia Pictures, Harry Cohn, once said, “If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” I don’t want trouble, really, just to live it up in the manner to which I’d like to become accustomed.

Where the stars sleep

There are 63 rooms, cottages, and bungalows at the Chateau, many of which have full kitchens. Yeah, there’s something to be said for apartment buildings that have been converted into hotels. Since the hotel was built to be earthquake-proof (and has survived quite a few of them), the walls are all rather thick – even soundproof – so if you’re looking to host a party, this might be the perfect place.

Living it up Chateau style

Junior Suites with a queen-sized bed, kitchen, and dining area start at $480 a night. A Two-Bedroom Suite with queen bed, twin beds, dining room, kitchen, and private balcony (overlooking the pool) begins at $835 a night. Bungalows range from $520-$1,800 a night.

The Suite Life at Chateau Marmont

And the Penthouse? You can get a one-bedroom with king-sized bed, living room with hardwood floors, formal dining room, kitchen, and two private patio terraces for a mere $2,200 per night. The two-bedroom penthouse includes working fireplace and goes for only $3,700 a night. The views from the penthouse? Spectacular. Sigh, yeah, when I’m rich and famous, I suppose.

The hotel features amenities such as a heated pool, free wifi, cashmere throws, maid service (twice a day, because clearly you’re that filthy), and even a 24-hour shoe shine. I don’t know about you, but that’s a long time to spend shining my shoes. I have things to do!

The Bar Marmont is famous for its ambiance and cuisine, as well as being one of the favorite places for celebs to be seen. Highly recommended you make reservations, of course, because otherwise you’re likely to be shut out and forced to hit an In-and-Out Burger, not that that’s a bad thing. But when you’re expecting high-class and cool, a burger joint may be a bit of a let-down.

Bar Marmont

Katy Perry hanging at the Chateau Marmont

Of course, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the Chateau Marmont. There’s the Curry Palace and Sunset Thai, amongst many others. It’s Hollywood, after all.

If it’s good enough for the old-school stars like Clark Gable, as well as the newbies such as Katy Perry, the Chateau Marmont is good enough for you. And if it’s not, I don’t know if we can be friends when I’m all big and famous.

Photo Credits

Top photo by Alan Light

Sexy stars for Hollywood board shorts!

So you know when you wander down to the hotel pool, and you’re about to take off your robe? Then you look around and suddenly realize that everyone else is wearing a bathing suit but you’re naked.

Yeah, I hate that, too.

That’s why from now I’m going to do all my accidental-near-skinny-dipping at the Standard Hotels in LA, New York or Miami.

The André Balazs properties are partnering with boardshort designer Quicksilver to offer cobranded suit in the hotel lobby shops, and in vending machines by the pool.

Oooh, anyone got change for a c-note, right?

Starting with the LA property this weekend, you can get four different styles of men’s shorts to match the four different Standard Hotel locations. Women can only get a black string bikini, but if you only have one choice, that’s the choice 98% of women who are actually willing to wear a bathing suit in public.

Want all of the cachet of a Standard Hotel bathing suit, without the trip to an expensive hot spot? Check it out on the Standard web store.

Photo: The Standard Hotel

Tom Cruise with Suri in Hollywood

Lots of celeb spottings at the Mondrian in West Hollywood, California, that’s for sure. That’s because it’s a luxury hotel with all the trimmings, not to mention some of the hottest spots in Hollywood. Lindsay Lohan? Check. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes? Check. Britney, Leonardo, Jewel, and other one-name stars? Check, check, check. They’ve all been seen at the Mondrian.

It’s tough to grab a table at the Mondrian’s Asia de Cuba restaurant, or a spot in the Skybar, but if you’re looking to be treated like a star (and see some, too), then I think you’ll really dig it. Exquisite details permeate every room, whether it’s the 30-foot mahogany doors, the plush lobby, the fine Egyptian linens, or the breathtaking scenic views from the Balcony Suites. It’s art deco at its best.

Luxury pool at the Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood, California

Surprisingly, the Mondrian is also (relatively) reasonable in price, too. If you’re looking for a standard room, they start around $295 a night. Balcony Suites are under $500 a night, and the deluxe Apartments are – wait for it – $2,500 a night. But hey, we’re talking lap of luxury here. Wet bars, double rainfall showers, lovely flat-screen HDTVs, even 24-hour room service. Even now as I write this, I’m imagining myself getting a 90-minute massage in my room, while girls fan me and feed me grapes. *sigh*

The suites at the Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood are exquisite

If you’re going to rub elbows with people like Kevin Spacey and Hugh Grant, you’re going to pay the price. But it’s unlikely that the Mondrian will disappoint. And if you’re lucky, the paparazzi may see you outside and accidentally think you’re Somebody. What? It could happen!

Nearby Restaurants: Katana, BOA Steakhouse, Koi, and the O-Bar

Singer Jewel spotted near the Mondrian in West Hollywood

Photos: Daylife.com, Mondrian hotel web site

Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood

The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California is a lovely, historic hotel on Hollywood Blvd where all the sidewalk stars are. It’s a great place to people watch from – I’ve seen two celebrities in this hotel since I’ve been here!

My room is definitely on the smaller side, bu the bed is comfy. However, the bed does have a nasty, sharp wooden corner to it which is very annoying! I’ve managed to walk into that corner about four times since being here, and my shins now look like someone took a baseball bat to them. Other than that, the room is fine. The bathroom is small, and the toilet paper roll is hidden behind the door, so you have to close the door when using the bathroom, which I found amusing. Nice amenities are included in the bathroom.
They do hit you with a lot of charges here. You even have to pay for the coffee in the room. There’s a very funny “Shag Bag” which made me laugh out loud. You can guess what’s in there.

This hotel is a little bit spooky though. It’s older, built in 1927 I believe, and the hallways feel dark and, well – haunted. I’m not kidding. I’m on the twelfth floor, and I get weird chills when I walk from my hotel room to the elevator.

Moving on! If you stay here, you have to check out the historic lobby – it’s absolutely gorgeous. Very high ceilings, dark wood, soft, yellow lighting. Large, very comfortable leather chairs…just lovely.

The pool is open till 11pm, score!

I highly recommend Shelly Cafe, right across the street. Pretty cheap food – basic burgers, sandwiches and salads. But good! And, Million Dollar Baby was filmed there, if you’re into that stuff.

Photo Credit: P Keigan

Last weekend, former basketball-great, and ex-Celebrity Apprentice star, Dennis Rodman, was kicked out of the London Hotel in West Hollywood.

Apparently he was engaging in “ass-grabery” in the lobby. There are many things you can do in a West Hollywood hotel, and most of them even involve asses, but (surprisingly for Dennis Rodman) accosting women you don’t know in the lobby isn’t on that list.

Fancy rooms at the London Hotel

Too bad for Dennis, because the London Hotel is a swank. They have giant, 1,500 square foot suites, with terraces and views of LA and the Hollywood Hills. You get free calls to London, England, which is awesome if you have friends or family there. Or if you just want to crank call Gwyneth Paltrow. Hey, you know Madonna totally does it!

Every hotel should have a roof deck pool

There’s a gorgeous rooftop pool, and chef Gordon Ramsay oversees all of the food.

If you

If you can control your urge to goose people, rooms are $200/night and up.

The Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, FL

When most people think of Hollywood, they picture movie stars in California. However, on the other side of the country, Florida has a Hollywood of its own, and the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa is one of its celebrities.

For one thing, it’s a striking building, and recently had a green makeover. In the spring of 2007, this AAA Four Diamond resort began implementing eco-friendly practices, including water-conserving toilets, paperless check-in and check-out, recycling programs for the guests to use, as well as using recycled materials for construction. But, a pretty exterior and a green focus isn’t enough for most folks to spend from $200 to $600 on a room, right? No problem, because there are plenty more reasons to visit this hotel.

For one, Hollywood itself is located in South Florida, which means you have warm weather most days of the year. And it’s good thing — not only is the Diplomat right on the beach, but it also has several outdoor pools, including one with a see-through glass bottom (which you can check out now on their Dip Cam) with a waterfall leading to the lagoon-style pool below. With poolside cabanas, cold towel service, and a poolside bar and grill, you might not want to go back to your room.

The view from the 33rd floor

You might want to leave the beach chair, however, to play a little golf at the Diplomat Country Club Golf Course (South Florida’s only 5-star rated golf course), or relax with a service at the spa. Of course, you’ll need to grab a bite to eat, too, and depending on your mood, you can choose from any of nine different dining options.

So, you’ve got great weather, incredible luxury, and eco-friendliness, all in one hotel. Sounds like a pretty swell winter getaway to me.

Photo credits: seaview99 and cranrob