Hollywood Roosevelt: Iconic Golden Age Hotel Revamped with Retro-Modern Glamour
The Hollywood Roosevelt
Los Angeles, California
Retro Modern, $$$ (from $289)
At first glance, The Hollywood Roosevelt doesn’t look like the first place you’d expect to spot a movie star on vacation. From its perch above Hollywood Boulevard’s bustling Walk of Fame, the towering Spanish Colonial Revival hotel seems a little too in the middle of it all. But acquaint yourself with its history, and the reasoning becomes clear.
Since opening in 1927, the landmarked property (birthplace of the Academy Awards) has hosted many high-profile personalities, including Marilyn Monroe, who once called the hotel home, Errol Flynn, who used to make Prohibition gin at the hotel barber shop, and Shirley Temple, who was taught how to dance here by Bill Bojangles Robinson.
The hotel recently underwent a major revamp and transferred hands to Journal Hotels. But the institution continues to attract notables as well as fashionable tourists with classy, contemporary West Coast interiors, a slew of updated dining options, and a lively social scene. It's the LA hotel for those who want to steep in the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age without compromising on modern comforts.
At a Glance
Vibe: Busy, buzzy, and glitzy with a nostalgic air throughout.
Standout Detail: The outdoor pool’s original million-dollar underwater mural by master painter David Hockney.
This Place Is Perfect For: Party people, Hollywood Bowl attendees, and movie fanatics who want to stay on the Walk of Fame.
Rooms: 300 guest rooms all come with walk-in closets, custom throw blankets, local snacks in the mini bars, La Bodega kimono robes, Davines bath products, and prints by paparazzi Ron Gallela. The 240 Yabu Pushelberg-designed rooms in The Tower have canopy beds, barn doors, and wood and leather accents, while the 60 Cabana suites are more light and airy and most overlook the pool — including the former home of Marilyn Monroe, which is now an opulent, loft-like, 750-square-foot suite.
On Site: A full roster of events, including Saturday morning yoga and sunset boxing, movie night, 24/7 gym and room service, and 25,000+ square feet of event space, which include the rooftop, a gallery space, an outdoor garden, the old office of the Motion Picture Academy, and Blossom Ballroom, where the first Academy Awards were held in 1929.
Food + Drink: Tropicana Cafe serves American food and drinks by the pool. Award-winning local chef Nancy Silverton is behind the Italian steakhouse menu at The Barish, as well as the casual options served in the The Lobby. 25 Degrees slings burgers 24/7 and was deemed by Time Out LA as the best burger joint in town. The speakeasy-style Spare Room rocks a two-lane vintage bowling alley and has custom-made wooden board games. The Writer's Room (formerly the Library Bar) is an homage to Silverton's mother Doris, a longtime writer for the iconic American soap opera General Hospital. That's not her vintage typewriter you see, but go ahead and pretend it is.
Book It
Spend the night. Click here for reservations.
What to Do Nearby
Hollywood's most popular tourist attractions (and the crowds that come with them) are right outside the hotel — the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theater, Grauman's Egyptian Theater, and Dolby Theater, as well as a good smattering of shopping and nightlife venues. For a breath of fresh air, hike through Runyon Canyon, score some style pieces on Melrose Boulevard, and refuel at The Sycamore Kitchen.
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This article was originally written in 2017 and was updated in 2021.
