Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Let me introduce you all to My Happy Place, otherwise known as the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Yes, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel does not only hold a place in my heart as my favourite hotel in the world, but it is also my favourite place in the world. I have so many wonderful memories from this place and the history of the Golden Age of Hollywood attached to it makes it feel like going back in time. I have stayed at the Roosevelt twice and ventured in there a dozen times for other purposes and I have had nothing but wonderful experiences there.

                The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has been the place where stars have stayed and played since its spectacular opening in 1927in which Hollywood royalty such as Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin attended. In 1929, it became the location of the very first Academy Awards. This ceremony was nothing like the spectacle it is today. No big song numbers or comedy skits. The entire ceremony went for only fifteen minutes with thirteen awards handed out. That works out at one minute and fifteen seconds donated to each award! Could you imagine that these days? Unheard of!

                Over the years, there have been many Hollywood stars that have stayed here while in town. Some which people suggest have never left. The Roosevelt is said to be the home of Marilyn Monroe’s ghost which has been reported to be seen in the full length mirror which used to be in the room at the Roosevelt which she often stayed in.

 The ninth floor is also said to be haunted by another old Hollywood star, Montgomery Clift. He stayed in room 928 while filming From Here To Eternity. He used to practise his lines and practise playing the bugle which he character played, outside his room and along the corridor. Hotel residents staying on the ninth floor have often reported hearing a bugle and footsteps outside their room.

Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, you may still be able to see some stars at the Roosevelt. Many films such as Catch Me If You Can, Charlies Angels and Internal Affairs have been filmed there and parties held by the young and beautiful are not irregular. You never know who you are going to see at the Tropocana Bar or the Cinegrill restaurant!

I can tell you from personal experience that the best places to stay in the hotel are the Cabana Rooms. They right near the pool and although they have been renovated in recent years, they still capture the essence of classic Hollywood. The only downfall is because they are so close to the Tropocana Bar, Saturday nights can be quite noisy with music playing till late. On the bright side, you can stand on your balcony, and star spot from there! You win either way! The pool is the place to be. It really does feel like a Hollywood paradise with its palm trees, sun lounges and view of the hotel’s tower.

I’m a lover of anything old Hollywood and when I am in Hollywood, the Roosevelt is the one of the only places I can go and feel close to the way Hollywood was back in the 1930’s.I am lucky enough to have been in the Blossom Room, which is the room which the Academy Awards were held in. It was actually quite a surreal experience. The Blossom Room was empty at the time and I entered the room on the balcony level. It was strange looking down at this empty auditorium and imagining the most important event in the world of film’s calendar there 80 years before. If there is something supernatural in the hotel, I felt it there!

I love the lobby. It is true old Hollywood. Many people go to Hollywood thinking it is going to be all glitz and glamour and can be quite underwhelmed as a result. If you want to see the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood, this is where you need to be. Dim lighting, a running fountain and old fashioned leather arm chairs (good quality, not the uncomfortable squeaky kind) make you feel like you have stepped back in time and that you should be looking around and seeing women in tasselled dresses and men with cigars. I have no trouble picturing Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks standing around sipping champagne with their fellow party guests here. That’s what you want to see in Hollywood, isn’t it? Feeling the magic of Hollywood!

If you would like to stay at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, check out their website and rooms and rates.

http://www.thompsonhotels.com/ppc/hollywood-roosevelt/thompson-roosevelt-hotel-ppc.html?source=google+HollywoodRoosevelt+HollywoodRooseveltBrand+hollywoodroosevelthotel

A few tips before you go.

*Watch From Here To Eternity just in case you stay on the ninth floor and need to remind Mr Clift what his lines are or need to comment on whether he has got the bugle quite right.

*Stay in a Cabana Room, especially in summer so you are right near the amazing pool. Did I mention Miss Monroe shot her first commercial there?

*And finally, remember where you are. You have Hollywood on your doorstep. Love the hotel, but don’t stay in it the whole time. Go and see as much of the town as you can. The more you explore, the better it is.

Sources

“Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel” http://www.hollywoodusa.co.uk/hollywoodroosevelt.htm Accessed: 10^th July 2011

*”The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel” http://www.seeing-stars.com/hotels/hollywoodroosevelt.shtml Accessed: 10^th July 2011