In a town where every hotel is trying to hog the spotlight, The Hollywood Roosevelt doesn’t even need to compete — after all, it’s the original beacon. From its infancy, the Hollywood Boulevard hotel has been a star magnet, drawing Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, and Greta Garbo to its opening day on May 15, 1927, and hosting the first-ever Academy Awards in its Blossom Room just two years later. Talk about bragging rights!
The iconic property is a history book of Hollywood’s most glamorous bygone eras: it was here that Shirley Temple took her first tap lesson in the tile stairway, Marilyn Monroe posed poolside for her first ad (she also lived on site in a suite above the Tropicana Bar), and so many beloved movies like Catch Me If You Can and Almost Famous and TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and I Love Lucy filmed.
But today, its magic comes in how the landmark, which is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America, projects its all-star resume in such a welcoming way. There’s an ease mixed into the sophistication throughout its 3.2 acres, reflected in the Tower Rooms’ Spanish colonial architecture accented with Roaring 20s decor and The Cabanas’ mid-century modern vibe with a contemporary twist.
Elements of its history are everywhere, like in the photos hanging throughout the property taken by the “Godfather of Paparazzi,” Ron Galella, accompanied by insider stories. But nothing beats its location. The front door opens right onto the stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theater is just footsteps away, making it a prime site for celebrity sightings.
“It’s such a dream to work at a place like this,” actor and artist Mia Caporale says. Among her favorite moments: serving Brad Pitt in a private dining room and working the 2018 Black Panther after party and the 2021 Gucci fashion show. As a local, she remembers one of her first times coming as a guest for a Labor Day party, only to find that the Aaron her friend told her to meet outside was none other than Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul. “It’s all unreal, but it’s just another day at The Roosevelt.”
Top Takeaways
Location: Los Angeles, California
Rating: Four-Star
The Vibe: A magnet for stars then and now, the hotel radiates timeless Hollywood glamour with Spanish colonial architecture plus a sprinkling of Art Deco.
Food + Drink: Making its debut in July 2023, Shirley Brassiere puts the spotlight on farm-fresh French cuisine, while burger mainstay 25 Degrees serves up traditional American fare, the speakeasy cocktail bar The Spare Room features a two-lane bowling alley, and The Lobby bar offers finger foods in its communal setting. And it’s always al fresco season in California, so grab poolside light bites at vintage Tropicana Bar or casual eats from salads to ceviche at Rosy Café, tucked behind the pool.
Amenities: Restaurants/bars; heated pool; valet parking; Cinegrill theater (with live comedy, burlesque, and other entertainment); gym; event spaces; and multilingual staff speaking Armenian, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Swimming in the 1960s era Tropicana Pool above a million-dollar underwater mural by British artist David Hockney, painted in 1989. The familiar spot is where Marilyn Monroe posed for her first ad and where Brad Pitt delivered a cake to Ben Affleck and Jimmy Kimmel for a 2009 spoof music video on his late-night show, among other close-ups. It even hosts poolside movie screenings.
5 Nearby Attractions: Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Paramount Studios Tour, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? Looking out from the hotel’s front doors after dark, you’ll see two buildings aglow on the hill. The closer one is the storied Magic Castle, a private magician’s club reserved for those on the invite list — but the true gem is just above it to the west: Japanese restaurant Yamashiro, meaning mountain palace. Completed in 1914, the National Register of Historic Places site is believed to be modeled after a Japanese landmark near Kyoto. Nowadays, the restaurant serves sushi, noodles, and steak, but the starring attraction is the hillside view stretching from LAX to Downtown.
Rooms: 300 rooms and suites, split between The Tower Rooms (standard rooms to penthouse suites) and The Cabanas (bungalow suites)
Pricing: Rooms start at $279/night for standard or $379/night for king loft
Closest Airport: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is about 7 miles to the north for select domestic flights, otherwise Los Angeles International (LAX), about 14 miles away, offers more options.
