Hotels Famous for Celebrity Visitors
Some hotels just have that magic touch when it comes to attracting the rich and famous. Whether it’s the promise of privacy, the allure of luxury, or simply being in the right place at the right time, these establishments have hosted everyone from Hollywood legends to world leaders.
Their guest books read like a who’s who of the past century, with stories that range from romantic to scandalous to downright eccentric. Here is a list of hotels that have become legendary for their celebrity guests.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
The ‘Pink Palace’ has been an icon since opening its doors in 1912, and its distinctive salmon-colored facade is almost as famous as the stars who’ve stayed there. Marilyn Monroe loved the place so much she had a favorite bungalow, Number 7, though she apparently spent most of her time in Number 1.
Howard Hughes took things to another level by occupying up to nine bungalows at once during his 30-year on-and-off residence, where he reportedly had staff hide pineapple upside-down cakes for him to find during 2 a.m. treasure hunts.
Chateau Marmont
Perched in the West Hollywood Hills since 1929, this hotel has been the backdrop for countless celebrity stories, some legendary and others tragic. The property offers everything from traditional rooms to private bungalows, making it perfect for stars who want to stay out of the spotlight.
Robert Pattinson, Bradley Cooper, and Zoe Saldana have all been spotted here, and it remains a favorite spot for film premiere after-parties where the real celebration begins once the cameras stop flashing.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
This 12-story Spanish-style building opened in 1927 and quickly became Hollywood royalty. The hotel is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Marilyn Monroe, who lived there for a time, and several guests have claimed to see her spirit wandering the halls.
Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z have all stayed here in more recent times, and the best spots to catch a glimpse of famous faces are the Tropicana Bar, the lobby, or by the pool.
The Beverly Wilshire
You might recognize this hotel from the film Pretty Woman, where Julia Roberts’ character got the royal treatment. The property has been housing Hollywood A-listers since opening in 1928, with Elvis Presley and Warren Beatty among its most notable guests.
It sits right on Rodeo Drive, which means guests can literally roll out of bed and into some of the world’s most exclusive shopping, and a recent multimillion-dollar renovation has made it even more opulent than before.
Waldorf Astoria New York
When this Art Deco marvel opened on Park Avenue in 1931, it became the world’s largest and tallest hotel. Cole Porter lived in The Towers for decades, composing iconic songs on a Steinway piano nicknamed ‘High Society’ that the hotel gifted him.
Frank and Barbara Sinatra later moved into Porter’s former suite, paying $1 million a year, and apparently loved it so much they etched their initials into the shower doors. The hotel has hosted nearly every U.S. president since Herbert Hoover, with several former presidents actually living in The Towers after their terms ended.
The Plaza Hotel
Opening in 1907 at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, this hotel was dubbed the ‘Home-for-the-Incurably Opulent’ by the New York World just a year after it opened. The Beatles stayed here during their first U.S. tour in 1964, causing absolute pandemonium.
Truman Capote threw his legendary Black and White Gala here, bringing out names like Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow to celebrate the release of In Cold Blood. The grandest suites were actually on the fifth floor or lower because elevators were so new that people didn’t trust them yet.
The Savoy London
Built in 1889 as London’s first purpose-built deluxe hotel, The Savoy was a game-changer. French actress Sarah Bernhardt was one of the first regular guests, bringing along her Irish red setter named Tosco.
Charlie Chaplin stayed here with his family for three months in 1952, and crowds constantly besieged the hotel trying to catch a glimpse of him. Claude Monet and James Whistler both painted views of the Thames from their Savoy rooms, and the hotel has welcomed everyone from Winston Churchill to The Beatles.
Ritz Paris
When Coco Chanel decided to take up residence at the Ritz on Place Vendôme, she wasn’t just visiting for a weekend. She stayed for 34 years, and today the Suite Coco Chanel features rooms decorated in her signature style, complete with her personal sketches and photos on display.
The 190-square-meter suite comes with three bathrooms, a massive dressing room, and even a private wine cellar, with rates starting around $20,600 per night. Audrey Hepburn and Maria Callas were also devoted to this legendary hotel.
Hotel Bel-Air
Long before the fictional Fresh Prince made Bel Air famous, this hotel had already put the prestigious neighborhood on the map. Grace Kelly moved in before her wedding and following her Oscar win for The Country Girl.
Marilyn Monroe was photographed here by Bert Stern just six weeks before she died in 1962, creating images that later became the book The Last Sitting. The hotel’s secluded setting and private bungalows make it perfect for celebrities who want to disappear from public view.
Sunset Tower Hotel
Built in 1929 in distinctive Art Deco style, this Sunset Boulevard landmark fell into serious disrepair before being dramatically renovated in 2005. During Hollywood’s golden age, it was home to legends like Howard Hughes, John Wayne, Errol Flynn, and Frank Sinatra.
John Wayne supposedly lived in the penthouse and was rumored to have kept a cow on the balcony for fresh milk, which sounds exactly like something John Wayne would do. Today, it attracts modern stars like Madonna, James Franco, and Johnny Depp.
The Carlyle Hotel
This New York institution has been a favorite among celebrities looking for discretion and old-world charm. The hotel’s Upper East Side location and reputation for privacy have made it a go-to for stars who want to enjoy the city without being constantly photographed.
Its elegant atmosphere and world-class service have attracted generations of famous guests, from political figures to entertainment icons, though the hotel’s commitment to guest privacy means many of these visits remain wonderfully mysterious.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Nestled on a lush 110-acre peninsula west of Jamaica’s Montego Bay, this Caribbean getaway opened in 1953 and immediately attracted the Kennedy family. John F. and Jackie Kennedy were repeat visitors who stayed in Villa 25, and it was here that JFK edited and practiced his famous 1961 inauguration speech.
Today, guests staying in the villa can see artifacts from both the speech and his visits, along with enjoying views of Round Hill Bay and a private pool.
King David Hotel
This Jerusalem institution from the 1920s has played host to some of history’s most impressive figures. Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama have all stayed here, drawn by its combination of luxury and historical significance.
The hotel’s Jerusalem Suite offers unbeatable views of the Old City, and its position in this ancient city has made it witness to decades of pivotal historical moments. The King David represents the rare hotel that’s as important politically as it is luxurious.
Hotel del Coronado
Known simply as ‘The Del,’ this beachfront resort opened on Coronado Island near San Diego in 1888 as the largest resort hotel in the world. Its iconic red cupolas and Queen Anne-style architecture make it instantly recognizable.
The hotel has hosted 12 presidents, plus celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty, including Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson. Author L. Frank Baum was such a regular that he wrote three books in his famous Oz series while staying here, perhaps finding inspiration in the hotel’s fairy-tale architecture.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Montreal
In May 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their famous week-long bed-in for world peace here, and the housekeeping team apparently had their work cut out for them because Lennon loved scattering flower petals everywhere. Suite 1742 is now named for the couple and features permanent versions of the ‘Hair Peace’ and ‘Bed Peace’ signs they put up, along with other inspired décor including a copy of Alice in Wonderland, one of Lennon’s favorite books.
The suite has become a pilgrimage site for Beatles fans.
Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles
Opening in 1923 as the largest hotel west of Chicago, the Biltmore quickly became a Southern California institution. The hotel’s Crystal Ballroom is where the concept for the Academy Awards was first conceived during a 1927 luncheon, and legend holds that MGM art director Cedric Gibbons sketched the first Oscar design on a Biltmore napkin.
In the early years, the hotel was so popular with the Hollywood elite that fans would line the benches in the Galleria hoping to spot someone famous. The Biltmore Theater opened a year after the hotel, featuring sold-out shows with stars like Lucille, Henry Fonda, and Katharine Hepburn.
Where Glamour Still Thrives
These historic hotels prove that celebrity appeal isn’t just about modern amenities or Instagram-worthy lobbies. Many have been welcoming famous guests for over a century, yet they continue to attract today’s biggest stars alongside tourists eager to walk the same halls as legends.
The stories accumulated in their guest books and suites represent a fascinating cross-section of cultural history, from silent film stars to rock legends to world leaders. While some celebrities now seek privacy where their predecessors craved publicity, these hotels have adapted while maintaining the magic that made them special in the first place.
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