The Beverly Hills Hotel is legendary. Founded in 1912, it is known for its whimsical Palm Springs-style décor and rich Hollywood history. But that’s not all. Here are five of our favorite facts that you may or may not already know.
1 – It was founded by a woman
As mentioned, the hotel opened over 100 years ago, before the city of Beverly Hills was even founded. It was originally owned and operated by Margaret Anderson, whose motto was: “Guests are entitled to the best of everything, regardless of price!” In 1914, Hollywood directors, actors and actresses purchased homes in the area. Stars included Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Gloria Swanson, Buster Keaton, Rudolph Valentino and Will Rogers. Swanson later stayed in one of the hotel’s bungalows during their divorce.
2 – Famous Hollywood stars called Beverly Hills home
Reclusive tycoon Howard Hughes lived in one of the infamous bungalows for 30 years! Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin also lived there. Some celebrities even owned the hotel. When Hernando Courtright purchased the hotel in 1941, he did so with an investment from friends that included Irene Dunne, Loretta Young and Harry Warner.
Of course, there are hundreds of infamous stories about the hotel, including celebrities. Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned there six times! John Lennon and Yoko Ono spent a week in bed there in the 1970s, while fellow Beatle Paul McCartney reportedly fell in love with Linda Eastman in a bungalow suite. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard met here in the early days of their affair. So did Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn
Over the years, the hotel has also hosted royal guests including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, King Albert II of Belgium, Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and Princess Grace.
3 – Celebrities love the Polo Lounge
The Polo Lounge is also no stranger to celebrities. It was a favorite of the Rat Pack and a place where Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the boys held heavy drinking sessions. Stars like Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, Al Pacino and Kim Kardashian had a favorite table. When a Hollywood great dies, the staff locks up their table for 24 hours, an honor bestowed on Carrie Fisher, Burt Reynolds and James Caan.
My favorite celebrity fact, however, is this one. Actress Marlene Dietrich successfully campaigned to change the longstanding and outdated rule that women were not allowed to wear trousers on the premises.
I even spotted a celebrity on my last visit! Justin Chambers, who you may know from “Grey’s Anatomy” or “The Wedding Planner,” sat on the patio and dined with a friend.
4 – It’s THE Hotel California
The hotel is the subject of the Eagles’ iconic history Hotel California Shot of the album cover. Much of the record’s tone and thematic material reflects the band’s founding member and lead singer Don Henley’s commentary on “success (and the excesses it can produce), lost love, and how strange life in California can be.” So it makes perfect sense that this spot was featured.
5 – It is also a filming location for classic films
In 1956, the hotel and cabana club pool was used as a filming location Design womanwith Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall. Then, in 1963, the comedy film Who slept in my bed?“The Movie,” starring Dean Martin, Elizabeth Montgomery, Jill St. John and Carol Burnett, was also filmed at the hotel. Other films include Neil Simons California Suite (with Jane Fonda, Alan Alda and Richard Pryor), Just as we were (with Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand), shampoo (with Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn) and American gigolo (with Richard Gere). According to IMDB, recent films that filmed scenes in The Beverly Hills include: Save Mr. Banks, anywhere but here, Beverly Hills Cop and more.
The average price for a room starts at over $1000.
You can find out more about the hotel and book a room here.
