Château Marmont

The hotel has been designated a historic and cultural landmark in Los Angeles since 1976. And for good reason: it's a cornerstone of Hollywood's heritage. Originally, it was a luxury apartment complex that Fred Horowitz, a famous Los Angeles lawyer, had built in 1926, inspired by the Château d'Amboise in France. The complex was named after the small street that runs in front of the property: "Marmont Lane".

The château was converted into a hotel in 1931. The apartments became suites, furnished by artist Albert E. Smith, who scoured the properties of wealthy personalities to complete his original layout. This was the birth of the "Marmont Look", a unique decor of wood, velvet and chic bric-a-brac. Then, in the 1950s, the hotel welcomed modernist-style bungalows designed by architect Craig Ellwood. The property was later purchased by businessman André Balazs. While the spirit of the place endures, almost all the rooms have been redesigned and refurbished. They welcomed the biggest names in cinema and music for long stays, making the Château Marmont a kind of "rite of passage" for every self-respecting artist. It was in this guise that it was immortalized in Sofia Coppola's film Somewhere (2010).

Until recently, visitors of all kinds could come here for a coffee or a bite to eat: unfortunately, it's now a private hotel, open only to travelers staying there.