5 Reasons to Book The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

When I was a recent college grad living in Los Angeles, it was considered very cool to spend an evening in Hollywood. And if my friends and I were feeling particularly fancy, we might head to The Hollywood Roosevelt, a historic property that towers over the iconic and sidewalk star-studded Hollywood Boulevard.

We never booked a room there — my first-year teacher salary couldn’t handle that — but we did splurge on drinks and snacks at whatever bar in the hotel our group decided on, of which there are many. Open since 1927 and long associated with the glamor of the film and television industry, the hotel’s myriad nooks and crannies feel theatrical and moody, and they are bound to make any guest “curiouser and curiouser,” like Alice on her way to Wonderland.

Upon my recent return as a much older guest (with a tween daughter by my side, too), I found the hotel just as interesting as I did years ago. And since some of its best attributes remain, it's a good pick for any client hoping to see the sights in and around Hollywood with ease. Here are five reasons to book a room at The Hollywood Roosevelt.

Reason 1: Location, Location, Location

Los Angeles is my adopted hometown, and while there is much to love within its wild sprawl, it’s true that driving here is unbearable at worst and tolerable at best. So, for visitors, booking a hotel close to the action they want is paramount. At the very least, staying “in the middle” of L.A. cuts down on car time and allows travelers to avoid freeways to get to some sights.

The Hollywood Roosevelt is, for all intents and purposes, in a central location. Lots of visitors are eager to find the name or handprints of their favorite actor on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and outside Grauman’s Chinese Theater, for example, and these are just across the street from the hotel. The Hollywood Bowl, an absolute gem of a venue for outdoor concerts, is less than 1 mile away, as is the Magic Castle, a venerated institution for sleight-of-hand enthusiasts. And if clients are here over a weekend, point them to the nearby Hollywood Farmers’ Market, where they’ll find California’s agricultural bounty on display, and maybe a few celebrities, too.

Then, relatively easy drives away are a few corners of L.A. that I return to often. There’s Griffith Park, with its winding hiking trails and observatory, and the very charming Larchmont Village, lined with shops, bakeries and must-visit markets. Miracle Mile, a stretch of Wilshire Boulevard known for sites such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the La Brea Tar Pits, is nearby. And the thrills of Universal Studios Hollywood are less than 3 miles away, for those clients seeking theme park diversions.

Reason 2: The History

The Hollywood Roosevelt opened in 1927 and played host to the first-ever Academy Awards in 1929 — it was just five minutes long and 13 awards were given, according to the hotel. The Blossom Ballroom, where the awards took place, is still available for events.

For decades, the property played a large part in the Golden Age of Hollywood, welcoming guests including Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Carol Lombarde, Shirley Temple and more. Unsurprisingly, the hotel has been a television and movie set many times over, from “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “Almost Famous” to episodes of “I Love Lucy.” All of the above makes it a particularly special accommodation option for any cinephile.

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Architecturally, the hotel has undergone its fair share of renovations, not all of which aimed to preserve its details. But the multi-story lobby is a space to revere, with its coffered ceilings and original wrought-iron chandelier; recommend clients have a fireside cocktail here before or after any foray outside.

Reason 3: The Tropicana Pool

This is one of my favorite pools for two reasons. First, it is hard to be in Hollywood without feeling the frenetic energy of the place, and yet this poolscape takes you away from that. Palm trees sway above it, cocktails and tunes flow, and you can’t hear one note of the hustle on Hollywood Boulevard from the comfort of your chaise lounge.

Next: The bottom of the pool is actually an underwater mural painted by David Hockney. Completed in 1989, it adds a bit of punch to the pool deck, which is often the setting for happening, hours-long pool parties with very pretty people. Reserve a poolside daybed for clients so they can people-watch while sipping martinis. And if the pool is really their scene, have them stay in the Cabana section of the hotel (rather than the tower), so that they’re close to the water at all times.

Reason 4: The On-Site Food and Beverage Offerings

Guests can dine in all sorts of ways at The Hollywood Roosevelt. There are burgers at 25 Degrees, casual bites at the poolside Rosy Cafe, cocktails and canapes in the aforementioned historic lobby and the option for in-room dining. Flagship restaurant Shirley Brasserie is not to be missed, offering a French menu and plenty of wine in a beautiful room behind the lobby. A baguette with cultured butter, an order of crudo and a plate of steak frites made for an incredible dinner on my recent visit.

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Nightlife spots abound, too — some of which have been around since my post-college days. The Library Bar is “hidden” behind a bookshelf, the pool deck’s Tropicana Bar keeps the party going all day and into the night, and it’s not uncommon for people to walk in from Hollywood Boulevard to have a drink in the lobby. But The Spare Room cocktail lounge takes the cake, with its twin vintage bowling lanes and DJ sets. Reservations to bowl are highly recommended. 

Reason 5: The Reimagined Penthouse Suites

This winter, the hotel unveiled reimagined takes on two incredible accommodations: The Gable and Lombard Penthouse and The Johnny Grant Apartment. The former is 2,100 square feet and comes with panoramic city views, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sunken living room and more. Using historic Hollywood as his inspiration, L.A. designer Kevin Klein sourced materials from around the world to make a unique and luxurious enclave.

The Johnny Grant Apartment comes with a direct elevator, a spacious bedroom, a private office, three powder rooms, a dining room with seating for up to 16 guests, a full kitchen, a private rooftop garden and more. Both penthouse options have access to the hotel’s 3,000-square-foot rooftop, an incredible place to entertain under the light of The Roosevelt’s classic neon sign and with Hollywood sign views. Rates for the suites begin at $6,000 per night.