CHATEAU MARMONT, Los Angeles

Chateau Marmont - A castle-inspired Los Angeles hotel with mid-century bungalows, celebrity dining, and a heated pool in Hollywood

Modeled after a Loire Valley chateau, this iconic Los Angeles hotel features gothic architectural elements including vaulted ceilings and hand-carved wooden furniture. The 5-star Chateau Marmont offers accommodations ranging from standard rooms with 42-inch flat-screen TVs to hillside bungalows designed by Craig Elwood in mid-century modern style. Guest rooms include iPod docking stations, while the larger cottages and bungalows feature wooden floorboards, full kitchens, and dining areas. The property maintains a heated outdoor pool surrounded by gardens, with a corner bar and sun loungers. The main restaurant, complete with a sought-after outdoor patio, serves breakfast staples like blueberry pancakes and huevos rancheros. A Japanese restaurant by NYC's Reika Alexander operates with a separate entrance on Sunset Boulevard. The hotel sits 2 miles from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Runyon Canyon Park's 200 acres of hiking trails nearby. Within a half-mile radius, guests can access Sunset Plaza's upscale boutiques and restaurants.

Pros

Extensive DVD library featuring classics like Citizen Kane and Annie Hall

Free CD borrowing service including artists like David Bowie and Aretha Franklin

Bar Marmont incorporates local produce in its signature cocktails

Small fitness center available for guest use

Cons

Fitness equipment shows signs of extensive wear

Located between busy thoroughfares with high traffic