Los Angeles Hotels in the Movies: Making the Big Screen

Print |

Hollywoood Roosevelt Hotel - A Thompson Hotel

Lights! Camera! Action! Hollywood directors have shot blockbuster movies in locations all over Los Angeles, but none are as glamorous — and accessible — as the iconic Los Angeles hotel. In addition to top-notch amenities, these hotels offer movie trivia and a thrilling connection to your favorite movies. Some movies feature the hotels themselves, while others adapt them to give the film a certain look only these hotels can offer.

Although they tower in grandeur, these movie-friendly locations also convey a wide range of atmospheres. The Millennium Biltmore, for example, boasts a long history of film shoots for movies such as Pretty in Pink, House of Sand and Fog and Wedding Crashers. Leslie Guettler, Marketing Manager of the Biltmore, says the hotel’s “versatility as a location is what makes it perfect for films. It can easily double as a luxury hotel in New York or Europe [and] makes a great backdrop in terms of grand ballroom scenes, social scenes, etc.”

As a guest, you might find the pleasant surprise of being on set or seeing a celebrity filming at hotels in Los Angeles. “[It’s] actually exciting for our guests, especially those who are not used to seeing film crews around town,” Guettler says. “It’s not uncommon for guests to stop and take snapshots of the setups and crew.”

Check out (or check into) these hotels and see what movies have made sleeping a little more exciting.

Hollywoood Roosevelt Hotel - A Thompson Hotel

You’d expect that a hotel on Hollywood Boulevard would garner some stardom. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel doesn’t disappoint: Will Rogers, Greta Garbo, Shirley Temple and Bruce Willis have all called the hotel home. See if you can recognize the Hollywood Roosevelt’s hallways in Catch Me If You Can (2002).

Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
Mighty Joe Young (1998)
Internal Affairs (1990)
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Ever so charming, the Biltmore continues to be the go-to for Hollywood directors. Recently, they’ve hosted a number of TV shoots, including “Nip/Tuck,” “24” and “Dirty Sexy Money.” Watch for that lovable team of paranormal detectives getting chased down the Biltmore’s Main Galleria in Ghost Busters (1984).

Wedding Crashers (2005)
Rumor Has It (2005)
Criminal (2004)
Daredevil (2004)
House of Sand and Fog (2003)
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Independence Day (1996)
The Bodyguard (1992)
Pretty in Pink (1986)
Splash (1984)
Rocky III (1982)
The Sting (1973)

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

This classic LA landmark gives movies a futuristic elegance, which is perhaps why the 1995 virtual reality flick, Strange Days, shot at the Westin Bonaventure. Easily recognizable for its cylindrical mirrored towers, its style alone makes it an attractive option for movies. Watch for Arnold Schwarzenegger riding a horse into the Westin’s elevator in True Lies (1994).

Wonderland (2003)
Heat (1995)
Forget Paris (1995)
Nick of Time (1995)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
Rain Main (1988)
Blue Thunder (1983)

Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows

This iconic hotel showcases Beverly Hills in a number of Hollywood films, so it's easy to see why folks like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Sharon Stone, Richard Gere and a host of other celebrities have stayed here.

Anywhere But Here (1999)
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)

The Sunset Tower Hotel

This Art Deco landmark offers the ultimate in service and luxurious surroundings, and its location on the famed Sunset Strip make it a prime option for movie-making.

The Player (1992)
Get Shorty (1995)
The Italian Job (2003)