The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

One of my favorite places in all of Hollywood is the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, located right on Hollywood Boulevard. The Roosevelt has had a long and storied history in Hollywood and is even said to be haunted by a few of its former residents. Once you step inside the hotel’s beautiful Moorish lobby, you can almost feel the history coming right out of the walls. Built in 1927 and named after President Theodore Roosevelt, the hotel was the site of the very first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929. The Roosevelt has been a favorite getaway and hangout for celebrities ever since it’s opening. It’s guest list includes Lindsay Lohan, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Mary Pickford, Prince, Carole Lombard, Shirley Temple, and Elizabeth Taylor, just to name a few. Marilyn Monroe, whose very first modeling shoot took place by the hotel’s pool, lived in Suite 1200 for over two years, and the hotel is still said to be haunted by her ghost.

A mirror that used to hang in Marilyn’s room is now located in the mezzanine off the main lobby next to a very cool etched picture of the star. Montgomery Clift, who was a resident of Room 928 during the filming of From Here to Eternity, is also said to haunt the hotel. Legend has it that during his stay at the hotel, Montgomery paced the hallways outside of his room rehearsing his lines. His ghost is rumored to do the exact same thing and many hotel guests have reported seeing him walking the hallways reciting lines.

Rumor also has it that Bojangles taught Shirley Temple the “staircase dance” on the stairs leading up from the lobby to the Mezzanie level. The Roosevelt was completely restored a few years back, making it once again a favorite stomping ground of celebs. The pool is a favorite hangout of many stars, including Lauren Conrad who said in an episode of The Hills that she goes to the Roosevelt pool every Sunday.

The Roosevelt has been featured in several movies and TV shows, including Crossroads, Entourage, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Moonlighting, Catch Me If You Can, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Shade, and The Hills, among countless others.

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is located at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, almost directly across from Mann’s Chinese Theatre where the stars’ hand and footprints are immortilized in cement. If you get a chance, grab a burger in the hotel’s Twenty-Five Degrees restaurant- they are excellent!!