Hollywood's hottest hideout: The Beverly Hills Hotel
A revamping of the bungalows at the famous 'pink palace' takes inspiration from some of their most glamorous residents
"Every memory I have of the place that I want to share, I wouldn't want to see in print."
Film producer Robert Evans's summation of the Beverly Hills Hotel encapsulates the destination's position at the very heart of A-list Hollywood. Affectionately referred to as the "pink palace", the Californian landmark has been graced by stars of the silver screen and provided a backdrop for films including California Suite and some of Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall's scenes in Designing Women.
The hotel's bungalows, first introduced in 1915, offered a home-away-from-home for those seeking privacy and space in glamorous surrounds. Many would stay for weeks at a time; Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacall called them home for over a year, while Marilyn Monroe had a favourite bungalow – number seven – and she and Yves Montand stayed in adjoining bungalows – numbers 20 and 21 – while filming Let's Make Love.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Acting as a form of refuge from the pressures of celebrity life, the bungalows provided a hideout for John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the 1970s, while Gloria Swanson temporarily resided in one after her divorce. Business tycoon Howard Hughes, who lived in number four for 30 years on-and-off, even registered others under different names to avoid detection. It's little surprise that most of the goings-on remain a closely guarded secret.
The bungalows are now undergoing a redesign following the restoration of the hotel's main house, which was completed in 2014. Their interiors draw from a palette of warm rusts, pinks, greens and golds, inspired by Southern California, while a mix of 1940s French and Hollywood Regency furniture adorns the rooms in suitably sumptuous style. Maintaining a residential feel, there are plenty of home comforts – taken up a notch, of course – from state-of-the-art temperature controls to Bang & Olufsen TVs.
Revamped bungalows five, eight and 22 have recently launched, while the remaining 18 will be rolled out in stages until 2018. Five of the most famous bungalows, yet to be revealed, will take inspiration from selected guests from the hotel's past for their design. What better way to revel in Hollywood's golden age than to retrace the steps of some of its luminaries.
dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Cicada-geddon: the fungus that controls insects like 'zombies'
Under The Radar Expert says bugs will develop 'hypersexualisation' despite their genitals falling off
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
5 ways to help the environment while on vacation
The Week Recommends An afternoon of planting trees could be the best part of your trip
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Get into the groove at these delightful record stores
The Week Recommends Each one strikes its own chord
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
7 bars here for your spring thirst
The Week Recommends Seven cities. Seven exciting drinking destinations.
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
A trip for (all) the ages: 7 fun ideas for a multigenerational vacation
The Week Recommends The family that vacations together, stays together
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Flower power: the best places to see blooms this spring and summer
The Week Recommends Celebrate nature's bounty at flower fields and festivals around the world
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
6 picturesque places to go snowshoeing
The Week Recommends Who needs skis when you have shoes?
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
7 of the world's most unusual museums
The Week Recommends Yes, Beijing has a museum devoted to tap water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Newport Beach, California: the beachy, archetypical Golden State destination
The Week Recommends This city by the sea is known for its great weather and year-round outdoor activities
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published