Grand hotels like to present a glamorous image to the world. Many do this by capitalizing on the popularity of famous people and movies that have been associated with the sites. Some truly glorious hotels have been prominently featured in Hollywood movies. Explore the top hotels for movie fans. Brought to you by Tourism Review.
Hotel del Coronado, San Diego
The 125 year old Hotel del Coronado was the location set for a trio of classic movies, Pearl of the Pacific (1915), My Husband's Wives (1924) and the iconic Some Like It Hot (1959). This well-known madcap comedy was filmed on location in 1959 featuring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. Recently renovated, the hotel offers timeless elegance with its stellar history and elegant Victorian style.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
The Timberline Lodge was the location of the Stephen King thriller, The Shining (1980), starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The Lodge played the exterior of the haunted Overlook Hotel. Indoor scenes were shot on a sound stage in England.
Stephen King wrote the novel on which the movie is based after staying at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, which is located near Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park. This area has long been considered a hotbed of paranormal activity. Also the Stanley Hotel was featured in the movie, Dumb and Dumber (1994), in which it was called the Hotel Danbury.
Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville, Spain
The Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville is the elegant Moorish property built in 1929 where the film classic, Lawrence of Arabia (1962) was filmed. The British movie starred Peter O’Toole and recounted the WWII adventures of T.E. Lawrence. On the 50th anniversary of the film (2012) the hotel was renovated to the tune of $25 million dollars, and a special digital version of the film was released.
Park Hyatt Tokyo, Tokyo
If you are traveling to Tokyo, be sure to visit the Park Hyatt where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson starred in Lost in Translation (2003). Located in the upper fourteen floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, this serene luxury hotel offers some of the best views of Tokyo s bustling and chaotic streets.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica
You may remember the Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay from the comedy, How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) starring Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs and Whoopi Goldberg. Both the interior and exterior of the hotel are used throughout the film, and viewers can enjoy the beautiful, tropical hundred acre peninsula where the hotel is located. The resort’s 36 rooms follow Ralph Lauren designing. The hotel offers tennis, a double infinity pool, open air dining and a luxurious spa.
Hotel Palacio, Estoril, Portugal
For that James Bond touch, you simply must visit the Hotel Palacio located in Estoril. The author of the original James Bond stories, Ian Fleming, was inspired by this 1930s classic when he stayed there during WWII. Fleming was a British Naval Intelligence officer, and he encountered many nefarious types in the hotel where the sixth James Bond movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), starring Sean Connery would later be filmed. Today the hotel remains a must-see-and-experience destination, especially if you are fond of formidable martinis.
The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, California
No collection of hotels of the stars would be complete without the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, which was featured in the hit movie, Argo (2012) starring Ben Affleck. The Golden Globe Awards have been held at the hotel for 35 years in a row. Conrad Hilton (grandfather of Paris Hilton) opened the iconic Beverly Hilton in 1955. It features the biggest heated swimming pool in Beverly Hills, The Aqua Star. Guests staying in the surrounding cabana rooms can easily pop out for a dip and soak up the warm California sunshine and enjoy the frankly retro feel of adjoining California dining classics, Trader Vic's and Circa 55.
Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, California
The 1928 Italian Renaissance hotel, the Beverly Wilshire, also in Beverly Hills was the location of the popular movie, Pretty Woman (1990) starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gear. Located adjacent to Rodeo Drive, the luxurious hotel boasts a Mediterranean style pool, 400 rooms and 137 luxury suites.
Brought to you by Tourism-Review.com, the tourism news provider for the travel trade community worldwide. Visit www.tourism-review.com.