Sleep Where They Made Scarface and Pretty Woman! We Love These Movie Hotels
We all want to live like the stars in our favorite films. Unfortunately, living in a cramped apartment and working 9 to 5 may be our reality. But what if for just one night (or two), you could dwell in a setting straight out of the movies? These are the top 10 famous hotels featured in your favorite Hollywood flicks.
Film: The Hangover Part II
What: Lebua at State Tower
Where: Bangkok
A The Sirocco restaurant at the top of The Lebua at State Tower, Bangkok. (Photo: Lebua Hotels and Resorts/Facebook)
Though it was pictured only briefly, a pivotal scene took place at the top of the hotel at the Sirocco restaurant and Sky Bar. Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) attempt to get their friend Stu’s (Ed Helms) soon-to-be brother-in-law Teddy (Mason Lee) back from crooks. With dizzying views of Bangkok, this high-end eatery and hotel draws in top clientele, who can order the Hangovertini or sleep in one of the Hangover suites, where the production team stayed during filming.
Film: Lost In Translation
What: Park Hyatt Tokyo
Where: Tokyo
Scarlett Johansson stares out the window of the Park Hyatt, Tokyo. (Photo: The Everett Collection)
At first, this five-star hotel was hesitant to allow the movie to be shot on its premises, as it generally does not allow filming in order to maintain the privacy and comfort of its VIP guests. This could have caused a major snafu for filmmakers since almost the entire film is set in the hotel. Luckily, the hotel eventually granted permission, and the quirky and enchanting narrative of Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) was brought to life. Visitors today can sit in that same lobby where the characters met, have a cocktail, and take in the sites of Tokyo below.
Film: Notting Hill
What: The Ritz London
Where: London
Entrance to the Ritz Hotel in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
An average guy falls in love with an A-list actress; where’s a better setting for that to take place than in one of the most luxurious hotels in the world? William (Hugh Grant) anxiously attempts to meet up with American movie star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), who was staying at the property in the film. Not only is the hotel mentioned by name, but also scenes were filmed at the hall porter’s desk, the main staircase, and the Trafalgar Suite. And in a little bit of life imitating art, Roberts and Grant actually stayed at The Ritz during the filming.
Film: Pretty Woman
What: Beverly Wilshire Hotel
Where: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Julia Roberts is ready for her big date in the Beverly Wilshire. (Photo: The Everett Collection)
Julia Roberts makes the list again, only this time she’s playing a role quite the opposite of a famous actress. As a lady of ill repute, Vivian Ward seduces Edward Lewis (Richard Gere), leading him to bring her back to the Presidential Suite at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Their romance blossoms from there, and Vivian, along with the audience, is exposed to the glamorous world, most of which is set in and around the property. The hotel embraces its movie cameo by offering the Pretty Woman for a Day package, where you stay in the same suite, go shopping on Rodeo Drive, and are shuttled in a Rolls-Royce to Greystone Mansion for a romantic, “shoeless” picnic.
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Film: Home Alone 2 and Bride Wars, among many others
What: The Plaza
Where: New York City
Macaulay Culkin shaves in preparation for his signature aftershave face expression at The Plaza Hotel. (Photo: The Everett Collection)
This century-old hotel is known for its high profile guests and luxury accommodations, so it’s no surprise that so many movies would choose it as a backdrop. Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) used his dad’s credit card to stay here after becoming stranded in New York without his family in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and the whole plot of Bride Wars centered on Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Liv (Kate Hudson) fighting to have their weddings at the iconic property. Other notable films include classics such as North by Northwest (1959), Funny Girl (1968), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), and Almost Famous (2000).
Film: Ocean’s Eleven
What: Bellagio
Where: Las Vegas
Andy Garcia looks over his character’s hotel, The Bellagio. (Photo: The Everett Collection)
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless of course it’s in a movie. Known for over-the-top antics and huge sums of cash, Sin City and one of its most extravagant resorts provided the perfect backdrop for Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) to stage a high-stakes heist of the Bellagio’s vault. The production utilized a lot of the property, filming in the casino and guest rooms and at the front lobby, driveway, parking garage rooftop, and the Fountains of Bellagio. In addition, the hotel made a cameo appearance in The Hangover (2009).
Film: Scarface
What: Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Where: Miami
Scarface lounges poolside at the Fontainebleau. (Photo: The Everett Collection)
A rich man living the high life in the fast lane. Where else would this happen than in Miami Beach? In the classic gangster film Scarface, Al Pacino’s character enjoys his riches and power by lounging poolside at the tiki bar of this luxury hotel. It was also used in a few scenes for Whitney Houston’s famous role in the 1992 film The Bodyguard. The iconic hotel is still enjoyed by the rich and famous and provides the perfect winter escape for Hollywood’s elite.
Film: Interview With the Vampire
What: Oak Alley Plantation
Where: Vacherie, La.
Neighbors unhappy with vampires at Oak Alley Plantation in Interview With the Vampire. (The Everett Collection)
Not always known for exquisite accommodations and a film-ready appearance, this historic property fell apart after the Civil War and stayed out of commission until the 1920s, when it was restored. Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater, and Kirsten Dunst graced this property in the early ’90s to film the popular movie Interview With the Vampire. Prior to that, the Plantation played home to David Selby and Kim Cattrall in The Night Rider (1979) and later to John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates, and Billy Bob Thornton in Primary Colors.
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Film: The Shining
What: The Timberline Lodge
Where: Mt. Hood, Ore.
The exterior of The TImberline Lodge in Mt. Hood Oregon was used in The Shining, though interior shots were shot on a soundstage. (Photo: The Everett Collection)
Though the hotel that inspired Stephen King’s novel “The Shining” was actually Stanley Hotel in Colorado and the interior shots were filmed on a soundstage, that doesn’t stop visitors from checking into the mountainside retreat used for exterior shots in the creepy opening scene. Wanting a spooky taste of the horror flick, many guests request room 217 as featured in the book, even though they used room 237 at the fictional Overlook Hotel so as not to scare away guests from staying there.
Film: Some Like It Hot
What: Hotel del Coronado
Where: San Diego
Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon outside of the Hotel del Coronado, in Some Like it Hot. (Photo: The Everett Collection)
Marilyn Monroe is a Hollywood icon, so it’s fitting that her highest grossing film of all time was shot at this historic property. Though only exteriors were actually used for the film, the blond bombshell’s stay at the hotel was infamous. There are tales of her charming fans in between takes and requesting cold soufflé vanilla pudding with egg-white decoration every day. Guests can still enjoy the Victorian splendor of that day by shacking up in one of the ocean view rooms, dining at the numerous onsite restaurants, and relaxing in the decadent spa.
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