Picking up on Hollywood’s fascination with hotels throughout the years, Hotels.com, the hotel experts, lifts the clapper board on ten hotels around the world that have been made famous by films. Hotels have been used in scenes of love, conspiracy, heartache and even murder and will continue to play an important part in film history. The versatility of hotels enables the creation of a specific world, era, mood or atmosphere for any particular film genre…
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Picking up on Hollywood’s fascination with hotels throughout the years, Hotels.com, the hotel experts, lifts the clapper board on ten hotels around the world that have been made famous by films.
Hotels have been used in scenes of love, conspiracy, heartache and even murder and will continue to play an important part in film history. The versatility of hotels enables the creation of a specific world, era, mood or atmosphere for any particular film genre.
1) Taj Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur, India, 5*
Film: Octopussy starring Roger Moore as James Bond
The glorious Taj Lake Palace was the setting of the 1983 James Bond movie, Octopussy and it is this movie which put the hotel on the map for contemporary travellers. Built in 1746 and spread across a four-acre island in the middle of Lake Pichola set against the backdrop of the Aravalli Mountains, the hotel is somewhat reminiscent of the iconic Taj Mahal. The Palace is made largely of marble, while opulent silks, richly coloured murals and ornately carved wood furniture justly confirm its status as one of the most romantic hotels in the world.
2) The Lanesborough, a St. Regis Hotel, London, United Kingdom, 5*
Film: Eyes Wide Shut starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
The Lanesborough, located in famous Knightsbridge, was used as a location in the thriller film, Eyes Wide Shut. The hotel’s most expensive suite, The Royal Suite, was used as Victor Ziegler’s snooker room when Cruise’s character is told about the raunchy events he was involved in. For those who book The Royal Suite, it comes complete with three bedrooms, a 24 hour butler service and the use of a chauffeur-driven Bentley. Besides the fact that it was visited by two of the biggest stars in Hollywood, the Lanesborough is ultra luxurious and offers impressive views of Hyde Park and equally impressive service.
3) Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Beach, USA, 4.5*
Films include:
– Goldfinger starring Sean Connery
– Scarface starring Al Pacino
– The Bodyguard starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston
The picturesque Fontainebleau in sunny Miami Beach has been the setting for a number of Hollywood films such as James Bond: Goldfinger, Scarface and The Bodyguard. The hotel oozes sophistication, class and is the place to be seen in Miami Beach with one of the hottest nightclubs in town, LIV. The hotel has recently undergone a billion dollar renovation, which has cemented its position as a dream location for films. Be sure to take the time to visit the ultra-cool lounge pool, which is the perfect place to hone your skills at gin rummy.
4) Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, USA, 5 *
Films include:
– Rocky 3 starring Sylvester Stallone
– Ghostbusters starring Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd
– Independence Day starring Will Smith
– Wedding Crashers starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughan
The Millennium Biltmore has a long and star studded history with Hollywood. It has been a hotel of choice for film directors for decades with credits such as Rocky 3, Ghostbusters, Independence Day and comedy hit Wedding Crashers to its name. The hotel was even home to the Academy Awards ceremony for eight years between 1931 and 1942. Combining old world charm and modern technology, the hotel has been the perfect setting for many film genres and is an icon, not only in the film world but in Los Angeles as well. Film buffs, be sure to ask the concierge about the film history of the hotel for some secret insider’s knowledge.
5) Hotel Del Coronado – A KSL Luxury Resort, San Diego, USA, 4*
Film: Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis
The Hotel Del Coronado, affectionately known as ‘The Del’, was the backdrop for the 1958 comedy classic Some Like It Hot. The majestic setting and classic Victorian architecture made the hotel an ideal location for the film’s 1929 setting. Some Like It Hot has been widely recognised as one of the greatest American films ever produced, cementing The Del’s reputation in Hollywood. For the 50th anniversary of the film last year, the hotel held a gala event, attended by Tony Curtis himself. Guests were also given a DVD copy of the film, and a 50th anniversary companion book, in which the hotel is featured.
6) Historic Lake Lure Inn, North Carolina, USA, 3*
Film: Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey
Have you ever wanted to have the ‘time of your life’ or perhaps take some ‘dirty dancing’ classes in the staff quarters while on holiday? If so, the Historic Lake Lure Inn is the hotel for you. The location for the romantic movie of the 1980s, Dirty Dancing, this hotel is the ideal place to relax with the family while enjoying water activities on the lake, or take a romantic weekend getaway. For aficionados of Dirty Dancing, you can even choose to stay in one of two ‘Dirty Dancing’ themed accommodations, Johnny’s Cabin or Baby’s Bungalow.
7) InterContinental Le Grand, Paris, France, 4*
Film: Frantic starring Harrison Ford
Relive the famous street scenes of the Roman Polanski- directed Frantic whilst staying at the InterContinental Le Grand Paris. Used as a key location for Frantic, the InterContinental Le Grand Paris is situated in the heart of Paris within walking distance of iconic landmarks such as the Louvre museum, Opera Garnier and Place Vendome. Built in 1862, the hotel was recently re-opened after a multi-million dollar renovation, transforming it into one of the most luxurious hotels in the centre of Paris, just waiting to host the next atmospheric blockbuster.
8) The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Canada, 4*
Films include:
– Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale
– Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger
Murder at 1600 starring Wesley Snipes
The Fairmont group of hotels is no stranger to hosting films in their esteemed halls, and the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto is no exception. The hotel has been used for such films as Serendipity, Cinderella Man and Murder at 1600. Opened in 1929, the classic charm and grandeur of the hotel makes it a suitable setting for most film genres as evidenced by the rich diversity of film titles that name the hotel in its credits. Today, the Fairmont Royal York has welcomed more than 40 million guests in its time and is seen as one of Toronto’s pre-eminent hotels and an ideal location for holidays as well as Hollywood blockbusters.
9) The Westin Grand Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 5*
Film: The Bourne Supremacy starring Matt Damon
The Westin Grand Hotel plays a key role in the 2002 blockbuster, The Bourne Supremacy. The main character, Jason Bourne, stakes out the Westin Grand while tracking down Pamela Landy, a CIA operative. For Bourne enthusiasts, the hotel is situated close to the majority of locations used in the film, while offering a luxurious stay with newly decorated rooms and views of the historical boulevard Unter den Linden.
10) The Savoy, London, United Kingdom, 5*
Films include:
– Notting Hill starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant
– The French Lieutenant’s Woman starring Jeremy Irons and Merryl Streep
– Entrapment starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones
The finale to the 1999 film Notting Hill is set in the Lancaster Room of the esteemed Savoy Hotel in London, where Anna (Julia Roberts) and William (Hugh Grant) profess their love for one another. The Savoy has also been used in other films such as The French Lieutenant’s Woman and Entrapment. However, it is the ending of Notting Hill that attracts guests who want to relive the film’s most romantic moment. Known as the place to stay in London, The Savoy continues to be a location of choice for films because of its versatility and charm.
TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific editorial team has an experience of over 35 years in B2B travel journalism as well as in tourism & hospitality marketing and communications.
