The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is an iconic Hollywood landmark located across from the Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, with the Hollywood Walk of Fame right outside the door.
The Hollywood Roosevelt was built in 1927 and hosted the first Academy Awards in 1929. The hotel has had several famous long-term tenants, including Marilyn Monroe, who lived there for two years. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard lived in the attic that now bears their name.
The hotel continues to be popular with city celebrities for movie premieres at the Chinese Theater and the Oscars, which now take place across the street at the Dolby Theater.
It is interesting to visit the hotel even if you are not staying there. The grand lobby on Hollywood Boulevard has high ceilings with painted patterns between the rafters. The current management still keeps it a lot darker than it used to be, but at least they’ve slimmed down the heavy, dark furniture so you can appreciate the space again.
The hotel reception is located at the rear of the hotel, outside the parking lot, one level below street level.
Rooms at the Hollywood Roosevelt
Rooms at the Roosevelt vary in size and quality, some being quite small and some spacious, even in the same room category. I think the Cabana rooms have a lot more character than the main hotel rooms. Most of the rooms have walk-in closets with a couple of shelves, which, I suppose, are supposed to represent the non-existent dressers. I think the lack of a desk was more of an issue with today’s guests, so some form of desk without drawers has replaced the dresser. I appreciate that almost every room now has a comfortable chair or sofa.
The pool at the Hollywood Roosevelt
The pool is one of Hollywood Roosevelt’s most popular attractions, with a floor mural painted by artist David Hockney in 1988. The pool has its own status as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmark, separate from the hotel. The pool is surrounded by many sun loungers, which are reserved for guests only until noon. After that, a minimum order for food and drinks can earn anyone a seat.
The pool is only open for swimming until 7pm, which is a drag if you return from a long day of sightseeing and want to take a dip.
Restaurants and nightlife
Public Kitchen is a historic main lobby restaurant known for its meaty American fare, open for lunch and dinner.
Roosevelt’s popular 24-hour burger and wine bar, 25 degrees, is located at the front of the building, open to Hollywood Boulevard. 25 degrees refers to the difference in temperature between a raw hamburger and a well-done hamburger. It is the only restaurant that offers breakfast.
For early risers, the Tropicana Pool Cafe and Bar begins serving at 10:30 a.m. and serves food until 10 p.m. At night, the Tropicana is rented from a promoter as a nightclub and the pool itself is covered with translucent floors. . The hotel has negotiated automatic access for guests in Cabana rooms, but everyone else has to be on the guest list like the general public to enter the club.
The Spare Room is a Prohibition-era themed bar and arcade with a vintage two-lane bowling alley next to it. The dark wood-paneled lounge is a fun place to enjoy classic cocktails over wooden board games.
The Library Bar is another dark corner where mixologists create custom cocktails to suit each guest’s whims, using fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs to enhance alcoholic ingredients. No guest list is required.
The Hollywood Roosevelt also has 24-hour room service.
Pros
- Most of the rooms are quite comfortable.
- A lot of history
- Excellent location for sightseeing in Hollywood
- Variety of dining and nightlife options.
- Big pool
- A-List nightclub if you can get in
- Free coffee and tea in the lobby.
Cons
- Expensive parking
- Charge for in-room WiFi
- There is no coffee / tea in the room.
- The poolside Tropicana Bar is loud until late at night.
- Hotel guests have limited access to the pool after 7pm
- Hotel guests in the tower cannot enter the Tropicana on weekends
- There are no dressers in the rooms.
Description
- Address: 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
- Phone: (323) 466-7000
- Reservations: 1 (800) 950-7667
- Room Rates: $$$
- Website: www.thehollywoodroosevelt.com
- Services: swimming pool, restaurant, bar, disco, gym, business center
- Parking: $ 23 / night
- Subway: Hollywood and Highland – 1 block
