As Hollywood gets ready for the biggest bash of the season, the 86th Annual Academy Awards, we are taking you on a tour of celebrity suites. Last week we checked out the favourite hotel haunts and stellar suites of the Hollywood actors, and this week we are – even if briefly and in our imaginations – checking into rooms made famous on film.
The Lanesborough, a St. Regis Hotel, London
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. Book the Royal suite for a luxurious space complete with three bedrooms, a 24 hour butler service and the use of a chauffeur driven Bentley! Not only is this London hotel a big hit with Hollywood stars but it also boasts impressive views of Hyde park and equally impressive service.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Film(s): 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. It oozes sophistication, class and is the place to be seen in Miami Beach with one of the hottest nightclubs in town, LIV. Having recently undergone a billion-dollar renovation, we can’t imagine why it remains a hot spot for Hollywood stars and movies alike – I mean it has cemented its place as a hot spot. We hear that the ultra-cool lounge pool is a must hangout spot, and the perfect place for you to hone your skills at gin rummy.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles
Film(s): Rocky III starring Sylvester Stallone, 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 III, Ghostbusters, Independence Day and comedy hit Wedding Crashers to name but a few. The hotel was even home to the Academy Awards ceremony for eight years between 1931 and 1942 – talk about hitting the big time! Combining old world charm and modern technology, the hotel has been the perfect setting for many film genres. Film buffs, be sure to ask the concierge about the film history of the hotel for some secret insider’s knowledge.
The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto
Film(s): Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger
The Fairmont group of hotels is no stranger to hosting film with The Fairmont Royal York in Canada having played host to more than their fair few films. 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.
The Savoy, London
Film(s): 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 a la romance Hollywood style. The Savoy has played host to many more film sets 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.
The Westin Grand Berlin, Berlin
Film: The Bourne Supremacy starring Matt Damon
The Westin Grand Hotel plays a key role in the 2002 blockbuster, The Bourne Supremacy. 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. What more could you ask for – live like a Hollywood star enjoy your location as a tourist – best of both worlds right?
Historic Lake Lure Inn, North Carolina
Film: Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey
An all-time favourite and movie classic by any movie buff’s standards, you can’t help but indulge yourself in some Dirty Dancing. Think; having ‘the time of your life’ and your destination should be Historic Lake lure Inn. 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.
Talk about living it up like a true Hollywood star or your favourite character form your favourite film. We love it when you can merge film with reality, so don’t say we never help you out…
By Mpona Lebajoa
