Articles & Opinion

Hotels Made Famous by the Silver Screen

For years, hotels have played important roles in movies, often becoming more memorable than the film itself. Why not stroll through lobbies and stay in suites that were once sound stages for your favorite films? You’ll feel like a star.

Bellagio

Las Vegas, Nevada

Bellagio

While the iconic fountains are movie stars all on their own, the hotel itself has been the star of several films. Both the 2001 remake of “Ocean’s Eleven” and its 2007 sequel “Ocean’s Thirteen” take place in the guest rooms, casino, and behind-the-scenes areas of the hotel.

Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills

Los Angeles, California

Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills

This iconic hotel is most famous for its starring role in “Pretty Woman” (1990). Book the “Pretty Woman for a Day” experience and relish your own chance to tell someone they’ve made a “Big mistake. Huge!” with a night in a Specialty Suite, a tour of Rodeo Drive with your own personal wardrobe consultant and stylist, and a romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your Suite.

Fairmont San Francisco

San Francisco, California

Fairmont San Francisco

For those fans of 1996’s “The Rock”, starring Sean Connery, Ed Harris, and Nicolas Cage, you’re already familiar with this opulent San Francisco mainstay – after all, the only demand Captain Mason has is “I want a suite at the Fairmont Hotel.” Alfred Hitchcock shot many of Scottie’s “wanderings” in 1958’s “Vertigo” around the hotel and its exterior appears many times in the film, and he loved it so much that the premiere was even held here.

The Plaza Hotel

New York City, New York

The Plaza Hotel

The list of movies filmed here seems almost endless, with everything from “The Great Gastby” (2013) to “Crocodile Dundee” (1986) having scenes at this iconic New York City hotel. However, one of its most famous move appearances is without a doubt its “role” in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992). The Plaza offers a Home Alone 2 package complete with enormous room service sundae and $100 gift card to FAO Schwarz – a stand in for Duncan’s Toy Chest.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Miami Beach, Florida

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

This beachfront resort was first scene on film in 1959 as the scene of massive gala attended by Frank Sinatra’s character in “A Hole in the Head”. Since then it has been seen in “Goldfinger” (1965) during its opening scenes as well as the scene of the unfortunate demise of Bond girl Jill Masterson. Of course, we would be remiss to leave out the infamous pool scene in 1983’s “Scarface” – filmed on location, there are multiple videos online of people recreating the slap poolside to this day.

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Though the mystery of what Bob whispers to Charlotte at the end of the film still remains, there’s no mistaking this hotel as the home of the bar that starts in all in Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning “Lost In Translation” (2003). Be sure to order a glass of Suntory Whisky at the New York Bar on the 52nd floor where Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) first met.

Hotel Degli Orafi

Florence, Italy

Hotel Degli Orafi

Room 414 at this Florentine hotel is the eponymous “A Room with a View” from James Ivory’s 1985 film, adapted from E.M. Forster’s 1908 novel exploring Edwardian England and the perils of finding love in such an uptight time. We can happily confirm that yes, the room still boasts an amazing view of the Arno river and the Ponte Vecchio.