Description of hotel: Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles

The Chateau Marmont was built as the first deluxe high-rise apartment complex on Sunset Boulevard, opening its doors in February of 1929. Its gothic charm and old world European flair were inspired by the Chateau Amboise in the Loire Valley, where Leonardo da Vinci was said to have spent his final years. When it premiered in 1929 it was not only billed as the most expensive accommodations in Hollywood, but also the first earthquake proof building. A shake-up of another kind occurred with the great crash of 1929 when the original owner was forced to sell, as no one could afford the deluxe high-rise rent. It was then purchased by a Hollywood producer whose movies had helped launch the likes of Rudolph Valentino. He was savvy enough to realize he could run a more profitable business renting the rooms by the night, as opposed to month to month. Thus, the deluxe apartment building on Marmont Lane became a hotel, and a new star was born: the Chateau Marmont Hotel. With each passing decade, every Hollywood icon of its generation -- from Greta Garbo and Clark Gable to Marilyn Monroe and James Dean -- has called it home. It has remained the hotel of choice for the entertainment industry, music, fashion and art world ever since. Current owner André Balazs purchased the Chateau Marmont in 1990 and began to lovingly restore the hotel to its original grandeur. Under his watchful eye, the Chateau is once again experiencing a renaissance as the Hollywood dormitory. Within its thick, poured concrete walls and among its lush tropical foliage, it is still the favored hideaway of a clientele looking for the utmost in discretion, privacy, and excellent service with all of the warmth, personality and charm of a boutique hotel. The beautiful aesthetic of the hotel is multi-faceted. The main building features overly sized suites decorated with understated Golden-era Hollywood décor, including terraces and panoramic views of the Sunset Strip. The poolside cottages are tucked away amid banana trees and styled in the charming Arts and Crafts period. The architecturally significant hillside bungalows, designed by Craig Elwood, are the height of mid-century modern chic.