Harry Cohn, founder of Columbia Pictures, is said to have one day remarked: “If you’ve gotta have problems, do it at the Château Marmont.” There’s no better quotation to sum up the spirit of this “refuge of the celebrities”. Secret, mysterious, closed, and steamy… ever since its construction in 1929, the Château Marmont, perched on the Sunset Strip, has hosted the artistic elite seeking external peace. This castle was constructed on the model of Amboise, the final home of Leonardo Da Vinci.
Both luxurious and unique, actors, musicians, and writers have all stayed here, or rather taken shelter here to fuel their romantic rebellion. Judy Garland sang to the tune of the lobby’s grand piano, Gram Parsons once lived here… In 1955, James Dean arrived a half an hour late to the first reading of “Rebel Without A Cause” in Bungalow #2. He climbed in through the window to find Nicholas Ray and Natalie Wood waiting for him and scared silly by his unconventional arrival. In December 1968, a humming motor, an infernal din, and fanatic cries announced the arrival of John Bonham, the drummer of Led Zeppelin who rode into the Marmont’s lobby on his Harley.
In our world that often sacrifices liberty in the name of security, the Château Marmont is an oasis that anyone can take part in. A special atmosphere emanates from this place, between a romantic past and a decadent present, adding to the strange sensation of staying in a private home that has no equal in attracting the free spirits of today. Impressive from the outside what with its French Renaissance-inspired white façade camouflaged by the greenery, it’s surprisingly cozy on the inside. Aside from the 63 rooms, the hotel also disposes of a handful of gardens, bungalows, a rooftop pool, and penthouses – all this to assure the complete anonymity of its visitors. This absolutely delectable ambiance is confirmed at the ultra-confidential bar, where alcoved benches are plunged into darkness.
But for some, like John Belushi, the calm would last forever… On March 5, 1982, after hours of partying, liters of alcohol, and a few lines, Robin Williams would stop by to visit him along with Robert DeNiro. After they left, the Blues Brother would inject a speedball – a mixture of cocaine and heroine. His trainer would find him dead in his bed the next morning. Today, the blues still resonate within these walls…
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