LEISURE LETTER 85: A RETROSPECTIVE THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL
Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, the Beverly Hills Hotel stands as an emblem of opulence and mystique. Tucked away along the outstretched arm of the sunset strip, the iconic “pink palace” has been a source of glamor and intrigue since its grand opening in 1912. Surrounded by lush gardens and towering palm trees, the mystery and the allure of the hotel remain palpable.
The hotel, with its signature pink façade and labyrinthine gardens, quickly became a sanctuary for silver-screen starlets and studs, seeming to draw in the entire constellation of old Hollywood. In its heyday, the Beverly Hills Hotel wasn't just a place to stay; it was a stage where some of the most scintillating and scandalous moments of the 20th century played out.
Just imagine the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, and Elizabeth Taylor wreaking havoc in the bungalows. A thousand trays of champagne, caviar by the truckload. Fiestas from dusk till dawn . . . Overindulgence was the order of the day.
While much of what happened at the hotel remains a mystery behind closed doors, other areas were in the spotlight. The Polo Lounge, the hotel’s famous bar and restaurant, has been the setting for numerous legendary deals and secret meetings. Hollywood moguls and stars often shaped the industry’s future over martinis and cigars. With its emerald green booths and dimly lit corners, the Lounge provided the perfect atmosphere for both professional negotiations and personal encounters.
One of the most notable tales involves John F. Kennedy, who frequented the hotel, often using it as a discreet meeting place. His connections to the entertainment industry and rumored meetings added to the hotel's allure and mystery.
And there were plenty of scandals. Howard Hughes, the Aviator, oil man, and eccentric billionaire, was known for renting an entire stretch of bungalows. This would solidify a seclusion so complete, that nothing, literally nothing could upset his sacred right to Leisure. Hughes, ever the madman, would communicate with the staff through notes slipped under doors, ensuring that his every whim was catered to without ever being seen. This kind of bizarre behavior, of which Hughes is but one example, only added to the hotel’s reputation as a haven for the rich and the reclusive.
And who could forget the notorious affair between Clark Gable and Carole Lombard? The couple's steamy rendezvous in the secluded bungalows were the stuff of legend, fueling the imaginations of gossip columnists and fans alike. Their love story, though tragic, will forever be woven throughout the hallways of the pink palace.
The hotel's allure wasn't limited to the stars alone. It also served as the backdrop for many iconic films and photoshoots. From "The Graduate" to "California Suite," the Beverly Hills Hotel has been immortalized on screen.
Today, the Beverly Hills Hotel remains a symbol of a bygone golden age. Its walls, if they could speak, would tell tales of love, heartbreak and hedonism. It’s a place where history and modernity coexist, and the ghosts of old Hollywood are permitted to mingle with the bright stars of today.
If you happened to stumble upon the city of angels, be sure to take a detour to the westside of the Sunset Strip – there you’ll discover a hotel that was once the center of the known Universe. Only there might you become enveloped and attuned to the sultry mysteries of the past – whispers of Miss Monroe’s laughter echoing through the halls, or a glimpse of Elizabeth’s Taylor's radiant violet eyes in the reflection of the pool.
In a world that’s ever-changing, the Beverly Hills Hotel stands as a testament to a bygone era of glamor, a sanctuary for those who dare to dream, and a monument to the legends who walked its halls.
