Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Review

In the hotel world, the Roosevelt's something of a comeback kid. This historical landmark opened in 1927 and hosted the first Academy Awards that same year. It was a glamour magnet during Hollywood's golden age, but its reputation then slumped until the late '90s.

New owners, a substantial face-lift, and some hip club promoters turned it around. These days, you're likely to need an insider connection to get into the celeb-filled club or the Tropicana poolside bar, where you can peek at the underwater mural by David Hockney.

Though the new management tries to play down the ghost stories of the hotel's past—including sightings of Montgomery Clift, Clark Gable, and Carole Lombard—they did put a replica of the famous "Marilyn Mirror" in every room, modeled after the original, which sparked reports of the actress's ghostly reflection.