The Hollywood Roosevelt

Old-Hollywood glamour on the Walk of Fame

★★★★★📍 Hollywood$$$

Opened in 1927 and named for President Theodore Roosevelt, the Hollywood Roosevelt is one of the most historic hotels in Los Angeles, famous for hosting the very first Academy Awards ceremony in its Blossom Room in 1929. Its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture — a grand lobby with painted beams, wrought iron, and a central fountain — evokes the golden age of Hollywood, and the hotel has accumulated decades of star-studded lore (and the requisite ghost stories).

Today it pairs that heritage with a decidedly lively, of-the-moment social scene. The Tropicana Pool, with a design painted on its floor by artist David Hockney, is a centerpiece for poolside lounging and parties; the hotel's bars and venues (including a hidden-feeling lobby bar and a rooftop) draw a fashionable crowd. Rooms range from historic tower accommodations to poolside cabana-style rooms, blending vintage character with modern updates.

The location is unbeatable for Hollywood sightseeing — it's right on Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, directly across from the TCL Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre, and close to the area's attractions. That central-Hollywood placement means energy and convenience, though also the boulevard's crowds and grit. The Roosevelt suits travelers who want historic Hollywood glamour, a buzzy scene, and a location in the heart of the action.