The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
The Story
The Pink Palace
The Beverly Hills Hotel has been the epicentre of Hollywood deal-making and heartbreak since it opened on Sunset Boulevard in 1912, three years before the first film studio arrived in town. Constructed a stone's throw from Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks' legendary Pickfair estate, the hotel has a Hollywood pedigree like no other. Its banana-leaf wallpaper is one of the most recognised interiors in the world, and its bungalows have hosted more affairs, breakdowns, and career-defining conversations than any other address in California. Valentino, Swanson, Chaplin and Keaton were all pleasure-seeking regulars. Howard Hughes lived here on and off for thirty years, sometimes renting multiple bungalows at once and having roast beef sandwiches delivered at 3am.
" Constructed a stone's throw from Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks' legendary Pickfair estate.
The Polo Lounge and the bungalows
The Polo Lounge remains the power-lunch capital of the entertainment industry, though the power has shifted from studio bosses to streaming executives. Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack spent many drunken nights here; Ava Gardner was a regular; and the Polo Lounge was a constant in Elizabeth Taylor's life from childhood to old age — the hotel even immortalised her with a signature cocktail, the "Violet Eyes." The infamous bungalows were used by screen goddesses Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlene Dietrich to conduct their much-gossiped-about love affairs. Taylor and Burton's favourite was Bungalow 5, while it was lucky number 7 for Marilyn — this bungalow is now named "Norma Jean" in her memory. Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned at the hotel six of her eight times, a statistic that tells you everything you need to know about Elizabeth Taylor.
A legendary pool
The pool dates back to 1938, when it was known to guests as 'The Sand and Pool Club,' surrounded by sand to give it a beachy vibe. Esther Williams, the great aquatic saviour of MGM in the late 1940s, had a clause written into her studio contract that gave her a free pass to the pool, where she'd swim most mornings before work. Katharine Hepburn allegedly once jumped in fully clothed, while the Beatles hosted a raucous poolside party amongst the luxury cabanas. The pool has generated more than a few iconic images over the years. Faye Dunaway's legendary poolside photograph — taken by her future husband Terry O'Neill the morning after she won Best Actress for Network in 1977 — was described by the photographer as "one of the most Hollywood pictures of all time." Nowadays there are 11 private cabanas, each named after an area of Los Angeles and draped in the hotel's signature pink and white stripes.
" Swimmers may be surprised to hear music playing underwater.
Signature Experiences
The Polo Lounge
The legendary restaurant and bar that remains the power-lunch capital of the entertainment industry, though the power has shifted from studio bosses to streaming executives. Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack spent many drunken nights here, Ava Gardner was a regular, and Elizabeth Taylor treated it as a constant from childhood to old age. Its signature drink is the Polo Lounge martini.
The Bungalows
The infamous garden bungalows used by screen goddesses Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlene Dietrich to conduct their much-gossiped-about love affairs. Taylor and Burton's favourite was Bungalow 5; Marilyn used Bungalow 7 so often it was renamed "Norma Jean" in her memory.
The Pool (formerly The Sand and Pool Club)
A truly legendary pool dating back to 1938, when it was known as 'The Sand and Pool Club' and surrounded by sand for a beachy vibe. Esther Williams had a contract clause granting her a free pass to swim here most mornings; Katharine Hepburn allegedly once jumped in fully clothed; the Beatles hosted a raucous poolside party. There are now 11 private cabanas, each named after an area of Los Angeles and draped in the hotel's signature pink and white stripes.
The Fountain Coffee Room
The quirky, less formal option, with its vintage banana-leaf wallpaper, 1940s soda fountain and counter stools. The place for eggs benedict, silver-dollar buttermilk pancakes, cold-pressed juice or a classic ice cream milkshake.
The Frank Sinatra Suite
A suite inspired by the mid-century design Sinatra loved — all simplicity and geometric patterns.
Famous Connections
Who Came Here
Plan Your Visit
Good to Know
- How to Book: Book direct at dorchestercollection.com or by phone. Polo Lounge reservations are recommended. The pool is open to non-guests via a day pass booked through the hotel.
- Best Time: Year-round.
- Accessibility: Contact the hotel directly to confirm access requirements.
- Tip: If you can afford it, stay in one of the bungalows and head to the Polo Lounge for lunch — reservations recommended. For a more affordable taste of the hotel, pop into the Fountain Coffee Room for breakfast, or book a pool day pass (around $150-200, redeemable against food and drink). Swimmers may be surprised to hear music playing underwater.
Related Reading
From the archives
Swimming Pools of Classic Hollywood
From the Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle to the cabanas of the Beverly Hills Hotel, discover the iconic swimming pools where Hollywood's elite lounged, schemed, and made history.
26 Old Hollywood Hotels You Can Still Book Today
26 hotels with genuine old Hollywood pedigree — from the Beverly Hills Hotel to Raffles Singapore — still taking reservations, still serving martinis, and still trading on golden-age glamour.
Nearby
Continue the tour