Beverly Hills
Nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Beverly Hills Hotel stands as a beacon of glamour and history, its walls echoing with the whispers of Hollywood legends. Even its trademark cursive logo and palatial pink look haven't gone out of style -- the hotel remains a City of Angels icon.
But if there's one place within this iconic establishment that truly captures the essence of its storied past, it's the Polo Lounge.
The Polo Lounge opened its doors in 1941, quickly becoming the epicenter of Hollywood's social scene. On any given Sunday, the green booths and pink cushions are filled with faces known across the globe. Over the decades, everyone who is anyone has found themselves drawn to this legendary room, where the allure of star-studded company and exquisite cuisine creates an irresistible combination.
In the golden age of cinema, you might have spotted Marlene Dietrich sipping her coffee in a quiet corner, while Charlie Chaplin discussed his latest film over lunch. Years later, Dean Martin celebrated his 49th birthday here, surrounded by friends and fellow stars, laughter ringing through the air. Frank Sinatra, ever the charmer, was a regular, his presence adding to the lounge's mystique.
The Polo Lounge isn’t just a place for actors, though. It’s where Hollywood's power players gather, studio bosses leaning across the table, forging deals that would shape the future of film. In these booths, the past, present, and future of entertainment collide, creating an atmosphere electric with possibility.
Even today, the tradition continues. Modern icons like Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio sit where their predecessors once did, while the likes of Michael Douglas and Robbie Williams enjoy Sunday brunch, blending seamlessly into the tapestry of the Polo Lounge's rich history.
To dine at the Polo Lounge is to step into a living museum, where every seat has a story, and every meal is a piece of Hollywood history in the making. But to experience this slice of cinematic allure comes at a price—a set lunch in 2024 will set you back $155, a small fee for a taste of true Hollywood glamour.
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Eccentric recluse Howard Hughes lived there on and off during the 1950s, paying as much as $350,000 per year (more than $2 million in today's dollars). Hughes rented three bungalows: one for his wife, one for his Muslim bodyguards and one for himself. Rumor has it that he ordered his roast beef sandwiches to be left in the fork of a tree in the garden so he could fetch them unseen. More interestingly, and out in the open, is that the Beverly Hills Hotel was home to former junk bond king Michael Milken's Thursday night "no wives" party, which was a highlight of his annual "Predator's Ball." (The hotel was owned by Milken's fellow indictee and 1980's master of the universe, Ivan Boesky.) The hotel confirms that ladies' underwear often hung off the crystal chandelier. Spokespeople for the hotel were more than happy to talk about the Milken parties; we can only imagine what else has happened behind its pink walls that they're not telling us.
Marlene Dietrich often holed up in Bungalow 11, Howard Hughes took up residence there for 30 years, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed there when Gable was still married. John Lennon and Yoko Ono took refuge at the hotel for a week. And depending on the decade, you could find Humphrey Bogart or Frank Sinatra knocking back drinks at the Polo Lounge. But the hotel truly became an international star when Neil Simon’s 1978 comedy California Suite was filmed throughout the property—in the lavish suites, at the bar and by the entranceway. Simon was a frequent guest at the hotel and the film’s cast included Maggie Smith (who won an Oscar for her performance) Michael Caine, Alan Alda, Jane Fonda Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor and Walter Matthau. The movie features four independent vignettes about guests checking in.