Hotels for Hollywood icons: where the stars used to stay
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Back in the day when fame was rare and the word 'celebrity' actually meant something, Hollywood icons were wining and dining their way around the world's most glamorous VIP establishments. Here are the old stars' top ten champagne-sipping, cigar-smoking hangout spots.
Ten of the best: old Hollywood hangouts
- Rita Hayworth's hangout: The Blue Haven Hotel, Tobago<p> Royals and film stars have been drawn to the historic Blue Haven Hotel since the 1940's. Back in the 1950’s the Blue Haven was scenery for several movies, and Rita Hayworth stayed here while shooting the movie Fire Down Below. Extensively renovated, the hotel is surrounded on three sides by the sea and all 55 rooms offer breathtaking ocean views. <a href="http://www.bluehavenhotel.com">bluehavenhotel.com</a></p>
- Half Moon Resort, Jamaica: Audrey Hepburn's Caribbean retreat<p> Half Moon, a RockResort in Montego Bay, Jamaica has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Its past guests include Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, Rock Hudson and Paul Newman. The luxury resort is set in 400 acres with two miles of white sand beaches, and the resort boasts a championship golf course, award winning spa, equestrian centre, dolphin lagoon as well as bars, restaurants and shopping village. <a href="http://halfmoon.rockresorts.com">halfmoon.rockresorts.com</a></p>
- Bette Davis' Italian gem: Villa D'Este, Lake Como<p> Villa D’Este sits on the shores of Lake Como, and its restaurant, Il Veranda, offers fine traditional Italian haute cuisine. Villa D’Este and Il Veranda have played host to some of Old Hollywood's most famous stars, including Alfred Hitchcock, Bette Davis, Gene Kelly, Greta Garbo, Ava Gardener and Frank Sinatra. Nowadays George Clooney, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Elton John, are among the establishment's glittering clientele. <a href="http://www.villadeste.com">villadeste.com</a></p>
- If it's good enough for Orson Welles... The Regent Esplanade Zagreb, Croatia<p> Art Deco hotspot Regent Esplanade Zagreb has been a respite for the rich and famous since its 1925 opening as part of the legendary Orient Express. In the 1960s, it was a favorite of celebrities like Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzie Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Anita Eckberg, Orson Welles, Maria Callas and Arthur Miller. Still today, the hotel hosts the likes of U2 and Woody Allen! <a href="http://www.regenthotels.com. ">regenthotels.com</a></p> <p> </p>
- Brigitte Bardot's hotspot: Hotel Byblos, Cote D'Azur<p> Set in the heart of St Tropez, this year Hotel Byblos is celebrating its 45th season. Home to world famous nightclub Les Caves du Roy (Jack Nicholson is a fan) and Alain Ducasse’s Le Spoon restaurant, Hotel Byblos was once one of Brigitte Bardot's favourite hangouts! <a href="http://www.byblos.com">byblos.com</a></p>
- Riviera Palm Springs, California: Sinatra's relaxation zone<p> Opening in 1959, the Riviera Resort immediately became the Palm Springs’ go-to hot spot for celebrities and sophisticates like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who would lounge by the pool and in the Presidential Suite. The legendary "Two-Hour Rule", which meant actors had to be available within two-hours of the Hollywood studios, put Palm Springs on the map as a perfect getaway for the showbiz stars. The hotel has a bikini bar and red velvet cupcakes are available on arrival! <a href="http://www.psriviera.com/">psriviera.com</a></p>
- Ginger Rogers' hideaway: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, California<p> A full-service, AAA Four-Diamond property accepted as a member of Historic Hotels of America, The Ahwahnee has been visited by dozens of celebrities, Presidents and even Queen Elizabeth in its past. From it’s opening in 1927, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have stayed here, including Ginger Rogers, Boris Karloff and Judy Garland, and more recently, Robert Redford! <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/the-ahwahnee.aspx">yosemitepark.com</a></p>
- Liza Minelli's old haunt: Melvyn's Restaurant, Ingleside Inn, California<p> The Ingleside Inn, a boutique hotel, is located just moments away from the heart of downtown Palm Springs. At the hotel you'll find Melvyn’s Restaurant, a famous celebrity hangout where Frank Sinatra once had his own table. Other guests include John Travolta and Liza Minelli, and the owner, Mel, can often be found at the restaurant happily sharing his personal memories and stories of the old Hollywood stars! <a href="http://www.visitpalmsprings.com">visitpalmsprings.com</a></p> <p> </p>
- Hotel Bon Sol Resort & Spa, Palma: Errol Flynn stayed here first!<p> Errol Flynn was one of the first guests at Hotel Bon Sol Resort & Spa in the small resort of Illetas, just west of Palma. Nowadays the hotel offers 192 rooms & villas, swimming pools, a spa and lush, sub-tropical gardens that lead down to the sheltered beach cove. The hotel celebrates its 60th anniversary next year. <a href="http://www.hotelbonsol.es/">hotelbonsol.es</a></p>
- Sean Connery's fave: The Caledonian, Edinburgh<p> Sean Connery has been a regular visitor at Edinburgh’s The Caledonian, <a href="http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/index.html">A Waldorf Astoria Hotel</a>, for years. Following a 'glorious restoration', the hotel reception and lobby boast marble flooring, sweeping staircase and a glittering chandelier. The property offers 241 elegant guest rooms including six sumptuous suites, all with outstanding views of Edinburgh Castle. <a href="http://www.thecaledonianedinburgh.com/">thecaledonianedinburgh.com</a></p> <p> </p>
- Ian Fleming's second home: The Dukes Hotel, London<p> An independent luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of London, Dukes rests in a private courtyard near Green Park and Buckingham Palace. The hotel has been welcoming guests for more than 100 years and the historic Dukes bar, frequented by James Bond author Ian Fleming, is home to some of the world’s best martinis and is the birthplace of the famous “shaken, not stirred” line from James Bond! <a href="http://www.dukeshotel.com">dukeshotel.com</a></p>
- Make like Marlene Dietrich: Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles<p> Beverly Hills, LA, is an iconic hotel known for its reputation with the old Hollywood stars. The hotel's restaurant, The Polo Lounge, was a famous hangout for celebrities including Marlene Dietrich (who dined here in trousers - the first women to ever publicly do so!) Faye Dunaway, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Pack. Marilyn Monroe also checked into the hotel while filming Let’s Make Love. <a href="http://www.beverlyhillshotel.com/">beverlyhillshotel.com</a></p>
