Tag Archives: Hotels
The Ambassador Hotel as seen from Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, circa 1921
When the Ambassador Hotel opened on January 1st, 1921 on Wilshire Blvd, its location was so far out of downtown Los Angeles, that Angelenos considered it a resort hotel. All that wide-open space would have been relief from the crowded, … Continue reading
Looking east along Wilshire Blvd toward Westlake Park (later MacArthur Park), Los Angeles, circa 1930s
In this circa 1930s photo, the photographer was standing at the last few blocks of Wilshire Blvd before it takes a 45° turn toward MacArthur Park (called Westlake Park at the time) and heads into downtown. The building on the … Continue reading
The Players Club and Chateau Marmont, Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, circa 1940s
Without a motorcar to help us, it’s hard to pinpoint when this photo of The Players Club and Chateau Marmont on the Sunset Strip was taken. Movie director, Preston Sturges, opened the nightclub in 1940, so I’m guessing it’s not … Continue reading
A crowded dance floor at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Ambassador Hotel, Wilshire Blvd , Los Angeles, 1949
I don’t know what was going on at the Cocoanut Grove this night in 1949, but oh boy, look at that dance floor—it’s packed. Considering those palm trees had been standing there since the place opened in 1923 (having been … Continue reading
Hollywood stars gather to welcome home Marion Davies at the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, 1928
You knew you’d made it into the Hollywood A List if you scored an invite to one of Marion Davies’s parties. And she’d throw one for pretty much any reason. This one was thrown in the French room at the … Continue reading
Exterior of the Hollywood Hotel Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, undated
Without a motorcar to help date this photo of the Hollywood Hotel, it’s hard to pin down exactly when it was taken. But in a way, I don’t really mind. It gives us a sort of timeless quality, doesn’t it? … Continue reading
Entrance to the Ambassador Hotel, 3400 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles (undated)
This shot of the entrance to the Ambassador Hotel at 3400 Wilshire Boulevard is undated and without a car in the frame, it’s hard to pinpoint when it was taken. But in a way, it doesn’t really matter because the … Continue reading
Looking east along Wilshire Blvd from Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, 1954
In this shot from 1954, we’re looking east along Wilshire Blvd from Vermont Ave toward to buildings that are still with us: the Bullocks Wilshire department store and the Town House hotel. The store is now a law library and … Continue reading
Hollywood Hotel as seen from Highland Ave, Hollywood, 1937
How nice it must have been to go to the Hollywood Hotel at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave and just park your car at the curb right outside the hotel and pop inside to meet with your … Continue reading
A view of Hollywood from the Bernheimer mansion (now Yamashiro restaurant) in 1929
It took three years (1911 to 1914) for the Bernheimer brothers to build their mansion – a replica of a Japanese palace – atop the hillside that overlooks Hollywood. And it’s not hard to see why they chose that location: … Continue reading