Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Review: Old Hollywood Glamour, Poolside Luxury, and $8 M&M’s New

Some hotels are simply places to sleep. Others come with nearly a century of Hollywood history, a swimming pool painted by a famous artist, and the opportunity to spend a couple of days pretending you’re a movie star. The Hollywood Roosevelt falls squarely into the second category.

I spent two nights at this legendary hotel to celebrate my daughter’s birthday, and for the occasion I splurged on a Cabana Poolside room. It was considerably more than I would normally spend, but I love a life of leisure beside a swimming pool, provided I’m protected by umbrellas, towels, and enough sunscreen to survive an expedition across the Sahara.

Between the Hollywood history, our fabulous poolside setup, and genuinely wonderful service, there was plenty to love. There were a few surprises, too, including a temperamental shower and the most expensive bag of M&M’s I’ve ever eaten.

A Little Hollywood Roosevelt History

The Hollywood Roosevelt opened in 1927, when Hollywood was establishing itself as the movie capital of the world. The Spanish Colonial Revival hotel was financed by some of the biggest names in early film, including our old pals Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Louis B. Mayer, and Sid Grauman.

In 1929, the first Academy Awards ceremony took place in the hotel’s Blossom Ballroom. There were about 270 guests, and the entire awards presentation lasted approximately 15 minutes. Imagine that. These days, you might still be watching the opening monologue 15 minutes into the Oscars.

Marilyn Monroe reportedly lived at the hotel for two years early in her career, staying in a cabana overlooking the pool. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were also associated with the hotel, and there’s a penthouse named for them. What I appreciate about the Roosevelt is that it isn’t a Disney-fied version of Old Hollywood, with Marilyn photographs on every wall. It’s a surviving piece of the real thing, and knowing its stories made staying there more interesting.

My Hollywood Roosevelt Cabana Poolside Room

I was delighted with our room. The king-size bed had crisp white sheets and a comfortable duvet, and the seating area, table, and wall-mounted TV struck a nice balance between modern comfort and retro style. The television was big enough without dominating the room, which I appreciated.

One thing I found peculiar was the height of the bed. It was below my knees, and the chaise lounges by the pool were similarly low. Apparently, someone has decided that sitting down and standing up should double as a leg workout. At least the bed itself was wonderfully comfortable.

The Best Part: Our Private Patio and Direct Pool Access

But the real reason I booked this room was its pool access. Our door opened onto a private little patio enclosed by tall hedges, with an outdoor daybed made up with pillows and towels. Through an opening in the hedges, we could walk straight onto the pool deck. It was exactly the sort of indulgence I’d hoped for.

We snagged a couple of chaise lounges by the pool and settled in. Whenever I needed something, I simply walked back through our patio. Forgot sunscreen? Five seconds to the room. Wanted my book or computer? Another five seconds. Needed the bathroom? No hunting for public restrooms or wandering through the hotel wrapped in a towel. I didn’t even have to pack a pool bag.

It may sound like a small luxury, but it made a tremendous difference. We visited in mid-October, during some surprisingly hot Los Angeles weather, and our shaded patio became a quiet afternoon retreat. Being able to move between the pool, our lounge chairs, and that private daybed for a nap was my favorite part of the stay.

The Tropicana Pool: David Hockney and Little Service Flags

The Tropicana Pool has an appealing retro Hollywood atmosphere, surrounded by palm trees, cabana rooms, and loungers. I was especially curious to see the artwork by British artist David Hockney, who painted the bottom of the pool in the late 1980s.

I have to admit I was a little underwhelmed. The design consists of curved blue marks across the bottom, and during our visit many looked faded or worn away. I’d imagined something more striking from the photographs I’d seen. Still, swimming in a pool painted by David Hockney is pretty cool, even if the artwork itself didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

The double chaise lounges were perfect for doing absolutely nothing productive, and each came with a little service flag. Raise it when you wanted a drink or something to eat, and the poolside waitstaff would come over. I loved this old-fashioned touch. It felt like something out of a glamorous resort from decades past, and it worked beautifully.

The Room Quirks: Shower, Coffee, and $8 M&M’s

The room came with a fully stocked minibar: liquor, refrigerated drinks, and plenty of snacks, all available at rather astonishing prices. I tried to resist, but one evening I ate an $8 bag of peanut M&M’s. In my defense, they were peanut M&M’s, which contain protein. So really, I was making a healthy nutritional choice.

The bathroom was spacious, but there was no bathtub, which is always a disappointment for me. Worse, our shower seemed to have just two temperature settings: freezing cold and scalding hot. I spent about five minutes nudging the lever back and forth, searching for that elusive temperature known as warm. My daughter had the same trouble, so at least it wasn’t just me failing an elementary plumbing test.

There was also no coffee maker in the room. The hotel offered complimentary morning coffee and tea, either in the lobby or near the pool depending on events taking place, but we had to get dressed and go find it. That worked well enough, I suppose, but sometimes I want my first cup of coffee before I’m ready to present myself to the public.

The Service Was Outstanding

One of the things that impressed me most was the service. Every interaction I had with a staff member was notably pleasant, courteous, and friendly. The poolside waitstaff were quick to respond, hosts at the bars offered suggestions and volunteered to arrange reservations for later, and the valet attendants were unfailingly gracious.

What struck me was the consistency. Sometimes you encounter one especially wonderful employee at a hotel; at the Roosevelt, friendliness seemed to be part of the culture. It made the whole stay feel more special.

Exploring the Hollywood Roosevelt Bars

Another pleasure of staying here is that you can explore several interesting bars without leaving the hotel. We made a point of visiting three of them.

The Lobby Bar and Its Magnificent Ceiling

The Lobby Bar has a soaring, beautifully painted beamed ceiling and an enormous wrought-iron chandelier. You could spend half your time sitting at the bar simply looking up. In the 1950s, renovations concealed much of the original ceiling; it was uncovered and restored during a later renovation in the 1980s. The chandelier was restored, too, after reportedly being found disassembled in the basement.

Sitting there with a drink, you’re not looking at someone’s modern interpretation of 1920s glamour. You’re sitting beneath an extraordinary piece of the original hotel. That alone is worth a visit.

The Library Bar: A Cocktail Made Just for You

Just off the lobby, the Library Bar is a dark, intimate room with leather and velvet seating. When we visited, the bartender invited guests to describe their favorite spirits, drinks, or flavors so he could create a cocktail especially for them. You could order something standard, but where’s the fun in that?

I mentioned that I liked Old Fashioneds, and he made me a variation with a burnt cinnamon stick, cloves, and other warming flavors. It tasted rather like Christmas in a glass. The whole experience was delightful, but check the Library Bar’s hours before planning your evening around it.

The Spare Room: Cocktails, Bowling, and Games

The Spare Room combines a stylish cocktail lounge with two vintage bowling lanes that can be reserved by the hour. There are also booths, tables, and cabinets stocked with chess, checkers, Jenga, and other games. It’s like a very sophisticated old-fashioned game room, and a fun place to spend an evening even if you don’t bowl.

For more unusual places to have a drink around town, see my guide to unique bars in Los Angeles.

The hotel also has a restaurant called Gable, named for Clark Gable. I asked about the rooftop and learned that it’s used for private events rather than operating as a regular public bar.

Location: Historic Hollywood, With a Very Touristy Side

If you’re visiting Hollywood’s famous attractions, the Roosevelt’s location is hard to beat. It sits on Hollywood Boulevard across from the TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, which still hosts movie premieres. The Walk of Fame runs along the sidewalk in front of the hotel, the Dolby Theatre is a short walk away, and the studio where Jimmy Kimmel Live! is filmed is nearby.

Just don’t arrive expecting glamorous movie stars strolling among elegant boutiques. Hollywood Boulevard is tourist central: souvenir shops, crowds, street performers, and people trying to sell you things. It reminds me a little of Times Square, without quite the same level of polish.

That doesn’t mean you should skip it. The Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame, and the Roosevelt are real landmarks from Hollywood’s past, not replicas constructed for tourists. If you arrive with the right expectations and an appreciation for the history, there’s still plenty to enjoy.

Parking at the Hollywood Roosevelt

Parking is valet only, with overnight parking listed at $79 per night, including tax, at the time of writing. That’s a hefty addition to the room bill, although the valets were exceptionally pleasant.

Just inside the entrance, off to the right, there’s a charming little cashier window that looks like an old-time movie theater ticket booth. You can settle your parking bill there or, as we did, get change for valet tips. Even that little detail felt appropriate for a historic Hollywood hotel.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional service: Friendly, helpful staff throughout the hotel.
• Cabana Poolside room: Private shaded patio and direct access to the pool.
• Genuine Hollywood history: Beautiful original architectural details and nearly a century of stories.
• Terrific bars: From the restored lobby to custom cocktails to bowling and board games.
• Excellent sightseeing location: Walk to the Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame, and Hollywood Museum.

Cons

• Expensive: Especially if you splurge on a poolside room.
• Valet-only parking: Another $79 per night at the time of writing.
• No in-room coffee maker: Complimentary coffee requires a trip out of your room.
• Bathroom drawbacks: No bathtub in ours, and the shower temperature was maddening.
• Touristy surroundings: Hollywood Boulevard is bustling, commercial, and not especially glamorous.

Is the Hollywood Roosevelt Worth It? Would I Stay Again?

Yes, I’d recommend the Roosevelt, particularly if you’re interested in Hollywood history. I loved our Cabana Poolside room, and the direct access to the pool made it feel like a real splurge. If you expect to spend plenty of time lounging poolside, that room category is worth considering. If you’ll be sightseeing all day, I’d save the money and book something less expensive.

Would I stay here again? Probably not, but that’s more about my budget and my love of trying different hotels than any major criticism of the Roosevelt. One place I’ve returned to more than once is The Garland in Los Angeles, whose relaxed retro atmosphere feels like a fabulous backyard pool party. The Roosevelt is a different experience: less backyard party, more Hollywood history.

I’m very glad I stayed. For two days I lounged beside that famous pool, admired the spectacular lobby ceiling, explored some terrific bars, and imagined what Hollywood might have been like in its heyday. I even got a little exercise from the low furniture and some protein from the M&M’s. What more could a girl ask for?