March 15, 2010
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - While most travelers can only dream of getting an Oscar or being on the silver screen, anyone can pretend to be star at U.S. hotels where countless movie scenes have been shot.
Travel firm TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com) has come up with a list of the top 10 famous movie hotels, according to its editors. This list is not endorsed by Reuters.
"While many travelers enjoy in-room movies as part of a relaxing hotel stay, these star-studded properties offer guests an actual connection with some classic movie scenes and famous characters," Christine Peterson, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor, said in a statement.
1. The Fairmont San Francisco, San Francisco, California
This grand hotel, set atop the steep incline of Nob Hill, has reached equally great heights on the silver screen. Ever since Alfred Hitchcock shot "Vertigo" at the Fairmont in 1958, the hotel has become an iconic part of San Francisco and many movies, including "Towering Inferno," "Sudden Impact," "Junior" and "The Rock," in which Sean Connery's character enjoys a lavish suite at the property.
2. Bellagio Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
Boasting almost 4,000 guest rooms and suites, a renowned casino and world-famous dancing fountains, this hotel is no stranger to the silver screen. The fountains alone have made countless Hollywood cameos and the hotel may be most famous for its parts in both "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Thirteen."
3. The Plaza, New York City, New York
This New York landmark hotel boasts sweeping views of Central Park, as well as impressive movie credentials. The Plaza's Oak Room was featured in Hitchcock's classic "North By Northwest" (and remains unchanged to this day), and the hotel has also served as the place where Crocodile Dundee swapped the Australian outback for a luxurious room, and starred in scenes in "The Way We Were," "Home Alone 2," "Bride Wars," and more.
4. Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, California
Having been featured in more than 100 movies, the Millennium Biltmore is a true Hollywood scene-stealer. The hotel's guestrooms have made appearances in "Mission Impossible 3" and "The Bodyguard," while "Spiderman," "Wedding Crashers," "Dreamgirls" and "Pretty in Pink" have also brought their all-star casts into the hotel.
5. Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, California
Set just steps away from Rodeo Drive's renowned boutiques, this luxurious property will thrill shopaholics and "Pretty Woman" fans alike. This hotel should attract men too, as it's been the backdrop for scenes in the "Beverly Hills Cop" movies and "Bulworth." "There is a glorious sense of old-time Hollywood glamour about the place," notes one TripAdvisor traveler.
6. Renaissance St. Louis Hotel Airport, Saint Louis, Missouri
While numerous hotels were used in the filming of the movie "Up in the Air," the guestrooms at Renaissance St. Louis Hotel Airport were not only graced with George Clooney's on-screen presence, but also receive top marks for being quiet and close to the airport.
7. The Roosevelt Hotel, New York City, New York
Boasting a rich history and prime location near Grand Central Station, The Roosevelt Hotel has seen its share of famous faces over the years. Jennifer Lopez's "Maid in Manhattan" landed a job at this hotel, while Michael Douglas's famous "Greed is good" scene in "Wall Street" was also shot at The Roosevelt.
8. Fountainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Florida
The A-list status of this hotel, a former vacation spot for iconic stars such as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis, has been upheld by its many movie appearances. In "The Bodyguard," Whitney Houston put the Fountainebleau on a high note; "Goldfinger" added the Midas touch to the property; and the "Scarface" famous pool scene was also shot here.
9. Timberline Lodge, Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Standing at an elevation of almost 6,000 feet (1,900 meters_ within the Mount Hood National Forest, Timberline Lodge is a popular ski retreat, which famously provided chills in "The Shining" as the exterior of the fictional Overlook Hotel. While the interior scenes were shot on a movie set, and Stephen King's inspiration for the nerve-jangling tale came from a trip to The Stanley Hotel, Colorado, it's Timberline Lodge's looming presence that remains a true scene-stealer.
10. Mountain Lake Hotel, Pembroke, Virginia
"Dirty Dancing" fans might just have the time of their lives at this property, which featured as the fictitious Kellerman's Resort in the cult classic movie. Nestled in the New River Valley of the Appalachian Mountains, the hotel offers stunning scenery, as well as Dirty Dancing weekends featuring karaoke, dance lessons and a film location tour.
(Editing by Miral Fahmy and Ron Popeski)
