In the heart of the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, where palm trees line sunlit boulevards and the echoes of film history whisper through the air, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel stands as both a testament to Old Hollywood and a playground for paranormal enthusiasts. Opened in 1927, this Spanish Colonial Revival stunner has hosted legends, launched careers, and—according to many who’ve stayed—harbored spirits who refuse to leave the stage. Whether you’re a film buff, a history nerd, or a ghost hunter on the prowl for your next chilling encounter, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel promises an unforgettable stay. Intrigued? Let’s dive deeper into the story behind one of California’s most iconic—and haunted—hotels.
The History
Hollywood’s First Movie Star Hotel
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was born during the Golden Age of cinema. Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, this Hollywood Boulevard jewel opened its doors on May 15, 1927, with a star-studded party attended by the biggest names in the film industry. Developed by a team that included Louis B. Mayer, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Sid Grauman (yes, of Chinese Theatre fame), the hotel was meant to be the epicenter of Hollywood’s rising influence.
The architecture alone was a statement: soaring ceilings, lush courtyards, ornate detailing, and a luxury pool that would later make history. At the time, rooms started at $5.00 a night—a bargain even by count-of-ghosts-per-room standards today.
The First Academy Awards
Believe it or not, the very first Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1929. It was a private dinner party in the Blossom Room with only 270 guests. The ceremony lasted just 15 minutes, a stark contrast to today’s glittering televised events. Though brief, it forever tied the hotel to the birth of the Oscars, cementing its place in cinematic lore.
The hotel’s Blossom Room remains a hotspot—not just for its elegant decor and good acoustics—but also for reports of ghostly activity linked to that historic night. More on that later.
From Glamour to Decline and Back Again
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel thrived during the 1930s and 1940s. Stars like Clark Gable and Carole Lombard reportedly stayed in the penthouse. Marilyn Monroe lived in a poolside cabana for two years early in her career and did her first commercial shoot for Max Factor by the now-famous Tropicana Pool.
Over the decades, however, the hotel faced periods of neglect. By the 1980s, much of its glamour had faded. Fortunately, major restorations in the early 2000s returned the Roosevelt to its former glory, preserving both its architectural charm and rich history. Today, it’s a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and still a regular backdrop for films, fashion shoots, and celebrity sightings.
The Haunt
As with many historic buildings, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel didn’t just hang onto the glamour—it hung onto its ghosts, too. Guests and staff have reported eerie encounters throughout the hotel, suggesting that Old Hollywood hasn’t entirely passed into history. Here are just a few of the paranormal tales surrounding the Roosevelt:
Marilyn Monroe’s Mirror
Perhaps the most famous ghost said to haunt the Roosevelt is none other than Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. During her stay, she resided in Room 1200, one of the hotel’s poolside suites. It was here she was reported to have spent hours gazing into a full-length mirror installed in the room.
After her death in 1962, the mirror was removed and put into storage—likely due to guests reporting glimpses of a blonde woman standing behind them. The mirror was later relocated to the hotel’s lower floor, and sightings continued. Many claim to have seen her reflection staring back at them, expression wistful, her presence lingering just out of reach.
The Phantom of the Blossom Ballroom
The Blossom Ballroom, site of the first Oscars, is another hotspot for paranormal activity. Staff and guests have heard the sound of someone walking across the polished floors when no one is around. Cold drafts sweep through the room inexplicably, and lights have a habit of flickering just as someone enters alone—a classic haunted calling card.
More unsettling are claims of an apparition dressed in vintage tuxedo wear—a man who seems to be looking for his seat at the awards night that never quite ends.
Montgomery Clift’s Auditory Echoes
Famed actor Montgomery Clift stayed at the hotel during the filming of From Here to Eternity in 1953. He occupied Room 928, and guests who’ve stayed there since have reported disembodied sounds of a trumpet—Clift was known to practice his lines and the trumpet in that very room. One couple even awoke to find a shadowy figure pacing back and forth beside the bed, whispering lines in a low, urgent voice.
A Child by the Elevator
Several guests have reported seeing a young girl in a blue dress wandering the hallways near the elevators. When approached, she smiles—but vanishes before any words can be exchanged. Staff refer to her affectionately as “Caroline.” Her presence isn’t threatening, but many find the encounters unnerving because of how real she looks, only to disappear seconds later.
General Paranormal Phenomena
- Elevators that stop on floors no one requested, often near long-vacant rooms.
- Doors opening and closing by themselves, even when securely latched.
- Cold spots in rooms with no logical source.
- Disembodied footsteps in hallways, usually late at night.
- The eerie feeling of being watched, particularly in older sections of the hotel.
While skeptics might write off these occurrences as imagination or an overactive appreciation of Hollywood lore, ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts insist there’s something genuinely supernatural about the Roosevelt. Many say the hotel is one of the most actively haunted sites in Los Angeles.
Conclusion: A Pilgrimage for Paranormal Seekers
With its lush architecture, star-studded legacy, and haunting tales echoing from every corner, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel offers more than just a luxurious stay—it offers a chance to step into Hollywood’s vibrant past and perhaps, just perhaps, brush against the spirits of those who walked its halls long ago.
For ghost hunters, this is sacred ground. The history is rich, the spirits are talkative, and the chances of capturing supernatural phenomena—EVPs, strange images, even spectral sightings—are unusually high for a site in the heart of a bustling city. And whether you stay in Marilyn Monroe’s old suite or roam the shadowy halls near Room 928, one thing’s for sure: You’ll leave with a story.
So dust off your EMF meter, book yourself a night, and see for yourself what mysteries the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is waiting to reveal. Lights, camera… apparition?