I stayed at the chateau last June and I am only getting around to writing this now but the experience was so magical that I remember it vividly. I stayed there with by boyfriend as a treat while we were touring California for one night and despite my boyfriends apprehension and initial reluctance, we both agreed it was so much more than you might expect! We both thought it would be really pretentious and snooty but it wasn't! I get really annoyed when I see people complain in reviews that they felt like 2nd class citizens there or that they felt like the staff were holding tables for celebrities! Of course the staff are holding tables for celebrities! It is one of the few hotels in la that celebrities and the likes have total privacy! I am certainly far from wealthy or a celeb but I felt like a princess in this hotel. There is a calm and magical atmosphere and the gardens and pool area are the perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of busy la despite being in the centre of the city! The Bar Marmont is a luxurious and almost seedy looking place but in a good way, all darkness and low lighting. We ate there because admittingly we were a little nervous to eat at the more formal hotel restaurant! Cringe, I know! We went there for a drink after and got a seat on the terrace and drank under the stars in what can only be described as a morrocan or Tuscan style paradise. I spotted a few celebs which of course is always a nice treat but it is so relaxing and such an amazing place to people watch with such a mix of people around. The rooms are beautiful- simple and elegant and really homely,the exact opposite to what you may expect but such a nice surprise! I really enjoyed this stay and I would highly recommend splurging if you are in Los Angeles!

The Chateau Marmont lives up to everything you've ever heard. We have stayed here twice and wouldn't stay anywhere else in LA. We stayed in a Junior Suite and the room was incredible. As the hotel was originally built as apartments, the room is just that, a small apartment with separate kitchen and dining room. Both times we have been at the front of the hotel with amazing views up and down Sunset. The grounds are beautiful and the pool is the perfect place for an afternoon cocktail. You completely forget you are on one of the busiest strips in Hollywood.
The restaurant is perfection, make sure to request a table in the patio and have a drink in the lounge before hand.
Bar Marmont next door to the hotel is also a highlight, however we much perferred the lounge at the restaurant.
A nice little touch is the hotels own scented candle, created by Aquiesse. They have these burning all around the hotel night and day. They are in the room to purchase and I have brought one home each time. It's nice to light up the candle at home and be reminded the amazing time we spent there.
If you are considering staying here, I would strongly recommend it! A little piece of Hollywood history.

Reading the (very few) negative reviews on here makes me wonder whether to laugh or cry. Why would you stay at a hotel without apparently doing ANY research whatsoever and then go on to Tripadvisor and complain about things that would have been obvious with the most cursory homework. We (a family of 4) stayed for 3 nights in late December 2011 and had a wonderful time. Sure, the building is old and has (charmingly in my view, perhaps eccentrically in others) preserved many of its original features - including bathroom and kitchen fixtures and fittings, all of which work fine, but come straight from the 40's (or earlier). Errrr, excuse me, but that's why it is the Chateau Marmont! That's why it's one of the few really unique hotels that exist in the world. It's definitely not wall-to-wall bland and beige, fake wenge veneer and marble. If you want the latter, there are thousands of hotels (hundreds in the LA area) which will satisfy your needs. What matters is that: The rooms and beds are very comfortable; Despite the patina of age, everything works fine; The restaurant, particularly the garden, and (neighbouring bar) are great.; By the way, if this is important to you, you may perhaps perceive a celebrity across the room. And, having stayed twice, and being obviously not in any way a celebrity or otherwise deserving of special treatment, I have found all the staff to be very considerate and helpful (and on reading a couple of negative reviews below I wonder how much of a negative experience might be, if not actually deserved, then at least brought upon oneself). But most of all, in a world which rushes to trash everything considered to represent 'last years model', Andre Balazs has done a favour to all of us to preserve an atmosphere and a cadre of sophistication from the golden age of Hollywood. Thanks Andre!

If you are ever in the los angeles, ca area and want to go somewhere very exclusive, then I would check out the chateau. The restarant downstairs has amazing food and sometimes you can even spot a celeb or two enjoying themselves as well. I definitely recommend it.