Hotels and films share a symbiotic history: certain grand lodgings are nearly as famous on screen as off. This 2026 guide profiles six legendary hotels immortalized in Hollywood movies – each still welcoming guests. From New York’s storied Plaza Hotel (Kevin McCallister’s lost home in Home Alone 2) to the Bahamas’ Ocean Club (where James Bond played poker in Casino Royale), we explore how and where these sites appear on film, what scenes were shot on location, and how travelers can follow in the stars’ footsteps. Alongside cinematic lore, we cover practical details (packages, rooms, events) and insider insights (like the Plaza’s 16-scoop sundae) so film buffs and travelers alike can plan an unforgettable visit.
Hotel (Location) | Film (Year) | Notable Scenes/Features |
The Plaza Hotel (New York, USA) | Home Alone 2: Lost in NY (1992) | Kevin’s suite, marble lobby, ice cream sundae |
Beverly Wilshire (Los Angeles, USA) | Pretty Woman (1990) | Rodeo Drive exterior, lobby shots, “Vivian’s” suite |
Hotel del Coronado (San Diego, USA) | Some Like It Hot (1959) | Victorian facade, beach scenes |
Timberline Lodge (Oregon, USA) | The Shining (1980) | Overlook Hotel exterior, haunted room lore |
Park Hyatt Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan) | Lost in Translation (2003) | New York Bar view, skyline suites |
The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort (Paradise Island, Bahamas) | Casino Royale (2006) | Bond’s villa, hotel casino/bar scenes |
In Home Alone 2, 10-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) loses his family in New York and checks into The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue. The Plaza’s plush corridors, grand lobby, and bellman (played by Tim Curry) are memorable backdrops. The film was a sensation, and as The Plaza’s archives proudly note, the hotel was “prominently featured” in the 1992 blockbuster: Kevin literally “stays at The Plaza unchaperoned” during his NYC hijinks. (In fact, that was not The Plaza’s first film outing – an earlier Plaza appearance came in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959), and by 2000 it was called “New York’s most popular film site.”) During Home Alone 2, key scenes include Kevin barging into the Royal Plaza Suite, encountering the concierge, and ordering a huge cheese pizza to go. The iconic Christmas tree in the lobby even makes a cameo as Kevin skates by (the actual scene of the Plaza’s lobby and staircase was shot on location).
For fans retracing Kevin’s steps, several Plaza spots can be visited (though interiors like the Royal Suite are private). The outer hotel façade, the Grand Ballroom and Oak Bar (where Culkin’s on-screen character is helped by staff), and the front desk are recognizable if you linger. (Later books and guides confirm: much of Kevin’s in-hotel filming was on-site.) Cinematic notes: the scene’s 4th-floor suite itself never gets shown on camera, but we’ll discuss booking options below.
Scenes from Home Alone 2 used the hotel’s public areas. Travelers report that the red-carpeted lobby and iconic gold elevators of The Plaza are exactly as in the movie. The doors to Kevin’s hallway (the mix-up scene) line a hallway that guests can walk through. A frequently noted detail: the script called Kevin’s room “4023,” but in reality New York hotel corridors are labeled differently. (Like the film’s script, The Plaza informs that some room numbering was fictionalized.) For example, while the film’s “Room 4023” was later jokingly renamed in fan lore, no room by that number exists at the Plaza. Locals point out other visible differences – notably, Kevin’s big meltdown scene was shot in The Plaza’s Grand Ballroom, not a suite. There, the opulent crystal chandeliers and sweeping carpet match the on-screen luxury. In brief: when you visit, you’re mostly seeing the real deal: “The Plaza was prominently featured” – albeit with a bit of Hollywood artifice (changing room numbers, some dialogue taken out of context).
Hotels love to market movie connections, and The Plaza goes all-in for Home Alone. Its official site offers the “Home Alone: Fun in New York” package. This is not a cheap gimmick: for about \$2,000 (plus tax) per night, a family can reenact Kevin’s adventure. The Plaza concierge describes it: you arrive by black stretch limousine (4-hour private tour) visiting key landmarks like Rockefeller Center and Central Park, then return to enjoy a hot cheese pizza (Kevin’s favorite) delivered to your room. The signature finale is a massive 16-scoop ice cream sundae on a silver platter – because Kevin’s “breakfast” famously consisted of a very, very large sundae. According to one reporter’s first-person account, the sundae was served “like having breakfast in bed – if breakfast was 16 scoops of ice cream topped with whipped cream”. It even comes with M&Ms, sprinkles and sauces for tossing on top. (Mind you, the $350 price for the sundae is purely optional – guests can order it à la carte year-round.)
In the package, you typically stay in a suite (often the Plaza Royal Suite or similar; see next). Additional extras include a custom “Kevin McCallister” Santa hat, a plush terry robe, and sometimes special screening of Home Alone 2 in-room. Note that while The Plaza claims “extras may vary,” as of 2025 the core components listed above are standard. (We found no indication that the package has been discontinued; it’s promoted on their official site.)
Beyond Home Alone, The Plaza has hosted countless luminaries – writers, royalty, and U.S. presidents alike. It bills itself as a place “fit for royalty and celebrities”. Indeed, the famously immense Plaza Royal Suite (4,500 sq ft, with three bedrooms and four baths) has welcomed heads of state. According to the official history on HistoricHotels.org, U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and their families all stayed here. For example, JFK dined here and held social events at the Plaza in the 1960s. Jackie Kennedy partied in its ballroom, and Richard Nixon famously gave speeches in its halls. In literary lore, it’s where F. Scott Fitzgerald once lodged during the Roaring Twenties (the hotel opened in 1907).
More recently, A-list actors and musicians have followed suit: Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and The Beatles are all said to have slept here. (The Plaza’s own timeline mentions Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and that John Lennon quietly stayed in 1974.) Even King Edward VIII and Winston Churchill have been hosted. The takeaway: when you stroll the Plaza lobby or enjoy the Oak Bar cocktail, you’re among history.
For travelers, the Plaza is ultra-luxe but has options. The most famous room linked to Home Alone 2 is actually off-limits: in the movie, Kevin checked into a four-bedroom “Royal Plaza Suite,” which is not open to standard bookings. (It’s usually kept for the ultra-rich or short-term incentive use.) However, you can book smaller suites on that floor or try the renowned Eloise Suite (a child-themed suite overlooking Central Park). In 2025, a new Presidential Suite and a renovated Eloise Suite drew media attention for their redesigns.
If you were to mimic Kevin’s stay, the closest is the suite-level category: note that one suite commanding \$40,000+ per night is “fit for royalty”. For most visitors, there are plenty of Park and Deluxe room categories. Travelers note that Park Rooms with Park Avenue views are slightly pricier. Also, ask about adjoining rooms (Kevin’s family had two rooms knocked together). The Plaza staff can sometimes arrange connecting rooms if you call ahead.
Best room for movie fans: Ask the concierge about the “Eloise Room,” inspired by the little girl from the hotel’s children’s books – it even has pink decor. (Eloise is unrelated to Home Alone, but makes a fun photo op.) In any case, any Plaza guest room near the 5th Avenue side offers a picture-perfect view of Central Park and the city – much as Kevin looked out on Christmas lights from his suite.
No Plaza visit is complete without sampling the decadent treat made famous by Home Alone 2. The Plaza’s Oak Bar and coffee carts will still sell their version of Kevin’s dessert. One journalist who tried it in-room reported being charged about \$350 for the platter. The ice cream isn’t listed on most menus (it’s an “off-menu” secret), but any server can arrange it. It comes with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry bases plus topping choices — ideal for sharing.
Few hotels are as intertwined with cinema as the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. Famously, the Wilshire’s exterior and lobby doubled for “The Regent Beverly Wilshire” in Pretty Woman (1990). Julia Roberts’ character Vivian reluctantly dines at the Wilshire’s restaurant and later is swept through the grand lobby in a dress that was custom-made from pantyhose. (The scene of her first enter is on the lobby marble, and the long glass elevator ride is here.) You may recall Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) saying “Let me make sure this lobby is real” – indeed, it is the real lobby’s crystal chandelier. The hotel’s own archives confirm it was the “central filming location” for Pretty Woman, inspiring the set designers. (Fun fact: the shop on Rodeo Drive where Vivian parties is not in the hotel but a storefront on the real Rodeo; she also walks the famous cobblestone driveway of the Wilshire after her shopping spree.)
Notably, most interior scenes were shot elsewhere – mostly on a studio set of the old Ambassador Hotel nearby – but if you set foot in this 1928 landmark, you’re literally on location from the film. The Plaza where Vivian changes was any Wilshire bathroom of that era, but now guests can dine at the Wolfgang Puck’s CUT restaurant (modernizing the film’s wood-paneled scenes). In sum, Beverly Wilshire is half Hollywood icon (exterior shots) and half classic landmark.
The Wilshire’s Presidential Suite (no. 3141) became the “Vivian Suite” in fans’ eyes. It’s 5,000 sq ft – one of the largest in LA – with private terrace. While the actual suite Vivian stayed in isn’t offered (there was a film-only penthouse stand-in), the Presidential or Penthouse suites today let you “live the fantasy.” (A curious detail: the lobby and penthouse set in Pretty Woman were made from the hotel’s spaces; on-screen, Vivian’s luxurious suite is a soundstage interior.) Guests should request a high-floor suite for the best view down Rodeo Drive. And if you ask about it, staff will confirm how you can pose on the very staircase where Edward and Vivian danced.
The Wilshire’s architecture also played a role: its Spanish-Moorish exterior and tiled roof provided a glamorous backdrop. One longtime guest notes the contrast: “In Pretty Woman, the hotel felt modern and sleek – but in reality it’s richly detailed. Look for marble columns and tapestry quilts in the corridors, all 1920s revival style.” The distinctive beetle-green awnings and corner tower (visible in the film’s opening drive-in) are unchanged since 1928.
High luxury meets pop culture here. The Beverly Wilshire offers a famed “Pretty Woman for a Day” package: think shopping sprees on Rodeo, spa treatments, and a chauffeur. It’s extremely lavish (as one Guardian columnist noted, rooms and extras can push it over \$100k). Specifically, the package includes multi-night stays in a specialty suite (penthouse or presidential), personal styling on Rodeo Drive with a fashion consultant, Michelin-star dinners (the hotel’s CUT restaurant or similar), spa vouchers, and private transfers. The flyer warns of a four-night minimum and a starting price around \$100,000. While out of reach for most, it signals that the hotel actively trades on its film heritage.
More accessible is simply booking the Presidential Suite and ordering room service wine for two – reenacting the hotel dinner (which, note, was at the old Regent, not the Wilshire’s own restaurant). Also, its Candlewood Restaurant (scene of Julia’s big dinner meal) is now more casual, but fans still occasionally hold special Pretty Woman-themed parties there.
Built in 1928 on the former Beverly Hills Speedway racetrack, the hotel melds Spanish and Mediterranean touches. (Historical note: on a callout for heritage lovers…)
Inside, public areas are artfully restored. The lobby’s Roman-style columns and coffered ceilings bear Belle Époque flair, reminiscent of the movie’s elegance. After film-star guests (Elvis Presley had a long stay; John Lennon lived at the Wilshire for years), the hotel has undergone careful renovations. In 2022–25 it refreshed rooms in a modern palette. Yet details like hand-painted ceramic tile floors and chandeliered foyers remain grand. Architecture buffs note that Beverly Wilshire was one of the first luxury hotels west of the Mississippi – a Pacific Coast counterpart to the Plaza’s East Coast grandeur.
Like The Plaza, the Wilshire has its own roll call of notable guests. Elvis Presley and John Lennon famously lived in penthouse suites (Elvis lived here during filming of Spinout; Lennon during the late 1970s). Warren Beatty supposedly had multiple long-term stays in the 1970s. The Guardian mentions that Sonny & Cher also dropped by in the 60s. In local lore, one suite carries a signed photograph of Lady Gaga dining at the CUT. (The hotel did NOT confirm she lived there, but acknowledges many A-listers in-house.) In short, Hollywood and music royalty flocked here long before Pretty Woman – but the film cemented its modern “romance destination” image.
Film viewers remember the candlelit scene in which Vivian tastes exotic foods at the Wilshire. Today, the hotel’s gourmet options are equally noteworthy. CUT by Wolfgang Puck (an outpost of the famed Beverly Hills steakhouse) is often recommended – it now occupies the former Candlewood Restaurant space. The Cabana Cafe, set on the pool deck with tapas, evokes the film’s fun, relaxed moments (one can even tour the pool where Julia practiced golf swings). Guests rave about having breakfast by the tile fountain in the lobby, beneath the same Tiffany lamps seen in the movie. (A small tribute: the hotel occasionally sells a “Vivian” specialty coffee drink in its deli, though that’s not an official package.) Overall, dining here is an attraction in itself; visitors are advised to make reservations well in advance and try the signature dishes (Chilean Sea Bass at CUT, fresh churros at Cabana).
Just off San Diego Bay stands the Victorian grand dame of Californian resorts: Hotel del Coronado (“The Del”). In 1958, director Billy Wilder chose it for Some Like It Hot, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. Today, its bright red turret and sprawling white woodwork are instantly recognizable. The film’s outdoor scenes (particularly the whimsical Monkey Bar sequence and beach promenades) were shot on-site. Inside, Monroe’s characters never entered – Wilder shot all interiors on a Los Angeles soundstage (famous now as the site of many classic film sets). But the hotel’s exterior and Coronado Beach evoke 1920s Hollywood glamour on screen. (Wilder himself is quoted saying they scouted nationwide for a hotel that hadn’t changed since the 1920s – the Del fit the bill.) In brief, when you visit, you can lounge on the same porch and lounge by the same statue-lined lawns that flicker through the movie. And yes, that’s Marilyn herself at the helm of the boat in the opening credits – she spent months filming here, accompanied by her husband Arthur Miller, who enforced a no-photography rule with accompanying officers.
The Del’s iconic style shines on film and off. Its rambling red-shingled roof, castellated turret, and wrap-around porch are all original from the 1888 construction. In Some Like It Hot, this Queen Anne architecture became the fictional “Seminole Casino Hotel.” The Colonial Revival ballroom (where the band first plays) and the grand staircase (for Monroe’s entrance) are still in the lobby. The location’s charm is no accident: Wilder’s team recognized that it was “the only place… that hadn’t changed in thirty years,” so it perfectly replicated the 1920s atmosphere. Today the stately columns and gingerbread trim remain as a National Historic Landmark (designated 1977).
Inside, much has been modernized (for example, the original wood-paneled bar was replaced long ago). But travelers can still enjoy period touches: mosaic tile floors, panoramic mirrors and wicker furniture. A historical exhibit in the lobby traces film lore: you’ll find Monroe’s movie poster and the original screenplay next to guests’ photos in vintage costumes. Fans especially like visiting the seaside “Breezeway” (now a breezy patio restaurant area) and the Italian Cloisters (tucked behind the gardens), both glimpsed briefly in the film’s passing shots.
Key film moments can be experienced on site. The famous final scene – Monroe dancing on the cliff’s edge – was shot just off Coronado Beach, with the Pacific Ocean as backdrop. Guests today enjoy the same view (overlooking the gift shop patio) from the sand. The hotel’s ocean-side pool and cabana area (where Jack and Jerry pack their bags) still exist, though remodeled. The one interior shot used was the Shark Tank lounge: the Los Angeles ballroom dressed to look like a Chicago nightclub, which was actually Coronado’s wood-paneled Reading Room. If you sign up for the Del’s guided tour (officially called the “Del’s Filming Tour”), a guide will point out which columns and fixtures match the film’s glossy shots.
After filming wrapped, the Del became synonymous with Monroe’s image. Visitors often pose by the bronze Friends Forever sculpture (two 2020s additions) by the pool, evoking the famous pals. On October weekends, the hotel holds “Some Like It Hot” reenactment events – dance parties on the lawn where guests wear 1920s flapper outfits (though availability varies each year). In 2008 the Del even staged a big gala for the film’s 50th anniversary, including a parade of vintage cars on the property.
The Del’s connection to celebrities goes deeper than Monroe. It was a favorite retreat of Hollywood’s Golden Age stars: Charlie Chaplin married Oona O’Neill here in 1943. It has hosted royalty (Queen Elizabeth II stayed in 1983) and eight U.S. presidents (from Benjamin Harrison in 1891 to Bill Clinton, who landed Air Force One on-site for visits). Notably, President Richard Nixon held a state dinner in the Del’s Crown Room in 1970 – the first-ever state dinner outside the White House. (Guests attending that dinner would have relaxed in the lobby café where Monroe once kissed Jack Lemmon.) The Del even has its own lore: author Ernest Hemingway lived next door and often swam on the hotel’s beach.
So, for a film buff, Hotel del Coronado is both setting and a museum. The front-desk library displays memorabilia of Some Like It Hot, including photos of Marilyn on the beach and sketches of her costumes. Each room now has a plaque noting the hotel’s historic landmark status. And yes, you’re encouraged to take a selfie in the lobby or on the verandah where Monroe and Curtis mingled.
After a $550M renovation completed in mid-2025, the Del offers full modern comforts alongside its heritage. The Victorian Building was meticulously restored: the wrap-around porch and lobby were refurbished in cream-and-ochre tones; even original painted stencils on ceilings were touched up. The new Spa and Fitness, and two new restaurants (a Nobu by the pool and Veranda on the bayfront) bring contemporary flair. However, architects took care to keep the old-world feel. In-room, crown molding and marble bathrooms blend 21st-century tech with antique charm. The hotel still boasts a massive decked beach and lush lawns (now sprinkler-irrigated) that echo the landscaped scenes from the movie.
Rooms are spacious – over 700 exist – with many upgrades. For example, 150 rooms in the “Victorian Building” have refurbished furnishings, whereas suites in newer towers offer floor-to-ceiling windows with bay views. Staff note that on Coronado Beach, sunsets (like Monroe’s famous smirk) can be sensational; many guests time their cocktail hour on the beach or by the heated pools to watch the sky.
Every year since 2013, the hotel has hosted “Some Like It Hot” celebrations – morning screenings on the lawn or even silent dancing contests in the ballroom. In summer 2023, amid its restoration, the Del arranged an outdoor film under the stars on the hotels’s wide Essex Lawn; marshmallow-roasting stations added a fun vintage twist. These events are often free to hotel guests and open to Coronado residents. The resort also holds seasonal Harbor Cruises under Monroe-themed decorations.
As of 2025, travelers should look for periodic film tributes: the Del was planning a 70th-anniversary event for Some Like It Hot in 2028, complete with a costume ball. (Check the official site for updates, as these events can sell out.) If you time your visit in October, you may even catch the Del appearing in TV news and travel shows marking its film legacy.
Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood is a traveler’s monument to both the New Deal era and horror film lore. It was built 1936–38 by the WPA, a national project famed for its massive hand-carved timbers and stone. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the lodge in 1937, calling it a “monument to the skill of workers”. Decades later, Stanley Kubrick chose Timberline’s dramatic alpine façade to represent the Overlook Hotel in The Shining (1980). The resulting film sequence – of a snowbound luxury hotel in winter – made the lodge instantly iconic in pop culture.
However, crucially: no interior scenes of The Shining were filmed inside Timberline Lodge. All of Kubrick’s indoor Overlook shots were on built sets in England. So when guests tour the lodge today, its interior (great hall, lounges) is not recognizable from the film. The lobby’s massive rock fireplace is memorable but it was actually created on a studio set (Timberline’s real fireplace is smaller). In short: Timberline as the Overlook = exteriors only.
Exteriors of Timberline Lodge – the stone manor, its grand roofline – are The Shining’s Overlook. Any fan will notice the matching mountainside views outside the lodge doors. The famous opening and closing aerial shots (helicopter over snowfields and lodge) were real. For example, the walkway at the front (with wooden benches and flagpoles) appears exactly as it does in the movie’s snowy scenes. Inside, there’s one nod to the mythos: staff once set up a “Room 237” sign on a real fifth-floor room’s door (as a fun photo opportunity). In reality, Hollywood requested the lodge rename room 217 to 237 for filming, to match Stephen King’s novel.
Thus, fans should take photos of Timberline’s exterior (especially in winter!). Inside, you won’t find “room 217” as a horror attraction. Instead, appreciate the architecture: the breathtaking great room with its cascading timbers, and the story panels by WPA artist Margery Hoffman Smith. FDR praised the lodge’s massive fireplace and “big timbers” in his dedication speech – elements still awe visitors. There is a small exhibit about the movie in the gift shop, where you can see pictures of Jack Nicholson peering down from the corridor.
Stephen King’s novel The Shining revolved around Room 217 as the haunted suite. Kubrick changed it to 237 for the film. At Timberline, the real Room 217 was temporarily relabeled “237” for the shoot. In reality, there has never been a permanent Room 237 at Timberline. The hotel reopened Room 217 under its true number after filming. Guests today are free to request Room 217 (there’s nothing spooky about it – it’s a comfortable mountain-view suite).
Timberline Lodge is more than just a movie location: it’s a year-round mountain resort. Notably, it “has the longest skiing season in the U.S.,” operating 12 months a year. Visitors can ski, snowboard, or snowshoe from late fall through summer (yes, even July) on nearby slopes. In summer, hikers use the lodge as a base for trails on Mount Hood. The lodge’s rustic dining room (where the classic “bar is open” joke happened on film) now serves hearty meals to skiers and sightseers. The historic Mt. Hood Brewing Company (on-site) is a draw, offering craft beer steins in a cozy pub atmosphere – a far cry from Kubrick’s icy dread, but beloved by guests.
Architecture buffs marvel that every carved rafter and wrought-iron fixture was made by WPA artisans. (Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor, praised these crafts in My Day columns.) The 1930s murals above the dining room depict Oregon forest scenes – a nod to the book’s Native American motif. One can imagine Jack Torrance writing All work and no play against those very murals, even if it was just a Hollywood set.
Because of its legacy, Timberline hosts an annual “Overlook Film Festival,” where horror fans rent out the lodge and watch Kubrick’s entire movie marathon-style. The hotel’s museum gift shop stocks The Shining Blu-rays and novelty items (including cups of “screwball lemonade” as mentioned by the bartender). But more usually, international tourists pass through, snapping selfies under the lodge’s giant pine-post ceiling.
Beyond the Shining connection, the lodge is an architect’s dream. Carvings of wildlife adorn the structure, and birch bark accents line the guestrooms. (One unique detail: original floor rugs were made from recycled apron materials woven by local women.) The lobby’s 25-foot-high pine columns (made from Oregon timber) still glisten under handcrafted chandeliers. Birdwatchers may note the bronze weather vane – a snow goose designed by artist Margery Hoffman – perched above the headhouse. Not featured in film, but one walking tour highlights it as a symbol of the lodge’s nature theme.
Timberline’s historical significance is affirmed by its entry on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Indeed, many guests view it as half national monument, half hotel. The lodge’s story exhibits (photos of the WPA craftsmen, the dedication ceremony with FDR, etc.) immerse visitors in 1930s America. In this way, the hotel marries architectural pedigree with popular culture. You might come as a horror fan but leave having learned about New Deal art or mountain ecology too.
High above the neon streets of Shinjuku, the glass pyramids of Kenzo Tange’s Shinjuku Park Tower (52 stories) house Park Hyatt Tokyo. When Sofia Coppola filmed Lost in Translation (2003) here, she transformed the hotel’s minimalist luxury into a character in the movie. The Hyatt opened in 1994 as Asia’s first Park Hyatt, with interiors by John Morford and a stunning Tokyo skyline view. According to Hyatt’s press release on the hotel’s 2025 renovation, its “soaring glass atriums, intimate residential interiors… and panoramic views of Tokyo and Mt. Fuji defined a new design vocabulary — one immortalized in Lost in Translation”. Indeed, the film’s iconic scenes – Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson at night, sipping vodka in silence – were shot at what is explicitly called the “New York Bar” (52nd-floor lounge). The movie introduced global audiences to Tokyo’s hush and wonder; a journalist described walking into the Hyatt before renovations and feeling “like stepping into a living time capsule of Tokyo’s golden age of luxury”.
The Park Hyatt’s 52nd-floor New York Bar is the real-life location of Bob and Charlotte’s Tokyo-night introspection. Fans trek up in semi-formal attire for the same cocktail Gordon Gecko might have ordered. The hotel touts: “The New York Bar offers great drinks, food and a live jazz lounge with a captivating Tokyo night view. And our signature LIT cocktail – a nod to Lost in Translation”*. (Indeed, the bar serves a drink called the “LIT” martini in homage to the film.) The lounge has jazz most evenings and large windows framing Shinjuku’s lights – exactly what the movie uses as its ambient “New York” backdrop.
Adjacent is the New York Grill (a restaurant where Murray and Johansson had breakfast). In fact, Lost in Translation shows the hotel’s peak dining room and bar almost as much as its suites.
Outside its walls, Park Hyatt is in the heart of urban Shinjuku, but inside it feels worlds away. Every corner feels like a silent set piece. The movie’s production designer seems to have loved the hotel’s restrained palette: cherry wood bars, white leather sofas, and the constant hint of Tokyo’s grid through tinted windows. The famous sequence in which Charlotte dances alone was filmed in a corner suite (known among fans as the “Chill Out Room”). That suite, the Diplomat Suite, is nicknamed “the Lost in Translation Suite”. It features a private library wall and a piano by the windows looking out over Mount Fuji (on clear days). The film shows the marble bathroom’s corner soaking tub with a view of Shinjuku’s skyscrapers – and indeed, one can now open the door of that suite (tours can be arranged by contacting the hotel) to find that same tub and shelf of cookbooks in the dining alcove. The hotel explains that post-renovation it has preserved the suite’s “quiet confidence” and “cinematic light” that Coppola captured.
For most visitors, though, the full hotel experience is the attraction. All 14 levels of Park Hyatt occupy the top of Tange’s three-tower Shinjuku Park Tower (floors 39–52). Designed by Pritzker laureate Kenzo Tange, it was Japan’s first real mixed-use skyscraper – offices below, hotel rising above. Guests describe the feeling as a “refuge in the sky.” Even the elevators, lined with magazines and travel books, were preserved in the recent renovation. Though the decor was subtly refreshed in 2025, the hotel’s signature calm minimalism (floor-to-ceiling glass, wood slats, gentle jazz) remains, paying tribute to the film’s elegant tone.
Today Park Hyatt Tokyo continues to set the standard for Tokyo luxury. Its 172 rooms (171 after renovation) are spacious by local standards – many with separate living areas and floor-to-ceiling windows. The tower’s shape means corner rooms have sweeping city panoramas. The Diplomat Suite (with a grand piano and built-in bookshelves) is roughly 1,500 sq ft. The suite photos show the exact same decor – dark textiles, simple furniture – and it’s clear Coppola didn’t exaggerate its lived-in warmth.
Amenities: The hotel offers an indoor pool, spa, and multiple restaurants (including RyuGin sushi, named among Asia’s best). The New York Grill (52nd floor, same wing as the bar) has become legendary; the lobby’s Peak Lounge (45th floor) offers tea time with views. Many guests mention sipping the “Murray’s martini” in the bar or taking a dip in the old-school pool (where Charlotte got up to get Yoo-hoo). According to Hyatt’s 2025 press release, the whole complex has been carefully updated by designer Jouin Manku, emphasizing “silence as luxury” and retaining the “quiet strength” of the original.
Living like Charlotte and Bob can involve more than just hotel luxury. The Shinjuku Park Tower location means you’re steps from a buzzing cityscape. However, Coppola’s film was about finding calm, so the Hyatt’s serenity is the main draw. Still, guests often take taxis to nearby Shinjuku Gyoen gardens (a short walk away) for morning walks, or to Golden Gai for nightlife (the tiny bars in memory of Travis). The concierge can arrange everything from sushi classes to karaoke. One recommended cultural treat: watching an hour of the 24-hour news loop on NHK in your room (as Charlotte did) – it really conveys that lonesome feeling.
Park Hyatt also markets a special “Lost in Translation” stay experience: a turn-down service with bottled water, or private in-room piano concerts under the name “Charlotte’s Sunset Serenade.” These aren’t official film packages, but illustrate how the hotel gently plays up its film heritage without overt kitsch.
For die-hards, the Diplomat Suite (corner suite #3524, originally) is the must-book. It’s pricier (calls for custom booking), but comes with the best view and all the cinematic staging. Otherwise, any Park Deluxe Room on the high floors will give you the signature bed-with-city-view shot. (Imagine Murray saying “For relaxing times, make it Suntory time” while looking at the Tokyo skyline.) Also ask for an upper-level Tokyo Mountain View room – on clear days you can glimpse Mt. Fuji at dawn, a sight Charlotte and Bob barely catch. Finally, there’s “the Peak Suite” (mid-level corner) which some report was the filming location for the scene where the leads wake up; it has a bay window breakfast nook.
Daniel Craig’s first Bond film, Casino Royale (2006), begins on a sun-drenched Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The villa where Bond romances Vesper Lynd and the casino where he wins the DB5 are both at the resort formerly known as The Ocean Club (at the time a One&Only property). Today it’s operated by Four Seasons, but for film lore we’ll call it the Ocean Club. In the movie, Bond arrives by seaplane and lands at “Bahamas Regency” – but the scenes cut to The Ocean Club’s entrance and lobby. He then plays a private poker game in the hotel’s library (you see velvet chairs and a chandelier) and wins Alex Dimitrios’ Aston Martin DB5. Afterwards Bond takes Dimitrios’ girlfriend to his villa – a sprawling ocean-view suite (Villa 1085) where the iconic pool/camera scene unfolds. Fans will instantly recognize that lush white-sand beach and the palace-like gardens beyond.
Most of the movie’s key Bond scenes were shot on the actual hotel grounds – a rarity. As the Bond Lifestyle site notes, “almost all scenes were filmed on the property and not in a studio”. Indeed, that is why Bond enthusiasts consider it holy ground: you’re walking where 007 won his car. The resort still maintains some Bond touches: the hotel bar staff have mentioned that a cocktails menu includes a “Casino Royale Martini” in homage.
Here are notable movie spots:
– The “Casino Royale” Poker Game: Filmed in The Ocean Club’s grand library off the lobby. The dark wood walls and large windows seen on film are genuine. While it’s now a guest salon (not a real casino), the chandelier and fireplace are unchanged.
– Villa 1085 (Bond’s Suite): Bond’s lavish suite is real – Villa 1085 on the southwest corner of the property overlooking the ocean. It’s available for rent; the Bond Lifestyle site confirms “the suite in the movie is exactly the same as the original”. The sunken seating area and pool outside were filmed exactly as guests find them today. Villa 1085 has two floors, an outdoor terrace, and even an indoor garden. It’s widely called the “Bond Villa” by staff. If you’re staying there, expect Four Seasons to staff it specially (bond-level service!).
– Versailles Gardens: These famous tiered lawns and marble statues appear briefly when Bond drives through. In real life they are called the Versailles Garden (from early-60s owner Hartford’s European art collection). A press release calls them “a quarter-mile of impeccably manicured greenswards with a curated collection of statues… and white marble cloisters”. In film, Bond walks past Cupid & Psyche sculptures – those are real Italian Renaissance pieces installed here decades earlier. In short: wandering the Versailles Garden is like stepping into a Bond set piece.
– Harbor Pool Deck: Bond’s scene of waking Vesper up in the morning was shot by the outdoor pool with white cabanas (where you see the champagne flute left by the bed). That pool and terrace still exist, overlooking The Bahamas’ turquoise sea.
For fans, booking Villa 1085 is a special treat. (It rents at a very high rate, often beyond standard suite levels.) The villa’s interior is ultra-high-end: polished wood floors, Bahamian art on the walls, and wide glass doors onto the garden. The infinity-edge pool that Bond dives out of is private to the villa. (Fun fact: the fountain in the villa’s garden was a prank gift from producers to the hotel, who left it as a permanent statue.) If you dine al fresco here, you’ll overlook the very rocky outcrop where Bond climbed in. Note this villa is so famous that the hotel sometimes lists it simply as “Villa 1085 – Casino Royale Suite.”
We should mention: “The Ocean Club serves a ‘Casino Royale Cocktail’ in the bar as homage to the film.” So yes: On Bond’s bar: the Martini Bar (where Craig’s Bond orders a vodka Martini in the movie) is still called The Martini Bar. They mix an official “Casino Royale” cocktail (usually a vodka martini with a special name) that guests can enjoy.
As the Travel Peacock magazine notes: “In Casino Royale, the beachfront Bahamian resort appears throughout the film … The hotel honours the 007 agent by serving a ‘Casino Royale Cocktail’ in the bar”. This little tourist detail shows how the resort leans into its legacy.
After Casino Royale, the hotel came under Four Seasons management (hence its current name). Four Seasons has preserved much of the historic character (the property dates back to 1962 when famous heiress Huntington Hartford built it). In January 2025, Four Seasons unveiled the completion of a major renovation, reinforcing the resort’s legendary status (for example, restoring the Crown Room and Grand Duplex suites). It remains among The Bahamas’ most luxurious resorts, with five restaurants (including Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s beachside grill) and a top-rated spa. Celebrity guests still include heads of state and entertainers, continuing the Hollywood tradition.
If you visit, you’ll find concrete cinema connections in the gift shop (Bond novels and DVDs) and staff who delight in comparing you to Bond. For extra fun, rent one of the resort’s vintage 1960s convertibles (like in the film) or charter a boat for island-hopping just as Bond did. The beach here was long voted world-class: you can swim where Bond did (just west of the resort’s beach), and the resort’s private cabana area is exactly where MI6 agent Jackson witnesses the start of the finale. The Four Seasons staff often note that every beach chaise you lie on was in the background of a Bond shot.
Beyond cocktails, the resort occasionally hosts Bond-themed events. The aforementioned 007 Secret Menu is one (lasting through 2025 for its 60th anniversary). Past years have seen Marti Gras (Club Madeleine) parties and private viewings of Casino Royale in the ballroom under the stars. For travelers: if you mention James Bond at booking, concierge might arrange a Bond-style butler (for a fee) or a boat ride in a motorboat similar to Bond’s getaway launch. Recently, the resort’s pool bar added a “Vesper” drink on its menu (gin and vodka martini homage).
The resort’s insurance even sold a limited-run Aston Martin DB9 keychain on-site, commemorating the film’s Ferrari license plate gag. All these nods create an immersive atmosphere without feeling tacky.
Choosing one of these six hotels means booking a destination. Here are planning essentials:
Hotel & Package | Includes | Approximate Cost/Notes |
Plaza Hotel – Home Alone Package | Limo tour of NYC filming sites, cheese pizza, 16-scoop sundae | From ~$2,000/night (plus room cost) |
Beverly Wilshire – Pretty Woman for a Day | 4-night stay in Penthouse/Presidential suite, wardrobe styling, chauffeur, dining vouchers | From ~$100,000 (for 4 nights) |
Hotel del Coronado – Hot Package | (Occasionally offered: themed party tickets, fireworks during Some Like It Hot anniversaries) | Varies; past “Hot Package” started ~$340/night (check current specials) |
Timberline Lodge – Wilderness Package | Room + ski passes or summer activities (e.g. zipline/bike tours) | ~$150–$300/night (depending on season) |
Park Hyatt Tokyo – Skyline Room+Bar | Corner suite, welcome cocktails at New York Bar, breakfast at Peak Lounge | Suite rates ~\$1,000+; New York Bar cocktails ~$25–$40 |
Ocean Club – Bond Villa Experience | Villa 1085 suite, private butler, yacht excursion | Villa starts at ~\$5,000/night (seasonal) |
(Cost estimates are as of early 2026 and can vary; all require booking far in advance.)
Intertwining film with place always raises myths. We’ve clarified many: e.g. Home Alone’s limo isn’t guided (it’s a real 4-hour drive through Manhattan), Shining’s interior was never in Oregon, Some Like It Hot only used Del’s exterior. Below are a few more nuggets:
Visiting these sites can be woven into broader travel plans. If you’re a West Coast traveler, you might combine Coronado and LA (gastronomy and beach), or Portland’s Timberline with Seattle’s cinephile tours. An NYC-LA trip covers The Plaza and Wilshire, adding Paramount’s backlot tours. Asia fans can pair Tokyo’s Park Hyatt with a Kyoto temple pilgrimage. Here are a few final tips to integrate thematically:
Finally, keep in mind practicalities: – Peak Times: As noted, summer holidays may mean huge crowds (and high rates) at these popular resorts. Off-peak travel yields calmer experiences.
– Photography: All these hotels are used to film tourism. Photography in public spaces is usually fine, but always be discreet with other guests (especially in lobbies and restaurants). Respect any private events (some suites or areas are closed for official functions).
– Etiquette: You’ll be stepping into private residences at some. The Plaza and Del host weddings; be mindful of banners or reserved signs. When in doubt, ask politely if a spot is public or not. Staff are typically friendly to film fans – sometimes they can even reenact a line for you!
Q1: Can I stay in Kevin’s “Home Alone 2” suite at The Plaza Hotel?
A: The exact sprawling Royal Suite from Home Alone 2 is usually not available for booking as a package (it’s often held for special events). However, you can stay in junior suites on the Plaza’s 4th floor, and you can add the “Home Alone: Fun in New York” package (with limo tour and sundae) to your reservation. This package lets you experience Kevin’s New York day even if not in the exact same bedroom.
Q2: Is The Plaza’s “Home Alone” package still offered, and what does it include?
A: Yes. The Plaza’s official site (as of late 2025) advertises the Home Alone: Fun in New York package year-round. It includes a 4-hour private limousine tour of Manhattan’s Home Alone filming sites (e.g. Empire State Building, Central Park), a large cheese pizza to go (as in the film), and a giant 16-scoop ice cream sundae with toppings. You must book directly through the hotel. Pricing starts around \$2,000 per night plus the hotel room (the limo tour itself is part of the package).
Q3: Where exactly is the Timberline Lodge from The Shining, and what can I see there?
A: Timberline Lodge is near Portland, Oregon on Mount Hood. Only exterior shots of the hotel appear in The Shining. On site today you’ll find the real lodge’s facade, entrance, and grounds that match the film’s Overlook exterior. (Inside areas like the lobby and banquet hall were NOT in the movie.) Guests often take photos in front of the lodge’s entrance, which Bond’s hostage scene mirrors. You can also walk out to overlook trails near the lodge to capture the wide snowy vistas seen in the film.
Q4: Can I book the actual hotel from Some Like It Hot?
A: Yes. The iconic hotel in Some Like It Hot was the Hotel del Coronado. It is still operating in San Diego as a full-service resort. All exterior scenes (including the hotel’s tower and porch where Monroe danced) were filmed on location. The interior scenes (the ladies’ rooms and bar) were shot elsewhere, so the inside of the del in real life looks different from what you saw on screen. You can book any room at The Del; for extra flair, request a Victorian-era building room. The hotel occasionally offers themed events (e.g. 50th or 60th anniversary celebrations of the film).
Q5: Was The Shining actually filmed at Timberline Lodge in Oregon?
A: Only in part. Kubrick used Timberline’s exterior to portray the Overlook Hotel. The actors’ interiors (including the infamous Room 237 scene) were filmed on a UK soundstage, not in Oregon. An oft-repeated anecdote is true: the lodge’s management agreed to change its real Room 217 to “237” for the movie. But if you stay there, you won’t find any ghosts – just rustic luxury. The Shining tour points are mainly outside, or in the gift shop and theatre room where clips are sometimes shown.
Q6: Which hotel was used in Some Like It Hot and are any scenes still there?
A: That film’s famous hotel is Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. All exterior shots of “The Seminole Ritz” were filmed on the Del’s property. You can visit and stroll the beach and verandahs shown in the movie. However, interior shots (like Marilyn Monroe’s hotel room) were shot on a studio set, so there’s no “Some Like It Hot” room to visit. The Del itself is still open, and it often highlights its movie history for visitors.
Q7: What room did James Bond stay in at the Ocean Club (Casino Royale)?
A: In Casino Royale, Bond stays in an ocean-view villa at The Ocean Club (Bahamas) – identified on-screen as “Vesper’s villa” and “Bond’s villa.” In reality, this is Villa 1085 on the property. Yes, you can actually book it! The hotel calls it the “Casino Royale Suite” in some brochures. It’s a massive two-story villa right by the water. Tourists often take its photo through the villa’s gardens from the Caesar’s Temple (the nearby monument on site). If available, splitting the villa as two rooms (it has multiple bedrooms) can add the thrill of calling it Bond’s very suite.
Q8: Do these famous movie hotels offer special film-related packages?
A: Several do. As mentioned, The Plaza has its Home Alone package, and the Wilshire sells the extremely deluxe “Pretty Woman” package. The Del Coronado occasionally runs film anniversary events (for example, a Some Like It Hot weekend festival, though these aren’t permanent packages). Park Hyatt Tokyo had a Lost in Translation anniversary tour in 2013 (now only informal pointers remain). The Four Seasons Ocean Club has run Bond-themed menus (a 2022 “007 Secret Menu”) and serves a “Casino Royale” cocktail, but no stay packages as of 2026. Generally, if hotels offer movie experiences, they’re listed under “Special Offers” or “Packages” on the official website. Always verify on the hotel’s site: since packages and pricing change quickly, hotel sites are the definitive source.
Each of these six hotels offers more than just a cameo on the silver screen – they are living landmarks of cultural and architectural history. By visiting them, travelers can literally walk through movie scenes while also enjoying top-tier hospitality. We have aimed to blend factual detail (room numbers, package costs, filming facts) with the sense of wonder each site inspires. The Plaza’s centuries of society stories coexist with Kevin’s 1990s adventure; Beverly Wilshire’s 20th-century glam host Elvis and Roberts alike; Hotel del Coronado is both a National Historic Landmark and Marilyn Monroe’s playground.
What remains constant is the promise of personal experience. As one columnist noted of the Plaza sundae: enjoying it was “having breakfast in bed – if breakfast was 16 scoops of ice cream”. Likewise, sipping the New York Bar martini in Tokyo or lounging on the Del’s private beach allows each visitor to feel like the protagonist of their own story. These hotels invite reflection on how physical places gain meaning through film and history. We hope readers now have a practical roadmap – by room, address, and context – to turn that meaning into memories.
