words by NIA TOPALOVA
There are at least five films or TV shows one can think of that we’ve watched so many times we know almost every line by heart, yet keep going back to whenever in need for a little comfort. We put on our pyjamas, apply a face mask, pop some popcorn and switch our phones to “Do Not Disturb”. And as it turns out, many of our favourite on-screen moments take place in some of the world’s most iconic hotels: from the streets of Paris to New York’s Upper East Side, we’ve put together our must-visit list of hotels that bring our favourite films and series to life.
HÔTEL PLAZA ATHÉNÉE
Starting with Hôtel Plaza Athénée, located at 25 Avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement of Paris: the hotel where Carrie Bradshaw stayed during the final episodes of Sex and the City (“An American Girl in Paris”). Carrie stayed in suite 609 offering a balcony with a с view of the Eiffel Tower. The hotel is also a home to the Dior Spa as it is the first Christian Dior day spa in the world, featuring classic Haussmannian and Art Deco interior styling, red awnings, signature geranium-lined balconies, and fine dining.
THE ST. REGIS NEW YORK
Located at 2 East 55th Street in Manhattan, The St. Regis New York is the venue for Blair Waldorf and Prince Louis’s royal wedding reception in Season 5 of Gossip Girl, following their ceremony at St. James’ Church on Madison Avenue. Situated just off Fifth Avenue and opened in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV, the hotel features Beaux-Arts architecture, crystal chandeliers, ornate interiors and the signature St. Regis butler service.
BEVERLY WILSHIRE, BEVERLY HILLS
On 9500 Wilshire Boulevard at the intersection of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, is the place where Vivian Ward, played by our beloved Julia Roberts, stayed during Pretty Woman. The hotel features in several scenes throughout the 1990 film, including the lobby and the Presidential Suite, where Vivian’s transformation began. Originally opened in 1928, the property offers Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture, a grand entrance, elegant guest rooms and a swimming pool overlooking the surrounding city.
PALAZZO PARIGI HOTEL & GRAND SPA, MILAN
At the Corso di Porta Nuova 1 in Milan, Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa features in The Devil Wears Prada 2, with its exterior, lobby and Caffè Parigi appearing in the film. The hotel combines Italian design with Parisian-inspired interiors, including marble floors, a grand staircase, a private garden and an amazing spa with an indoor swimming pool. Situated in Milan’s Brera district, the hotel is also within reach of the city’s fashion district, including Via Montenapoleone and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
PARK HYATT TOKYO
Located on the upper floors of Shinjuku Park Tower in Tokyo, Park Hyatt Tokyo is the hotel where Bob Harris and Charlotte, played by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, cross paths in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation. The hotel’s New York Bar, located on the 52nd floor, features in several scenes, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Tokyo skyline. The interiors offer dark wood furnishings, contemporary artwork and a bar with live jazz performances in the evening. The hotel also features the New York Grill, a swimming pool and a spa, while its location in Shinjuku places it close to the district’s restaurants, shops and nightlife.
