When the Hollywood producer Albert E. Smith purchased the Chateau Marmont in 1929, it had a natural sense of privacy. There was no lobby bar or restaurant, or even a pool. The hotel soon started attracting Hollywood stars from Jean Harlow to John Belushi, who famously died in his room there. Despite being taken over by André Balazs in 1992, who has since installed all of the aforementioned amenities, it’s still a celebrity hotspot. Book a room, hang by the pool, and people-watch, but for God’s sake, don’t take photos. —Elena Clavarino

Elena Clavarino is the Senior Editor at AIR MAIL