Andaz West Hollywood facts for kids
| Andaz West Hollywood | |
Quick facts for kids  Andaz West Hollywood hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California |
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| Hotel facts and statistics | |
|---|---|
| Location | 8401 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California |
| Coordinates | 34°05′43″N 118°22′23″W / 34.0953896°N 118.3731942°W |
| Opening date | 1963 |
| Management | Hyatt Hotels |
| Owner | Hyatt Hotels |
| No. of rooms | 239 |
| of which suites | 20 |
| No. of floors | 14 |
The Andaz West Hollywood is a hotel with 239 rooms. It is part of the Hyatt Hotels family. You can find it at 8401 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California.
Contents
Hotel History: From Cowboy to Rock Stars
The hotel first opened its doors in 1963. It was started by famous cowboy actor Gene Autry and was called Gene Autry's Hotel Continental.
In 1966, the hotel was leased to Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Its name changed to the Continental Hyatt House.
The "Riot House" Era
During the late 1960s and 1970s, the hotel became very popular. It was close to famous music clubs like the Whisky a Go Go. Many touring rock groups, especially English bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and the Rolling Stones, loved staying there. Because of the wild stories about these bands, people often called it the "Riot House." This was a playful nickname based on its real name, Hyatt House.
New Names and Modern Look
In 1976, the hotel changed its name again to the Hyatt on Sunset. Then, in February 1997, it became the Hyatt West Hollywood.
The hotel got a big makeover in 2008. It reopened on January 8, 2009, with a new name: the Andaz West Hollywood. This was one of the first hotels in Hyatt's new Andaz brand. The 14-story hotel now has 239 rooms, including 20 special suites. It also has a restaurant called Riot House, named after its famous past. The renovation added cool art, like a large metal sculpture by artist Jacob Hashimoto. The balconies, where many famous stories took place, are now glass-enclosed sunrooms. They offer great views of Sunset Boulevard.
Famous Connections: Music and Movies
This hotel has a long history with music and movies. Many famous people have stayed or filmed scenes here.
- The band Led Zeppelin sometimes rented many floors of the hotel in the 1970s. Stories say their tour manager once rode a motorcycle through the hallways!
- The song "Motorhead" was written by Lemmy on one of the hotel's balconies.
- Scenes from the movie Almost Famous were filmed right at the hotel. The movie even recreated the hotel's look from the 1970s.
- In Almost Famous, a character shouts, "I am a golden god!" This was a nod to Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant. He supposedly said something similar while looking over the Sunset Strip from a balcony in 1975.
- A scene from The Rockford Files was filmed in room 1426.
- The party scene at the end of the movie This is Spinal Tap was filmed on the hotel's roof.
- Musician Little Richard lived in room 319 at the hotel for many years in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Jim Morrison was known for his adventurous spirit while staying at the hotel.
- The band Blur once tried to make a steam room in a bathroom by turning on all the hot water.
- Warren Zevon mentions this place in his song "Poor Poor Pitiful Me".
- Thin Lizzy members Phil Lynott and Scott Gorham were interviewed in room 1024 in 1976.
- Elton John and his group stayed at the hotel, then called the Hyatt House, during his first trip to the United States in August 1970.
