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Bel Air Hotel

Address 701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel Air, Los Angeles

Pictures

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Story

The 600 acres property was bought in 1922 by the tycoon Alphonzo Bell ().

Beginning of 1946, a Texan hotel entrepreneur, Joseph Drown, bought a 250 acres lot. With the help of the architect Burton Schutt, he restored the site into an elegant and secluded hotel. 

They added some guest rooms and the hotel opened on August 24, 1946 (,

,).

In 1950s, the hotel became very popular with many celebrities from business and movie industry who were attracted by the luxury and privacy of the place. Some movies have also been on production there 

(;).

In 1970s, a young Cuban architect, Manuel S.Alvarez, made important renovations. He brought the colour form the gardens into the rooms, and brought a warm atmosphere which didn't make the clients feel "in a hotel".

In 1982 the hotel was bought by a Texan businesswoman, Caroline Hunt who bought an adjoining property, which allow her to add 30 rooms. Five different deisgners helped to renovate the place 

().

In 2008, the hotel joined the Dorchester group.

It reopened in October 2011 and had now, 103 rooms and suites.

Link with Marilyn

1948 : the Columbia studios roomed Marilyn there while she had a 6-months contract with this studio.

1952 : Marilyn went back their at her own expense, thanks to her pay from "Don't Bother to Knock"

She occupied a suite with a pool and a terrace garden.

Picture session, May 1952

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1952 : Andre De Dienes took some pictures of Marilyn.

June 1962 : suite 261 then bungalow 96 for a picture session with Bert Stern (« The Last Sitting »).

Website

Bel Air Hotel

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