5 Hotels That Doubled as Film Sites, and You Can Make Reservations Now

Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Tue February 23, 2016

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

With Oscars season in full swing and the 88th annual Academy Awards ceremony set to take place this weekend in Hollywood, the time has come to look back on some of the most memorable hotel cameos in movie history.

Although these five hotels have never won or been nominated for an Oscar, they've had their 15 minutes of fame.

Windsor Court Hotel

Where: New Orleans

Notable Movies: Trumbo (2015)

New Orleans' Windsor Court Hotel has long been the preferred hotel for many movie stars passing through the Big Easy.

But the five-star European style hotel just recently caught its big break, making a brief appearance in the Oscar nominated drama biography "Trumbo."

READ MORE: Imagine A Holiday At 15 Of The Top Movie Locations

The 316-room hotel recently underwent a $22 million restoration and amenities include an original art collection, a full service spa, a restaurant, lounge and cocktail bar.

Waldorf Astoria New York

Where: New York

Movies: Scent of a Woman (1992), Serendipity (2001)

New York's iconic Waldorf Astoria has reached the big screen on more than one occasion, but was most notably on display in 1992's "Scent of a Woman." Al Pacino won his only Oscar for his performance in the leading role of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade.

In a memorable scene from the film, Slade teaches Donna (played by Gabrielle Anwar) how to Tango inside the hotel's Vanderbilt Room.

The five-star hotel also made an appearance in 2001's "Serendipity," starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.

New York Hilton Midtown

Where: New York

Notable Movies: El Cantante (2006), American Gangster (2007)

Elsewhere in the Big Apple, the New York Hilton Midtown has also made multiple appearances in major motion pictures.

The largest hotel in New York was the setting for scenes from 2006's "El Cantante," starring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony and 2007's "American Gangster," starring Denzel Washington.

Movie notoriety aside, it's difficult to miss this massive hotel. Boasting nearly 2,000 rooms spread across more than four dozen floors, the New York Hilton Midtown is among the world's 101 tallest hotels. Like the Waldorf Astoria, the Hilton Midtown's list of amenities and services runs long.

Hilton Hawaiian Village

Where: Honolulu

Notable Movies: Blue Hawaii (1961), Godzilla (2014)

As part of Hilton Hotels & Resorts' partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, the popular, flagship Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort was ravaged by the title monster in the 2014 iteration of "Godzilla."

In the movie, the resort's iconic 35-story Rainbow Tower is destroyed by Godzilla. Fortunately, the damage was achieved using special effects.

Hilton Chicago

Where: Chicago

Notable Movies: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

One of the final scenes in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" was actually filmed in the Windy City, inside the Conrad Suite at the Hilton Chicago.

READ MORE: Movie Locations: Out-of-This-World, Yet Just a Flight Away

Recently renovated, the two-floor, three-bedroom suite features a library, dining room and kitchen among other amenities. Although you don't have to be a Hollywood star to book it, you'll need a few thousand dollars per night at least.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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