For close to seventy years, this Hollywood hideaway has offered its A-list guests the ultimate in privacy. It is also a place to let loose and possibly get into a little trouble (or a lot) without the nuisance of the paparazzi. It is almost as if the staff is trained to keep quiet and only the walls of the historic 1927 building know the true secrets of the many famous faces and countless tales that it holds.

Despite the well-kept privacy of its guests, fairytales are rampant regarding the Chateau. A big one is that ‘70s rock band Led Zeppelin rode their motorcycles through the lobby (much to the amusement of hotel guests!). Another legend is that Jim Morrison of The Doors was said to have used up eight of his nine lives after he injured his back falling off one of the roof drain pipes to jump into his room through the window. Among the many stories one can only speculate as to what truly happens at the hotel--that is, unless one stays there. I did. God Bless those times! Al Franklin, Hunter S. Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Kevin Spacey, Patricia Taylor, Val Kilmer , Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron and countless other celebrities chose the Chateau as their home.

The Chateau, as LA residents call it, has a rich history that goes beyond its guests, too. It opened its doors in February 1929 as a residence and was built by lawyer Fred Horowitz who named the building after the street that runs along the back of the property. However, by 1931, the Chateau changed into a hotel due to the high rent costs of the Depression. As stunning as the architecture is visually, it is also earthquake resilient as it has survived five major California earthquakes and maintained its structural integrity.

Thus, as the famed Grateful Dead song tributes the Chateau in "LA Fadeaway,"

"I'm looking for a Chateau, 21 rooms, but 1 will do
I'm looking for a Chateau, 21 rooms, but 1 will do
I don't want to buy it, I just want to rent it for a minute or two
West LA, fade away, West LA, fade away"

Its memories will never fade and The Chateau's legend is here to stay with more memories left for its guests and tenants to create.

Adjacent to the hotel is Los Angeles' hippest hangout, Bar Marmont, where, once again, you can find trouble, sex and rock n' roll, all while sipping the best Lemon Drop in town. But loading up on booze and hanging till 2 am is a way of life for wanna be's, and, well, the stars.

Expect tremendous fun, a homey feeling, French style living and the great unexpected!

www.Chateaumarmont.com

Story by Adrienne Papp.