This was a fun, dishy read full of colorful vignettes taking place at oddly one of the most well-known places. Honestly it just made me want to get a room for the night so I can roam the grounds!

**I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Levy takes readers through the history of the Chateau Marmont, a hotel that seemed ahead of its time and has its shares of laughter and tragedy. I enjoyed the gossipy stories throughout the narrative, and the quick read of the history and its current status in Hollywood legends makes this a perfect book for those who enjoy Hollywood histories, hotel histories, stories about famous people, and California history. Levy's writing at times made me feel like I was walking the halls of the Chateau and joining in on the parties. Recommended!

It was awesome reading about the history of this hotel and I love these kinds of books. It takes you back in time and you learn all about this interesting facts about it and you just keep wanting to read more so you can find out what else happened there!

What a fabulous read! If you enjoy Hollywood history - you have to add this to your MUST-READ list! Full of interesting tid bits, stars you know - and some you may not be familiar with. A great job all around, and one book that will leave you gasping from time to time in surprise!

This book is one of my favorite non-fiction reads of the year. Levy’s gossip-filled tale of the Chateau Marmont and its storied life will entertain everyone who chooses to read it. Originally opened as an apartment building but eventually converted to an exclusive hotel, the Chateau has remained a fixture overlooking the Sunset Strip for nine decades. While Hollywood and the entertainment industry have undergone numerous changes, Chateau Marmont has remained a locale to which the rich and famous flock with the knowledge that most of what happens there will stay within the Chateau’s walls. From John Belushi’s fatal overdose to Lindsey Lohan’s removal from the property for failing to pay her bill, the Chateau Marmont has seen more than its fair share of scandal, and Levy chronicles it all in a highly readable and entertaining fashion. A fabulous read from start to finish!

The Good and the Bad of a Narrow Focus

This isn't mainly about L.A., or Hollywood, or the Strip. It's about the Chateau Marmont. And that's the problem.

The Chateau is interesting enough, for the general reader, to support an extended piece of long form journalism. But that was about it for me. For a devoted fan of the history and architecture and culture of the neighborhood I could see where a book written at this level of detail could be just the thing. Otherwise, the focus is just too narrow.

Indeed, some of the best parts of the book are those sections that address the Marmont's neighbors, or that describe what else flourished or failed in the neighborhood over the decades. While the Marmont did stand like an anchor throughout that history, how much can you write about an anchor, especially when the Marmont had some down times of its own.

That said, this was a fun enough read/skim. I don't know if I'd start my reading about the history of this area with this book. There are many books that trace the development of Hollywood and that offer a broader and more varied canvas. (My favorite popular book about this area is organized around the signature cocktails that were served in the most famous landmark bars in Hollywood. See, "Of All the Gin Joints: Stumbling through Hollywood History ".) And if you want celebrity gossip there are lots of books that are brighter and shinier and drop lots more names.

Bottom line - Once you've read enough to get yourself thoroughly grounded in the neighborhood, and Old Hollywood, if you want more this is a certainly a rewarding deep dive. (BTW, I just today read that the Marmont supposedly is being converted into a members only private club, owned through individual property shares. So it looks like the Marmont has at least one more act left in it.)

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Such an informative read about an American landmark. Learned so many interesting stories that happened within the walls of the Chateau. Recommend to anyone interested in Hollywood history

After sitting on my shelf for ages, I finally gave this book a listen. it is fantastic. It really delves into the history of the Chateau Marmot. The narration is wonderful & this book really transports readers to California. Learning about the storied history of the Chateau Marmot really makes me want to visit the iconic location.

This is a great listen for any travel aficionado, lover of Hollywood & any history lover. I really enjoyed it!

What a fascinating book! If you are a fan of old Hollywood, architecture, gossip, and history then this book is for you. The scandals alone were worth the read but the writing was also well researched and detailed. My one drawback would be that there were parts that dragged a bit but die-hard history buff will appreciate the background.

I started reading this book, but unfortunately had to put it down. It was completely different than what I anticipated, and was very dry & difficult for me to read.

A reasonably informative take on Movieland culture centering on a famous landmark. The scandals are rife; the insight into the work products of the the transgressors rather thin. But that's not what this book is about. It's a solid keyhole view of many the famous names that delight us on the screen. Not for scholars of the cinema.

Starting from when it was built as a boarding house to the transition into apartments and then a hotel, this is a really detailed and in-depth look at the history of the Chateau Marmont from the very beginning. I was looking for some of the salacious stories of the hotel's history and it definitely starts off dry and a little boring, with a lot of attention paid to the owners, but not necessarily the guests. I only made it about halfway through before I lost interest, so I wonder if I missed the best bits that I really would have enjoyed. I may come back to it at some point, when I have a longer attention span.

Not sure what more I could add that isn’t in the description of this book. I confess I love to read about Hollywood gossip and this book certainly fills the bill. Never having heard of Chateau Marmont,, I found it fascinating to read the chronicling of its history.

I enjoyed this book a great deal and it was a really good history of this notorious hotel. Levy didn't shy away from the difficult subjects like the death of John Belushi, which I did as a feature for DailyMail.com https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6960105/John-Belushis-final-hours-Chateau-Marmont-bungalow.html

I love old Hollywood, so this book was right up my alley. The topic alone already guaranteed it a 3 star rating!
It's a very detailed and chatty chronicle of Chateau Marmont, a 90 year old apartment/hotel that has survived and endured the test of time. The famous and infamous who have called it home, whether for one night or for decades, are only a small part of this famous structures history. There is a lot more to the story and it was a fun to learn more about the place.
I only wish there had been more photos, but thank goodness we have google for those of us curiosity seekers.

I could not wait to read this book. The history behind the Chateau Marmont has always interested me. The author did a great time recounting the history and the people involved. I loved the stories about the 1930's the best.
This non-fiction book I will be recommending all year.

A fascinating look at a very famous place (if you are into Hollywood). I loved it, it was well-researched and just gossipy enough without seeming exploitive. A great read for any who loves celebrity and Hollywood history. It's more than just a place!

Thoroughly detailed look at the infamous hotel, its guests, and its scandals. A perfect accompaniment to several actor's and musicians memoirs and documentaries.

The Castle on Sunset manages to be both meticulous and juicy. The history of the Chateau Marmont is the history of Hollywood and Los Angeles. The backdrop of the movie industry adds glitter and glam. The thorough research adds gravitas to the book.
I enjoyed reading the book and had a lot of fun learning about this amazing building.

I'm not sure when I first became aware of the Chateau Marmont and the reputation it has had in Hollywood over the years of being "the" place to go for privacy. In all likelihood, it was in 1982, when comedian John Belushi died there. Since I became aware of it, more and more often I find in mentioned in articles or on television programs or in books.



When it was built in 1926, it was built as an apartment building, close to Hollywood but not too close, on a dirt road that would become the Sunset Strip. Fred Horowitz had a vision - he just didn't have the money to make things work the way he wanted them to nor the real vision of what a building at that location could be. Over the years the hotel has had its ups and downs as it has changed ownership and the area around it has undergone changes. Because it was originally an apartment building, there are very few rooms at the Chateau and it lacked many of the amenities that the top hotels offered. It didn't include a full restaurant until the 1990's, for example. But it did have one thing that most other hotels didn't offer - place to go if you don't want to be seen and you don't want the world to know what you've been up to.

It's a reputation that all of the owners have worked to retain - it's the original "what happen here, stays here" place. It's been a refuge for those ending a marriage (including Desi Arnez), for writers to do the hard work (Dominick Dunne stayed frequently), and for rock stars to get crazy without landing themselves in trouble (Led Zeppelin had to be moved from the main building to the bungalows because of their antics). It's also been a place where things that were taboo in the wide world were overlooked and people of all colors were welcomed long before that was the norm.

Levy touches on all of the changes in ownership, focusing on just a few, and the people who worked at the hotel under those owners. In getting to know the owners, the book gets dull and sometimes it felt like Levy spent too much time focusing on what was happening to other businesses around the Chateau. All of that, I suppose, was necessary to get the full story - it just flattened out a book that otherwise bubbled with gossip.

The Chateau Marmont has an amazing history and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how it has survived all of these years, the changes that have occurred all around it, and the things people have gotten up to while staying there.