It’s hard to describe how being in the Roosevelt feels. Dark. Classic. Old world. European. Steeped in history. The kind of place where you would enjoy a brandy and a cigar (though smoking is not allowed).
Everyone knows the history. Marilyn Munroe lived in one of the cabana rooms, her ghost has been reportedly seen in both her old room and in a mirror on the mezzanine level. The first Academy Awards were held in the ballroom. A year after, they moved across the street to a bigger venue.
Shirley Temple and Bill Bojangles practiced the now-famous stair dance routine on the tiled steps leading up to the second level. Montgomery Clift, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Errol Flynn all lived in the hotel at one point… and probably many others. Some of my own co-workers now live here.
It’s very easy to get lost in a historic journey (read: rat hole) while hanging out in the hotel. It’s really hard to separate out the fact from fiction.
The Roosevelt is now considered a Boutique Hotel and is a part of the Thompson Hotel chain. I haven’t yet stayed here (it’s really noisy and parts are under construction) but I do love to eat in their restaurant. Most items on the menu can be made gluten-free and they make a fantastic hamburger (no bun… they wrap it in lettuce).
In most cases, I know more about eating gluten-free than most restaurant workers, but not here. During one meal I learned from the chef the difference between the wheat grain and farro grain and was advised to avoid farro because it is not completely gluten-free.
Note: Above I say that I have “not yet stayed at the Roosevelt.” This is an old post… and I started living at the hotel in March 2015. As of June 2015, I am still at the hotel and have stayed in a variety of different rooms. Once I leave, it’s likely I will write another Roosevelt post.