Los Angeles is chock-full of iconic hotels. But few are as legendary as the soon-to-debut Andaz West Hollywood, which is the fourth incarnation of a hotel long known for housing raucous rock n’ roll legends. The Sunset Boulevard seated sister location to the Andaz's Liverpool locale began as the Gene Autry Hotel in 1963, before being sold in 1966 and subsequently leased in 1976 as the Continental Hyatt House. During those two decades, countless guest escapades helped establish the lore than eventually lent the hotel its nickname - the Riot House. During Led Zepplin’s stay in the mid-to-late 1970s, drummer John Bonham reportedly took to riding a motorcycle down the hallways. Keith Richards dropped a TV out of the window of room 1015, Little Richard took up residence in room 319 for much of the 80s and 90s, and Jim Morrison lived there until he was evicted for hanging out a window by his fingertips. Robert Plant once screamed “I am a Golden God!” from a hotel balcony, inspiring the memorable scene in Almost Famous (which was likewise filmed in part at the hotel). Even This Is Spinal Tap filmed its tour finale scene on the hotel’s rooftop.

While rock n’ roll history runs thick throughout the walls of the hotel’s 257 rooms (20 of which will debut as suites this Thursday), the new Andaz West Hollywood is significantly more high fashion than flophouse chic. For instance, take the staff’s attire, which comes courtesy of LA-based designers Vince and Velvet by Graham & Spencer (think sumptuous fabrics and form-flattering styles like a flowing, open-back black dress with a bow at the small of the back—a refined take on 70s rocker style). The hotel’s restaurant, RH, likewise pays homage to the spot’s infamous past with its name, but, inside, the digs are more fine dining than dive. French-trained chef Sebastien Archambault, who trained with the likes of Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy, is at the kitchen’s helm, while architect and interior designer Hal Goldstein is responsible for the metal, stone and glass-accented interior.

While the Andaz’s UK location has garnered headlines for unique features like its “Reader In Residence” program (where Damian Barr, a journalist for The Times, will quite literally read you a bedtime story in his pajamas), as well as for its “Silent Cinema” program (movie projections where viewers wear headphones). The Andaz West Hollywood is working on a slew of different initiatives—though they’re not saying ‘never’ to bedtime stories or silent movies just yet. Specifically, the hotel’s focus is on showcasing local talents, be it established or up-and-coming. In other words, the hotel will double as a live music venue and an art exhibition space once open. While the Andaz won’t reveal any confirmed acts or artists as of yet, one can rest assured the roster list won’t be anything to scoff at.

Meanwhile, to those eager to get a taste of Andaz’s amenities but not LA or London-bound: don’t fret. Subsequent stateside properties— Andaz Wall Street and Andaz Fifth Avenue—are slated to open later in 2009, while the Andaz Austin is expected to be up-and-running come autumn 2010.

~Alisa Gould-Simon


First and second photos courtesy of Andaz West Hollywood
Third photo via WWD.com
Fourth photo via HotelChatter.com