The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 1,339 ratings

Price: 17.72

Last update: 02-25-2025


About this item

Since 1929, Hollywood’s brightest stars have flocked to the Chateau Marmont as if it were a second home. An apartment building-turned-hotel, the Chateau has been the backdrop for generations of gossip and folklore: where director Nicholas Ray slept with his 16-year-old Rebel Without a Cause star Natalie Wood; Jim Morrison swung from the balconies; John Belushi suffered a fatal overdose; and Lindsay Lohan got the boot after racking up nearly $50,000 in charges in less than two months. But despite its mythic reputation, much of what has happened inside the Chateau’s walls has eluded the public eye - until now.

With wit and insight, Shawn Levy recounts the wild revelries and scandalous liaisons, the creative breakthroughs and marital breakdowns, the births and deaths to which the hotel has been a party. Vivid, salacious, and richly informed, The Castle on Sunset is a glittering tribute to Hollywood as seen from inside the walls of its most hallowed hotel.


Top reviews from the United States

  • mikeff
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024
    A most interesting read in ages. Loaded with a wonderful history of a famous hotel as well plenty of stories do famous actors that stayed there. Plenty of fun gossip.
  • Carl E. Ahlm
    4.0 out of 5 stars “The Castle on Sunset” is the history of the Chateau & also Sunset Strip and the people."
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020
    The mysterious and uncertain life of the 90 plus year old Cateau Marmont is at the center of this non-fiction delight by Shawn Levy. Levy has provided us with a fascinating piece of the evolving history of not only the Chateau, but also of its neighbor the Sunset Strip and the many celebrities who came into and went out of its doors. Before I read the book, I knew little about the Chateau. I had heard about it being where John Belushi OD'd, Lindsay Lohan racking up $50,000 in unpaid charges, Jim Morrison swinging from balconies, and other tales of scandal; the Chateau was very protective of its residents’ privacy ~ the original “What happens in the Chateau, stays in the Chateau.” However, as the reader will discover, there is so much more to the 90 plus year history of Chateau Mormont than scandals.

    “The Castle on Sunset” lays out the evolution of the Chateau from its inception in 1929 as upscale apartments, turning into a hotel a decade later, a period of decay, and a real rebirth in recent years. What makes the book of interests is how its blends the history of the Chateau with the history of the residents and celebrities who frequented it along with the historical evolution of that Hollywood icon – The Sunset Strip. It was not a fast read, but it was an interesting book. The book was well researched, and he provides a lot of endnotes and citations. I loved the book; however, I would have loved more pictures.
  • jake butler
    5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic for non fiction lovers
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2020
    Great book that tells you the real history of the chateau and not the folklore that people have heard. I think a lot of the people that weren’t happy with the book missed the point that all of the juicy gossip they wanted wasn’t actually true but there still is PLENTY of crazy stuff that did happen that is in the book. I will admit though that the first quarter of the book are historical people that none of us know today but you don’t have to know everyone to still enjoy it. One thing is for sure though if you are an avid non fiction lover who enjoys facts that might be considered dry to some then you’ll really enjoy it but if you aren’t than this book isn’t for you.
  • Aaron G
    3.0 out of 5 stars It was OK…
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2025
    Good to read for the general history of the hotel but the celeb gossip stories are something to be desired. Very shallow stories when you KNOW there’s a trove out there!
  • Tammy F
    5.0 out of 5 stars right on time
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2024
    Amazon has become my favorite place to buy books. I find everything I can ever want and get great, reliable, pricing and service. I find reviews very accurate and helpful.
  • Toni David
    5.0 out of 5 stars History and intrigue
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2022
    I enjoyed diving into this book.
    If you are looking for just a gossip read this isn’t it.
    Stories told yes, the history of the building, it’s owners, how it stood so long with everything changing around it is equally quite fascinating.
    I would recommend.
  • lplynn
    4.0 out of 5 stars Chateau Marmont: A History of The Building and Its Clientele
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
    A history of the Chateau Marmont, this book essentially concentrated on two aspects of that history: 1) the history of the actual building, including its various owners, and 2) the clientele who actually stayed there.
    Since my purpose in reading was primarily for the "reveals" about the various personalities, I found the book "bogged down" at times with too much information about the building as a physical entity, but overall I enjoyed the author's presentation.
  • D.C.T.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
    Book is the story of the hotel and some of the notable people who stayed there. Well written history of Old Hollywood

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