NEWTON, Mass., November 2, 2010 — TripAdvisor,
the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the top ten infamous
hotels, according to TripAdvisor editors and the TripAdvisor Popularity
Index – a measurement of overall traveler satisfaction.
With arguably one of the world’s most infamous hotels, The
Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C., currently closed for renovation, it
has been left to these ten hotels to lead the way.
1. Hotel Adlon Kempinski,
Berlin, Germany – Average Nightly Rate: $313 - $692
Hotel Adlon Kempinski enjoys a prestigious location in central Berlin,
adjacent to the famous Brandenburg Gate. The hotel gained notoriety in
November 2003, when pop legend Michael Jackson infamously dangled one
of his children over the balcony to the screaming crowds below. The
hotel still attracts many celebrities, politicians and even royalty
(the Queen and the Prince of Wales have stayed here.) “One of the
finest hotels we’ve experienced,” noted one TripAdvisor traveler.
2. The Mark, New York City,
New York – Average Nightly Rate: $543 - $995
Johnny Depp’s destruction of a $1,200 suite is cited as a perfect
example of how to trash a hotel room. The destruction took place on the
morning of September 13, 1994, when Depp and his then-girlfriend,
supermodel Kate Moss, had an argument and promptly trashed the hotel
room. Depp was taken in handcuffs to the 19th Precinct and told to pay
the hotel nearly $10,000 in damages. After the event, The Mark’s owner
thanked Depp’s publicist for all the free publicity. A TripAdvisor
traveler said, “The hotel is just beautiful – a great mix of art deco
and modern design.”
3. The Mercer Hotel, New
York City, New York – Average Nightly Rate: $410 - $560
The Mercer became infamous after an incident in 2005 involving Russell
Crowe, a cell phone and an unfortunate member of staff. The Gladiator
star became annoyed after he couldn’t call home to Australia, and got
so frustrated that he threw his cell at one of the hotel employees. He
was arrested early the next morning, given a $5,000 bail order and
charged with second-degree assault. “Yet again, The Mercer is
faultless,” added a TripAdvisor traveler.
4. Sunset Tower Hotel, West
Hollywood, California – Average Nightly Rate: $251 - $352
Located on Sunset Boulevard, the Sunset Tower Hotel opened its doors in
1931 and has been a favorite haunt for celebrities ever since. Frank
Sinatra, Howard Hughes and John Wayne all lived in the hotel’s
penthouse at different times. John Wayne reportedly brought a cow up to
the penthouse apartment, explaining to his guests that if they wanted
cream with their coffees they wouldn’t get it much fresher than this!
As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “A whole string of celebrities have
stayed in this hotel – we just had to visit.”
5. Hotel Ritz Paris, Paris,
France – Average Nightly Rate: $1,677 - $2,730
This was to be the venue for Princess Diana and boyfriend Dodi
Al-Fayed’s final evening. They dined in style at the majestic 5-Star
Ritz Hotel in Paris, just hours before a tragic car accident claimed
their lives. The hotel boasts a magnificent selection of prestigious
rooms and suites which are tastefully decorated in classical French
style. According to one TripAdvisor traveler, “The hotel itself is
great, with stunning views. However, there are many tourists because of
the Diana connection.”
6. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth,
Montreal, Quebec – Average Nightly Rate: $135 - $308
The Fairmont is infamous for being the location where Beatle John
Lennon and Yoko Ono had their ‘Bed-in for Peace’ in 1969, and where the
song ‘Give Peace a Chance’ was recorded. The one-bedroom
Executive suite features memorabilia composed of press articles, framed
gold records and pictures of the famous couple. A TripAdvisor traveler
said, “It’s old world elegance.”
7. Chateau Marmont, Los
Angeles, California – Average Nightly Rate: $480 - $520
The Chateau Marmont has served as the backdrop for a number of infamous
events in the lives of celebrated rock stars and actors. Led Zeppelin
band members rode their motorcycles through the lobby to cheering
guests, and Jim Morrison used what he called “the eighth of my nine
lives” here, after hurting his back while dangling from a drain pipe.
Britney Spears was reportedly banned from the hotel for appalling table
manners in 2007, and the popular Eagles song, “Hotel California,”
is thought to be written about the hotel. According to one TripAdvisor
traveler, “If you want to experience what it is like mingling with the
stars, then stay here – we had a fantastic time.”
8. Chelsea Hotel, New York
City, New York – Average Nightly Rate: $216 - $515
This hotel has a colorful history, both as the birth place of creative
modern art and the home of bad behavior. Bob Dylan composed songs while
staying here and it is also known as the place where Dylan Thomas died
of alcohol poisoning in 1953. Other famous guests include Jimi Hendrix,
Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen and Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote “2001:
A Space Odyssey” while in residence. According to one TripAdvisor
traveler, “The Chelsea Hotel is unlike any other – decadent, delightful
and of course, infamous… It is as social as you want it to be or as
quiet as you need.”
9. Palace Station Hotel and
Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada – Average Nightly Rate: $28 - $102
The O. J. Simpson robbery case arose in 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A
group of men led by Simpson entered a room in the Palace Station Hotel
and took various objects of sporting memorabilia. Simpson was arrested
soon after and held without bail. Simpson denied the allegation that he
or anyone else was carrying weapons; however, in 2008 he was found
guilty of all charges and sentenced to 33 years in prison. “Hostel
price for hotel quality,” noted a TripAdvisor traveler.
10. Hilton Washington Embassy Row,
Washington D.C., District of Columbia – Average Nightly Rate: $141
- $372
Just 69 days into the presidency of Ronald Reagan, there was an attempt
on his life by John Hinckley Jr. at the Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C.
The President was shot and wounded along with three others, and
suffered a punctured lung – but swift medical attention lead to a
speedy recovery. More recently, the events of March 1981 have been
portrayed in the 2001 film, “The Day Reagan was Shot.” A TripAdvisor
traveler added, “It is currently my favorite DC hotel.”
“Most hotels would prefer to be known for their quality of
service or amazing facilities, but sometimes their success and
reputation stems from something
completely out of their hands,” said Karen Drake, senior director of
communications for TripAdvisor.
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