The Chateau Marmont has been a fixture along Sunset Boulevard for decades. (photo by J.F. Rothenberg)

Hotelier Andre Balazs announced on July 28 that he plans to convert the Chateau Marmont on the Sunset Strip into a private, members-owned property.

Balazs plans to bring the private luxury hotel concept to the Chateau Marmont and his other properties around the world. Located at 8221 Sunset Blvd. near the Los Angeles-West Hollywood border, the castle-like hotel has been a fixture on the landscape since 1927.

The Chateau Marmont is currently open to the public, and the transition to a members-owned hotel will begin next year, said a spokeswoman for the property who asked that her name not be published. People will be able to purchase a membership allowing them access to the hotel and surrounding property.

According to the spokeswoman, approximately 70% of guests are already returning customers who frequently stay at the property for extended periods of time, and approximately 100 customers account for a majority of revenue generated from rooms. The hotel industry was among the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many operators are changing their approach to doing business. With many guests at the Chateau Marmont already staying for longer periods of time, making the property their second or third homes, Balazs believes a members-only property will create a new type of experience that is more personalized and safer for guests.

Plans call for a higher standard of service with a dedicated staff attending to the needs of guests. Staff members will be trained as personal butlers and will get to know each member personally. Hotel managers and the concierge already personally speak with each guest before confirming reservations and are currently only booking people that are known to the hotel or who come with a recommendation of a known guest. The Chateau Marmont declined bookings over the Fourth of July weekend because the managers didn’t believe they could adequately preserve the safety of guests, the spokeswoman said.

Balazs also plans to introduce the private, members-only concept at his properties in New York, London, Paris, Singapore and Tokyo. The Chateau Marmont was built in the 1920s as apartments and was converted into a hotel in 1931. Balazs has owned it since 1990 and has renovated the building while preserving its historic character.

For information, visit chateaumarmont.com.