8 Iconic Hotels That Have Inspired Beloved Songs

A list about hotels in songs of course must mention the Holiday Inn chain, which has likely appeared in more lyrics than any other property. The two most famous songs are perhaps “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang, and “Holidae In” performed by Chingy featuring Snoop Dogg and Ludacris. Both songs reference partying at the hotel, and we’d recommend one of the chain’s properties in Paris, the Holiday Inn Paris – Notre Dame.

One of the largest hotels in New York City, Hotel Pennsylvania sits (not surprisingly) right by Penn Station. Which is also probably why it not-so-surprisingly has seen plenty of famous faces come through – if just simply because it’s seen so many people in general come through! Head of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, known for its swing compositions, musician Glenn Miller refers to the historic hotel in “Pennsylvania 6-5000.”

“Hotel California” is one of the most famous songs in the world, and The Beverly Hills Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in the world, so it all makes sense. Though the Eagles never mention it by name, most believe the Grammy-winning single was inspired by the BHH. Others, however, argue it was instead the equally hot, but perhaps a bit more rocker-friendly, Chateau Marmont that was the muse.

Fortunately, Chateau Marmont need not feel left out, whether it inspired the Eagles or not. This L.A. hotel has verifiably inspired countless other songs; a celebrity hangout since its opening in 1929, the property has welcomed everyone from Greta Garbo (in fact a former resident of the hotel) to John Mayer. Popular songs that mention the hotel include Scott Weiland’s “Chateau Marmont” and “Heavy Hitter,” a leaked single by Lana Del Rey.

It’s hard to determine the chicken and the egg in this circumstance. GoldenEye didn’t officially open as a hotel until Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records and Island Outpost, purchased the property. Still, many say it was called GoldenEye as far back as 1946, when James Bond creator Ian Fleming purchased the land and built his home here so he could focus on his novels. The hotel shares its name not only with the 1995 James Bond film (the first to star Pierce Brosnan), but also the film’s theme song performed by Tina Turner.

The Ritz-Carlton brand has long been synonymous with top-notch luxury, even inspiring the slang phrase “putting on the Ritz.” This phrase, in turn, was the inspiration behind iconic songwriter Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which was the lead song in the same-named film, released in 1930. Though the phrase likely came about thanks to the London and Paris locations of the chain, we have a particular fondness for The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.

Rio’s Copacabana Palace, which dates back to 1923, is an historic Art Deco hotel just off the beach. Perhaps Barry Manilow’s most famous song, “Copacabana” was first thought up by Manilow and fellow songwriter Bruce Sussman when they were both staying at the hotel, which has a striking, all-white palatial facade. The song was released in 1978.

In the Grammy Hall of Fame for over two decades now, Elvis’s “Heartbreak Hotel” was actually inspired by a real-life event; songwriters Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton based the lyrics on a newspaper article reporting a man’s suicide by jumping from a hotel window; he left behind a note that simply read “I walk a lonely street.” While that unnamed hotel was located in Miami, the song inspired the opening of Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel, an Elvis-themed property appropriately located across the street from Graceland.


Since this article's publish date, this hotel has closed.Check out other hotels in Memphis.


Related Links:

• These 18 Overwater Bungalows Will Take Your Breath Away
• 9 Hotels That Were Actually Celebrity Homes
• 5 International Vacations You Can Fit into a Long Weekend