Marilyn at 100: The Hollywood Legacy Lives On at Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel

This June, the world remembers one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons as Marilyn Monroe’s centennial birthday approaches. One hundred years after her birth, the legacy of the screen legend continues to captivate popular culture — and few places remain more deeply intertwined with her story than Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Long before they became symbols of old Hollywood glamour for a new generation, the two legendary Los Angeles properties were woven into the fabric of Monroe’s personal and professional life. From intimate moments away from the spotlight to career-defining milestones, both hotels served as quiet backdrops to some of the actress’s most memorable years.

Now, to honour what would have been Monroe’s 100th birthday, the iconic sister properties are unveiling a series of limited-edition culinary experiences inspired by the actress’s famously indulgent tastes, timeless elegance and unmistakable Hollywood allure.

At Hotel Bel-Air, guests are invited to step into Monroe’s world through a collection of Marilyn-inspired dishes and cocktails available throughout The Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, poolside service and in-room dining. Among the highlights is the “Some Like It Sweet” ice cream sundae — a tribute to Monroe’s well-documented love of hot fudge sundaes during long days on Los Angeles film sets. The celebratory menu also features “Monroe’s Passion,” a signature cocktail blending passion fruit, fresh juices, ginger and a subtle hint of chilli, designed to reflect both her sweetness and her complexity.

The property’s connection to Monroe extends far beyond culinary inspiration. Hotel Bel-Air was not only the location of Marilyn Monroe’s final photoshoot, but also a place she once called home. During her marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, Monroe lived at the hotel in a private suite, drawn to the secluded nature of the estate. In 1953, she attended a Redbook magazine celebration at the property, where she was recognised as the best young box-office personality of the year.

Perhaps most poignantly, in 1962 — just weeks before her death — Monroe posed for photographer Bert Stern inside a suite at Hotel Bel-Air for what would become her final official Vogue photoshoot. The images, intimate and hauntingly beautiful, later formed the celebrated collection The Last Sitting, cementing the property’s place in Hollywood history forever.

Meanwhile, across town, The Beverly Hills Hotel is paying tribute through an exclusive Marilyn Monroe-inspired dining experience at the famed Polo Lounge — a venue long associated with the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age.

The limited-time menu features a reimagined maraschino-vanilla soufflé served with whipped cream and hot fudge sauce, alongside an elevated Champagne mimosa crafted using Monroe’s favourite Champagne, Grand Marnier, fresh orange juice and brandied cherries. Guests will also have the rare opportunity to dine at Monroe’s favourite table inside The Polo Lounge, offering a uniquely personal connection to the actress’s enduring presence within the property.

For devoted admirers of Monroe, The Beverly Hills Hotel remains one of the most significant destinations tied to her memory. Bungalow 1, widely considered her preferred hideaway, was where she spent much of her time thanks to its exceptional privacy, comfort and spacious interiors. Today, subtle design details throughout the bungalow — from curved furniture silhouettes to warm golden tones and gold-leaf ceilings — continue to honour Monroe’s spirit and timeless femininity.

Other bungalows also hold pieces of her Hollywood story. Bungalow 5 was where Marilyn Monroe and Yves Montand stayed while filming ‘Let’s Make Love’” – she stayed at Bungalows 20 and 21 for the film “let’s make love” with Yves Montand.

More than six decades after her passing, Marilyn Monroe remains an icon whose influence transcends film, fashion and celebrity culture. Through these carefully curated experiences, Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel are offering guests more than nostalgia; they are preserving the atmosphere, glamour and intimacy of the Hollywood world Monroe once inhabited.

In the city that helped define her legend, Marilyn’s story continues — timeless, cinematic and forever unmistakably Los Angeles.