Hollywood's Ultimate Celeb Suites

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- Los Angeles has no shortage of luxury hotels and plenty of high-end properties that cater to celebrity travelers and the corporate elite. But there are some guests for whom only a hotel's absolute best room will do. Here's where to find those truly spectacular penthouses and bungalows:

The most hallowed of celebrity hotel grounds is the Chateau Marmont, which the meticulous management of hotelier Andre Balazs has evolved into an insider's den of exclusivity in the middle of the Sunset Strip. A well-guarded door at virtually all hours of the day ensures that guests such as Dita Von Teese will be unmolested by the camera lens, and photographers, journalists and fans breaking the rule will be asked politely to leave. Past the motor court, a residential entrance leads to a staircase or elevator arrival to the main lobby that feels much as it did back in the days of Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes.

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary, the Beverly Hills Hotel has no shortage of starry accommodations.

Insider secrets of the Chateau include always insisting on eating outside versus the cozy but isolated dining room, and booking suites in the main building versus the less-preferable cottage and pool bungalows. There's little doubt the rooftop penthouse is the best room in the house. Priced from a surprisingly affordable $4,500 per night, its living room (complete with piano and fireplace) opens onto the chicest rooftop terrace in town, with views that can make anyone feel famous for a night.

In terms of rooftop terraces there is but one address that can compete with the Chateau, and that's the Sunset Tower Hotel. Owned by Jeff Klein, it's the location du jour for the annual Vanity Fair Oscar party -- a former '30s luxury apartment building that now offers The Terrace, one of the ritziest eateries in Hollywood and site of one of the best poolside brunch secrets in town. Rooms inside the Sunset Tower come in quirky sizes with updated Art Deco decor and perks such as Kiehl's bath products and curated mini-bars.