6 February, the birthday of the 40th President of the United States and 33rd Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, is celebrated as Ronald Reagan Day in California. And while not all of us under the sunny Cali skies, there is no reason why we should not partake in the celebrations in true RoomSuggestion style: checking out a Reagan-esque suite. While Washington Hilton Hotel might be the first to come to mind when we think of Ronald Reagan as the venue of the assasination attempt in 1981 on the then president, we are taking you elsewhere, the Ronald Reagan Suite at St Regis Tower Century City in Los Angeles.
Built in 1964, The Century Plaza Hotel was on what was formerly the back-lots and movie ranch of 20th Century Fox Studios. In 1984, the hotel opened the 30-story tower on its south side, adding 297 additional guest rooms.
Reagan was the first guest to enter the Hotel's new tower, and eventually, Century Plaza became President's "home away from home" and dubbed by the press as the “Western White House.” At 8,000 square feet, the entire top floor, then named the Plaza Suite, was the largest suite in Southern California. What's more its 360 degree panoramic views also played host to the Presidents of China, Korea, Algeria, Sweden, Hungary, Ecuador and Cameroon.
In 1999, the Suite was formally renamed the "Ronald Reagan Penthouse" to commemorate its long-standing relationship with former President.. The project featured vintage photographs showcasing the "Reagan Legacy." Sadly, for those who would like to experience a presidential stay, Ronald Reagan Penthouse is no more.
Soon after Westin was acquired by in 2000, the Tower was converted into a separate hotel under a more luxurious Starwood brand, The St. Regis Los Angeles which was then sold by the owners of the Century Plaza in 2005 to developers who closed it for conversion to residential use.
On April 28, 2009, The Century Plaza Hotel was added to The National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of the 11 most endangered historic places in America. In February 2010, the developer announced that it would renovate the hotel and convert some of the floors to condominiums, rather than demolishing and replacing the building as previously proposed.
Now Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, while the hotel may no longer offer a presidential penthouse, it still retain the former glory and luxury that made its predecessor the Western White House. Why not book into the Century Suite which offers not only sweeping views of the city or Pacific Ocean but also spacious 700-square-foot parlor, a sitting area, oval conference table for four, wet bar and marble bath with deluxe amenities, plus one king-sized Hyatt Grand Bed™
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