Los Angeles

Where glamour bleeds and death never checks out.

Los Angeles serves as the primary backdrop for American Horror Story: Hotel, marking a return to filming in the city where the first two seasons were shot. The season centers on the mysterious Hotel Cortez, an original creation inspired by various Art Deco hotels and architects like Timothy Pflueger and William Van Alen, rather than being based on a single real-world location. Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, this installment explores the dark underbelly of downtown Los Angeles, drawing inspiration from actual hotels with sinister reputations. Unlike previous entries driven by singular leads like Jessica Lange, Hotel features a true ensemble cast including Lady Gaga, Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, and Evan Peters. The setting anchors a narrative that is thematically darker than its predecessors, focusing on the unsettling idea that guests are never truly safe once they check in.

Quick Facts

Location: Los Angeles, California
Primary season: Hotel (Season 5)
Key landmark: The Hotel Cortez
Notable resident: Elizabeth Johnson; The Countess

Lore & Background

The Hotel Cortez, built by James Patrick March in 1926, stands as an Art Deco monument to murder within the Los Angeles landscape. Production designer Mark Worthington constructed an expansive two-story lobby set complete with a working elevator and stairway, drawing tonal inspiration from Timothy Pflueger and William Van Alen rather than a single specific building. Inside, the hotel houses secret rooms and dead ends designed to reflect March's murderous fantasies.

The location is connected to previous seasons Murder House and Coven, breaking the strict anthology format. Two primary tormentors haunt the premises: The Ten Commandments Killer, inspired by biblical teachings, and The Addiction Demon, who wields a drill bit dildo. The plot revolves around these entities as well as the hotel's owner, Elizabeth Johnson (The Countess), a fashion icon who maintains her beauty by imbibing human blood.

Reader's Guide

Visitors to this version of Los Angeles must navigate a world where the line between guest and victim is blurred. The setting is defined by its Art Deco aesthetic, featuring details like venus flytrap column carvings reflecting The Countess's nature. Key locations include the lobby with its working elevator and the secret rooms hidden within the structure. The season introduces characters such as Det.

John Lowe (Wes Bentley) and his wife Dr. Alex Lowe (Chloë Sevigny), who investigate the hotel's mysteries. Ramona Royale, played by Angela Bassett, returns to the hotel for revenge against her former lover, The Countess. Hotel is the first season without cast mainstays Jessica Lange and Frances Conroy. The production involved dyeing Max Greenfield's hair platinum blond for his role as an addict intertwined with Sally McKenna (Sarah Paulson).

The narrative critiques celebrity culture through characters like Will Drake (Cheyenne Jackson) and the Countess, who uses blood to maintain her status.

Did You Know?

The season was originally reported to consist of 13 episodes but ultimately aired with 12.
Ryan Murphy based the plot inspiration partly on surveillance video of Elisa Lam's erratic behavior at the real Cecil Hotel.
Lady Gaga won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Television Film for her role as The Countess.

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines the supernatural atmosphere of this location?

The setting features extreme supernatural density where glamour and death coexist within the Hotel Cortez. It acts as an active hub for paranormal entities, drawing inspiration from real hotels with sinister reputations.

Who is the key figure associated with this setting?

Elizabeth Johnson, better known as The Countess, rules over the location as its primary vampire proprietor. Her influence establishes the tone of luxury and horror that defines the season's narrative arc.

Is the Hotel Cortez based on a real building?

No, the hotel is an original creation inspired by various Art Deco architects rather than a single specific real-world location. It combines elements from designers like Timothy Pflueger to create its unique fictional identity.