Movies that take place in a hotel have a charm of their own. No matter what walk of life you come from, when done in moderation, hotels and Airbnb’s offer a break from the daily monotony of life. While different hotels have different charms, filmmakers have devised ways to merge the individual elements of the location into the narrative structure of the film, almost making it a character in its own way. Here are some of the best hotel and Airbnb movies, ranked.
10 Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
The official remake of the 1960 film of the same name, Ocean’s Eleven follows Danny Ocean (George Clooney) who, fresh off his parole, decides to plan a heist of a $150 million from his ex-wife’s lover’s hotels and casinos. The film was extensively shot in real casino hotels such as the Bellagio Casino & Hotel and features an ensemble cast of Hollywood heavyweights such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts.
9 Barton Fink (1991)
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One of the Coen Brothers’ most unrated films is unofficially modeled on writer Clifford Odets, played by the brilliant John Turturro. The film throws light on the writing process, equating it to a dark form of paranoia and insanity, while also commentating on the superficial distinction between high and low culture. The film is predominantly shot in Barton Fink’s room in the Hotel Earle, a creepy, unsettling hotel, which makes for a perfect hotbed for Fink’s frustrations.
8 Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Hotel Transylvania is a hilarious animated film where Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) runs a high-end, luxurious resort for monsters. Madness ensues when a human mistakenly arrives at the hotel and falls in love with the Adam of the Count’s eye, Mavis. The film is directed by the legendary Russian animator Genndy Tartakovsky, the man behind Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory.
7 The Rental (2020)
Marking Dave Franco’s directional debut, The Rental tells the tale of two couples who escape to an Oceanside getaway, only to realize that the owner of the house may be spying on them. Before long, this cat and mouse game turns into something far more evil and sinister. The film stars Franco’s wife, Alison Brie along with Dan Stevens, Sheila Vand, and Jeremy Allen White.
6 Barbarian (2022)
Barbarian was one of the standout horror films of 2022. The film marked Zach Cregger’s directorial debut and was all the rage among horror fans upon its release. The film’s plot sees a woman whose rental apartment has been double-booked by a man with deep, dark, secrets. Ignoring her judgment, the woman decides to spend the night in the rental only to find out there’s more evil to the house than its occupants.
5 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
The Home Alone series are classics. Every child growing up in the ’90s holds the films in fond regard. The second installment of the film sees Kevin get separated from his family as they board different airplanes, while the family jets off to Miami, Kevin lands in New York. The little prankster then checks into the Plaza Hotel and has a ball, fully unsupervised.
4 Psycho (1960)
When Marion Crane disappears after stealing money from her boss, she is traced down to the infamous Bates Motel, where she is last scene. The Bates Motel is run by the eccentric Norman Bates, who allegedly claims to live with his mother. Norman’s establishment has an eerie presence to it, with a few Easter eggs spread out in its decor and ambiance, from deer antlers to stuffed birds, all the elements in the room have a sinister edge to them, almost waiting to swoop down and capture Marion as prey. Hitchcock juxtaposes Marion’s childlike innocence, along with Norman’s eccentricity, against the backdrop of a motel that seems to have a deep, dark and dirty mind of its own.
3 Lost in Translation (2003)
When two strangers belonging to the same country meet in a different land, the only thing that unifies them is their abode. That’s exactly what the hotel does for Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation. The Park Hyatt hotel acts as a neutral ground for American actor Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the wife of a photographer whose accompanying her husband on a work trip. Their bond grows as they seek solace in each other’s company in a sea full of strangers.
2 The Shining (1980)
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The Shining features one of the most creepily iconic hotels to be ever portrayed on screen. The Overlook Hotel, has a notorious past and sinister aura as its previous caretaker killed himself and his family while looking after the isolated hotel during peak winter. This advice is dished out to Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) by the manager of the hotel, as he applies for the same post as the previously deceased caretaker. Torrance disregards the manager’s advice and thus begins his descent into madness.
1 The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Coming from one of the best visual directors of recent times, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a treat for all Wes Anderson fans. The master filmmaker creates a world of its own with pastel color palettes and intricate set designs to propel the story into a distinct, never-seen-before movie experience.
