Garden Party

The fabled Chateau Marmont, on the cusp of its 80th year in business, has its ghosts, and they contribute to its distinct flavor. But it’s the colorful staff within Hollywood’s favorite country club that makes it one of the most magical hotels in the world. From the gatekeepers to the groundskeepers, here, a rare formal sit-down portrait that closed the grounds one spring day before the tiki torches flickered and the stars came out to play.

The Big House: Back row, from left: Frank Romero, Mario Bonilla, Steven Amador, Carlos Hernandez, Carl Hubbard, Demetra Verrios, Amanda Grandinetti (director of food and beverage), Nicole Kovacs, Daniel Devereaux. Middle row, from left: Gerardo Carreon, Jesus Moreno, Jesus Anguiano, Baltazar Anguiano, Luz Diaz, Oliver Favre, Keilana Smith, Nicholas Cochis, Federica Carrion (director of sales), Jose Acorin (“Big Jose”), Jose Aquino (“Little Jose”), Nat Gunter (director of wine), Graham Miller, Steffanie Sampson-Thomas, Dalia Ermann, Ray Montoya, Stinson Carter (bartender), Anya Varda (with sunglasses). Front row, from left: Noemy Navarrete, Ana Mendoza, Lula Anguiano, Carol O'Brien (director of human resources), Romulo Laki (the singing waiter), Philip Pavel (general manager), Jesse McBride, Seulgi Oh, Will Carter (social butterfly).

“I moved to Los Angeles 17 years ago, with nothing but a dance belt and a tube of chapstick. Look at me now, Ma. I slept my way to the middle.” —Philip Pavel, general manager (for 12 years; hometown: Hickory Hills, Ill.; interests: “wrestling, gladiator movies, bacon, anything involving a Sad Hobo Clown”)

“I gave the Chateau my youth, and it repaid me with stories. What more could you ask of anything?” —Stinson Carter, bartender (day job: novelist, writer-at-large, BlackBook)

“I am responsible for maintaining one of the few historical landmarks of Los Angeles. The Chateau Marmont is magical.” —Luis Mario Bonilla, chief engineer (for 27 years; hometown: El Salvador)

“Working at the Chateau Marmont taught me that (for those who eat), a burger and fries go best with champagne. —Dalia Ermann, events coordinator (hometown: Gahanna, Ohio)

“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners have much more fun.” —Will Carter, host (for five years; hometown: Appomattox, Va.; age: “many years of hard livin’ and easy lovin’”; day job: actor, film producer)

“The Chateau is a unique vortex where anything and everything can happen, and normally does.” —Amanda Grandinetti, food and beverage director (hometown: Dunedin, New Zealand)

“The Chateau doesn’t pretend to be something that it is not, what you see is what you get, and hey, if it’s not for you, it’s not for you. But those who get it appreciate every nook and cranny of it, for better or for worse.” —Federica Carrion, director of sales (for 14 years; hometown: Rome, Italy)

Photography by Greg Endries