Since opening on Avenue of the Stars in 1966, on the former backlot of 20th Century Fox Studios, Fairmont Century Plaza has had a front-row seat to Los Angeles history. Designed by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki, its sweeping crescent-shaped façade rose as the centerpiece of a newly imagined Century City; its distinctive silhouette still suggesting a cinematic screen set against the Los Angeles skyline.

Originally heralded as “The Hotel of the Future” Century Plaza was as forward-looking as it was glamorous. Its many modern features included a technological first: color televisions in every guestroom, introduced a decade before they became commonplace in American homes. From the beginning, innovation was part of its identity.

Almost immediately, the landmark became a stage for moments that extended far beyond hospitality. In 1969, President Richard Nixon hosted the first presidential state dinner held outside the White House in honor of the Apollo 11 astronauts. Known as the “Dinner of the Century,” the evening brought political leaders, international dignitaries, space pioneers and Hollywood stars together beneath one roof to celebrate one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

The stories continued after the ballroom lights dimmed. Sonny & Cher performed a nightly residency at Century Plaza and recorded their first live album here in 1971. In later decades, President Ronald Reagan returned frequently for stays, fundraisers and inaugural celebrations, helping earn the property its enduring nickname: “The Western White House.” From presidential gatherings and landmark awards celebrations to intimate performances, Century Plaza became a place where politics, entertainment, ambition and unmistakable Los Angeles glamour continually crossed paths.

That magnetism has never belonged solely to the past. A new generation of A-list talent, musicians, elite athletes and cultural tastemakers continues to pass through its doors—sometimes for red-carpet occasions and high-profile events, and at other times simply for the privacy and space to retreat, restore and prepare for whatever comes next.

Following a transformative $2.5 billion redevelopment, Fairmont Century Plaza reopened five years ago as a contemporary expression of the enduring original. Its celebrated midcentury architecture remains at the heart of the property, now complemented by contemporary guestrooms, elevated amenities and an expanding collection of dining, fitness and wellness experiences. Rather than recreate the past, the transformation introduced new ways to experience an icon while preserving the character that made it distinctive.

Nowhere is that evolution more evident than at Fairmont Spa Century Plaza. Six decades after Century Plaza first built its reputation on forward-looking design and technology, the 14,000-square-foot spa carries that innovative spirit into a new era of personal well-being.

One of the largest luxury spas in Los Angeles, it brings restorative traditions together with advanced recovery and biohacking experiences. Expert massages and results-driven facials share the menu with Red Light Therapy, Contrast Therapy and Power Nap, allowing each visit to be shaped around personal goals—from beauty and relaxation to recovery, energy and performance.

Wellness here also extends beyond the treatment room. The Technogym-equipped fitness center provides dedicated space for strength training, cardio and restorative practices, while seasonal outdoor fitness, movement and mindfulness programming makes the surrounding environment part of the experience. This integration of spa, advanced technology and purposeful movement reflects how many Angelenos approach well-being today: not as an occasional indulgence, but as an essential part of everyday life.

A private membership community deepens that connection by giving local members ongoing access to the spa, fitness offerings and a thoughtfully curated calendar of wellness experiences. In this way, Fairmont Spa Century Plaza functions as both a restorative escape for travelers and a regular ritual for Los Angeles residents who prioritize how they move, recover and feel.

The next chapter extends beyond the hotel itself. When Century Plaza first opened, it stood at the center of an ambitious vision for Century City—a “city within a city” created around business, culture and modern urban life. Six decades later, the broader Century Plaza campus is entering another period of evolution, with new dining, retail, wellness and gathering experiences continuing to take shape.

That momentum includes the arrival of Birdie G’s, the acclaimed concept from Chef Jeremy Fox. Rooted in family traditions, memory and seasonality, the restaurant will bring its distinctive approach to modern American cooking to Century City as an all-day experience designed for everything from morning coffee and business lunches to celebratory dinners.

Wally’s will further expand the campus dining landscape with its signature food-and-wine experience, while additional concepts still to come will create more reasons for hotel guests, local residents and the surrounding creative and business communities to spend time at Century Plaza. Together, these additions represent more than a collection of new openings. They are helping reestablish the campus as a social and cultural gathering place at the heart of the neighborhood.

Its location makes that invitation especially compelling. Set on Avenue of the Stars in the center of Century City and just around the corner from Beverly Hills, Fairmont Century Plaza places guests within easy reach of some of Los Angeles’ most sought-after dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural destinations—while offering a restorative world of its own.

An icon does not remain relevant by standing still. As Fairmont Century Plaza celebrates its 60th anniversary, its story continues to be one of evolution without sacrificing identity. The architecture is unmistakable, the glamour endures and the people shaping Los Angeles still gather here. Yet its definition of luxury has expanded: vitality matters alongside beauty, restoration alongside celebration and meaningful personal experiences alongside grand occasions.

Once known as “The Hotel of the Future,” Century Plaza is still looking forward. Six decades after opening its doors, it remains firmly connected to the story of Los Angeles while helping shape what comes next—still iconic, still evolving and still unmistakably L.A.

About Fairmont Century Plaza: Located on Avenue of the Stars in the heart of Century City, Fairmont Century Plaza is a landmark luxury hotel in Los Angeles offering contemporary accommodations, destination dining, advanced fitness and wellness experiences, rooftop leisure and exceptional events just minutes from Beverly Hills. Learn more at fairmontcenturyplaza.com.

Fairmont Century Plaza
2025 Ave of the Stars, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90067
United States
FairmontCenturyPlaza.com
(310) 424-3030