Sunset marquis hotel

Nightbird Studios, Where Hollywood Records

Sometimes it seems that Los Angeles has nearly as many recording studios as it has pools but Nightbird Studios is one of the most intriguing. The studio is located in the base of the Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood. Billboard ran a recent story on the studio which began in 1993 when a late night recording session caused hotel complaints forcing a move to the parking area. What began as a temporary fix became calling for Nightbird founder/owner Jed Leiber.

Since that one night over a decade ago Nightbird has transformed into a studio that draws popular music's top talents including Eminem, Drake and Lil Wayne. There are now two main suites, Studio A and B with mahogany wall coverings and a 120-inch projector screen. The space was configured by acoustician George Augspurger for maximum sound benefit.

Perhaps the best part for acts is that they don't have to go home after a session. They can enjoy the hotel amenities, get 24-hour room service or a massage to work out the tension. And even though the music industry is in a state of flux, Leiber plans to expand, adding a video editing room, production rooms and maybe even lounges for artists who don't want to upstairs to the hotel. Not bad for a former parking garage.

Nightbird Studio has gotten so popular that they even sell branded t-shirts. Check out the Facebook page for more info and shots of the studio gear.

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A New Luxury Hybrid: Suites Of The World

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

The simplest, most lucrative ideas usually are not borne in a vacuum: they hybridize from others that have been successful, but with an ineffable something that seemed missing. So it was with Randall Brown and John Martinelli, who recently launched their new company, Suites Of The World. Brown and Martinelli combined their experiential intelligences in the luxury hotels and in private investment banking fields to create this company, the only one that provides travel professionals, their affluent clients and interested others with choice and access to high end and often historic suites.

Messrs. Brown and Martinelli knew about luxury hotels, the needs of high end private banking clients and realized -- more than once! -- how many of their clients, including celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, and luxury travel professionals were frustrated with the lack of readily-available information about the history and the availability of the world's top suites. "We've positioned Suites of the World to educate the affluent consumer as well as luxury travel professionals about the history and exclusivity of these suites." said Brown. "Additionally, we also have access to numerous suites and private properties not yet released to the general public, enabling an even more unique experience for those who have interest."

Suites of the World provides detailed information on all represented properties, from a current photo library and accurate floor plans to key security information on the suites and villas. Additionally, the company will assist in providing access for filming and arranging special events within the suites.

Suites of the World's collection of luxury hotel suites are hand-selected for their character, location, historic significance, style, and service. Many premier suites have been home to celebrities, royals, diplomats, and presidents. Just a few in New York include:

The Presidential Suite at the Waldorf Towers (see below) is one where where every sitting president has stayed since Herbert Hoover. This suite is complete with JFK's actual rocking chair and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's private desk.

Tags: Casa Elar, Celebrity suites, Duke and Dutchess of Windsor, Greenwich Hotel, Johnny Grant, luxury suites, marilyn Monroe, Montelucia, Presidential Suites, Royal Apartment at the Waldorf Towers, Suites Of The World, Sunset marquis hotel, Waldorf Towers