Shirley Yanez / 24 February 2025 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, City, What to do, Hotels & Travel, Travel and Holidays, Hotels, Accommodation

Always at the Carlyle movie

Maddison Avenue Iconic Hotel

Always At The Carlyle is a delightful documentary that offers viewers an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the hallowed halls of the iconic Carlyle Hotel, situated in the heart of New York City. The film whispers the secrets of this luxurious establishment through the eyes of its devoted employees, who have been the silent witnesses to decades of glamour, intrigue, and celebrity escapades. As the curtain is drawn back, we're invited to a VIP tour where the walls seem to have been coated with a rich patina of history and the air is suffused with the faint scent of bygone eras.

The documentary is a veritable smorgasbord of anecdotes and recollections, each more tantalizing than the last. It's like peering into a treasure chest brimming with unseen photographs and forgotten love letters from the golden age of Hollywood and the pinnacle of New York society. The hotel staff, with their discreet charm and unyielding professionalism, share tales of the hotel's storied past with an affection that speaks volumes about the deep bonds formed between them and the Carlyle's illustrious guests.

Among the star-studded line-up of interviewees, George Clooney regales us with his memories of the place, where he seems to have left a piece of his heart. His anecdotes are charming, revealing a side of the hotel that's both intimate and exclusive—like being privy to a cherished secret shared by an old friend. Then there's the inimitable Jeff Goldblum, whose quirky persona fits perfectly with the film's whimsical tone, as he recounts his experiences with the same childlike wonder that makes his acting so endearing.

Anthony Bourdain, in one of his final on-screen appearances, adds a touch of bittersweet nostalgia as he waxes lyrical about the hotel's legendary Bemelmans Bar and the timeless charm of its murals. His reflections on the Carlyle serve as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of the glitz and glamour that once defined the hotel's heyday.

Director Matthew Miele weaves these narratives with the skill of a master storyteller, allowing the hotel to come alive as a character in its own right. The film's visual tapestry is enriched by archival footage and vintage photographs that capture the essence of the Carlyle's storied legacy. The opulent interiors, with their Art Deco flourishes and understated elegance, seem to pulsate with the energy of the countless stories they have absorbed over the years.

Wes Anderson, the quirky filmmaker known for his meticulous attention to detail, brings a cinematic flair to the documentary, lending his unique vision to a place that seems to exist in a perpetual state of cinematic reverie. His segments feel like a love letter to the hotel, a place that seems to have inspired the whimsical worlds he creates on screen.

Throughout the film, the Carlyle is portrayed not merely as a hotel, but as a living, breathing entity that has hosted royalty, presidents, and Rockstar's with equal aplomb. It's a place where the ghosts of past glories dance in the shadows of its plush corridors, and where every corner holds a whisper of a tale waiting to be told.

Always At The Carlyle is a must-see for anyone with a penchant for old-school sophistication, a fascination with celebrity culture, or an appreciation for the unchanging charm of a bygone era. It's a warm embrace from the past, wrapped in a blanket of luxury and served with a side of wit and charm. The documentary doesn't just inform us about the hotel's storied history; it transports us there, allowing us to bask in the glow of its storied halo, if only for a brief and enchanting while.