When I first started thinking about The Wilfair Hotel a few years back, I thought of the real hotels I love and buildings that inspire me.
The Park Plaza, here in Los Angeles, is one. I had the photo below as my wallpaper when I started writing. The Wilfair doesn't look like this, of course, but it does have the grandeur and mystery.
I wrote about the Park Plaza today for work, so that was a treat. It's been in dozens of movies and television shows, specifically its very grand staircase. If you saw "Hotel for Dogs," that was the hotel. I wrote an article about the movie for Bark magazine, and got to sit on the staircase and watch them film a scene. So. Fun. There were like twenty dogs prancing about the lobby, so I was a happy gal.
Here's what I always think of, though, when I think of the Park Plaza: Steve Perry's "Oh Sherrie" video. This is from Mr. Perry's solo album, but if you like Journey you'll love this song (and I think we're all lovers of '80s music 'round this blog). It's pretty sweet, and Steve is singing from my favorite staircase to his real-life lady love, Sherrie. Can I also add I love how sweetly he hugs her at the end? I'm such a sap. It's at the 4:30 mark.
If you have a favorite '80s love song, put it in the comments and I'll do a round-up post!
