Los Angeles

Lore & Background

The Hotel Cortez, opened by James Patrick March in 1925, stands as a gothic Art Deco monument to murder within the Los Angeles landscape. Production designer Mark Worthington constructed an expansive two-story lobby set complete with a working elevator and stairway, drawing tonal inspiration from Timothy Pflueger and William Van Alen rather than a single specific building. The establishment is named after the conquistador Hernán Cortés. Inside, the hotel houses secret rooms and dead ends designed to reflect March's murderous fantasies. The location is connected to previous seasons Murder House and Coven, breaking the strict anthology format. Two primary tormentors haunt the premises: The Ten Commandments Killer, inspired by biblical teachings, and The Addiction Demon, who wields a drill bit dildo. The plot revolves around these entities as well as the hotel's owner, Elizabeth Johnson (The Countess), a fashion icon who maintains her beauty by imbibing human blood.

In Their Own Story

In July 2015, FX launched a marketing campaign touting Lady Gaga's involvement before the season premiered on October 7, 2015. The narrative unfolds over 12 episodes, concluding on January 13, 2016, despite initial reports of 13. A pivotal moment occurs in the Halloween episode titled "Devil's Night," featuring a dinner with history's biggest serial killers, including John Wayne Gacy and Aileen Wuornos. The writing process was influenced by Ryan Murphy's personal phobias and his observation of surveillance footage showing Elisa Lam displaying erratic behavior at the real Cecil Hotel prior to her death. Murphy described the season as "straight horror," noting that while Murder House dealt with the fear of the bogeyman under the bed, Hotel explores the terror of others holding keys to your room. The story emphasizes a noir-like ambience where the horror sneaks out of the hotel into the city.

Reader's Guide

Visitors to this version of Los Angeles must navigate a world where the line between guest and victim is blurred. The setting is defined by its Art Deco aesthetic, featuring details like venus flytrap column carvings reflecting The Countess's nature. Key locations include the lobby with its working elevator and the secret rooms hidden within the structure. The season introduces characters such as Det. John Lowe (Wes Bentley) and his wife Dr. Alex Lowe (Chloë Sevigny), who investigate the hotel's mysteries. Ramona Royale, played by Angela Bassett, returns to the hotel for revenge against her former lover, The Countess. Fans should note that this is the first season to feature neither Jessica Lange nor Frances Conroy. The production involved dyeing Max Greenfield's hair platinum blond for his role as an addict intertwined with Sally McKenna (Sarah Paulson). The narrative critiques celebrity culture through characters like Will Drake (Cheyenne Jackson) and the Countess, who uses blood to maintain her status.

Did You Know?

• The season was originally reported to consist of 13 episodes but ultimately aired with 12.
• Ryan Murphy based the plot inspiration partly on surveillance video of Elisa Lam's erratic behavior at the real Cecil Hotel.
• This is the first American Horror Story season not to feature mainstay Jessica Lange, though Frances Conroy does appear as Mama.
• The set included a working elevator and two stories constructed over seven weeks by production designer Mark Worthington.
• Lady Gaga won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Television Film for her role as The Countess.